Why did Haley Joel Osment stop acting? Reason explored amid 'The Sixth Sense' star’s public intoxication arrest

Haley Joel Osment became Hollywood’s biggest star at just 11 years of age for his performance in The Sixth Sense. Osment delivered his breakthrough performance at a young age, earning an Academy Award nomination for the role.

Osment has recently made headlines as he was arrested for public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance on April 8, 2025, in Mammoth Lakes, California, at a ski resort. Amidst the recent arrest, fans have started wondering why the once-prominent child star appears to have vanished from the public eye.

Even though Haley Joel Osment was an early 2000s success story, he left mainstream Hollywood behind as a teen. Osment talked in various interviews over the years about how his parents kept him grounded.

"They had a policy making sure that me and my sister, who is also an actor, knew 'If this isn't fun, you can quit tomorrow and go back to school,'" he told CNBC Make It.

When the time came for Haley Joel Osment to enter college, he followed that advice. He went to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied experimental theater, choosing to stay well away from the Hollywood bubble.

The early 2000s were an especially tough moment in L.A. because of the aggressive tabloid culture around young stars, Osment said. He said it felt nice to take a break from that world.

"It was important for me to step back and figure out whether this was what I wanted to do for my entire life," he said in a statement.

Rather than market that fame via endless roles or endorsements, Osment embarked on a path of quiet reinvention. He later admitted that stepping away might not have been the best financial decision, but it gave him the time and space to protect his relationship with acting and to avoid burnout (CNBC News).

More about Haley Joel Osment’s future plans and his recent arrest

After finishing his studies, Osment slowly made his way back to the industry, appearing in The Boys, Entourage, and Teachers. He also appeared in the recent movie Blink Twice, directed by Zoë Kravitz. Haley Joel Osment has even set his sights on eventually directing, and has said he’d like to direct at least 10 films in his lifetime.

According to TMZ and other outlets, after Osment was arrested for public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, the resort ski patrol held the actor until local authorities showed up.

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Sgt. Jason Heilman of the Mammoth Lakes Police team confirmed the charges and said Osment was released later. The Mono County District Attorney’s Office is now reviewing the case to decide whether to file charges.

The sources close to the actor said that Haley Joel Osment is going through a hard time as his house was destroyed in a recent fire, and new housing is supposedly causing issues with insurance companies.

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