15 Actors Who Left Hollywood for New Careers

Stars Who Swapped Acting for New Paths

There are celebrities out there who have appeared in a few movies and then poof, they disappear from our screens. Some of them went on to pursue entirely different careers while others just simply quit.

Each of these stars had their own reasons for leaving Hollywood. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Phoebe Cates

Known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins, Phoebe Cates stepped away from acting in the mid-1990s. The actress decided to focus on her family with her husband Kevin Kline.

In 2005, Cates ventured into entrepreneurship by opening “Blue Tree” on New York City’s Upper East Side, which offers a mix of jewelry, clothing, antiques, and unique gifts

Ian Somerhalder

Renowned for his roles in Lost and The Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder is a fan favorite. However, he has transitioned from acting to a life focused on farming and entrepreneurship.

In 2019, the actor decided to step away from the spotlight so that he could prioritize family and sustainable living with his wife, actress Nikki Reed. The couple now resides on a farm near Los Angeles where they raise their two children.

Angus T. Jones

Born in 1993, Angus T. Jones gained fame as Jake Harper on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. He became the highest-paid child actor on television at age 17 earning more than a million per episode.

In 2012, Angus T. Jones went through a religious conversion. Following his exit, Jones pursued higher education at the University of Colorado Boulder and distanced himself from acting.

Bridget Fonda

Bridget Fonda comes from the famous Fonda family who were all involved in acting. Her grandfather Henry Fonda, father Peter Fonda, and aunt Jane Fonda were all seen on the big screen.

She gained recognition from roles like The Godfather Part III and Jackie Brown. Bridget in 2002 decided to retire from acting to focus on her personal life and eventually got married.

Mia Wasikowska

The Alice in Wonderland actress has also decided to step back from the spotlight. In an interview with IndirWire, the actress said, “If I can have the best of both worlds, which is dip in and out of it occasionally, I’d be really happy, but I wouldn’t ever be in that place where I was just on a treadmill.”

She added, “It’s great, and there are lots of great things, [but] the perception of it is quite different from the reality, and it didn’t suit me as a person. You can lose perspective because you’re treated quite strangely.”

Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling is well-known for his role as Jake Ryan in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles. He also booked roles in Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, Vision Quest, and Mermaids.

Despite his successful career, the actor chose to move back to his hometown in Pennsylvania. He opened a woodworking shop and got married to Valerie C. Robinson.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel has earned the spot of being the only actor who won three “Best Actor Academy Awards.” He’s well-known for his role in My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood and Lincoln, and The Age of Innocence.

The actor, three years after his Oscar win, announced that he’d be stepping away from acting. Daniel’s spokesperson told Variety in 2017 that, “Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor.”

Jennifer Stone

Former actress and nurse Jennifer Stone is known for her role as Harper Finkle on Wizards of Waverly Place. She was also in Mean Girls 2 and The In-Between.

Stone was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 20 after which she transitioned from acting to nursing. Since then the actress has become an advocate for diabetes awareness.

Teddy Dunn

Teddy Dunn garnered fame for his role as Duncan Kane in the television series Veronica Mars. He also appeared in Grey’s Anatomy and several other films.

Shortly after, he switched from acting to studying law. He ended up earning a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and now he has become an Assistant United States Attorney.

Mara Wilson

One of the biggest child stars of Hollywood, Mara Wilson’s fame from acting was short-lived. She garnered recognition for her role in Matilda. Mara also appeared as Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire and Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street.

She spoke about why left her acting career behind, “I was at NYU and I knew there were a lot of good actors there, and the thing about acting classes is you’re playing parts you don’t usually play. [You have to] not be afraid to make mistakes. Well, I was terrified. That’s when I started focusing more on writing.”

Ariana Richards

Ariana Richards became famous at the age of 13. She landed the role in Jurassic Park in which she played the teenager Lex Murphy.

This role kickstarted her young Hollywood career. After starring in the TV movie Battledogs in 2013, Ariana decided to leave behind acting and make use of her degree in fine art.

Greta Garbo

The Scandinavian actress wowed audiences with her performance in films like Flesh and the Devil. She later transitioned into sound films like Camille.

However, the actress didn’t really like acting, rarely gave interviews, and interacted with fans. She retired at the age of 35 and became a private art collector.

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes is a name many people recognize. She gained fame as a child actress on Nickelodeon’s All That and The Amanda Show. She’s starred in films like She’s the Man and Hairspray.

Despite her success, Amanda had to step back from acting due to personal challenges, including legal issues and mental health struggles.

Amanda was in a conservatorship from 2014 to 2022 during which she prepared to retake the state manicurist license exam.

Shirley Temple

Do you remember Shirley Temple? Not the drink, but the iconic child star.

Shirley Temple was a child star who sang and danced in classic films like Curly Top. In the late 1950s, Temple took a step back from her acting career.

In later years, she started working as a United Nations delegate until she passed away in 2014 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Unlike Shirley, some actors nearly turned down the roles that made them overnight stars. We have gathered a list of actors who almost said no to big roles and why.

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen played the character of Chunk in the 1985 film The Goonies. He transitioned into law and co-founded Cohen & Gardner in 2002.

Unlike these actors who left behind Hollywood, others made an unforgettable impact on it, 15 actors who shaped movie history and who are still celebrated today.

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