Jack Gleeson Finally Speaks Out on Leaving Acting After Playing Joffrey in ‘Game of Thrones’

Jack Gleeson, widely known for his role as the cruel King Joffrey in Game of Thrones, has finally addressed the long-standing rumors that fan backlash forced him to quit acting. Speaking at the premiere of his new series, House of Guinness, Gleeson explained that the claims were not true.

“Thankfully, it wasn’t because I received any sort of abuse from anybody. Thankfully! I know that can happen, sadly. People confuse the character with the actor, but after Game of Thrones or even during the show, I was continuing to act, but it was more of just a theatre company that I set up with some friends in Dublin, and I was more into that at that time,” he told reporters, according to The Guardian.

Gleeson’s portrayal of Joffrey made him infamous almost overnight. Fans of the show often directed extreme anger and frustration at the character, which at times spilled over into how some treated him in public.

He has previously mentioned that people would shout at him or avoid him in public spaces, fully associating him with the cruel and sadistic king he played on screen. Despite this, Gleeson insisted that the intensity of fans’ reactions never discouraged him from acting.

“I loved acting on screen, and eventually that brought me back to the industry,” he added. After Game of Thrones, Gleeson took time away from high-profile screen roles to focus on theater projects in Dublin, preferring smaller, creative spaces where he could explore his craft without the weight of worldwide fame.

Now, with House of Guinness, Gleeson is returning to the screen, ready to leave Joffrey behind while continuing his passion for acting. His comments make it clear that his departure from acting was a personal choice rather than a reaction to fan hostility, emphasizing his love for the craft over the fame that came with it.

It’s fascinating to see Gleeson back in front of the camera after so many years. His honesty about being treated like his character reminds us of how powerful fan reactions can be—and how well actors manage to separate themselves from the roles they play. What do you think about actors being treated like their characters? Share your thoughts in the comments.