Boyhood Star Ellar Coltrane Lives 'Middle of Nowhere,' Pursues EMT and Firefighter Roles

Ellar Coltrane, the child star who grew up on screen in Richard Linklater's "Boyhood," has largely left the glitz of Hollywood behind. Now 31, Coltrane revealed in a Variety interview that he lives "in the middle of nowhere," dedicating his time to manual labor and volunteer firefighting while pursuing certification as an emergency medical technician.

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I'm pretty far removed from the film industry.

Many film enthusiasts still remember Coltrane as Mason Evans Jr. in "Boyhood: Moments in Life," a groundbreaking film shot over 12 years. Linklater began filming when Coltrane was just six, capturing his genuine growth until 2013. The film's 2014 release showcased this unique approach to depicting a character's life without actor changes or special effects.

While "Boyhood" profoundly shaped his career, Coltrane's path diverged from typical young Hollywood stars. He occasionally participates in independent films in El Paso, Texas, but states he has moved on from aspirations of a traditional Hollywood career. He misses the creative process and collaborating closely with directors, finding fulfillment in understanding and expressing an artist's vision.

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When I can get inside the mindset of an artist and work closely with them to figure out how I can express what they are trying to express, I think I can do a really good job.

However, Coltrane admitted discomfort with the conventional workings of major productions. "Just showing up on a big set with a million producers, I don't know how to do that," he confessed. This sentiment stems partly from his unconventional acting education, which occurred entirely on the "Boyhood" set rather than through formal training.

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Just showing up on a big set with a million producers, I don't know how to do that.