Baldwin tried to quit acting over daughter debacle

Updated 19.31 Fri Apr 27 2007

Keywords: Kim Basinger, Alec Baldwin, Ireland

An apologetic Alec Baldwin, caught yelling at his daughter on a voicemail message, revealed that he asked to be freed from his television contract so he can devote his time to the issue of "parental alienation."

"If I never acted again I couldn't care less," Baldwin said in an interview.

"If I never acted again I couldn't care less" - Baldwin

The actor also said he wanted to leave the sitcom he is currently appearing in so that the programme and the hundreds who work on it wouldn't "be hurt by the situation."

US broadcaster NBC, however, quickly shot down the idea. The actor has became a key asset for the freshman sitcom, 30 Rock, stealing the show as an oily but charming network executive overseeing a Saturday Night Live-type program.

"Alec Baldwin remains an important part of 30 Rock. We look forward to having him continue his role in the show," NBC said in a statement.

Baldwin and ex-wife Kim Basinger have been embroiled, since their 2002 divorce, in a custody dispute over their daughter, Ireland, 11.

It boiled up recently over Baldwin's telephone message for his daughter, berating her as a "rude, thoughtless little pig" for missing his call.

A tape of the message was obtained by celebrity Web site TMZ.com and broadcast worldwide. The actor blamed his former wife for leaking the tape, which she denied.