Alicia Silverstone Explains Why She Took Acting Breaks

Actress Alicia Silverstone, who is best known for playing the iconic role of Cher Horowitz in 1995's Clueless, revealed why she took breaks from acting throughout her career. In a profile of her that ran in Entertainment Weekly on August 14, the actress detailed how the attention and success had knock-on effects on the way she approached her craft after Clueless.

"Before Clueless, I was much more intuitive and playful and had more confidence about what I was doing," Alicia said. "After Clueless, for a minute, I got a little stressed and made it more intellectual or something. I had about three or four years of this strange feeling." The 48-year-old actress said she still loves acting, but taking a break helped her to find fresh inspiration for her work. "Acting is important to me, but I have taken breaks from it at times, and then come back to it because I loved it so much. I've figured out that you can do all the things," she said.

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Silverstone has had a career spanning decades, continuing to be involved in the film industry while dedicating time to her personal passions and other ventures. Her screen work has been both celebrated and maligned after several of her films fizzled at the box office. In particular, she won a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress for her role in Batman & Robin in 1997. While the path has not been consistently smooth, Alicia continues to work on projects that align with her values and interests.

Next up, Silverstone is returning as Cher Horowitz in a Clueless TV prequel series that she also executive produces. While the project represents a return to form, it also demonstrates an evolution in how she now operates within the show business. Alicia Silverstone showed with her breaks and sit-downs that taking a step back can be as meaningful as continuing to forge ahead. She has discovered ways to maintain her love for acting while adjusting to life in the spotlight by taking time away to reassess her priorities. It is a lesson that even in the shiny glass house of Hollywood, where we are accustomed to seeing the same high-profile faces repeatedly, everybody needs time out for contemplation and regeneration.