Joaquin Phoenix, the 34-year-old actor who starred in "Walk the Line," "Gladiator" and "Ladder 49," stunned E! Online reporter Jason Kennedy at a benefit event Monday night with the announcement that he would be retiring from acting.

What?

Just minutes later, Phoenix's brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, confirmed that it was true.

This has to be some kind of joke. Right?

You be the judge. You can watch the minute-long clip here.

Phoenix is apparently giving up acting to pursue music, a passion of his since he learned to play guitar for his role as Johnny Cash in 2005's "Walk the Line." He is now recording an album with Tim Burgess, lead singer of the British rock/indie band The Charlatans. Phoenix wrote the songs and Anthony Langdon (former member of Spacehog) sang them. No release date has been set, but it seems as if this album has brought on his abrupt retirement.

"Two Lovers," Phoenix's final film, premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release on Feb. 13, 2009. Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars in the romantic drama.

Honestly, I think he's serious...for now. There's no doubt that when Phoenix does something, he puts his heart and entire focus in to it. That may be why he has only starred in three films the last three years. He has a reputation as a perfectionist in Hollywood. He also immerses himself in work with several charitable organizations including PETA, Amnesty International, The Lunchbox Fund and The Peace Alliance.

Like he does on other projects, I think he'll work tirelessly on this album and maybe even another. It won't be long, however, before he'll get the acting bug again. He might only make a cameo appearance first, but trust me, Joaquin Phoenix will star in a film again some day.

His acting career isn't over. It's just suspended.

Especially if his album flops.