When you are not a celebrity, it is easy to imagine that everything will be solved once you are rich and famous. However, the truth is not that simple. Our favorite Hollywood stars are constantly dealing with the press, demanding schedules, and constant traveling. It can get so overwhelming to the point where they quit! You might be surprised that some people would willingly give up the fame and money for a normal life, but they do exist. Here are several celebrities who left the limelight to pursue a quieter life. On the other hand, others are still active in the industry but a different capacity!
Kirk Cameron
If you watched Growing Pains, you must know who Kirk Cameron is. Even though he earned two Golden Globe nominations over the course of his career, he ultimately left the limelight. He instead focused his attention on his faith. The former actor is a devout Christian and even hosts his very own evangelical show. It is a far cry from the life that he once led as a teenage heartthrob.
Kirk Cameron
Josh Saviano
A lot of people were sad to hear that Josh Saviano left show business for good. Best known for starring in The Wonder Years, he earned his political theory degree from Yale. After that, he studied law at Cardozo and then worked as an attorney at Morrison Cohen LLP. Isn’t it neat to see how far he has made it? He must be passionate about the world of law. We are happy that he has found his calling.
Josh Saviano
Greta Garbo
It is hard to understand why anyone would leave Hollywood at the height of their career. Greta Garbo decided to do exactly this. Before she debuted in Anna Christie in 1930, the talented actress first starred in silent films. She made the call to resign after she was dubbed “box office poision.” At the time, she had been 35 years old. She went on to live a happy life that involved a lot of traveling and recreation. The actress also launched an art collection before she died. It is now worth millions!
Greta Garbo
Peter Ostrum
Most people will recognize Peter Ostrum for his portrayal of Charlie from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He eventually realized that acting was not for him. Instead, he wanted to work with animals. He earned his degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornel University. These days, he spends his days working as a vet who specializes in horse care.
Peter Ostrum
Danny Lloyd
Did you watch The Shining? In the Stanley Kubrick film, Danny Lloyd was cast to play Danny Torrance. Wait until you hear what he has been up to. After he left acting, he decided to go into education. He left show business in 1982. Right now, he is serving as a professor of Biology in Kentucky.
Danny Lloyd
MC Hammer
Born Stanley Kirk Burrell, MC Hammer enjoyed a very successful music career. Sadly, the lifestyle led him to a debt of $13 million. Yikes. This must be the reason he left the profession. Can you believe that he is now officiating weddings? Aside from that, he teaches and makes apps for Apple as well. Cool!
MC Hammer
Jeff Cohen
The Goonies just would not have been the same if Jeff Cohen was not in it. He went on to reinvent himself after that project. The actor started to play football and shed a lot of weight in the process. He attended Cal for his undergrad and studied law at UCLA. Isn’t it cool that he is now a lawyer?
Jeff Cohen
Gary Coleman
Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, fans watched Gary Coleman on the small screen in the TV show Diff’rent Strokes. He played a youthful entertainer and won the members of the audience over with his sense of humor. Sadly, he did not play a lot of other roles. While he was deemed a big star in those days, he fell into hot water in his finances. In 2010, he passed away. He had been working as a security guard before that.
Gary Coleman
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Sometimes called JTT, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was once known as a charming heartthrob. While he was very popular back in the day, he decided to leave acting behind to focus on his studies. Mind you; he has studied at prestigious schools such as Columbia, Harvard, and St. Andrew’s University over the years.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Carrie Henn
If the name does not sound familiar, allow us to jog your memory. Carrie Henn played the young woman in Alien! The classic sci-fi thriller would not have been the same without her. However, this was the only time that we saw her on the big screen. She decided to go into teaching after this stint,
Carrie Henn
Doris Day
There was a no bigger name in the industry than Doris Day in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Even to this day, the late star is still considered a household name. Regardless, she decided to step away from the limelight to deal with personal issues. She wanted to focus on her family and another passion of hers. Isn’t it sweet that she left a life of glitz and glamor to help recover harmed animals?
Doris Day
Lark Voorhies
Many people know Lark Voorhies for her portrayal of Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell. She went on to star in a few other projects after the TV show. In the end, she decided to pursue her love of writing more seriously. At the moment, she has since published a total of three books.
Lark Voorhies
Barret Oliver
After starting his career as a child star in The Never Ending Story, Barret Oliver won us over. Later on, he realized that acting was not what he wanted to do with his life. This is the reason he quit in 1989. However, his real calling in life was still in the entertainment industry! He simply decided to go behind the camera instead of in front of it. He is now an artist who works with photography and paper. His artistic career has been fruitful. His work has been featured in many galleries and exhibitions.
Barret Oliver
Rick Moranis
The Canadian star Rick Moranis is best known for starring in Hollywood projects such as Honey; I Shrunk the Kids, and Little Shop of Horrors. In 1991, he lost his significant other and decided to focus on his kids. As a single dad, the travel demands of his acting career did not suit his role as a parent. Despite this, he has since made a comeback to the industry by becoming a voice actor.
Rick Moranis
Brittany Ashton Holmes
If you are familiar with Brittany Ashton Holmes, there is a good chance that it is for her portrayal of Darla in Little Rascals. Her acting career was short-lived because she realized that she did not want to grow up in the limelight. Right now, she has a political theory degree and works as a barista.
Brittany Ashton Holmes
Shirley Temple
When she was only seven years old, Shirley Temple received an Oscar for her work in film. This took place in 1935. However, she no longer had the same drive to act when she turned 22 years old. In the ‘60s, she started working for the government as a representative. In 1989, she was even the envy of the United States to Czechoslovakia. What a cool career move!
Shirley Temple
Andrew Shue
Best known for his role in Melrose Place in the ‘90s, Andrew Shue, went on to become one of the best-known mom bloggers in the world. This former actor established CafeMom together with Michael Sanchez, his best friend from his childhood years. It is a website that focuses on the interests of mothers. We recommend checking it out if you want to swap advice and suggestions with other parents.
Andrew Shue
Amanda Bynes
There was a time when Amanda Bynes was ruling the world of entertainment. She used to be one of the biggest stars on Nickelodeon. Even though she used to have such a promising career as an actress, she eventually decided to leave it. At the time, she planned to be a fashion designer!
Amanda Bynes
Angus T. Jones
A lot of sitcom fans know Angus T. Jones for his role in Two and a Half Men. He ended up leaving the show after certain changes in his life. The young man joined the Seventh Day Adventist church. He has also launched a company called Tonite with Justin Combs, the son of P. Diddy.
Angus T. Jones
Jack Gleeson
We doubt that there is an actor who has received as much hate as Jack Gleeson. After all, he was cast to play King Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones. He ended up quitting since he did not like acting as much as he once did. Right now, he is an understudy and trying to figure out what to do in life.
Jack Gleeson
Mara Wilson
As a child, Mara Wilson proved her worth as an actress. She was excellent in various projects such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, and Matilda. However, she decided to focus on writing and philanthropy instead. She wrote a book about what her childhood was like. Right now, she is working for a not-for-profit company called Publicolor. It is based in New York.
Mara Wilson
Danica McKellar
Perhaps you remember Danika McKellar as Winnie Cooper in The Wonder Years. This lovely lady is also brilliant. Did you know that she earned a science degree from UCLA and graduated with top honors? She has written various books like “Math Doesn’t Suck.” Aside from that, she brought math to a wider audience with a TV program called Math Bites. How cool is that?
Danica McKellar
Frankie Muniz
In the ‘90s, Frankie Muniz was among the most popular child stars. His most famous role was the lead character of Malcolm in the Middle. He was nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globes for this role. Did you know that he is an awesome racer as well? He continues to race to this day.
Frankie Muniz
Andrea Barber
If you watched Full House, you already know that Andrea Barber played Kimmy Gibbler. She recently reprised the role in the reboot. Aside from acting, the actress attended Whittier College and took up English at the Californian educational institution. After that, she studied at the University of York. When she returned to the United States, she started to work at her alma mater.
Andrea Barber
Tony Danza
Did you know that Tony Danza is not just an entertainer but also a boxer? By the time Who’s The Boss ended, he appeared in a TV show called Teach: Tony Danza. It featured him teaching a tenth-grade class in Philly. His goal was to raise awareness of the state of education in the United States. Isn’t that an admirable goal?
Tony Danza
Karl Malone
This former NBA player has left the world of pro sports more than a decade ago. After his time on the court, he has taken on several interesting positions. Among other things, Karl Malone pursued wrestling and acting. In the end, the Mailman decided to start working as a timber driver instead!
Karl Malone
Terrell Owens
It is fair to say that Terrell Owens made waves in the NFL. Now retired, he has decided to focus his attention on other things. He has received a lot of offers across different fields and industries. Not that long ago, the former athlete launched a wine label of his own. Doesn’t that sound like life to you?
Terrell Owens
Macaulay Culkin
We are sure that you know who Macaulay Culkin is! This is the guy who starred in the Home Alone movies. Even though his career has slowed down a lot since those days, he has not exactly left the spotlight altogether. Among other things, he worked on a satire skit of the famous movie for Google. Aside from that, he has also been working behind the scenes on various projects in Hollywood.
Macaulay Culkin
Danielle Fishel
You must already know that Danielle Fishel brought Topanga to life in Boy Meets World. By the time that the show wrapped up, she realized that she wanted to do other things in life. She is now a Popsugar reporter and hosted The Dish. She also reprised her old role in the Disney spinoff.
Danielle Fishel
Freddie Prinze Jr.
There was a time when Freddie Prinze Jr. was one of the hottest heartthrobs in the world. He is best known for his roles in She’s All That, and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Now that he has quit acting, he has been focusing on cooking. In 2016, he even released a cookbook!
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Lucy Liu
We doubt that we have to explain who Lucy Liu is. She is best known for her roles in Charlie’s Angels and Ally McBeal. Acting aside, the actress is also a visual artist who has shown us that she is talented in more ways than one. No doubt, she indeed has both beauty and brains!
Lucy Liu
Elizabeth Berkley
Do you remember Elizabeth Berkley from her Saved By The Bell days? Aside from that, the actress has also starred in other movies and productions. She has since taken a break from the acting world and now focuses on writing. In 2011, she realized a book for teens with the title “Ask Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth Berkley
Linda Kozlowski
At the moment, Linda Kozlowski is not acting. As a matter of fact, the Crocodile Dundee star has not worked in the industry for several decades now. She got married to Paul Hogan, whom she met on the set of the movie. The two of them were together for a long time and had a child together. In 2014, the couple got a divorce. She has since moved to Morocco with her new beau Moulay Hafid Baba. We are glad to see that she has not lost her sense of adventure even though she is now in her sixties.
Linda Kozlowski
Jim Carrey
In the ‘90s, Jim Carrey rose to stardom with a slew of movies like The Mask and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. He decided to take a break from this line of work to focus on art. He is a visual artist who works on paintings and drawings. Make sure to check out his art if you haven’t yet!
Jim Carrey
Steven Seagal
According to Steven Seagal, he taught Aikido in Japan before returning to the United States to launch a career in the acting industry. After he left the show biz scene, he joined the world of law enforcement. He went on to be a reserve deputy sheriff at the Louisiana police department.
Steven Seagal
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Best known for playing Buffy on the small screen, Sarah Michelle Gellar has decided to focus on another passion of hers: cooking. She launched a startup called Foodstirs, which sells everything from baked treats to baking kits. She and Freddie Prinze Jr. have been married for nearly two decades now.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Vanilla Ice
You probably already know that Vanilla Ice is a famous rapper. He first rose to fame in 1985. Right now, he is busy working in the real estate business. He likes to buy homes, revamp the place, and put them on the market. He has a TV show of his own on HGTV! It is called The Vanilla Ice Project.
Vanilla Ice
Gary Dourdan
To many people, Gary Dourdan is best known for his role in CSI. After all, he worked on that police procedural for quite some time. At the beginning of the ninth season, they wrote off his character. He has since been collecting vehicles. Aside from that, he has also started to work as a DJ.
Gary Dourdan
Helen Hunt
Wow, can you believe that Helen Hunt has been in the acting industry since she was ten years old? The talented actress has two Academy Awards to her name. Even so, she chose to leave the limelight and now works as a producer. As a matter of fact, she owns the Hunt/Travel Productions company.
Helen Hunt
Nick Offerman
There is a good chance that you know Nick Offerman for playing Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation. The actor received a ton of praise for his portrayal of the role. The truth is that he continues to act. Despite this, he has a side gig as a carpenter who enjoys making furniture and boats.
Nick Offerman
Barbi Benton
In the past, Barbi Benton was a Playboy Bunny. Apart from her time in the Playboy Mansion, she starred in many music videos, TV shows, and movies. Did you know that she has five albums of her own too? Clearly, she is talented. At the moment, she is involved in the real estate business.
Barbi Benton
Sharona Alperin
In case you did not know, “My Sharona” was an ode to Sharona Alperin. The song was written by Doug Fieger, who named it after his beau Sharona Alperin. The two of them remained together for a long time. She is now working as a real estate agent in Los Angeles, so she has worked for various people in the industry too.
Sharona Alperin
Al Franken
We doubt that there is any need to explain that Al Franken is a funny guy. Back in the day, he was an actor and writer on SNL. You might be surprised to hear that he is also interested in politics! As a matter of fact, he won the Minnesota senate seat in 2009. He earned another term in 2014.
Al Franken
Liam Gallagher
Are you a fan of the musical act Oasis? If this is the case, we bet that you already know who Liam Gallagher is. The vocalist of the band has since launched a clothing line of his own. It is called Pretty Green. We are glad to report that the brand is still doing well to this day.
Liam Gallagher
Roseanne Barr
You might remember Roseanne Barr for starring in a sitcom named after her. So that you know, she has since entered the world of politics as well! In 2012, she bid under the Peace and Freedom Party during the presidential race that year. She ended up in the sixth spot, which is not too bad if you ask us.
Roseanne Barr
Jon Gosselin
If you watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 on TLC, we are sure that you know more about Jon Gosselin than you wish you did. In 2009, he and Kate separated. He has since tried his hand at several careers. At the moment, the former reality TV star is working as a DJ in Atlantic City.
Jon Gosselin
Chris Owen
Did you watch the American Pie movies? If so, we doubt that you have forgotten all about Chris Owen. He played “The Sherminator,” after all. Did you know that he is the only actor to be in every single installment of the series? At any rate, he now works as a server in a sushi joint in Los Angeles.
Chris Owen
Ariana Richards
In the ‘80s, Ariana Richards made a name for herself as a child star in Jurassic Park and Tremors movies. She decided to change course and pursued an art career. She attended the Skidmore and Art Center College of Design to deepen her mastery of the field.
Ariana Richards
Tommy Rettig
You probably know Tommy Rettig as the best pal of Lassie! When the TV show came to an end, he decided to try his hand at other projects in the industry. He was not happy with his career, however. That must be why he went on to be a product engineer. He kept working in tech until he died in 1996.
Tommy Rettig
Mackenzie Rosman
In Seventh Heaven, Mackenzie Rosman was cast to play Ruthie Camden. She spent most of her childhood years on the TV show. Aside from her career as an actress, she is also passionate about altruism and philosophy. She has worked for CureFinders, which is a fundraising program for children who have cystic fibrosis. How admirable is that?
Mackenzie Rosman
Jonathan Bennett
There is no way that you do not know Jonathan Bennett. After all, he appeared in Mean Girls! The film helped him obtain even more opportunities in the competitive world of Hollywood. Among other things, he appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen 2. When it comes to his more recent projects, he was the previous host of Cake Wars on the Food Network. On top of that, he has taught spin classes in Los Angeles as well. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Jonathan Bennett