Penn Badgley, an acclaimed actor known for his roles in major television series such as Gossip Girl and You, recently opened up about his early experiences in Hollywood and the challenges he faced as a child star. During a candid interview on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, Badgley revealed that he almost stepped away from acting at the tender age of 20, feeling burnt out after spending nearly a decade in the industry.

Starting his professional journey at just 12 years old, Badgley achieved financial independence by the age of 15. Such early success, however, came at a cost. Reflecting on his time in the industry, he shared, "By the time I was 20, I was feeling real disillusioned and dried up and tired of being in Hollywood and acting. When you're 20 years old and you've been doing something professionally since you were 12, thats your life."

His weariness at such a young age is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by young actors in Hollywood. Badgley elaborated, saying, "I had a tiredness about me at 20 that I think is not typical for a 20-year-old because I've been working for so long." His dedication to his family was evident as he noted, "I wasn't always the breadwinner, but I've always needed to and wanted to provide support for my parents."

The demanding nature of the entertainment industry often leads to burnout, particularly among those who start their careers as children. Unlike many professions, the acting field allows youth to engage in work from a young age, creating unique challenges in managing life, expectations, and personal growth. Badgley, who initially gained fame for his role in The Young and The Restless, even considered shifting his focus to music during a turbulent period in his career.

Ultimately, he accepted the role of Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl primarily for financial reasons. "I was close to broke, although I was looking forward to figuring that out," he confessed. "I was enjoying my way of life, but the future was real unknown, and its not like I could go live with my parents. The stakes were high."

Upon its release, Gossip Girl quickly became a cultural phenomenon, establishing Badgley and his co-stars as household names within the entertainment world. This early success paved the way for his later role as Joe Goldberg in Netflix's thrilling series You, which is set to debut its highly anticipated final season this Thursday.

Now at 38 years old, Badgley expressed that he feels he is finally embracing a more mature phase in his acting career. His reflections serve as an insight into the often-overlooked struggles of child actors and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.