Celebrity Disaster

30 Rock, with original cast member Rachel Dratch

This is the way that Alec Baldwin will begin his political career--by walking away from the arts and embracing the pure, sexless evil of politics:

He found the role that defined his career in the NBC sitcom, but "30 Rock" actor Alec Baldwin says he is prepared to leave the acting profession altogether in 2012.

The Emmy award winner told Men's Journal that he is calling it quits when his contract for the hit show expires in two years. "I don't have any interest in acting anymore," he said. "I'm not young, but I have time to do something else."

This isn't the first time Baldwin, 51, has grumbled over his intent to leave the industry.

In April 2007, following a media firestorm over a leaked voice mail message in which Baldwin called his 11-year-old daughter, Ireland, a "rude pig," the actor told talk show "The View": "If I never acted again, I couldn't care less." In June, Baldwin told Playboy magazine that he would retire at the "30 Rock" wrap party in 2012.

"In March 2012, I'll wake up and say, 'What am I going to do now? Am I done?' I think I will be done. I may finish a play or something, but I'm retiring at the wrap party."

What he forgot to add was, "vote for me, suckers. I'm running for...Joe Lieberman's seat in the United States Senate? President of the America? Representative so and so's House seat?"

Take your pick. Another liberal walks away from art, and finds that the political arena is where they can make a killing. This is why I miss Ronald Reagan. Consistency.