There’s this idea that once you “make it” in Hollywood, you never leave. Why would you? Money, recognition, invites to everything — it’s the dream, right?
But not for everyone.
Plenty of actors, TV hosts, and pop culture icons have realized the Hollywood lifestyle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Some left because of burnout. Others wanted a quieter life, more time with family, or just needed space from the industry machine. A few made it clear they were done for good. And a couple? They still dip in and out, but live far from the pressure cooker of L.A.
So, to answer the question plainly: yes, celebrities do leave Hollywood completely, and in many cases, they stay gone. They reinvent, relocate, and build entirely new lives that have nothing to do with premieres or paparazzi.
Josh Hartnett: Finding Peace in the British Countryside
Remember when Josh Hartnett was everywhere in the early 2000s? Movies like Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, Lucky Number Slevin—he had the leading-man thing locked down.
But then he backed off. Way off.
Now living in the Hampshire countryside in England with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four kids, Josh says the shift was very intentional:
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind,” he told People. “I’ve never wanted my life to be just one note.”
He’s not totally out of the acting game; he’s still doing projects like Verity, Trap, and Fight or Flight—but he’s doing it on his terms now, far from studio backlots and networking mixers.
Eva Longoria: Goodbye, L.A.—Hello, Spain and Mexico
Eva didn’t vanish, she just moved her base. After years in Los Angeles, she and her husband, José Bastó, and their son Santiago now split time between Spain and Mexico.
She was honest about why she left.
“It just feels like this chapter in my life is done now,” she told Marie Claire, adding that the city had changed, homelessness, taxes, and just… vibes.
But don’t pin her move on politics. She made it clear: it wasn’t about the 2024 election.
“My work took me there,” she explained on The View: Behind the Table. Filming Land of Women in Catalonia, then Searching for Mexico, meant she was spending more time abroad anyway.
Eva’s stayed busy, too—she’s popped up in Only Murders in the Building and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.
Lindsay Lohan: Escaping the Tabloids, Finding Love in Dubai
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Lindsay Lohan is one of the most classic “it” girls turned ghost of early 2000s fame. But she didn’t disappear; she just relocated.
After stints in London and Greece, she settled in Dubai, where she lives with her husband, Bader Shamma, and their son, Luai. Her reason for moving? It wasn’t just to escape the spotlight; it was to reclaim her narrative.
“I wish [the paparazzi circus] didn’t happen,” she told Bustle. “That kind of took on a life of its own.”
She still acts, but on her timeline now—recent credits include Irish Wish, Our Little Secret, and the upcoming Freakier Friday.
Eliza Dushku: From Vampire Slayer to Mental Health Advocate
Eliza Dushku went from cult TV fame (Buffy, Dollhouse, Bring It On) to a completely different calling: mental health.
In 2024, she shared that she’s now certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy, and she’s pursuing further training to support people healing from trauma.
“I had the means to shift directions,” she told Boston Magazine, “and this is clearly my real purpose.”
She’s still connected to storytelling—just in a more intimate, human way now.
Cameron Diaz: Retired, Then (Kind of) Unretired
After a huge run of blockbuster hits in the ’90s and 2000s, Cameron Diaz made a quiet exit after Annie in 2014. She just… disappeared.
Why? Burnout. She was over the 12-hour days and endless grind.
“I had gone so hard for so long,” she told Gwyneth Paltrow. “I just wanted different things out of my life.”
She focused on wellness, launched a wine brand, wrote two bestselling books (The Body Book and The Longevity Book), and started a family with Benji Madden.
But guess what? She’s back—sort of. Jamie Foxx convinced her to join Back in Action, a 2025 Netflix project. Call it a cameo or a comeback—either way, we’re watching.
Tyra Banks: From Catwalks to Cones in Australia
Tyra Banks traded judging America’s Next Top Model for scooping gelato. Seriously.
She moved to Australia to grow her ice cream brand SMiZE & Dream, which has been serving up B2B treats on flights and cruises.
“We were making a lot of our ice cream there in a big facility,” she explained on Today with Jenna & Friends. “And I just fell in love with it.”
The cherry on top? Australia happens to be one of the world’s top ice cream markets (along with the U.S. and New Zealand), so it’s smart business, too.
She lives there now with her son, York, and partner Louis Bélanger-Martin.
Jesse Eisenberg: Low-Key Living in Indiana
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You won’t find Jesse Eisenberg loitering around Los Feliz cafés or posting selfies from a beach shoot.
He’s lived on and off in Indiana for a decade. Quiet, grounded, and very much not part of the Hollywood scene.
“I’m not on social media. My wife is a teacher. My kid doesn’t really even watch movies,” he told CBS News in 2025.
He still acts (check out A Real Pain), but industry politics? Nah. He’s more interested in writing, theater, and just being a dad.
Ellen DeGeneres: Farewell Special, Then Full Exit
After a messy end to her long-running daytime show, Ellen wrapped things up with a stand-up special on Netflix in 2024—and then walked away.
“After my Netflix special, I’m done,” she told the audience during her tour.
Since then, she and Portia de Rossi relocated to England. Some reports suggest it was in response to Trump’s 2024 re-election, though they haven’t confirmed.
No follow-up series. No daytime comeback. Just Ellen, off the grid.
Ian Somerhalder: Vampires to Soil Health
Yes, that guy from The Vampire Diaries is now deeply into regenerative farming. Ian Somerhalder pivoted hard from acting to eco-entrepreneurship.
“I stepped away from acting to raise my kids and build my companies,” he told E! News.
His projects Kiss the Ground and Common Ground promote soil health, and he’s also building brands in bourbon and wellness.
He’s gone from bloodsucker to Earth healer, and honestly? It suits him.
Jennette McCurdy: Acting Regrets, New Creative Life
Jennette’s story isn’t just about walking away—it’s about taking back her voice.
The former iCarly star said on her podcast Empty Inside that she resented her acting past and felt ashamed of the roles she took during her youth.
“I felt so unfulfilled by the roles I played,” she said.
These days, she’s writing, directing, and focusing on her creative life away from Hollywood. Her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, became a cultural moment, and she’s open to returning to acting only on her terms.
Christina Milian: Parisian Life with Her Family
Christina Milian traded studio sessions and red carpets for playgrounds and picnics in Paris.
After years of splitting time between the U.S. and France with her husband Matt Pokora, the singer-actress made the move official.
“They’re all going to school in Paris,” she told The Jennifer Hudson Show. “It’s a healthy balance.”
Her kids are thriving, she’s still working (check her out in Dexter: Original Sin), and she works late hours because of the time difference. As she puts it: “magnifique.”
Daniel Day-Lewis: Oscar Winner Turned Screenwriter?
After Phantom Thread in 2017, Daniel Day-Lewis said he was out for good. No press. No roles. Nothing.
But in 2024, it was announced he’ll be back for Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. So maybe retirement isn’t always permanent, even for the most elusive actor in the business.
Rosie O’Donnell: Finding Peace Across the Pond
After decades in the spotlight and not always gently, Rosie O’Donnell made a big change. In early 2025, she moved to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay, and began the process of applying for Irish citizenship, thanks to her family’s heritage.
She was transparent about the motivation behind her move, citing political unrest in the U.S. as a tipping point.
“I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there,” she said in a TikTok video. “And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
For now, she’s finding her footing in her grandparents’ homeland, and maybe even a little serenity away from the noise.
Evangeline Lilly: Letting Go of the Spotlight for a Higher Calling
After nearly two decades of battling bad guys, donning superhero suits, and starring in massive franchises like Lost and Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly hit pause.
In a June 2024 Instagram post, she explained her decision to take an indefinite break from acting:
“I feel so grateful for my blessings… stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment.”
She’s not closing the door—just leaving it cracked in case something meaningful calls her back. But for now? She’s focused on her personal growth, purpose, and joy.
Meghan Markle: From Suits to a Different Kind of Royal Production
Let’s be real—when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry and left Suits, she didn’t just exit Hollywood. She left one spotlight for an entirely different, even more scrutinized one.
Now, after stepping back from royal duties, she’s dipping back into entertainment, but on her terms. Through her production deal with Netflix, she released the docuseries Harry & Meghan and launched her 2025 lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.
She’s also started a podcast and brand called As Ever, combining storytelling, wellness, and her signature polished-meets-real style.
Acting may be in the rearview, but she’s still very much in the game, just playing a different position.
Terrence Howard: The Final Curtain Call (Maybe)
Terrence Howard has flirted with quitting before. Back in 2019, ahead of Empire’s final season, he famously told Extra, “I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
And yet, here we are. After a few more projects—including The Best Man: The Final Chapters and Shirley on Netflix—he doubled down in 2022, saying he’d given the best of himself to acting and was ready to step back for good.
“I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself,” he said.
He might pop up now and again, but he seems genuinely content passing the torch to the next generation of talent.
Jack Gleeson: Bye, King Joffrey—Hello, Normal Life
After playing one of the most hated characters in TV history, Game of Thrones’ Jack Gleeson said “no thanks” to the fame that followed.
He was just 21 when he quit acting after his character’s death, telling EW at the time:
“I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to… It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.”
He took a long break, returned briefly in 2020, and has since re-entered the acting world quietly, popping up in shows like Safe Harbor and The Famous Five, plus films like Rebecca’s Boyfriend. Still low-key, still far from the L.A. scene.
Phoebe Cates: From Teen Star to Boutique Owner
For a generation, Phoebe Cates was the dream girl—Fast Times, Gremlins, you name it. But once she married fellow actor Kevin Kline in 1989, her priorities shifted.
The couple agreed to take turns working so one of them could always be home with the kids. When it was her turn, she chose family over film.
Now? She runs Blue Tree, a charming boutique on NYC’s Upper East Side. She’s more focused on curating cool things than chasing scripts.
She made a rare cameo in a friend’s indie film in 2001, but otherwise, she’s embraced a life far from the cameras.
Rick Moranis: Family First, Fame Second
Rick Moranis had a thriving career—Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs. Then, in the early ‘90s, after his wife passed away from cancer, he stepped away from acting to raise their two kids.
“I took a break, which turned into a longer break,” he said in interviews years later.
For decades, he stayed mostly out of the spotlight, turning down roles—even a cameo in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot.
But he’s finally dipping a toe back in. He’ll appear alongside Josh Gad in Shrunk, the long-awaited reboot of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise. For fans who grew up with his work, it’s the kind of comeback that hits you right in the nostalgia.
Bridgit Mendler: Actress, Scholar, CEO
Here’s one that might make you do a double-take: Good Luck Charlie’s Bridgit Mendler is now a rocket scientist. No, seriously.
She left acting in 2018 and went all-in on her education. She earned a master’s from MIT, a law degree from Harvard, and in 2023 launched a satellite data startup called Northwood Space, where she serves as CEO.
“I just kept chasing things that interested me,” she’s said in various interviews.
It’s a major shift from Disney Channel fame, but Bridgit seems right at home leading in STEM and reshaping what post-Hollywood success can look like.
Final Thoughts
Not everyone is built for the long haul in Hollywood, and even those who are might decide it’s just not worth it anymore. What’s striking is how grounded so many of these decisions are: raising kids, protecting mental health, chasing new passions, or just wanting a slower pace of life.
Some left for good. Others took long pauses. A few may come back now and then. But all of them found something real on the other side of fame — and for a lot of us watching, that’s more relatable than any red carpet moment.
So if you’ve ever wondered where your favorite stars went, chances are they didn’t fade away. They just moved on. And honestly? Respect.
