Why did William Wellman decide not to continue acting after appearing in The Knickerbocker Buckaroo?

After arriving in Hollywood to pursue a career in the film industry, William Wellman appeared in a small role in the 1919 silent film The Knickerbocker Buckaroo. Following this experience, he decided not to continue acting simply because he found that he did not enjoy it.1

With the assistance of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., who had originally encouraged him to come to Hollywood, Wellman transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role at Goldwyn Pictures. He began as a messenger and eventually worked his way up through the ranks to become a prominent director.1