Once you get a break in Hollywood, the only place your career can go is up. People often think that as celebrities add years to their career, they only get more parts in movies and more money to add to their empires. You might have come across names like Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Scarlett Johannson, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, and Robert Downey Jr., who have consistently gotten high-paying parts in movies that have led to big paychecks and fame worthy of their talent. However, at the same time, there is the other end of the spectrum where some celebrities who used to be quite famous have quit their career in acting and moved on to find regular jobs like their audience. We have made a list of all these celebrities who quit the roads of Hollywood and started working a 9 to 5 job.
Josh Saviano
Child stars seem to make a huge mark on the world of show business, but there’s no doubt about the fact that some of them don’t continue their streak in adulthood. After making a name for himself in The Wonder Years as Paul Joshua Pfieffer, many people thought that Saviano would take the rest of the road to stardom. However, this just wasn’t the case. After the show came to an end, Josh struggled to hold down any other acting roles, so he decided to continue with his life away from acting instead. After heading to Yale University and majoring in political science, Josh landed himself a job as a corporate lawyer.
Kirk Cameron
If you are a fan of famous sitcoms from the ‘80s, there’s a high chance that you’re familiar with Kirk Cameron. This former actor made a name for himself when he was just a teen after taking on Mike Seaver’s role in ABC’s Growing Pains. During his time on the show, Kirk became a born-again Christian and made sure that his faith was his top priority. After asking the producers to change some of his storylines to suit his newfound faith, Kirk decided to leave the acting world behind. Since then, he has not only become an author, but he has also become a religious activist!
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo was once one of the most famous women in Hollywood, and there’s a high chance that you’re pretty familiar with her name. Thanks to her outstanding beauty and her incredible talent, Greta took the world of silent movies by storm, and soon became one of the most in-demand actresses of the 1930s. This talent earned her a whopping three Oscar nominations, but this just wasn’t enough for the actress. After appearing in 28 movies, Greta decided that enough was enough. She retired at the young age of 35 years old and spent the next 49 years collecting art, enjoying her free time, and staying away from the spotlight.
Peter Ostrum
The young Peter Ostrum is still known today by youngsters and older adults alike. That’s because he took on the role of Charlie Bucket in the iconic movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Although this was a huge role for the youngster, this would be the first and the last acting role that he would get under his belt. That’s because Peter decided that the acting world wasn’t for him after the movie came to an end. He realized that he wanted to live a normal life, and he wanted to surround himself with animals. Because of this, Peter trained to be a veterinarian. He currently lives and works in New York state.
Danny Lloyd
If you’re a fan of horror movies, there’s a high chance that you’ve seen The Shining at least once in your life. With that in mind, you’ve probably seen Danny Lloyd on your screens before. Danny appeared in the horror movie when he was just eight years old, and although it seemed as though he was going to take the acting world by storm, he decided to retire just two years later. After retirement, Danny went back to school and continued to live a relatively normal life. Nowadays, he lives in Kentucky with his wife and four children, and he works as a biology professor.
MC Hammer
Known for his MC Hammer pants, his eclectic dancing, and his impressive songs, MC Hammer was once one of the most famous people in the world. He took the ‘80s and ‘90s by storm, and it seemed as though he was going to continue his reign of success. Although many people now associate him with a one-hit-wonder, there’s no doubt about the fact that MC Hammer has kept busy ever since. After building himself back after bankruptcy, the rapper has since devoted his time to teaching at Ivy League Schools, developing apps and programs, and officiating weddings. As if that wasn’t cool enough, he still performs every so often.
Jeff Cohen
In 1985, the legend that is Steven Spielberg gifted the world with an iconic movie that would be watched by millions across the world. The Goonies featured an all-star cast of young actors, including Jeff Cohen, who took on the role of Chunk. Although his character became an instant hit, it seems as though puberty didn’t work well with his acting career. He struggled to find work after the movie was released, and this put him in a sticky situation. He ultimately decided to leave the acting world, and soon found himself working in the world of entertainment law. He currently works for the law firm he co-founded, called Cohen & Gardner, LLP.
Gary Coleman
During the 1970s and 1980s, Gary Coleman was the talk of the town. He had struck gold when he landed a role in the famous sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes. After all, he was just a child when he took on his character, and he was thrust into the limelight at an early age. However, it seems as though his fame and fortune hurt his life, as Gary soon found himself in a spot of financial trouble. Because of this, he had to leave the entertainment world behind and earn money as a security guard before he sadly passed away.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Although you might not be too familiar with what he used to look like, there’s no doubt about the fact that you’ll know Jonathan Taylor Thomas’s voice. That’s because this former child star used his voice to take on the role of young Simba in the original, animated Lion King movie. After this role thrust him into the spotlight, Jonathan later starred alongside Tim Allen in Home Improvement. This seemed enough to make him famous for the rest of his life, but this just wasn’t enough for little Jonathan. He decided to leave the acting world completely so that he could focus on gaining an education, and that’s exactly what he did. In fact, he graduated from Harvard University!
Carrie Henn
When she was younger, Carrie Henn had the opportunity to star alongside some of the most famous actors in the business. Most notably, she had the chance to work alongside Sigourney Weaver in the sci-fi classic movie, Alien. Although there’s no doubt about the fact that Carrie made her mark in this movie, the spark just wasn’t there for the 10-year-old. She realized that she didn’t want to continue her career in the acting world and that she wanted to live a normal existence away from the cameras. After returning to school herself, Carrie knew that she didn’t want to leave. She now works as a teacher in Atwater, California.
Doris Day
If you were alive during the 1960s and 1970s, you’ll know that Doris Day was one of the most famous women in the world. She won fans over with her impressive acting talent and her amazing beauty, and it seemed as though she was completely unstoppable. Day appeared in countless Hollywood movies, but she ultimately decided that she wanted more from her life. Doris wanted to spend more time with those who mattered to her, so she retired from the acting world, spent time with her family, and became an animal rights activist. Towards the end of her life, Doris’s reputation as an animal advocate overpowered her acting reputation.
Lark Voorhies
There have been countless sitcoms on our screens over the years, and there’s no doubt about the fact that Saved By The Bell proved to be extremely popular. The show made its way into our lives in the 1990s, and it quickly wowed fans across the globe. While many of the actors who appeared on Saved By The Bell continued their acting careers, Lark Voorhies didn’t do that. Instead, she left the limelight after the show came to an end, and decided that she wanted to try something new. Today, she is known as a successful author rather than an actress.
Barret Oliver
Over the years, we have seen so many child actors make their way into the world of Hollywood, and Barret Oliver did just that in the 1980s. When he was just 7 years old, Barret was cast in the role of Bastian in the 1984 hit movie, The NeverEnding Story. This leading role thrust him into the path of other movies, including Frankenweenie and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. However, Barret soon realized that his passion lay behind the camera rather than in front. Because of this, he left the acting world and became a photographer. His work has since been displayed across the world.
Rick Moranis
During the 1980s, Rick Moranis was one of the most famous men in the world. Over the course of this decade, Rick appeared in legendary movies such as Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and The Flintstones. This thrust him into the limelight, and he rarely had time to spend with his family. When his wife passed away in 1991, Rick realized that this needed to change. With two children to look after, he knew that he had to leave the acting world behind and focus on raising his kids. Although he has since tried to make his return to acting, there’s no doubt about the fact that it’s not been as easy as before.
Brittany Ashton Holmes
If you’ve ever watched The Little Rascals, you’ll know that this movie featured an adorable character by the name of Darla. This young girl was played by Brittany Ashton Holmes, who made her acting debut in this film. Although this movie allowed her the chance to take on five other acting roles over the next few years, it wasn’t enough to thrust her into the limelight as a fully-fledged child star. Because of this, Brittany shied away from the spotlight and vowed to focus on her education instead. Today, it’s been noted that Brittany is studying for a degree in political science, while also working at a well-known coffee chain.
Shirley Temple
Many child stars have made history, but Shirley Temple is perhaps one of the most famous. When she was just 7 years old, the Academy Awards honored the young actress with her very own juvenile Oscar award. She was awarded this accolade because she had already made her mark on the acting world, and there seemed no stopping her. Although her acting career continued this way until she was in her early 20s, Shirley soon lost the spark she once had for her job. She decided to leave her acting days behind her, and focus her attention on politics and diplomacy instead.
Andrew Shue
Back in the 1990s, Andrew Shue took the world by storm when he appeared on Melrose Place. In fact, the heartthrob actor appeared on the show for a whopping seven years before he decided to call it quits. He knew that his career lay outside of the world of acting, and realized that his true potential lay in the world of internet content. In fact, you may have used Andrew’s creation yourself! With the help of his best friend, Andrew decided to create a website called CafeMom, which allows women and moms the chance to discuss various topics. Since its inception, this site has become hugely successful.
Angus T. Jones
When he was just a youngster, Angus T. Jones had the chance to take on a leading role in one of the most famous sitcoms of all time. He worked on Two and a Half Men for a whopping ten years and spent much of his early and teenage years in the limelight. Yet, it seems as though this was just too much for Angus, as he ultimately decided to take a back seat. After embracing a newfound faith and being baptized, Angus realized that the show wasn’t in fit with his religious beliefs. Because of this, he not only left the show himself, but he also encouraged other people to boycott it. After that, Angus made his way to college before joining a multimedia and events company.
Jack Gleeson
Although it has since come to an end, there’s no doubt about the fact that Game of Thrones is one of the most famous television shows to ever grace our screens. Jack Gleeson had the pleasure of appearing on this show, but his character wasn’t exactly popular. He took on the role of King Joffrey and seemed to lose his love for acting over the course of his role. Because of this, he left the acting world after his character was written out of the show, and made his way to college to study philosophy and theology. He has since made his acting return, but only slightly. In fact, he created his very own acting troupe.
Erik Per Sullivan
If you watched Malcolm in the Middle as a kid, you’ll know that Frankie Muniz decided to leave the acting world behind him when the show came to an end. It seems as though he wasn’t the only one, as Erik Per Sullivan has done the same thing! Although his funny attitude and his acting talent proved popular when he was younger, Erik decided that his education was more important than his life on television. So, he made his way to the University of Southern California, and he obtained his degree. It’s not known what he’s up to nowadays, although rumors suggest that he might be creating a career behind the camera as a director.
Phoebe Cates
During the 1980s, everyone knew who Phoebe Cates was. After making a name for herself on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it seemed as though this youngster was going to continue her reign as she got older. However, it seems as though the spark just wasn’t there for the youngster. After almost a decade in the limelight, Cates decided that enough was enough. She didn’t want to continue working in the acting world, so opted to retire when she was just 31 years old. She used this free time to start her family and spend time with her children, as well as work on charity ventures.
Karyn Parsons
Karyn Parsons is still an extremely familiar face for most people because she played such an iconic character! Yes, Parsons is known for taking on the role of Hillary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air where she got to star alongside the likes of Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro. When the show came to an end, Karyn had the chance to continue her acting career, and she did so for a few years. However, she soon realized that she would rather sit behind the camera rather than in front of it. Today, she runs her very own production company that focuses on leading black and minority characters.
Charlie Korsmo
When he was just 13 years old, Charlie Korsmo was offered an opportunity that many people could only dream of. After being cast as a leading character in Steven Spielberg’s Hook, Charlie was able to show off his acting talent alongside Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams. Although he continued his acting career for a little while, Charlie ultimately decided that his passion lay outside of the world of acting. So, he followed in the footsteps of his education and later studied at the likes of MIT and Yale. Now, he’s not only a professional lawyer, but he is also a law professor.
Michael Schoeffling
There’s no doubt about the fact that Michael Schoeffling was in his prime during his 20s. He rose to fame after appearing alongside Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles, and it wasn’t long before the whole world had fallen in love with him. Because of this, it wasn’t long before he was modeling for some of the biggest brands and magazines that Hollywood had to offer. However, as the hype of Sixteen Candles dwindled, Michael found himself struggling for work. Fewer job prospects and a dwindling bank account eventually pushed him to leave the acting world. Today, he creates his own bespoke wooden furniture.
Mike Vitar
Although Mike Vitar was just a teenager during the 1990s, that didn’t stop him from appearing in some of the coolest movies of the time. The young actor was cast in roles such as The Mighty Ducks and The Sandlot, but his acting career soon dried up. When the time came for him to earn some money, Mike landed himself a job within the Los Angeles Fire Department. Mike still works as a firefighter today, but that doesn’t mean that his life has been without scandal. In 2015, Mike and a few of his fellow service members found themselves in hot water when they were charged with misdemeanor battery.
Tom Selleck
Known for his acting talent and his iconic mustache, there’s no doubt about the fact that Tom Selleck is still extremely famous. After making a name for himself thanks to roles in the likes of Magnum P.I and Friends, it seemed as though Selleck would be around forever. Although he does make an appearance on our screens now and then, Selleck has largely retired from the acting world. That’s because he now prefers to spend his time working on his large ranch in California. As a keen avocado farmer, he grows and sells avocados across the world. You may have eaten one grown by Selleck himself!
Hayden Christensen
After making his acting debut when he was just 13 years old, it wasn’t long before this Canadian native was starring in some of the biggest shows and movies of the time. His true claim to fame came in 2002 when he was cast as the young Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise. He returned to this role in the next 2005 movie, but it seems as though this was enough fame for Hayden. With the money that he had earned over the course of his acting career, Hayden decided to buy himself his very own farm. Since then, he has worked on his farm, collaborated with fashion houses to create a fashion line, and continued his acting career.
Mara Wilson
During the 1990s, Mara Wilson took on some of the most iconic roles available for child actors. Not only did she appear as the lead character in Matilda, but she also appeared in Mrs. Doubtfire. Because most people knew her as the cutest child actor who took on certain roles, Mara found it extremely difficult to continue her acting career as she got older. Because of this, she decided that it was best to leave it behind her. Since then, she has appeared on screen a few times, but now dedicates most of her time to her writing career. In fact, she’s a hugely successful author.
Vanilla Ice
Although most wannabe singers and rappers hope to create an impressive career for themselves, there’s no doubt about the fact that some of them create one-hit wonders. It seems as though this was no different for Vanilla Ice, who rose to fame after bringing “Ice Ice Baby” into our lives. Even though the song was extremely successful, it’s now the only song that is associated with the artist. Perhaps that’s why Ice decided to leave the music world behind him. Now, Vanilla Ice focuses his attention on developing properties. He even has his own reality show which follows these ventures.
Cary Grant
Cary Grant will always be a legendary name in the world of Hollywood, even though his career took place during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. He became closely associated with the classic Hollywood movies that were extremely popular. Because of this, everyone knew his face and his name. Although he spent decades in the limelight, Cary decided that a change of pace was in his best interests when he was 62 years old. He wanted to spend more time with his family and his daughter, and that’s exactly what he did. Sadly, he passed away in 1986, but his memory will always live on.
Big Hoss
Whether you know him as Richard Cory Harrison or Big Hoss, there’s a high chance that you know that this man was once on Pawn Stars. He appeared on the show alongside his family, and he was known for his impressive weight. However, in 2010, Big Hoss decided to change his lifestyle and attempt to lose weight. This definitely worked in his favor, as he lost over 100 pounds. Since then, he has embraced his new lease of life and even married his second wife. Despite this new life, Big Hoss has not made his return to the screen and has instead chosen to shy away from the cameras.
Syd Barrett
If you’re a fan of the band, Pink Floyd, you’ll probably know who Syd Barret was. As one of the founding members of the band, we have Syd to thank for bringing this iconic music into our lives. He performed with his friends and bandmates for four years before deciding to try it solo. However, this new career didn’t work in his favor, and Syd struggled to get his solo career off the ground. Before too long, he had run out of money, had moved back in with his mother, and was struggling with his mental health. Before he sadly passed away, Syd spends most of his time working as an artist.
Gene Hackman
After making a name for himself in the 1960s, Gene Hackman had the chance to spend a few decades in the limelight. He embraced this fame and fortune and continued to take all of the roles offered to him. However, it seemed as though he grew tired of this lifestyle after a while, and he hasn’t appeared in any movies or television shows since 2004. Of course, that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t done anything with his time. Since retiring from the acting world, Gene has made his mark as an author and has written numerous best-selling novels that many of his fans have loved.
Erin Moran
Not many people can say that they reached peak fame and fortune when they were just young teens, but Erin Moran can say just that. After appearing on the sitcom, Happy Days, Moran was cast in other television shows and movies that helped to spur on her career. However, she quickly made her way off the air, and many fans were confused about her whereabouts. She later admitted that she had been struggling with her mental health during her time in the limelight, and needed to take time off to work on herself. Sadly, she passed away in 2017.
Sean Connery
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Sean Connery became one of the most famous men in the world. That’s because he took on the role of James Bond, and did so in a whopping seven movies. This spurred his name into the limelight and gave him the chance to build up an impressive fan following. Before too long, he had taken records as one of the most handsome men to reside on this planet, and he was being snapped up for all kinds of modeling gigs and acting roles. After an impressive career in the spotlight, Sean decided that he was tired of the high life, and retired from acting altogether.
Agnetha Faltskog
ABBA is one of the most impressive bands to ever grace this world, and there’s no doubt about the fact that they were extremely successful. Agnetha Faltskog was one of the members of this band, but she decided to leave the world of fame and fortune behind when the band broke up. Although she attempted a solo career, she struggled to get this career off the ground. In the end, she decided to retreat back home to Sweden, where she filled her time with nature, horse riding, art, yoga, and reconnecting with the world. She later made a return to the music world.
Amanda Bynes
In her early years, it seemed as though there was no stopping Amanda Bynes. Over the course of her impressive child star career, Amanda appeared in teen movies such as She’s The Man, What A Girl Wants, Hairspray, Easy A, and so much more. It seemed as though Amanda was on a path that only went up, but she soon took a downward turn. After dealing with personal struggles and various legal battles, Amanda found herself falling further and further away from the limelight. Although she one day hopes to return to the acting world, Amanda is currently studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is considered a legend by many. She is widely known for starring in hugely successful titles such as Charlie’s Angels, Bad Teacher, The Mask, and even Shrek, among many others. The American-born actress and model decided to retire from acting back in 2014 to become a mother. After 20 years in the movie industry, and with an immense salary of $50 million per movie, she decided to step down to join a very peculiar job. Cameron Diaz has since then become a writer and a spokeswoman for wellness. She has announced she is working on her personal wellness brand which she will soon release to the public. In the meantime, she has not yet ruled out a possible comeback to the big screen in the future.
