There’s a place called Hollywood, full of red carpets, cameras, and flashes. But it’s exhausting, and it’s unsatisfying. Some celebrities spend their entire lives pursuing it. Some chase it, but then leave it and do something completely different. From royalty and fashion designers to even full-time parents, we’ll discover how these 10 well-known individuals chose a “life beyond Hollywood” and where they ended up.
10. Ke Huy Quan
This is not a typical action film, he says. There is a very Asian aesthetic to it, and I think that’s why it appealed to me. The film marks a triumphant return to Hollywood for the actor after a nearly 20-year absence, brought on by a lack of opportunities for Asian lead actors. Yet he’s not been idle; Quan worked as a stunt coordinator while in exile, and now he’s picked up two high-profile roles to add to his resume: Kung Fu Panda 4 and The White Lotus. He won an Oscar for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
9. Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his fame at the end of the 90s with blockbuster movies like The Mummy under his belt. However, various health issues, along with personal problems, drove him away from the cinematic world for quite some time. Yet, with outstanding performances resulting in even the coveted Oscars, The Whale has brought him back to the world of cinema, finally.
8. Ian Somerhalder
From Lost to The Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder was beloved by fans. But in 2019, he chose to leave acting behind. Now, he resides on a farm with his wife, Nikki Reed, and their kids, along with pursuing business ventures and making documentaries about sustainable agriculture. “I loved what I did for a long time,” he explained. “I don’t miss any of it.”
7. Evangeline Lilly
Evangeline Lilly became popular on Lost and entered the world of Marvel with the Ant-Man franchise. But then, in 2024, she announced that she was abandoning Hollywood to pursue her humanitarian endeavors and personal satisfaction. “Walking away from what feels like the obvious path (fame and wealth) can be intimidating,” she posted, “but walking into your dharma swaps the fear with fulfillment.”
6. Cameron Diaz
From The Mask to Charlie’s Angels to Shrek, Cameron Diaz was ubiquitous until 2014, when she took a hiatus after Annie. She called her decade-long absence “the best 10 years” of her life, dedicating it to family and giving birth to daughter Raddix. Recently, however, she returned with Back in Action with Jamie Foxx.
5. Rick Moranis
Comedy icon Rick Moranis appeared in Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and Spaceballs. But since his wife died in 1991, he was left to bring up their kids, formally retiring by 1997. Other than some voice-over work, Rick has avoided the limelight. “I found I didn’t miss it,” he conceded.
4. Bridget Fonda
Cousin of Jane Fonda and daughter of Peter Fonda, Bridget established her own career through Single White Female and Jackie Brown. After 2002, however, she retired quietly to raise her family with composer Danny Elfman. When asked if she’d ever act again, she replied curtly: “No. I don’t think so. It’s too nice being a civilian.”
3. Shelley Duvall
With unforgettable performances in The Shining and Popeye, Shelley Duvall was once ubiquitous. But in 2002, she stepped back from Hollywood to tend her family in Texas. She reappeared briefly for an indie film before dying in July 2024. “It’s the longest sabbatical I ever took,” she once declared. “But it was for really important reasons to get in touch with my family again.”
2. Gene Hackman
Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman officially retired after 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport. He has since lived a peaceful existence in New Mexico, working on novels and spending time in retirement. “The business for me is very stressful,” he said, “and it had gotten to the point where I just didn’t feel like I wanted to do it anymore.”
1. Daniel Day-Lewis
Famous for melting into his parts, Daniel Day-Lewis is the sole winner of three Best Actor Academy Awards. In 2017, following Phantom Thread, he declared himself retired from acting. “This is a personal choice, and neither he nor his representatives will say anything else on the matter.” To his word, he has stayed hidden from view.
For these stars, leaving their respective worlds of Hollywood did not signal the ending of their stories, but rather signified the beginning of another chapter. Be it family, philanthropy, fashion, or even agriculture, these stars have learned to prove to the world that their lives outside of Hollywood were not only fulfilling but even happier than their lives in it.