Hollywood can be dazzling, but it’s also exhausting, and for some actors, the glittering lights aren’t worth the cost. Many stars have walked away from fame, choosing quieter, more grounded careers that allow them to live life on their own terms. From child actors to award-winning performers, these 15 individuals swapped red carpets and movie sets for offices, classrooms, shops, and even hands-on crafts. Here’s a look at where they are now and how they found fulfillment beyond Hollywood.
15. Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady, The Brady Bunch) – Paste-Up Layout Artist
Susan Olsen will always be remembered as the youngest Brady daughter, Cindy, complete with pigtails and an unforgettable lisp. But after The Brady Bunch, she opted out of lingering in the nostalgia circuit. Instead, she stepped into a creative but grounded role as a paste-up layout artist at a silkscreen T-shirt shop.
For Olsen, this work was more than just a paycheck; it was a way to build a life separate from her iconic childhood role. She would occasionally explain her past to curious customers, but otherwise embraced normalcy. Olsen’s journey is a reminder that even the most recognizable faces sometimes crave ordinary work that allows them to grow beyond the spotlight.
14. Mark Ibold (Sonic Youth) – Bartender
Mark Ibold rocked the stage with the legendary alternative band Sonic Youth, yet off-tour, he preferred a quieter life behind the bar at Great Jones Cafe in New York City. Patrons often had no clue they were being served by a rock star.
When fans learned of his musical history, reactions ranged from amazement to delight. Ibold’s story shows that fame doesn’t always define your day-to-day life; sometimes, a simple, people-centered job is the perfect balance to a high-profile career.
13. Ilan Mitchell-Smith (Weird Science) – Medieval Literature Professor
Ilan Mitchell-Smith captured hearts in Weird Science, but he eventually traded teen movies for academic pursuits. He became a professor of medieval literature, diving deep into the texts and history that had always fascinated him.
Students were often surprised to learn their scholarly guide had once starred in a cult classic film. Mitchell-Smith embraced this second act wholeheartedly, proving that storytelling can thrive both on-screen and in the classroom.
12. Danny Lloyd (The Shining) – Biology Professor
Danny Lloyd terrified audiences as the young psychic in The Shining, but he left acting behind entirely, eventually becoming a biology professor at a community college.
Unlike many child stars, Lloyd preferred privacy over public nostalgia. Students respected his quiet demeanor and dedication to teaching, highlighting how stepping away from Hollywood can create space for meaningful, impactful work in everyday life.
11. Lalaine Vergara-Paras (Lizzie McGuire) – Budtender
Lalaine Vergara-Paras, once Disney Channel’s Miranda, surprised fans when she started working as a budtender in North Hollywood. She greeted customers with warmth and humor, a far cry from her on-screen persona.
Her transition illustrates that fame isn’t everything. By finding satisfaction in a grounded job, Vergara-Paras shows that authenticity and connection can be as rewarding as lights, camera, and action.
10. Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) – Café Worker
Dylan Sprouse stepped away from Disney fame to work at Mud Cafe in New York City, enjoying life behind the counter and away from the media glare.
This period gave him the chance to meet people from all walks of life and experience everyday work in a meaningful way. Sprouse demonstrates that even childhood stars benefit from a period of normalcy.
9. Jade Cole (America’s Next Top Model) – Restaurant Host
Jade Cole, known for her sharp-edged persona on America’s Next Top Model, reinvented herself as a restaurant host in Los Angeles. Her warmth and humor surprised guests who remembered her TV persona.
This reinvention proves reality TV fame doesn’t define you. Cole embraced her new career with grace, showing how personal growth and kindness can shine in unexpected spaces.
8. Chris Gethard (Comedian/Actor) – Volunteer EMS
Comedian Chris Gethard is well-known for his eccentric humor, but he also dedicates much of his time as a volunteer EMS worker. His commitment to service runs parallel to his entertainment career.
Gethard has spoken openly about the grounding effect of helping others. His dual life demonstrates that fame and community service can coexist, and that giving back can be as fulfilling as standing on a stage.
7. Peter Weller (RoboCop) – Art History Professor
Peter Weller, forever remembered as RoboCop, now educates students as a professor of art history. In the classroom, he brings the same intensity and focus that fans loved on-screen.
Weller’s approach allows students to satisfy curiosity about his acting career before diving fully into academics. His journey highlights the possibility of transformation, even from the most iconic roles.
6. Jenette Goldstein (Aliens, Terminator 2) – Lingerie Store Owner
Known for her action-packed roles, Jenette Goldstein now empowers women as the owner of Jenette Bras, a lingerie store catering to plus-sized customers in Los Angeles.
Goldstein’s transition underscores how purpose and passion can redefine success. She channels the same energy that made her a sci-fi icon into building a business that celebrates inclusivity.
5. Mara Wilson (Matilda) – Writer and Playwright
Mara Wilson, the clever child star of Matilda, stepped away from acting to pursue writing and playwriting. Her works tackle fame, mental health, and identity, resonating with a new audience.
By choosing the page over the stage, Wilson found creative freedom and privacy. Her career shift proves that storytelling is a lifelong craft, not confined to film or television.
4. Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) – Musician and Race Car Driver
Frankie Muniz took a detour from acting to explore his love of racing and music. The former sitcom star now drives professionally and plays drums in a reggae band.
Muniz’s unconventional journey demonstrates that curiosity and passion can take you far beyond the scripted life of Hollywood, leading to adventures both literal and artistic.
3. Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar) – White House Staffer/Professor
Kal Penn left comedy for public service, working in the Obama administration while also teaching at a university. He has applied his Hollywood-honed communication skills to politics and education.
His story illustrates how entertainers can pivot to meaningful societal contributions, proving that influence isn’t limited to the screen.
2. Daniel Day-Lewis – Shoemaker
Daniel Day-Lewis, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, retired from acting to focus on the art of shoemaking in Italy.
For Day-Lewis, the craft offered mindfulness and a hands-on creative outlet. His choice shows that even the most decorated actors sometimes seek fulfillment outside the glitz and glamour of the industry.
1. Gwyneth Paltrow – Goop Founder/Entrepreneur
Gwyneth Paltrow transitioned from Oscar-winning actress to founder of Goop, a wellness and lifestyle brand that has sparked worldwide attention.
Paltrow’s career reinvention illustrates the power of entrepreneurship and the evolving nature of fame. By creating her own path, she’s demonstrated that personal vision can be as impactful as Hollywood stardom.
Hollywood offers fame, but it doesn’t always guarantee happiness. These 15 stars prove that walking away from the spotlight can lead to fulfilling, grounded, and sometimes surprising careers. Whether it’s teaching, crafting, running a business, or volunteering, their paths show that life beyond Hollywood can be just as rich, if not richer, than life in front of the camera.