Hollywood is a fast-paced town, and sometimes even the biggest names just suddenly drop off the face of the screen. Some with big dreams opt out, some get dealt a hand of poor timing, and then, of course, some just phase out of existence without rhyme or reason. Were they beloved sitcom characters, blockbuster film legends, or something you couldn’t tune out on a Friday night, these celebrities left us thinking one thing: what happened to these folks, anyway? Grab some popcorn, folks, and let’s count back 11 of the biggest disappearances of Hollywood, and what these celebrities are up to in the here and now.
11. Tom Holland
Don’t worry, Spidey fans, Tom Holland is not leaving us anytime soon. Having taken on such an intense role in “The Crowded Room” emotionally, Holland announced that he would be taking a year-long break to work on his personal mental health. His announcement is a good reminder that even Spidey himself gets to walk away sometimes and catch his breath, especially if fame is getting too heavy for him with movie commitments. Of course, the anticipation for his next big move is heating up, but for the time being, he is taking a much-needed break.
10. Rick Moranis
If you were a child in the ’80s or ’90s, Rick Moranis was a ubiquitous face in your childhood. From “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” to “Ghostbusters” and “Spaceballs,” Moranis had the gift of mixing laughter with lovable characters. However, after the devastating loss of his wife, Ann Belsky, Rick Moranis slowly stepped back from Hollywood to raise his children. He effectively retired in 1997 and hasn’t been seen since 2008. Rick Moranis is one of the most loving disappearances in Hollywood history, proving that it isn’t always about the fame: it’s about what matters.
9. Dylan Sprouse
Sprouse is best remembered for his role in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” on the Disney Channel, but after the age of 18, his scripts became college texts. He went on to study at NYU, finally opening his own meadery in Brooklyn. This shows that being a child star does not mean that their next course in life must be predicated on becoming a Hollywood power player. Sprouse’s career is just one example of the liberty of leaving Hollywood. A toast to Sprouse’s new career, one glass of honey mead at a time.
8. Daniel Day-Lewis
“Method” actor extraordinaire Daniel Day-Lewis left fans reeling by announcing that he was retiring in 2017. He was one of those actors who fully embodied his roles to the point that he basically just realized that he had reached the pinnacle of his career in the acting world and decided that it was time for him to walk away to live a more private life. No more Oscars, no more glamorous parties on the red carpet, the end.
7. Shelley Duvall
Right from “The Shining, to “Popeye,” Shelley Duvall’s appearance in movies was always unique and memorable. At the beginning of the 2000s, Shelley had encountered professional burnout as well as some personal issues, such as taking care of her sick brother, that made her decide to retire from the movie industry. Duvall’s departure from the movie business was caused by a variety of factors related to her personal life, as well as the challenges of the movie business. She is still keeping a low profile, away from the limelight that characterized her movie career.
6. Joe Pesci
Joe Pesci, remembered for his iconic role of Tommy DeVito in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” or the comic relief in “Home Alone,” bid adieu to his acting career in 1999 after a lifetime of memorable performances. Known for his passion for select roles, Joe Pesci had stayed away from the public limelight for a long time, re-emerging for special projects such as Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” in 2019. It would almost appear that Joe Pesci had stayed away from the Hollywood film industry completely, unlike some other actors who tend to diminish into the background with time.
5. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol, who gained fame with the TV series Family and Empty Nest, chose to withdraw from her career in Hollywood after publicly admitting to her battle with manic depression, which is presently diagnosed as bipolar disorder. She retired in 2001 and then came out as a lesbian, accepting a more low-key lifestyle. Today, she is using her gift of presence to help those with issues of the mind; there is clearly more to life for her than she could derive from acting.
4. Staci Keanan
Staci Keanan is known for My Two Dads and Step by Step, but she traded scripts for statutes after her sitcom career. She attended law school, became an attorney, and is also a law professor with the name Stacy Birtwhistle. She is also the host of a podcast that looks back at some of her work on TV shows. Going from a teen TV star to a woman of accomplishment in the law is an inspiration for a completely different type of life after Hollywood.
3. Josh Saviano
Josh Saviano, who was Paul Pfeiffer in The Wonder Years, stopped acting almost completely after the end of the series. He took a couple of appearances here and there, like Law & Order: VSVU, before eventually moving into law, establishing various companies for branding, and eventually becoming the Chief Intellectual Property Officer of NuCo Entertainment. One of the most successful transitions that child actors could make is exemplified by the career of Josh Saviano.
2. Felice Schacter & Julie Anne Haddock
Both Felice Schacter of The Facts of Life and Julie Anne Haddock kept a low profile relatively early in their respective careers. Schacter is a special-ed teacher in New York City, while Haddock’s last acting appearance was a guest spot on Season 8 of the series. These days, Haddock is involved with her current church and fundraising, keeping a low profile out of the public spotlight. It is, of course, often true that “real life” is the best role of all.
1. Sabrina Le Beauf
Sabrina Le Beauf, who played Sondra Huxtable on The Cosby Show, seems to be absent from the entertainment industry since the end of the show in 1992. Le Beauf’s last screen appearance was in a movie back in 2009, with the years that followed seeing her living a private life that is completely unknown to the public. Almost nothing is known about the private life of the actress.
Hollywood lost stars who teach us that fame is temporary and that interesting things often occur in the background. If it’s family, or educational pursuits, or running a business, or even seeking a private life, these Hollywood actors show that a full life is possible outside of fame, even if hope remains that one day they’ll return.