Grey’s Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington has announced his retirement from performing with a “feeling of relief.”
From 2005 until 2007, the 58-year-old played cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Preston Burke in the long-running medical drama.
The actor, who began his career working with Spike Lee, was sacked after the third season following a contentious argument in which he used a homophobic slur in reference to cast member TR Knight.
Washington denied the claim at the time and stated: ‘No, I did not call T.R. a f****t. Never happened, never happened.
‘There is no way I could do anything so vile, and so horrible, not only to a castmate but to a fellow human being.’
On Tuesday, the Exit Wounds actor announced his retirement to his Twitter followers, stating he took the choice with a “heavy heart.”
He explained: ‘Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on Twitter since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won.
‘I’m no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic.
‘I will be traveling this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism. Until then, know that this Frederick Douglass Conservative will keep his powder dry and loves you all! I am truly grateful for your support over the years.’
Washington has previously chastised Grey Anatomy co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl, alleging that Dempsey made racially inflammatory remarks and assaulted castmates.
Speaking about Dempsey, Washington claimed to KBLA Talk 1580: ‘He was not a nice guy from day one. But he liked me and once I had a conversation with him, he said, “Isaiah, do you know that white men are the masters of the universe?” And I said, “You really believe that?” And he said “Absolutely”.’
Dempsey allegedly ‘terrorised’ Knight and ‘threw Kate Walsh through a window out of rage’ on set, according to WaPo.
The Love Jones star retaliated against Heigl when she accused him of using a homophobic slur towards Knight.
He tweeted in 2020: ‘This woman once proclaimed that I should “never” be allowed to speak publicly again.
‘The world agreed with her proclamation back then and protested for my job and my head in 65 languages. I wish I was on Twitter in 2007, because I will NEVER stop exercising my free speech.’
Heigl has yet to publicly respond to the tweet but a source close to the Knocked Up star said at the time: ‘Katherine stood up for her close friend twice when Isaiah publicly outed him and called him a f****t. That’s hate talk, not free speech.
‘She is proud that she stood up for him. Katherine is and always will be an advocate and ally to LGBTQ community.’
Source My Celebrity Life.