15 Hollywood Celebrities Who Quit the Spotlight to Start Afresh
These 15 celebrities were known for their acting prowess. But, the limelight could not stop them from doing what they wanted to and living their lives.
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Acting is an art, not a job, and requires immense hard work. It comes with a level of fame, with hundreds of camera flashes and paparazzi that won’t leave them be. While some are all about this lifestyle, some are just not fond enough about the fame they receive to make it their sole goal. As a result, many formerly famous artists have chosen to step out of the spotlight. Here are 15 celebs who opted-out of Hollywood to lead a “normal life.”
1. A king with principles
Jack Gleeson shot to fame for portraying the most loathed character, King Joffery, on HBO’s most iconic TV series, Game of Thrones. Jack later decided to step away from the spotlight to pursue his education in theology and philosophy.
2. Way to go, Jake!
Remember Uncle Charlie’s goofy yet adorable nephew from Two and a Half Men? Well, Angus T. Jones, popularly known as Jake Harper, quit acting for good and now works in a production company called Tonite.
3. The middle child leading the way
Frankie Muniz, better known as the most lovable middle child, from the hit TV show Malcolm in the Middle, quit acting and decided to live an adrenaline-fuelled life. He is now a race car driver.
5. Artistic Development
Australian actress Portia De Rossi, better known for her role as Lindsay Bluth Funke in Arrested Development, quit acting to start her own art venture, General Public Art. She announced this shocking news in an interview with her wife, Ellen DeGeneres.
6. From scripts to novels
The Royal Tenenbaums’ actor Gene Hackman bid adieu to the showbiz in the early 2000s. After his last movie in 2004, Welcome to Mooseport, he decided to quit acting and dabbled in the art of writing. His fictional novel was well-received as well.
7. The not-so-little marketer
Travis Tedford, better known as the dorky kid Spanky McFarland from the famous movie Little Rascals, quit the glitz and glamorous life and moved to Texas in 2002 to pursue a career in marketing.
8. Willy Wonka and the veterinarian!
Portraying the iconic role of Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Peter Ostrum decided that he had had enough fame and decided to quit showbiz. He is now a veterinarian based in Upstate New York.
9. Actor turned fitness writer
Cameron Diaz started her acting career with the movie The Mask in the early ‘90s and quit Hollywood in 2014 to pursue her career in writing for fitness. Diaz has written a handful of books that have been well received by many.
10. The shining biologist
Danny Lloyd, the child from the horror cult The Shining, played Jack Nicholson’s son, Danny Torrace. Lloyd quit acting at quite an early age and now teaches biology in Kentucky.
11. Teen heartthrob turns carpenter
Michael Schoeffling was famous in the ‘80s and was the leading man in teen movies, like Sixteen Candles and Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. Schoeffling quit his acting career to become a carpenter, and he now owns a woodworking shop.
12. Saved by the painting!
Known for her role as Lisa Turtle in the famous TV show Saved by the Bell, Lark Voorhies quit acting to focus on the art of writing and painting. She revealed that her paintings are just for her and refuses to sell them.
13. Out of the spotlight, into the courtroom
Jeff Cohen, popularly known as or Chunk, the chubby kid from The Goonies, was one of the most popular child actors of Hollywood. Jeff eventually chose to live out of the spotlight and is currently a lawyer and a partner of a private firm.
14. Pretty reckless Taylor
Taylor Momsen is better known for her role as Jenny Humphrey from the Gossip Girl, the hit teen series. She also starred in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas and announced her retirement in 2011 to focus on her punk rock band, The Pretty Reckless.
15. Fiction writer Matilda
Mara Wilson landed leading roles in popular movies like Matilda, Miracle on the 34th Street, and Mrs. Doubtfire. She quit acting shortly after, and is now a successful author, penning fiction and plays for young adults.
