‘The haters have won’ says Isaiah Washington as he announces retirement

Isaiah Washington has retired from the entertainment industry and claims the “haters” have won.

The former Grey’s Anatomy actor, who played Dr. Preston Burke on the show between 2005 and 2007, was fired from the long-running medical drama after using a homophobic slur, and almost two decades later he had decided to leave the industry.

This week, he wrote on Twitter: “It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today.

“Those who have been following/witnessing my journey here on [Twitter] since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won.

“I’m no longer interested in the back-and-forth regarding a ‘colour construct’ that keeps us human beings divided, nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic,” he said.

Washington unveiled plans to travel across the United States and he promised to keep fans up to date by “posting a few pictures” of his retirement “shenanigans” now and agian.

He added, “I will be traveling this great country before it falls into socialism and then communism.

“Until then, know that this Frederick Douglass Conservative will keep his powder dry and loves you all! I am truly grateful for your support over the years.”

He suggested his final role will be 2022’s Corsicana.

Change of heart

However, he later expressed a willingness to go back on his retirement announcement if fans donate enough money.

In a subsequent Twitter post, he wrote: “[It] became clear that I have been operating outside of the traditional Hollywood system successfully for the last 15 year’s. So, why stop now with over five million views and counting with my February 28, 2023 Twitter post?

“It seems that if I received just $1.00 from five million people, then I will have more than enough capital to continue to independently produce my own Bass Reeves movie project for a Fall 2023 shooting schedule in Arkansas and Oklahoma. I mean why not give a try, right?

“I’m a man of my word and as transparent as one can be in the entertainment industry and I know that I can deliver something even more valuable than my recent western called Corsicana and I love that movie!”

The actor is asking for an initial $1 million in support but his ultimate goal is $5 million.

“I have never asked for help or financial support like this in my life or career, but it appears that there are millions of people in America and the world that want to see more of me as the great American Hero Deputy US Marshal Bass Reeves and I willing to continue the journey and the fight with your support.”

Washington had been accused of using a homophobic slur in reference to co-star TR Knight, who later came out as gay, on the set of Grey’s Anatomy when arguing with Patrick Dempsey.

He later denied using the term as a slur, and claimed he instead told Patrick to stop treating him like an “F-word”, which he said meant “somebody who is being weak and afraid to fight back”.

In 2014, he reflected on his experiences on the show and said, “I don’t worry about whether or not the stories I tell will destroy my acting career, because you can’t take away something that doesn’t exist. They killed the actor [in me] on June 7, 2007.”