Audra McDonald to announce shock retirement from acting?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

McDonald created a stir on Saturday when rumors have surfaced that her career was over.

Sad news for McDonald fans. Speculation had been rife that the American actress best known for her roles in Beauty and the Beast or Private Practice, will announce her retirement from acting, at age 55, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 26/04/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actress isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actress-singer just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAudra

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouAudra was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouAudra.”
— @DesireePlum, 25 Apr 2026
“I thought Audra McDonald retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 25 Apr 2026

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