Do you wonder what happens when an actor just can’t deal with being in the limelight anymore and is hammered by paparazzi pictures wherever he or she turns? The glitter of Hollywood is not in short supply, but it is not always capable of keeping its members content. There are some celebrities who just can’t handle the stress of fame, the lifestyle, or the paparazzi, and so they walk away—for maybe a simpler, happier life, or maybe just to take a break. These 16 celebrities left the spotlight to live their lives, and it is hard to believe it, as these are just some of the most recent ones.
16. Mara Wilson
The beloved actress known for Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda retired from the entertainment industry in 2000. Wilson has said that she found the industry to be associated with “anxiety and rejection” from her audience, so she turned to a different path, which is the art of writing, in which she is now a published writer with two published books, one of which is a biographical memoir based on her experience as a child star.
15. Shirley Temple
Way before Hollywood produced a seemingly endless array of child stars, there was Shirley Temple, the child star. But she stunned the planet by retiring at 22, claiming she’d “had enough of pretend.” Instead, she embarked on a distinguished diplomatic career, serving as a U.S. ambassador.
14. Phoebe Cates
80s staples such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins made her a legend, but by the early 1990s, Cates had retired from acting. She opted for domestic bliss with husband Kevin Kline and subsequently opened a boutique in New York City.
13. Adrian Grenier
Best known as Vincent Chase in Entourage, Grenier traded Hollywood for Texas. After two decades in the industry, he said he wanted a life rooted in family and nature. While he hasn’t quit acting completely, he only takes on projects that truly align with his values.
12. Rick Astley
He gave us “Never Gonna Give You Up,” then disappeared from the music scene for nearly three decades. Burned out and disillusioned with the pop world, Astley walked away. He’s since returned to performing, but strictly on his own terms.
11. Ian Somerhalder
Following The Vampire Diaries, Somerhalder quit acting in 2019 to relocate to a farm with his family. His new interest? Environmental activism, ranging from regenerative agriculture to climate change documentaries. As far as he is concerned, he doesn’t miss acting at all.
10. Jennifer Stone
Redeemed as Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place, Stone quit acting to pursue nursing. She announced on Instagram that she went onto the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, influenced by the nurses that she looked up to.
9. Erik von Detten
Disney golden boy of Brink! And The Princess Diaries traded acting for a finance career. He said that Hollywood instability didn’t agree with his vision of having a big family and being financially secure.
8. Peter Ostrum
Recognize him as Charlie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory? That was his sole movie part. Ostrum then took a whole different route—practicing as a dairy veterinarian. He’s reported having no regrets about hanging up his Hollywood hat.
7. Kay Panabaker
Having appeared in Summerland and Cyber Bully, Panabaker quit acting in 2012. She pursued her true passion—animals—and is now a zookeeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
6. Rick Moranis
The popular Honey, I Shrunk the Kids star walked away from the movies in the ’90s after his wife died. He decided to raise his children as a single dad, later commenting that he never regretted putting his family first instead of his acting career.
5. Bridgit Mendler
From Good Luck Charlie to Lemonade Mouth, Mendler appeared to be headed for long-term Hollywood stardom. Instead, she went on to attend MIT and Harvard for higher studies, and today she’s the CEO of her own space startup, Northwood Space. She’s also a new mom—and considers parenthood her best role.
4. Frankie Muniz
The Malcolm in the Middle actor left the craft of acting to follow his dreams and get behind the wheel of racing cars and making music. Although he’s due to resurface for a reboot, his hiatus afforded him time to live out hobbies away from Hollywood.
3. Erik Per Sullivan
Another Malcolm in the Middle graduate, Sullivan (Dewey), quit acting in 2010. He’s currently pursuing a course in Victorian Literature and, in the words of ex-co-star Jane Kaczmarek, just lost interest in the game.
2. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
One of the biggest teen idols of the ’90s, Thomas left Home Improvement and put school first—studying at Columbia, Harvard, and St. Andrew’s University. He told People he just wanted a normal student life after years of nonstop work.
1. Karyn Parsons
She was best known to her fans as Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but Parsons’ true passion turned out to be story and education. Having left acting, she established the nonprofit Sweet Blackberry, which educates children about Black history, and raised a family.
From sitcom stars to music icons, these celebrities demonstrate that sometimes the best career change is ditching fame. Whetherit’ss raising children, saving lives, starting companies, or simply opting for peace instead of paparazzi, their stories reveal that life after Hollywood can be even richer than fame.