Viewers think that the people who became movie stars got what they dreamed of all their lives. But there is a downside to the coin, and many actors, having reached certain heights, decide to leave the film industry forever. Some understand that this is not their calling, or they simply turn out to be not ready for constant attention to their person. Whatever the reason, a huge number of actors take pauses in their careers or leave the profession forever. We have compiled a photo list of actors and actresses who have quit their careers. We can hardly ever see these movie stars in new films and TV series.
Nikki Blonsky
- "The Last Movie Star", "Hairspray", "Waiting for Eternity", "Ugly"
The bright and memorable actress starred in many popular TV series and films. She was recognizable, and her heroine from the film "Hairspray" fell in love with many viewers. However, Nikki decided that she needed to take a break from her film career. Blonsky decided to try on the role of a beautician in real life. She received a certificate of cosmetologist-stylist and now works as a make-up artist and stylist in a salon.
Eva Mendes
- The Place Beyond the Pines, Fast and Furious Double, Last Night in New York, Out of Time
Eva's departure from the film industry was a surprise to many. She starred for the best directors, was recognizable, and the leading brands dreamed of getting this beauty with Cuban roots for their commercials. But the actress decided that her vocation was to raise children. Eva met her husband Ryan Gosling on the set, and after the birth of two daughters, she decided to devote herself entirely to motherhood. Mendes told reporters that she feels absolutely happy.
Chris Owen
- "American Pie", "Defective Detective", "Haze", "October Sky"
The real fame fell on Chris after the release of "American Pie". However, after a successful start, the actor turned out to be unclaimed in Hollywood. Owen continued to act, but mostly he was offered cameo roles in mediocre films. After the release of the last part of "American Pie", Chris decided to change his profession. Unexpectedly for many, the former actor got a job as an ordinary waiter and claims that he likes this life much more than the old one.
Taylor Momsen
- "The Grinch Stole Christmas", "We Were Soldiers", "Gossip Girl", "Paranoid Park"
Taylor's parents dreamed that the girl would become an actress, and brought her to the set when the baby was 2 years old. Little Taylor said that she did not have a childhood as such - she was either at school or at the auditions. Many viewers will remember Momsen after the release of The Grinch - The Thief of Christmas. Despite her successful film career, the girl said that playing someone in a movie is interesting, but being yourself is much better. Taylor's music helps her become herself - Momsen is the leader of the rock group The Pretty Reckless.
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen
- "Two: Me and My Shadow", "Little Rascals", "Who is Samantha?", "Datura"
The Olsen twins have been incredibly popular since childhood. After the release of the comedy "Two: Me and My Shadow" girls became insanely in demand and very rich. They starred in many successful projects, but in the mid-2000s they decided to quit their careers.
One of the reasons that the sisters decided to leave the world of big cinema was the fact that they were perceived as a whole and were invited to take part only as twins. Now Mary-Kate and Ashley have their own production center, in addition, they are engaged in clothing design and production of their own line of perfumes.
Amanda Bynes
- "Living proof", "Excellent student of easy virtue", "Hairspray", "What a girl wants"
Amanda Bynes is another successful actress who has decided to leave the film industry.
She was remembered by the audience for her roles in Hairspray and She is a Man. After a successful start, Amanda started having problems with drugs, law and psyche. After undergoing rehabilitation, the actress told her fans that she was taking an indefinite pause and wanted to study. Amanda became a student at the Design Institute in Irvine and has no intention of returning to cinema yet.
Jack Gleeson
- Batman Begins, Game of Thrones, Shine of the Rainbow, All the Good Kids
Jack started acting early. His first projects were short films, followed by a cameo role in Batman Begins. Gleason became truly recognizable after he got into Game of Thrones. After the filming of the series was over, Jack announced that he had no plans to pursue an acting career, and he no longer wanted to act in films. Jack is currently studying at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin.
Danny Lloyd
- The Shining, Doctor Sleep
Many horror movie fans will remember the boy from the iconic "The Shining", based on the novel by Stephen King. A talented child could have pursued a career as an actor, but Danny followed a different path with everything. Lloyd is now a professor of biology and teaches at a college in New Jersey. Danny admits that he didn't want to act in films all his life. He made an exception only for another adaptation of Stephen King's book "Doctor Sleep" in 2019.
Natalia Guseva (Murashkevich)
- "Guest from the Future", "Purple Ball", "The Will of the Universe", "Race of the Century"
The film "Guest from the Future" became a cult film among Soviet youth, and the image of Alisa Selezneva won the hearts of all TV viewers. After the release of the picture, Natalia was offered roles, but the girl did not want to destroy the previously created image. Natasha decided to enter biological and became a certified virologist. Guseva for a long time led the production of immunobiological drugs, and then completely devoted herself to the family.
Jake Lloyd
- Ambulance, Pretender, Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Madison
Star Wars fans know Jake very well for his role as Anakin Skywalker. According to Lloyd, this role made him famous and at the same time ruined his career. Jake was plagued by numerous interviews and fan attention and announced his retirement from the world of cinema. At first he studied psychology and cinema at a Chicago college, but then everything changed dramatically - Lloyd went to prison after a series of delinquencies. The actor was diagnosed with schizophrenia, after which Jake ended up in a mental hospital.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
- "I Know What You Did Last Summer", "East End Witches", "Border Town", "The Laws of Brooklyn"
Freddie starred mainly in youth comedies, the most famous of which was “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. On the set, he met his future wife Sarah Michelle Gellar. After the actors got married, Freddie became an exemplary family man. He began to appear on the screens less and less, deciding to fulfill his old dream - Freddie became a chef and went into the restaurant business.
Gene Hackman
- Bonnie and Clyde, Enemy of the State, The Quick and the Dead, The Tennenbaum Family
The famous actor managed to make his own contribution to the history of Hollywood. Hackman was nominated for an Academy Award five times and received the coveted statuette twice. After the failure of the last film with his participation, "Welcome to Muzport", the actor announced that he was leaving the film industry. Gene became interested in writing. He co-authored several historical novels with archaeologist Daniel Lenihan. Hackman also tried out such art genres as police thriller and western.
Daniel Day-Lewis
- "Gangs of New York", "The Last of the Mohicans", "Ordeal", "Oil"
In 2017, Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day Lewis officially announced the end of his film career. Daniel was known as an actor who fully lives his roles and immerses himself in the image. Since leaving the cinema, Lewis has managed to make hand-made shoes and carpentry. According to the former actor, he feels happy as a craftsman.
Shirley Temple
- "Poor Little Rich Girl", "Curly", "Little Princess", "Blue Bird"
Shirley was considered a genius child. She conquered the Hollywood audience so early that at the age of 7 she received an Oscar for her contribution to the development of the film industry. A curly-haired girl, masterly dancing step, grew up, and as a teenager she was called to act less and less. She decided to go to film retirement at the age of 22. Miss Temple has achieved great success in the field of diplomacy - for a long time she was a consultant on diplomatic issues under the President, and since 1989 she served as the US Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.
Jeff Cohen
- "Goonies", "Amazing Stories", "Family Ties", "Ask Max"
Not all children who started their careers at an early age and are promising want to associate with it all their lives. Jeff was a success. His role as Chunk in Goofs received a lot of positive reviews, but Cohen decided he didn't want to devote his life to cinema. He became a successful lawyer and founded his own law firm in Los Angeles.
Charlie Sheen
- "Two and a Half Men", "Friends", "Three Musketeers", "Three on the Way"
The famous actor Charlie Sheen was forced to end his career against his will. After a series of scandals related to his alcohol and drug addiction, problems with the law, beating of his wife and HIV infection, the film company fired Charlie. The former actor decided to go into a business in which he feels like a fish in water - Shin created a line of vapes containing marijuana.
Mara Wilson
- "Matilda", "Mrs. Doubtfire", "Batman of the Future", "Nostalgic Critic"
Being a charming girl, Mara easily got roles in various projects. After the girl's mother died, Wilson lost interest in filming. The young actress underwent treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, after which she completely left the film business. She graduated from art school in New York and became interested in writing. From the pen of Mara came the play "The Herd" and the article "7 reasons why child actors go crazy."
Bradley Pierce
- "Jumanji", "Only you and me", "Thieves", "Profiler"
A boy with sad eyes from the fantastic picture "Jumanji" has long grown up. The first time after a successful project, he filmed a lot, then professionally engaged in dubbing. In 2006, Bradley decided he was tired of being part of the film industry. The actor first learned to be a bartender, and later even founded his own community of cocktail mixing lovers.
Peter Ostrum
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Only one role was enough for Ostrum to understand that acting is not something that he would like to do all his life. In 1971, she starred in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and did not pursue a film career. For many years, Peter has worked as a veterinarian in a New York clinic. He specializes in horses and other large animals.
Grace Kelly
- "Exactly at noon", "In case of murder, dial" M "," Mogambo "," Window to the courtyard "
One of the most beautiful women in Hollywood had a very good reason to quit her career - she became a princess. Despite the fact that Grace is included in the TOP-100 of the best actresses, her film career lasted only 4 years. During this time, she managed to receive an Oscar and win the heart of the real prince himself. The Prince of Monaco proposed to Grace and she left the film industry for good.
Rick Moranis
- "Ghostbusters", "Honey, I Shrunk the Children", "Horror Shop", "Big Boys"
It's hard to imagine 80s comedy without Rick Morenis. Rick had to quit his career after his wife first diagnosed cancer, and soon she died. The actor decided to leave the cinema in order to raise two children. Moranis became a single dad and has no plans to return to Hollywood.
Cameron Diaz
- "Swap Vacation", "The Mask", "My Guardian Angel", "Gangs of New York"
The talented and beloved actress Cameron Diaz has decided that she will no longer act in films. The actress admitted that she does not know what could force her to change her mind. After many not very successful romances, Cameron met the man of her dreams - musician Benji Madden. After the official marriage of Diaz and Madden, not a single film with the actress appeared. On December 30, 2019, the couple had a daughter, and Cameron became a happy mother, for whom the film career has now definitely gone to the farthest plan.
Andrew Shue
- Benefactor, Wonderful Years, American Shaolin, Gracie
The real popularity came to Andrew after his participation in the TV series "Melrose Place". After several successful projects, the actor decided to try himself in other professions. For some time, Andrew played football professionally, after that he became interested in mountaineering, and since 2006 he is a co-founder of a website related to parenting and motherhood.
Skandar Keynes
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Magic Mirror, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The young actor got a lucky ticket - he played one of the main roles in the fantastic franchise The Chronicles of Narnia. After filming the last episode, Skandar decided that between fame and training, he would choose the second option. Keynes entered Cambridge, where he studied the history and languages of the Middle East. After completing his studies, Skandar became an advisor to a member of parliament for the Conservative Party of England.
Mike Vitar
- "NYPD", "Gloomy Sunset", "Brooklyn Bridge", "Playground"
Mike Vitar rounds out our photo-list of actors and actresses who have dropped out. Mike starred in various projects, starting at the age of 12. Despite the fact that he had roles in successful TV shows and film projects, Mike decided to devote his destiny to saving lives. Vitar has been with the Los Angeles Fire Department since 2002.