Where Did All These Actors Go? AWOL is Where
In 2021, several actors left Hollywood to begin regular jobs. Undoubtedly, these celebrities would have worked hard before being able to reach the top rung of the ladder in the acting industry.
This makes it worthwhile to study their life decisions and the possible reasons for quitting the fame-associated career. Being in the spotlight can be tiring. We can only hope that these fifty actors are living a better life.
Elizabeth Hurley Cherishes Her Relationship
Elizabeth Hurley stopped acting in 2002, after announcing to the public, through the New York Magazine, her intention to build a proper and consistent relationship with her son. Elizabeth believed something had to be let go in exchange for a stable family, and she chose her blooming career as that to leave behind.
Motherly duties like taking kids to school, preparing their lunch, and cooking food, were fascinating to Elizabeth. While some thrive on fame regardless of how it hurts relationships, Elizabeth chooses what makes her happy instead. In the long run, happiness is the key ingredient in life to run after.
Inner Peace is the Real Dream for Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle’s quick career was one of the most sudden announcements. He quit the Chappelle’s Show in 2005, and it was already at the peak of its popularity. According to him, fame was a distraction, and he would rather live a quiet and meditative lifestyle. This was inspired after his group vacation or a trip to South Africa.
Dave is known for his simplicity and could only picture the Hollywood industry as an extreme sector. Almost everything about him was in the public view, with no iota of privacy about his life. If this man could have left the fame every dreamer aspires for, it’s clear to all that his peace would be the most important value for him.
Living the Quiet Lifestyle
Many actors would have been thought to last a long time in the Hollywood industry. Cameron Diaz was a popular actor that many would have thought to hold out strong. Her fame started in 1994, after being featured in “The Mask” movie, where she was nominated as one of America’s brightest rising stars. She also was featured in dramas and comedies like “There’s Something About Mary.”
This amazing actor also stood out as the voice of Fiona in Shrek. She stopped acting in 2014 after appearing in the “Annie” movie. She has become a mother to a beautiful girl and is living a private and successful lifestyle.
Sudden Loss of the Dear One
Rick Moranis has been in the comedy-acting circuit for a long time, dating back to the ‘80s. He was part of the SCTV show and major movies such as “Spaceballs,” “The Honey,” “Ghostbusters,” “Parenthood,” and “The Flintstones.”
Sadly, Rick had to quit his famous career after losing his lovely wife to cancer in 1991. She was just 35 years old, and Rick was the only one left in the world to take care of his two boys. The last movie he participated in was titled “We Shrunk Ourselves.”
Running a Successful Business as a Store Owner
Phoebe Cates was a famous actress in the ‘80s and a beauty in many people’s eyes, as she stood out as a brand ambassador many times. After her performance in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and the “Gremlins” films, she became even more popular and was known globally. This beautiful actress eventually married her colleague Kevin Kline in 1989.
According to Kline’s confirmation in an article in Playboy magazine, the couple had only intended to switch careers and take care of the family, together. Eventually, Phoebe had to shift her focus, while taking care of the kids. However, after Phoebe acted in “Princess Caraboo” in 1994, her fans thought she had come back fully into the Hollywood industry. She made a a few appearances in 2001 but has never been on the set since then. Currently, Phoebe owns the Blue Tree boutique in New York City.
Transfer of the Entertainment Career to the Next Generation
There had always been a major movie push for these actors, and Michael Schoeffling’s spotlight seemed to have come from his role in “Sixteen Candles.” He acted as Jake Ryan, an opponent to Molly Ringwald in the film debut. However, his career took a break as his wife had their children.
Michael leaving his life of fame can be because of two things. Firstly, his family changed residential locations to Pennsylvania, after which he opened a woodworking shop. Since then, nothing has been heard of Michael except that his daughter embarked on a career as a beautiful model.
Becoming a Celibate at an Old Age
As a teenager, Dolores Hart had been in the Hollywood industry dating back to 1957. This was mostly from her role as the major actress in “Loving You.” She was a lead, and a popular actress, Elvis Presley’s love interest. Dolores never ended her acting at that point, but went ahead to play roles in nine more movies, including “Where the Boys Are.”
However, little did her fans know that there was a religious interest in Dolores’s life. In 1964, she made a public declaration of her interest in becoming a nun. Currently, she lives in the Abbey of Regina Laudis monastery in Connecticut.
Changing Dynamics in Other Sectors in the Industry
Al Franken was frequently seen at live performances, making him stand out among his colleagues. He is known for his iconic acting alongside popular actors like Will Smith. Therefore, many of his fans believed him to have raw talent and skill. He was also a writer of skits and performances on “Saturday Night Live.”
However, he did not completely leave the entertainment industry, as he has remained a writer. After switching careers, this multi-talented guru left the Hollywood industry to become a political radio host. This also bloomed, as he became a US Senator from 2009 to 2018.
Running a Just Cause
Karyn Parsons had acted as Hilary Banks in the movie “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” In 1995, Karyn also participated in comedy roles such as “Major Payne.” Other comedy shows she was featured in include “The Ladies Men” in 2000 and “The Job” from 2001 to 2002.
After finishing the 2002 movie project, Karyn got married. Currently, she writes for shows, events, and comedies. She also shows a keen interest in children’s development, especially of African Americans. Currently, she runs a non-profit organization for this cause, known as the Sweet Blackberry.
Becoming the Princess to the Charming Prince
Grace Kelly had been acting since the early ‘50s. After her outstanding acting in “The Country Girl” movie, she won the Academy Award as Best Actress. She also played classic roles in the three movies: “To Catch a Thief,” “Dial M for Murder,” and “Rear Window.”
However, Grace caught the attention of the prince-charming from Monaco, Rainier III, at the Cannes Film Festival. After marrying the prince, she quit the Hollywood industry, as she fully assumed the role of the Monaco princess, and she did excellently well at it.
Going AWOL into the Writing Career
Gene Hackman’s popularity bloomed after playing a role in the “Bonnie and Clyde” movie in 1967, winning an Academy Award for his performance. His award-winning experience did not stop there, as he went further to win two major awards based on his iconic roles in the 1992 movies “Unforgiven” and “The French Connection.”
Gene was one of the most sought-after actors, as many directors loved to have him on set. In 2014, he stopped acting in the Hollywood industry, which is reasonable enough because he has had a lot of achievements even before reaching his old age. Currently, he is a writer and author who has published as many as five novels.
Taking Care of the Extended Family
Bridget Fonda belongs to the Fonda acting family and became famous not only because of her family history or prestige. In the ‘90s, she had become known as a great actress through her roles in “Jackie Brown” and “Singles.” She got married to Danny Elfman in 2003, and since has not been featured in movies.
However, some argued it was because she had started dating Danny at the moment, while others believed she only wanted a private life for herself. The former assumption in this argument only became concrete after the couple had a son, and the public got to know that Danny, in fact, had other children from a previous failed marriage. Therefore, it is safe to say, Bridget is now focusing on family affairs.
Leaving the Paparazzi Spotlight
Daniel Day-Lewis broke a record in the Hollywood industry during his acting years. Not only did he win in the Academy Awards, but he won as Best Actor. This can be attributed to his British acting method in the movies “There Will Be Blood,” “My Left Foot,” and “Lincoln.”
However, the reason for Daniel quitting as an actor in June 2017 is not well known, even after he made a public announcement. His statement was blunt and left his conclusion as a private decision, leaving his fans baffled.
Becoming a Successful Art Collector
Greta Garbo started her acting career in Swedish films as early as 1925. After her role in the “Flesh and the Devil” movie, she became a star. Although she started as a silent actress in Swedish films, her vast career made her stand out when sound came into the picture.
Unlike other silent actors, her fame did not die, because she adapted to the change. She played classic roles like in “Camille,” which earned her an Academy Award. Unfortunately, the talented actress got bad comments and reviews for acting in “Two-Faced Woman” in 1941. On the other hand, she’s rocking it as an art collector. She is one of the few lucky stars who succeed in another career despite quitting acting.
Joining the Royal Family as a Duchess
Meghan Markle is a remarkable actress who starred in seven seasons of the “Suits” movie and in “Remember Me.” Fortunately, she met the love of her life through a blind date with the charming Prince Harry. Her love story got a lot of attention on the internet, as many fans were happy for her new status.
She is currently the Duchess of Sussex. On May 6, 2019, she gave birth to a handsome baby, Archie. However, she has not been back in the movie industry, and many people are assuming the Duchess role is most critical for her at this time.
Taking Responsibilities in the Family
Cary Grant was a super comedian that led the way in classic Hollywood films during his era. His major roles were portrayals in “North by Northwest” and “Bringing Up Baby.” The comedian brought smiles to many people’s faces but old age and other responsibilities required him to retire.
Although his wife was also an actor, named Dyan Cannon, they both wanted to take responsibility for their son by creating family time and enjoying beautiful moments. Roles from great movies like “Heaven Can Wait” were offered to Cary, which he rejected. At this point, his fans accepted that they would not be seeing him on the screen anymore as an actor.
Getting a Bigger Spotlight Position in Politics
Shirley Temple never successfully flourished as an adult actor as she had as a child actor. Nevertheless, she still appeared with John Wayne in “Fort Apache.” Shirley was retired quite early, at the age of 22, on December 16, 1950. She expressed her disappointment in playing a lesser role than she deserved.
Fortunately, she was doing well in her new career as the US ambassador in Czechoslovakia and Ghana. Apart from that, she had earned herself some iconic positions in history. Never had it been recorded of a woman ocupying the position of the Chief of Protocol of the United States, until she blossomed in her career in foreign service under the presidency of Gerald Ford.
Owning a Business in the Hollywood Industry
Tobey Maguire played an iconic role as Spiderman in 2012. It is safe to say, he is the first leading role of the many Spiderman characters we have today. He has won the best actor award twice from Saturn Awards. He is a successful actor who now runs his production company, Material Pictures.
However, only a few people realized he has not been on the screen for a long time. Ever since he acted in Pawn Sacrifice in 2014 as Bobby Fischer, he has not played any other role. Since he has a production company, he probably focuses on other areas of the Hollywood industry asides from acting.
Displeasure in Blackballing from Other Colleagues
Monique Angela Hicks, known as Mo’Nique in the Hollywood industry, has received several recognitions for her outstanding performances. She started her career as a stand-up comedian, for which she received a Grammy Award.
Before she won an Academy Award for her iconic role in “The Precious,” she had played a role in “The Parkers,” “Phat Girls,” and “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.” However, the last time she was seen on set was in 2016. She made a public statement in 2017 about her disinterest in the blackballing she got from her colleagues.
Going AWOL off the Hollywood Industry
Jack Nicholson had been a successful career person for up to 59 years. He has played a wide range of roles and characters, including the romantic guy, comics, villain, and anti-hero. Many people never knew about Nicholson’s involvement in the military, especially during the Korean War era.
However, he enlisted back in 1962. He won the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival after acting in “Last Detail.” Other prominent roles of his are in “The Passenger,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and in many other productions. However, the remarkable actor has not been on set since 2010.
Lara Flynn Boyle Taking a Short Break from Acting
One of the most iconic characters throughout Lara’s career is her role as Donna Marie Hayward in the “Twin Peaks” movie. This causes us to wonder why an outstanding actress like her would go AWOL. She acted in this ABC cult classic between 1990-1991. However, she did not stop acting after playing Donna.
She went ahead to feature in “Wayne’s World,” “Red Rock West,” “Threesome,” and “Happiness.” Based on her role in “The Practice,” she was nominated as the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Nonetheless, her acting break has only been for a short while, and we can hopefully expect a comeback soon.
Posing for the Glam and Front Covers
Katherine Heigl seems to have diverse roles in the entertainment industry, as she is primarily an actress, but also a producer, and a former model. She started her acting career as a child, and she is one of the biggest “child stars” in history. However, she caught the attention of both old and young audiences with her astonishing acting.
Heigl’s career took a huge turn after her being featured in the TV drama “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2005 to 2010. The role created a spotlight for her as she won a Primetime Emmy Award. From there, she went ahead to play a role in “Jenny’s Wedding” and “Unforgettable.” She has become less active as an actor, rather doing more of her modeling career, appearing on the front covers of “Cosmopolitan,” “Maxim,” and “Vanity Fair.”
Collaborating as Screenwriter with the Other Colleagues
Jonah Hill is primarily known to be a comedian, as he was featured in top shows like “Knocked Up,” “21 Jump Street,” “Funny People,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” and “This is the End.” He also displayed dramatic performances in “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “Moneyball.”
Due to his outstanding dramatic performances as a supporting actor, he received an Academy Award. Although Jonah Hills is still receiving some roles, it is nothing compared to his massive comedy shows in his early career. He is also focusing more on screenwriting with the star Jason Schwartzman.
Jennifer Love Hewitt Chose Her Family over Other Things
Jennifer Love Hewitt is a smart teen; she was quick to catch the attention of managers and producers in the movie industry. Eventually, she had her huge fan base. She was an actress and a musician featured in the Disney Channel series “Kids Incorporated.”
Hewitt’s popularity bloomed after playing a role in the horror movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and a supernatural movie called “Ghost Whisperer.” However, her acting career seemed to have only bloomed in the ‘90s. She currently has two children and devotes most of her time to taking care of her family.
Living the Private Life Dream
In the early years of Mike Myers’s career, almost everyone knew what he was up to, particularly after being the voice of “Shrek.” Paparazzi took more interest in him as he took title roles in “Austin Powers” and “Wayne’s World.” He also started as a comedian on “Saturday Night Live” from 1989 to 1995.
However, he is focusing more on comedy shows now. His reason for leaving the movie set was not known to the public, leaving everybody in the dark until 2019, when he announced his interest in a Netflix comedy series because he wanted a more private life.
The Harsh Critics of Her Acting Roles
Meg Ryan is the sweetheart of many Hollywood lovers. This is major because of her role in the soap opera “As the World Turns,” after coming out of her acting shell in 1982. Afterwards, she played major roles in romantic comedies like “You’ve Got Mail,” “Harry Met Sally,” and “Sleepless in Seattle.”
However, she received criticism of how she did not connect with some of her romantic partners. Meg is known to be a strong woman, but the negative comments could have been too much for her. Also, it was rumored that many producers did not want to sign her up again, making her focus on indie films.
Filing against Sexual Harassment Bounced Back
In 1995, Mira Sorvino was in the spotlight in the Hollywood industry for winning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award simultaneously, after being featured in the “Mighty Aphrodite.” However, it is astonishing to see this actress only appear in movies in minor roles. Probably she is more focused on family, as a mother of four, or her incident with Harvey Weinstein had caused this.
According to her, Harvey Weinstein had touched her inappropriately while shooting on the “Lord of the Rings” set. After filing a claim against him, the director removed her from the spotlight. Meanwhile, it could have been a huge opportunity to have her acting career grow, compared to how it worked out.
Running the Family Clothing Line
Ashley Judd started her acting career while she was also a political activist. Since Judd grew up in a family filled with performing artists, she was quick to climb up the music ladder. She must have had a lot of mentors and coaches around her, as she was successfully nominated for the Golden Globe award.
Although Judd’s acting career was cut short early, she engaged in other inspiring activities. She became the first woman to narrate the “Kentucky Derby” telecast and became the face of American Beauty in June 2007. Currently, she runs a clothing line with her family.
Getting Married to the Love of My Life
After playing a role in the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” Alyson Hannigan became a movie star from 2005-2014. Since then, she has not been seen in major roles. However, because she devoted most of her acting career to the sitcom series, it may be responsible for why she went AWOL.
Although she won a People’s Choice Award in 2009 and a voiceover role in the Disney Junior animated series, which continues to the present, the animated series seems to be her only major platform, especially since she enjoys her marital bliss with Alexis Denisof.
Distressed with Substance Abuse and Legal Proceedings
Amanda Laura Bynes had started her acting career as a child with involvement in the Nickelodeon sketch comedy. As they say, it is not always how far, but how long. Amanda had been in the industry for a long time, no doubt, but unlike others, she left the spotlight and has not been seen in and out of movies.
Some of her top movies and shows include: “What a Girl Wants,” “She’s the Man,” “Robots,” “Big Fat Liar,” and “What I Like About You.” Unfortunately, the actress had issues with substance abuse, which made her face some legal actions. In 2010, she publicly announced she would take a break from acting to handle her issues.
Flexibility in Role Playing
Mischa Barton undoubtedly played a perfect Marissa Cooper role on the FOX television series. She played a spotlight role in the TV series for three years while traveling around to attend interviews and presentations. Quickly, she was able to catch the attention of the paparazzi. Amidst this, she received a Teen Choice Award.
However, it looks like the actress was never pleased with the “Jet TV roles.” In December 2007, she said during one of her interviews that she would love to keep working as an actress, provided she had a chance to control the kind of role she plays. Since then, her appearances have been limited.
Bad Vibe and Negativity Disrupted the Acting Career
Freddie Prince Junior got his first popular role in “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which dates back to 1997. Due to his excellent performance as an actor, he received a special award from TV Land. He later opted into an ABC show in March 2009, about iconic history of the British era.
He worked side-by-side with his wife on the WWE project where he resumed as the director and producer on October 1, 2010. However, he mostly works as a voiceover artist for animations and video games, especially after his experience with Kiefer Sutherlands. According to him, that interaction only brought negativity in relation to his acting career.
The Rejection from Past Years Still Lingers
Kel Mitchell had become the heart of the Hollywood industry after his role in the Nickelodeon enterprise. He played in two major movies, “Kenan and Kel” and “All That.” Like many other actors, Kel kept on pushing for bigger roles but was unfortunately declined by Kenan Thompson in 2003, as he lost a spot in the “SNL” show.
Many people’s favorite, he has not completely stopped filming, but he now features more in kids’ shows and less prominent roles. Meanwhile, his relationship with Kenan has not been on the good side, as they were only seen together on “The Tonight Show” since the incident of disagreement.
Emotional Trauma is Huge Enough to Throw Her off Balance
Kelly McGillis is a popular American actress who received the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. She was well known for her major roles in “Cat Chaser” and “Top Gun.” She also acted in a comedy film, “Made in Heaven.” However, she disliked the “Cat Chaser” movie and stated the movie was discouraging to her about the state of the Hollywood industry.
Since then, she has been more focused on stage plays and television shows. McGills has gone through several assaults, failed marriages, and emotional trauma. It was only human nature to support her after she proclaimed her sexuality as a lesbian in 2009.
Demand on Abstinence from Sexual Acts While on Set
Leelee Sobieski did not get involved much as an actress, although some of her roles gained her popularity —from movies like “Deep Impact,” “Joy Ride,” “Never Been Kissed,” to “Here on Earth.” She had quit modeling at an early age to start acting, which got many people surprised, given how young she was.
However, she expressed her displeasure in 2012 about how her roles involving other sexual partners, and she did rather prefer to focus on her kids. Currently, she is focused on her art career as a married woman under Leelee Kimmel.
A New Profession in the Cosmetic Industry
Nikki Blonsky is one of the actresses that no one ever expected to spotlight in the Hollywood industry. Thanks to her role in the “Hairspray” movie, alongside popular actors like Queen Latifah, John Travolta, and Zac Efron, things changed for the better. She received the SAG and Golden Globe nominations, while she received a Teen Choice Award too.
Amidst her career journey, Blonsky got some appearances with a cosmetic company, where she was also employed as a hairstylist. However, she got deeply into that profession while focusing less on her acting career. She also runs a video blogging series with other celebrities on her Instagram account.
Filing Sexual Harassment against Boss Ruined It
Paz de la Huerta got her share of fame after acting for two seasons in “Boardwalk Empire.” Other movies of hers that became popular are “A Walk to Remember” and “The Cedar House Rules.” She also got on magazine cover pages, like Playboy.
However, her acting career was stopped after a sexual harassment incident with Harvey Weinstein. She reported that Weinstein had raped her on two occasions after getting drunk. She filed a lawsuit and ran a campaign against sexual harassment. Unfortunately, she ran into depression and lost her career in the process.
Educational Pursuit Instead of Acting
Game of Thrones attracted a lot of fans, but the actors’ performances are also commendable, one of which is Jack Gleeson. However, this popularity was feasible with Jack only in 2014, as he has not played major movies since then. Although he had announced his interest in pursuing academics after the series ended, continually, he has participated in independent theater.
In March 2020, he got a role in the “Out of Her Mind” movie, but he has not been fully back into acting yet. However, he recently stated that his wish to pursue education further may need to stay on hold for now, as he is currently focusing on his show.
A Keen Interest in Cooking Shows
Jonathan Bennett is the loverboy every “Mean Girls” fan easily recognizes anywhere. He undoubtedly has a pretty face, but he is also an iconic actor. Other major roles he played were in “Halloween Wars,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Cheaper by the Dozen 2.”
He was also a model with a keen interest in cooking. From 2015 to 2017, Bennett participated in the cooking competition show known as “Cake Wars.” Currently, he is doing less acting but rather focusing on cooking shows, while he launched, in 2018, a cookbook called “The Burn Cookbook.”
A Former Actor Turns Harvard Graduate
Jonathan Taylor Thomas started his acting career as a teenager, while one of the major voice contributions to the “Lion King.” After his role in “Home Improvement,” he had appeared less in movies, and he quit the Hollywood industry in 2000.
However, it appeared that acting was not the teenage star’s dream, since he told People Magazine of his interest to further his education. Currently, he is a successful graduate of Harvard, one of the top universities globally. Therefore, his dream to study and explore was fulfilled.
The Career Switch into Music
Adrian Grenier played the lover boy in “The Devil Wears Prada,” after which he was featured in “Drive Me Crazy” and “Entourage.” Although he has not started a family yet, Grenier has not received many acting gigs either. Instead, he is focused on being the campus advisor for Global Citizenship in Chicago, Illinois.
Fortunately, he got a role in the Netflix series “Clickbait,” which was released in August 2021. Until then, he was almost going into extinction in the Hollywood industry. Also, he plays musical instruments such as drums, bass, guitar, and harmonica.
Living the Low-Key Kind Of Life
Sally Field has been in the Hollywood industry for a long time, and her disappearance from the set can only be due to Will’s choice to retire. She was not just an actor but also a director and filmmaker. She won a Primetime Emmy Award three times, an Academy Award twice, a Screen Actors Guild Award, the Golden Globe Award twice, and a British Academy Film Award twice.
Her major roles were in “Spider-Man,” “Forrest Gump,” and “Steel Magnolias.” Despite these accomplishments, she lived low-key for some time, until she appeared again in the “Hello My Name is Doris” indie.
Successful Acting Career Destroyed by Sexual Harassment
Show biz was a big hit for Martin Lawrence, as he got roles as the leading actor in the ‘90s. These major roles were in movies such as “What’s Happening Now!!,” “House Party,” “Nothing to Lose,” “Life,” “Bad Boys,” “Big Momma’s House,” and many others.
However, “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” seemed to be the last of his roles in popular movies. Unfortunately, Lawrence got involved in illegal deals, which greatly affected his career. Also, his “Martin” show ended abruptly, immediately after Tisha Campbell accused him of sexual harassment.
On and Off in the Acting Industry
Aaron Eckhart had begun his acting career as a teenager by participating in stage school dramas. However, he struggled to get acting gigs when he first moved to New York. His career bloomed when he played George in “Erin Brockovich.” He also received a global nomination after starring in “Thank You for Smoking.”
He went on to play in prominent movies such as “Olympus Has Fallen” and “London Has Fallen.” While we thought Eckhart was done with his acting career after the two movies, he came back to feature in the “Midway” film, which was a blockbuster.
Bad Acting Reviews Spoiled It All
Ronda Rousey had many other successful careers apart from acting. So, it was not a shock when her popularity was short-lived after playing the Kara role in “Furious 7.” She is a professional mixed martial artist and a wrestler. In 2008, she had made history for being the first American woman to win the Olympics medal in judo and the UFC female championship.
In 2018, she got deeper into wrestling by signing a contract with the WWE. Her fans had thought she was back into acting after seeing her in “Mile 22,” but because the movie got bad reviews, we may probably not see her acting on the screen again.
Another Career Damaged Due to Illegal Acts
Randy Quaid became popular after playing a major role in “Brokeback Mountain.” He is well known for serious acting and a little bit of comedy, prompting him to receive the nomination in the Academy Awards and the Emmy Awards, and he eventually won a Golden Globe Award.
Unfortunately, Quaid’s legal issues stood in the way of his career. The first legal action was against his and his wife’s manipulation of credit card transactions. Also, another legal charge was brought against him for verbally and physically abusing his fellow performers. His personal life was poor, and he has never been on the screen since 2009.
The Vanished Beauty of the Acting Industry
The “Great Gatsby” was an interesting movie for many Hollywood lovers, but it was more a career booster for Daisy Fay Buchanan. She was nominated for an Oscar award based on her role, but she has never since gotten major acting gigs.
It seems ironic because she had the beauty and talent to run far in the industry. Her fans had thought she had decided to focus on family affairs, until she appeared on screen again to play in the “Promising Young Woman” and “Wildlife.” However, her fame is yet to be restored.
Arrogant Attitude Is the Big Deal
Alex Pettyfer had started his career as a model and actor in school plays. He became popular after casting in the Alex Rider role in “Stormbreaker.” Due to his great performance in this role, he received the Empire Award and Young Artist Award nominations.
However, his crew complained about his arrogant behavior based on his disagreement with Channing Tatum, where he passed his aggression down to everyone. Nevertheless, this behavior could be a result of his teenage emotions or urge, as he is about to have his career back again after featuring in “The Strange Ones.”
Acting Like the Rich Facebook CEO, but Never Came Back
Jesse Eisenberg is a playwright, producer, and actor, nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA as the best actor, after playing as the Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, in “The Social Network.” He had also featured in other movies like “The Village,” “The Emperor’s Club,” “Zombieland,” “Adventureland,” and “The Squid and the Whale.”
After acting as Mark Zuckerberg, he took a break from the Hollywood industry for a while, and he never made any public hint on his reasons. However, his fans are glad to have him back, as he is working on new movie projects.
Doing the Other Big Things Aside from Acting
Everyone would have thought Patricia Arquette’s career was just starting to bloom after winning an Oscar award in 2014. However, the reverse is the case. Apart from the Oscar award, she won the British Academy Film Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.. Therefore, maybe the Oscar was just another big award to her.
She did excellently well in her role in “Boyhood” but had slowly drifted away since then. She wanted to “try other things as an actor,” she said, leaving the meaning of the statement best known to only her. As far as the statement is concerned, she indeed remains an actor.
Sexual Trafficking Destroyed Her Career
Allison Mack became the icing on the cake in the Hollywood industry after playing a critical role in “Wilfred” and “Smallville.” She won many awards due to her outstanding performances. However, she never got too far in the successful dream, as she was caught in the dreadful NXIVM cult.
The cult was responsible for sex trafficking, sexual assault, and forced labor. When she was caught in 2011, she got a house arrest and was again arrested in Brooklyn in April 2018. In 2021, she received a three-year sentence after pleading guilty to the racketeering conspiracy. Nevertheless, it ended her acting career.
Going Back to the Shadows after Earning the Spotlights
The “Titanic” was a major career push for Billy Zane, as he got popular based on his iconic performance in the movie. Although he was nominated for the Chicago Film Critics Association Award, after playing a role in “Dead Calm,” he only got to be in the spotlight after the release of this romance-disaster movie.
Nobody would have thought he would go back to his shell, and he proved his fans right after featuring again in “Zoolander 2”. However, he had tried getting major gigs since then but had only gotten low-profile roles.
The 21st Century Pushed Out Old Actors
Andie MacDowell was a fashion model as much as an American actress. She was known as a beauty goddess in the Hollywood industry. In 1984, her acting career bloomed after her role in “Lord of the Apes.” However, she received the critical acclaim after filming “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” in 1989.
She received nominations for the Golden Globe Award and the Independent Spirit Award. Despite the critical acclaims, she still acted in popular movies like “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Green Card.”
Living the Good Life Regardless
Emilio Estevez is an actor but focuses more on other sectors of the Hollywood industry, such as producer, film director, and screenwriter. He is a member of The Breakfast Club, where actors work together to produce great movies. However, he is the most prominent or popular among all the others.
Since his role in “Mighty Ducks,” he has been directing and scriptwriting. Currently, he is appearing in music videos of his friend, Jon Bon Jovi. The rock star’s soundtrack, “Blaze of Glory,” was a hit back to back. Emilio is living a good life regardless of his non-appearance on the screens.
Breaking the Rules and Ruining the Successful Career
Wesley Snipes had won himself the Volpi Cup for Best Actor award after his outstanding role in “One Night Stand.” He also played exceptionally in other movies, including “Passenger 57,” “Thanks for Everything,” “The Expendables 3,” “Demolition Man,” “To Wong Foo,” and many other movies.
He took many major roles in the ‘90s until he was arrested and given three years for tax evasion, serving time at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution. Nevertheless, he had created a production company in 1991 named Amen Ra Films. He also had an interest in martial arts, as he had already started training at 12.
The Man Called Comic Genius of America
Dave Chapelle started his career as a stand-up comedian, until he played a role in the film “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” He won three Grammy Awards and five Emmy Awards. More so, his comedy show known as the “Chapelle’s Show” had fetched him awards.
However, Chapelle never continued the show, as he continued his stand-up comedy in the US. Again, his fame skyrocketed. His major wins were through comedy, as he was the “comic genius of America.” His fans can only anticipate a comeback of him soon.
Reporting the Red Carpet Events after Leaving the Hollywood Industry
Lark Voorhies fame was from her excellent role in the sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” as she played Lisa Marie Turtle. This also helped her modeling career and interest as a spokeswoman. She expressed her interest in painting, which she spent most of her time on after playing a role in a sitcom.
Currently, she is an author of three published books named: A True Light, Trek of the Cheshire,” and Reciprocity. So, we could say writing is a career she enjoys, aside from her keen hobby of painting. Nevertheless, she is seen at many events and red carpets.
Becoming a Writer Eventually
Karyn Parsons took the spotlight in the Hollywood industry for four years, between 1990 and 1996. She acted as Hilary Banks in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” series during these years. Her role in the critically acclaimed movie “The Job” only gave her fame for a short while.
She did not get to play in too many movies, nor are we seeing much more of her today. Currently, she writes children’s books and has published two so far. True-life stories inspire the books, and they are titled “Flying Free” and “How High the Moon.”
Keeping Up the Gender Equality On and Off Hollywood Screen
Virginia Elizabeth Davis is an actor and an activist, including in the movie industry. The actress started her career as a model, and while we thought she had taken a break from acting, she got featured in “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Her experience in the drama got many people’s attention, as well as when she was interviewed in the documentary, “This Changes Everything.” This makes sense, why she has stopped being in major roles in movies but never left the Hollywood industry. She is an advocate against gender bias both on- and off-screen in Hollywood.
Taking a U-Turn in Her Career
Since childhood, Mara Elizabeth Wilson has been in the Hollywood industry, where she got her fame early after acting in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” She also acted in other popular movies as a child, which are “Thomas and the Magic Railroad,” “Matilda,” “A Simple Wish,” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
Wilson took twelve years as a break in the middle of her acting career to focus on study and writing, but it appeared as though the break took a u-turn for her career. She could not find a footing in the acting industry again but did successfully publish a book titled “Where Am I Now.”
Leaving the Spotlight to Publish an Autobiography
Macaulay Culkin is one of the iconic child actors who climbed a successful career as early as age 12. This allowed him be nominated for the Young Artist Awards and MTV Movie Awards. He was well known for his role in “Home Alone,” “Getting Even with Dad,” and “Richie Rich,” at an early age.
In 1994, he stopped acting for a while but came back in 2003, featured in the “Party Monster” movie. He has not been in the movies spotlight for a while but cofounded “The Pizza Underground” rock band, while publishing an autobiography in 2006.
Being an Actor at Childhood and an Artist at Adulthood
Maybe we do not have a fresh memory of her anymore, but you will likely remember Ariana Richards acting in “Jurassic Park,” where she played Lex Murphy. She also started her acting career at a young age, where she won most of the awards and gained fame and recognition.
In adulthood, she chose to do less acting and focus on her art career. However, she had considered going back to acting, expressing her view on that in a British movie magazine in 2006. Nevertheless, viewers have not seen much of her on-screen. She is probably doing fine as an artist and could only be wished the best of luck.
The Wrongful Accusation Triggered a Bad Reputation
Robert Blake has been in the Hollywood industry for a long time. He is among the few actors that rode a smooth journey while climbing the success ladder with ease. It all started in 1967, after playing a major role in the movie “In Cold Blood.” Apart from this, he was a child actor in the major film franchise, “Red Ryder.”
Although he spent some time in the United States Army, he returned to acting afterwards. He quit the industry in 2021 after being accused of killing his wife. Although he was declared not guilty of the offense, by the law, he decided to maintain a low profile since then.
Leaving the Spotlight to Become a Successful Businesswoman
Liz Hurley’s best roles are as the Devil in “Bedazzled,” Queen Helena in “The Royals,” and Vanessa Kensington in “Mike Myers.” At the age of 29, she expanded her career into modeling, as she received sponsorship from the cosmetic company “Estee Lauder.”
Hurley had chosen to quit her acting career to become a housewife and take care of her family. If this is what makes her happy, we believe no one should judge her. Although she is not in the spotlight anymore, it was reported that she is a successful businesswoman, alongside taking care of her son.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the Twins That Seemed Inseparable
Dylan and Cole Sprouse had always played twins in movies, which made them appear inseparable in their careers, especially after starring in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” However, Cole Sprouse’s career skyrocketed after playing as Jughead Jones in the “Riverdale” series.
The twins had initially quit acting after the Disney channel rejected their pitch. They both went ahead to get a degree in NYU, but Cole also returned to his acting career. Apart from Riverdale, Cole also featured in the blockbuster movie “Five Feet Apart.”
Instability in the Acting Industry
Debra Winger’s acting career bloomed greatly in the ‘80s, especially after playing an iconic role in “Tears of Endearment,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and “Shadowlands.” She was astonishing because she won best actress of the year for each of the movies, including The Lifetime Achievement Award at the Transilvania International Film Festival.
While people thought she was done with acting, she resumed in the Netflix series “The Ranch.” Ever since, she has been “here and there” in the Hollywood industry. Therefore, she has not gained back her stability in her acting career.
Bagging the Degree from the Big Yale University
At the beginning of Josh Saviano’s career, he had only retained the spotlight in his childhood for acting as Kevin Arnold’s best friend in “The Wonder Years.” He does not have any longer history of participation in the Hollywood industry.
Contrary to his interesting background, many people believe he grew up living a boring lifestyle. His reason for quitting his acting career was not well known, but his professional career as a lawyer deserves an accolade. After graduating from Yale University, he did well as a lawyer and won major cases.
Rocking the Pretty Reckless Band
Taylor Momsen had a successful acting career in her role as Cindy Lou in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and as Jenny Humphrey in “Gossip Girl.” She had shown a passion for acting at the early stage of her career and until she retired in 2011.
She wanted to pursue another career because her retirement took place at a young age. After that, she focused on the American rock band called “The Pretty Reckless.” She remains in the spotlight in this band as the frontwoman and lead singer.
Leaving the Major Roles for Small Acting
Shelley Duvall is also a retired actress who now focuses on being a television personality. She started as a comedian in the “Brewster McCloud” film, where she was recognized for her exceptional talent by director Robert Altman. Duvall was unsure about her acting career but pursued it regardless. Luckily for her, she earned global acclaim after being featured in the thriller “3 Women.”
She was nominated for the BAFTA Award and received the Best Actress award from the Cannes Film Festival based on her performance. Before she retired in 2002, she had not played in major roles, but only small acting parts like in “Manna From Heaven.”
The Late Elmore Rual Torn Jr. Going AWOL Process
The late Elmore Rual Torn Jr. had a successful acting career for more than 69 years. Before his death, he had received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the The Academy Awards and six Emmy Awards, which he eventually won in 1996.
Despite his blooming career, he was charged with illegal actions such as third-degree criminal mischief and first-degree burglary. Since the incident, he had appeared less in movies. More so, the charges were a downfall for him, as the acting opportunity was the only place to find solace. Despite that he only got C-grade movies, he accepted them. He later passed away at an old age in 2019.
Substance Abuse Standing in the Way of Career
Since childhood, Nick Stahl had been an actor, and he became famous after his iconic role in the movie “The Man Without a Face.” In his adulthood, he also played major roles in “Sin City,” “Terminator 3,” “In the Bedroom,” and “Away From Here.”
Unfortunately, his struggle with substance abuse meddled in his career; it became difficult to maintain a sane personal life and career. His wife reported him to be missing, and he was found five days later. Immediately after he was found, he was directed to a rehab program. In 2017, he made a public statement of taking a break from acting and that he would rather focus on his family in Texas.
The Unfortunate Incident of the Star’s Husband
Catherine Zeta-Jones has received numerous awards for her outstanding acting performances. This includes a Tony Award, Academy Award, three awards from the Screen Actors Guild, and a BAFTA Award. In 2010, this iconic actress’s career was swept under a shadow after Michael Douglas, her husband, was diagnosed with tongue cancer.
Since then, she has taken a break in the Hollywood industry to care for her husband while continually providing emotional support. However, the good news is that she picked up her career last year after featuring in the “Queen America” TV show. Nevertheless, she has not been fully back into acting.
The Tough Guy Eventually Quit the Acting Career
Chuck Norris is an actor who has shown a keen interest in martial arts and works in the Hollywood industry as a movie producer. He starred in a minor role in “The Wrecking Crew.”
However, he was more involved in training actors on set in martial arts, especially after serving in the United States Air Force. This also made him fit well into the action movie role in “Good Guys Wear Black.” His reputation as a tough guy made him a spotlight in commercials and ads. However, he eventually took a break from acting to support his wife and her health issues.
Becoming the Animal Welfare Activist
Doris Day is a legend in the movie industry who started as a big band singer in 1939. In the early ‘60s, Day was everywhere on the screen, as she was an iconic actress. In the 21st century, she is recognized for her participation in the recording “My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time” and “Sentimental Journey,” while she decided to act solo afterward.
She retired from acting after being featured in the sitcom “The Doris Day Show.” One major aspect of Day, that was not prominent all through her acting career, is her being an animal welfare activist. After she retired, she decided to pursue it more and fulfill other parts of her dreams.
Going into Politics after Taking a Break from the Spotlight
Glenda Jackson started off her acting career on a popular note, as she received an Academy Award twice. She acted as Alex Greville in “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which contributed to her popularity. However, she also took a long break from the Hollywood industry.
Many people never expected her on the screen anymore, as the break was nearly a full decade. However, people never forget her beautiful roles in “A Touch of Class” and “Women in Love.” In 2016, the unexpected actress returned to take a title role in Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Nevertheless, many people rumored that she may have diverted her attention now to politics while taking a break from acting.