Dec 14, 2008, 8:00 GMT
James Franco says acting doesn't "satisfy" him.
The 'Milk' star enrolled on a graduate course at New York University and a creative writing course at Columbia University after Hollywood left him feeling disillusioned.
He said: "Going back to school has been life-changing and lifesaving. I wasn't on the point of suicide, but I wasn't satisfied.
"As an actor, you can tell yourself that your self-worth isn't measured by how your last movie did at the box office. But I found when acting was all I had, inevitably I would be emotionally affected by how well a movie did.
"School offered a way to focus on something that had a new criteria for success, and its own rewards. It releases me from pressure that I put on myself, where everything has to be perfect."
James is now considering quitting the movie business and pursuing a career as a teacher.
The 30-year-old star added to Blackbook magazine: "I have faith that my school and acting schedules will work out. Teaching creative writing students is something I'd like to do.
"I like the idea of teaching people who I know are interested in a subject, and not because it's a general education requirement. I want students who want to be there."
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