Actor Shia LaBeouf has decided to retire from public life and shared the news on Twitter.
The controversial actor stands accused of plagiarism for his unauthorized use of material penned by Dan Clowes in his own short film ‘Howard Cantour.com,’ released to the Internet on Dec. 17, 2013.
Lawyers for Clowes immediately sent a cease and desist letter to LaBeouf. The actor quickly acknowledged the mistake with this tweet: “I’m embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella ‘Justin M. Damiano,’ which served as my inspiration.”
“Copying isn’t particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else’s idea to produce something new and different IS creative work. In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation.”
“I was truly moved by his piece of work & I knew that it would make a poignant & relevant short. I apologize to all who assumed I wrote it. I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded and want @danielclowes to know that I have a great respect for his work. I f**ked up.”
After weeks of being lambasted on social media and in the mainstream press, LaBeouf has decided to simply disappear:
Following that tweet he said, “My love goes out to those who have supported me. #stopcreating.”
Photo Credit: WENN