Hollywood has become a symbol of glamour, fame, and the captivating beauty of the silver screen. However, not every actor is comfortable staying in the spotlight forever. There have been many instances of actors choosing to step out of the world of movies altogether and into a completely new, unimaginable career path, which has surprised their fans. Here are 10 such actors who stepped out of the silver screen into a career that would surprise you!
10. Frankie Muniz – Race Car Driver
Everyone remembers Frankie Muniz from his days playing in the popular TV show Malcolm in the Middle as the young and energetic kid who stole every scene he was in. However, after his days of fame from his popular TV show, he did something quite unexpected by delving into the world of racing. Yes, he’s competed in Formula BMW USA and the ARCA Menards racing series, among others. Although he’s also gotten involved in real estate, his real passion in life is racing.
9. Eliza Dushku – Therapist-in-Training & Activist
Buffy the Vampire Slayer aficionados will always remember the fearless and bold Faith, played by the beautiful and talented Eliza Dushku. However, since leaving the entertainment industry in 2017, Dushku has dedicated her life to helping others heal. She currently sits on the board for THRIVE-Gulu, an organization dedicated to helping war survivors heal, and is pursuing her master’s degree in counseling and clinical mental health. She is also delving into the world of psychedelic-assisted therapy. This is a career change as daring and unconventional as any of Faith’s antics.
8. Cameron Diaz – Author & Entrepreneur
Golden girl of Hollywood Cameron Diaz, the star of The Mask, There’s Something About Mary, and Charlie’s Angels, retired from acting after Annie in 2014. Diaz turned to wellness and entrepreneurship, co-launching organic wine company Avaline, authoring The Longevity Book, and investing in health and biotech venture firms. She did make an exception for Back in Action, but her passion isn’t in Hollywood.
7. Peter Ostrum – Veterinarian
Peter Ostrum, Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, most famously rejected a three-movie contract to pursue his passion for animals. He graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and spent years as a veterinarian in Lowville, New York. From candy factories to clinics, Ostrum’s career transformation is one of the most confectionery in Tinseltown history.
6. Jeff Cohen – Entertainment Lawyer
Goonies’ Chunk might have been hapless and adorable on-screen, but Jeff Cohen remade himself as an entertainment attorney after he quit acting at 16. Co-founding Cohen Gardner LLP, today he represents clients in TV and film, with a distinctive insider’s eye for the legal aspects of the business.
5. Danny Lloyd – Teacher
Danny Lloyd, who frightened filmgoers as young Danny Torrance in The Shining, swapped horror for a peaceful existence in teaching. Following a brief acting career, he turned to biology and then science teacher in Kentucky and Missouri. He even had a cameo in Doctor Sleep, but the classroom is where he shines brightest.
4. Freddie Prinze Jr. – Cookbook Author & Family Man
Teen heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr., who starred in She’s All That and I Know What You Did Last Summer, left the acting business to work on family and cuisine. He wrote a cookbook, Back to the Kitchen, and became a stay-at-home father, podcaster, and foodie—evidence that Hollywood celebrities can succeed in real life.
3. Gwyneth Paltrow – Entrepreneur
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow moved from the silver screen to the world of wellness with Goop. The company has become a multimillion-dollar lifestyle brand, with a print magazine and Netflix docuseries. Paltrow returns to acting on occasion, but her true passion appears to be building her business empire.
2. Ian Somerhalder – Eco-Entrepreneur & Farmer
Ian Somerhalder, known for playing Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries, traded vampire drama for green activism and farm life. Somerhalder, who owns The Absorption Company with his wife, also started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation. Living on a Los Angeles-area farm, Somerhalder proves Hollywood can be abandoned for a more down-to-earth, fulfilling life.
1. Mara Wilson – Writer
Mara Wilson captivated crowds as Matilda and in Mrs. Doubtfire, but she left acting behind to become a writer. She’s written books and a play, looking back on her life and career as a child star. Wilson’s writing reminds us that sometimes, the pen is mightier than the movie contract.
Hollywood may dazzle with fame and fortune, but for these actors, the most fascinating stories started after they left the spotlight.