Sometimes, actors burst onto the scene in Hollywood and instantly wow people with their performances, which leads to tons of big opportunities coming all at once. But maintaining success in this world for a long time isn’t an easy feat, which is why so many end up disappearing from the limelight. Some actors choose to do that, deciding that lifestyle isn’t for them, but for others, the decision is forced upon them as others take their place.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan was America’s sweetheart in the ’80s and ’90s, known for her roles in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. She could have easily continued dominating at the box office, but she decided to step back to focus on her family, eventually becoming a director behind the camera.
Rick Moranis
Getting to be part of major blockbuster movies like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids meant Rick Moranis became a household name. But following the death of his wife, Moranis decided to leave acting behind so he could focus on his family and be as hands-on as possible, which is a commendable decision.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz was a box-office queen with films like There’s Something About Mary and Charlie’s Angels. People loved her beauty and were entertained by her acting skills, which meant she could’ve stayed at the top of the industry forever. However, Diaz chose to retire from acting, opting to become an author while also creating her own wine brand, keeping her busy. But she is set to come out of retirement, which could change things.
Joe Pesci
Known for his intense roles in Goodfellas and Casino, Joe Pesci took a step back from acting to pursue music. He made a notable return in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman in 2019, reminding everyone of his undeniable talent. But he spent an extended period completely out of the industry.
Gene Hackman
Sometimes, people decide that acting isn’t for them and opt to shift to a different line of work. That was the case for Gene Hackman, despite being an Oscar-winning actor. He retired in 2004 and decided to write instead.
Bridget Fonda
Sometimes, people step back from acting because of their own choices, but unfortunately, for Bridget Fonda, that wasn’t the case. The popular ’90s star had to retire from acting after suffering a serious car accident, with her career being taken away from her in the blink of an eye.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas rose to fame on Home Improvement and voiced young Simba in The Lion King. He left Hollywood to pursue higher education and has kept a low profile, with occasional guest appearances on TV.
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates is best remembered for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins. Her roles led to considerable success, but she stepped away from acting in the mid-’90s to focus on her family and now runs a boutique in New York City called Blue Tree.
Dave Chappelle
Chappelle’s Show was a real hit, but Dave Chappelle, the genius behind it, took a long hiatus from the entertainment industry. He made a significant return with some stand-up specials on Netflix, proving that no matter how big the break is, it never goes if the talent is there.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
When the Olsen twins burst onto the scene as young children, people instantly thought they would dominate Hollywood for generations. While they’ve enjoyed success, it hasn’t worked out how people thought it would. Instead, they’ve focused more on fashion than moves.
Taylor Lautner
Anytime actors become part of a hit franchise, they are set for life, particularly if they get a lead role. Taylor Lautner falls into that category due to his work in Twilight, but following up on that has been tough for him. He’s taken on several roles, but getting major parts has proved tricky.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson is one of the biggest names in acting history and is beloved by people worldwide. With three Oscars and a laundry list of amazing films, Nicholson certainly deserves a rest. That’s what he’s doing now, focusing on having a quieter life rather than dealing with the stress of acting.
Sean Connery
The original James Bond, Sean Connery, retired from acting in 2003 after a prolific career spanning decades. Later in his career, people stopped seeing him pop up in movies as he chose to slow down and focus on other things. He passed away in 2020, leaving behind an incredible legacy for himself.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the most well-known actors of all time, had an amazing career. Known for his method of acting, he put together an unbelievable run of films that any actor would be lucky to have. He decided to live a quiet life in Ireland, away from the spotlight, to live out the rest of his life.
Rene Russo
Starring in the likes of Lethal Weapon 3, Rene Russo burst onto the scene in the entertainment world. But she took a hiatus to focus on family life, and while she did return in Nightcrawler, she’s not reached the same level of fame.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Freddie Prinze Jr. was the charming lead in romantic comedies like She’s All That and even thrived in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies as Fred. But he went on to focus on writing and is currently focusing on starting up his own wrestling promotion, which is his genuine passion.
Linda Hamilton
Taking on the role of Sarah Connor in the Terminator franchise set Linda Hamilton up for life due to how iconic the part was and how successful those movies were. But she took a break from acting to concentrate on her personal life, although she did return for Terminator: Dark Fate.
Mike Myers
Mike Myers is one of cinema’s greatest comedic talents. He’s behind the likes of Austin Powers and Shrek, entertaining generations of people at different stages of his life. But he has taken time out of Hollywood at various stages in his life, proving that you don’t always need to be in the bubble.
Demi Moore
Demi Moore was a major star in the ’80s and ’90s with films like Ghost and G.I. Jane. But she left the industry to try and avoid the spotlight and the pressures that come with that. Instead, she’s only taken on selective roles and been more careful about her projects.
Macaulay Culkin
Being a child star isn’t easy because it thrusts people into a world of fame before they’re ready. There have been few bigger child stars than Macaulay Culkin, which led to him having some difficulties in life as he grew up. It led to him taking a lengthy break from acting, but he has returned and focused on more independent roles that allow him to act without mainstream attention.
