It came as a shock to fans when popular comedian and actor George Lopez revealed that he is abandoning his television career and moving out of the United States. The news came as a surprise and was hardest of all to longtime followers who have seen him grow from stand-up to prime-time sitcom success.
A noted cultural commentator with a sharp sense of humor, a blunt approach to speaking about social and political issues, Lopez has been a voices to be reckoned with in the American entertainment landscape for a long time. But now, he claims that the political environment has driven him to the edge.
In a frank communication that went through all his social media, Lopez expressed genuine frustration with the direction that the nation has been taking. “I can’t live here for the next four years,” he wrote, and a lot of people have taken this to mean that this is his response to the results of the recent election. Even if he did not mention them by name, the insinuation was evident: he did not name any particular political players or parties. he is no longer comfortable with the idea that United States is a country where he can live and prosper in peace.
Lopez said that the choice was not taken lightly. Having spent decades building his career in the public eye, starring in several shows and specials, and taking his platform to share his opinion on matters affecting Latinos, he says that he now needs to prioritize his own well-being. “I have to focus on myself,” he wrote, indicating a departure from the pressure of show business and the everlasting pressure of being a public figure at politically confrontational period.
The response from the fans was instant. Many were surprised and grieved and thousands were supporting, thanking and brokenhearted in the comments. Others acknowledged that they comprehensively understood his choice and congratulated him for having chosen peace over pressure. Some expressed memories of the way his work had affected them personally – how George Lopez the sitcom had been a rare moment of cultural self-scrutiny and self-recognition for countless Latino families in America.
Industry insiders have also observed that Lopez’s decision might have ripple effects on entertainment in general and especially among creators and performers who also feel disillusioned or wearied by the current social climate. Being an artist that has not been afraid of potent material in the past, his silence from now on will be felt.
Lopez is yet to disclose where, exactly, he intends to relocate, or whether he’s going to remain under the spotlight in another country, but he made it clear – it’s more than a hiatus – it’s a big change in his life. For many, his departure is not only the departure of a beloved entertainer but a sign of increasing disquiet abroad the minds of some Americans at home.
Even though his future plans are uncertain, George Lopez leaves a legacy that cannot be wiped out. By comedic means, by commentary, or by cultural advocacy, he has indelibly stamped his name on the industry and on millions of fans who now watch him go with a mix of cocktail of adversity, honor and hope that he finds peace he is yearning for.
