In a Playboy interview hitting stands Friday, Alec Baldwin talks all about "that voicemail", how it leaking almost drove him to suicide, and how he'll never return to the Today show because Matt Lauer did an interview with TMZ's Harvey Levin before phoning him. Juicy stuff, even if it's two years old, but what I find most interesting is Baldwin talking about the future. He plans on retiring after 30 Rock — "I'm done in 2012. In March 2012, I'll wake up and say, 'What am I going to do now? Am I done?' I think I will be done. I may finish a play or something, but I'm retiring at the wrap party" — and dreams of having a tabloid-free personal life.
"I have this silly fantasy," he says. "I get married again, I have a kid. I'd love another shot at that, with everything I've learned. My kid's like eight, comes home and says, 'Dad, Jimmy's mom says you were a famous actor on TV and in the movies. Is that true?' And I go, 'Yes, Johnny, Dad was famous.' I whip out my scrapbooks and my DVDs and say, 'Believe it or not, that's your dad.' And my kid's like, 'You used to be on TV and everything? And now you stay home and just clean the house all day while Mom works?' 'That's right, son.' It's a dream, that the kid doesn't know anything about that part of my life. Our normal life is uncontaminated by it."
If he's serious about that, I definitely think he could make it happen. Step 1: Stop talking about "that voicemail." We'd almost forgotten about it. Step 2: If Demi Moore still has her property in Idaho, buy it from her. Step 3: Move in. Step 4: Do not run for public office (an idea he's toying with), just be the president of the PTA at your fictional son's school. That's pretty much it. I don't see paparazzi caring enough about a Baldwin brother — even the Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning one — to stake out bake sales.* Being an older actor, with a large amount of good will from what would be six seasons of 30 Rock, can have its advantages in this tabloid culture, Alec.
*Or frankly, even to follow you around New York City once you're off 30 Rock, provided you don't do or say something stupid in public.
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No matter what he says or does, I will always love Alec Baldwin.
I maintain that posting that voicemail online was worse than the voicemail itself. Way to traumatize your kid… Yes, I am talking to you Kim Basinger.
And my parents have totally called me worse anyway.
A great actor, to bad we only have like three years left of him then, and The Shadow was a decent movie, just sayin’
I hope in 2012 he reassesses and gives 30 Rock however much time it wants. It does feel like the kind of show that will have a (relatively) short, sweet run, but I dunno, maybe I’m greedy.
I do love Alec on 30 Rock. He is so funny. Glad he didn’t quit.
Please go away, no talent, and just a hangover on your TV
Demi Moore owns property in Idaho – two separate states.
Demi Moore owns property in Idaho – I know it’s hard for New Yorkers to believe but Iowa is a separate state.
The best actor in a comedy working on television today. ‘30 Rock’ is stellar consistently.
like 30 Rock’s even gonna make it to 2012 (face it)!
@ JGNY: Did you even read the article?? Dumb@ss.
He’s a great actor — watch his old movies sometime. Prelude to a Kiss? Just watch him through that whole thing…. he’s incredible. It will be a huge loss if he retires… I LOVE HIM!
What the WHAT? Who said 30 Rock was ending in three years? Here’s hoping he’ll come to his senses and stick around as long as Tina does.
Wow, how awful would you feel if your Dad wanted to start over a whole new life with a whole new kid.
That’s terrible.
he has a 6 year contract and evidently won’t re-sign. 30 Rock is brilliant and might be wise to go out after 6 seasons before it becomes MASH, Friends or Cheers in their final 5 five seasons.
Alec is adorable! Hey, Alec, wanna be in a gay relationship with me? We’ll adopt!
I think the 30Rock show being a comedy put Alec in a happy frame of mind and he was able to look at the world through different eyes. I don’t care what the experts say, even though he knew he was only acting when playing bad guys, it does rub off. Good luck in all his future endeavors, and I truly hope he and Kim Basinger can become friends again. Life is short.
Alec Baldwin is one of the few actors who can go from funny to serious and back again seamlessly. Just say Beetle Juice three times… You may end up in Glengarry Glen Ross. The man can do no wrong.
I hadn’t heard of the voicemail thing until this article. Sounds like someone is used to getting their ass kissed all the time, and kids don’t do that. Grow up Alec!
I think berating your 8-year-old daughter calling her a “pig” (or was it “fu|cking pig”?) warrants an induction to the Bad Parent Hall Of Fame for life.
Now, I love Alec Baldwin – especially in 30 ROCK – but I have little patience for actors and musicians who “retire”. WHY even make a statement about that? Remember when Celine Dion “retired”? Cher is STILL on her “Farewell Tour”! Joaquin Phoenix recently “retired” from acting to focus on his music career – whatever! If you still have breath in you, you cannot retire from acting and making music!
Alec talks a good game, but he doesn’t follow through. He’s always going to retire or move to Austrailia or some such idiocy, but he doesn’t. How will he cope without the fame, the great tables, the babes, the money? Nah, not gonna happen.
I think he should go. Just never appear in anything AGAIN. He is just a horrible person who I don’t want to watch in ANYTHING. He is such an ass that I cant bring myself to watch 30 rock at all.
Don’t retire!!!! You are so funny!
Have you seen him in 30 rock bloopers?
http://hahaha-have-a-laugh.blogspot.com/