12 Celebrities Who Chose To Leave The Spotlight

2 years ago

1. Jack Nicholson

Image source: The Mirror

After multiple blockbuster movies including "The Shining", Jack Nicholson decided to step down from his glamorous and much publicised life in 2010. He never officially retired from acting but he is rarely seen, even these days. He was snapped at a Los Angeles Lakers game 2 years ago but nothing since. There have been reports he may be suffering from dementia.

2. Amanda Bynes

Image source: E!Online

Amanda was one of Nickelodeon's most successful child stars who managed to make a smooth road into a thriving movie career. All that came to a crashing halt when she was charged with two hit and run offences and spent three years of her life on probation. It became apparent she was suffering with mental health issues and, like Britney, ended up in a conservatorship under her parents.

3. Meg Ryan

Image source: Techi

Meg Ryan was the go-to actress when new romantic comedies were written. She was the perfect candidate with comic timing and a natural beauty. Success came in abundance until she suddenly disappeared! Her fans were left very disappointed when they couldn't admire her on the big screen. Turns out she prefers, these days, to be behind the camera as a director and producer.

4. Gene Hackman

Image source: World of Reel

Hollywood legend, Gene Hackman, shocked the film world in 2004 when he announced, quite out of the blue, that he was retiring from acting. After many years as an A-lister, he started to find the dazzling Hollywood lifestyle was too much for him. He found the continued scrutiny of his movie roles too stressful so stepped right back. Now aged 93, he lives a happy, quiet life in Santa Fe.

5. Bridget Fonda

Image source: Fox News

Bridget Fonda comes from a very long line of acting royalty. Her grandfather was the late, great Henry Fonda, her father was Peter Fonda who passed away in 2019 and her aunt is Jane Fonda. Bridget began her career when she was 4 years old in "Easy Rider", in "Single White Female" in 1992 and "Jackie Brown" in 1997. Fonda announced her retirement, with no specific reason, in 2002.

6. The Olsen Twins

Image source: TMZ

We all remember the Olsen twins from their many television shows in the 1990s and 2000s. They seemed to be everywhere, even designing their own clothing range. As they grew up, we saw less and less of them and they publicly announced their retirement in 2014. At that time we had almost forgotten about them anyway! These days they own two fashion lines called the Row and Elizabeth and James.

7. Rick Moranis

Image source: The Brain Jar

The face of Rick Moranis in his spectacles was all tv screens back in the 1990s. Every kid was watching some program he was starring in. Moranis went on to appear in "Ghostbusters", "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." Then he was gone, almost as if he had fallen off the face of the Earth! He did a few voice overs up to 2010 and then - nothing!

8. Renee Zellweger

Image source: The Today Show

Renee Zellweger, known to many as Bridget Jones, was the sweetheart of the screen for many years and then she, unexpectedly, took a major break from the acting world between 2010 and 2016. We were all shocked but delighted to see her back with "Bridget Jones' Baby" and she didn't disappoint. Addressing her time away, she said her professional obligations were wearing her down and she didn't think the roles she was being offered were exciting enough for her to showcase her capabilities.

9. Shelley Duvall

Image source: ABC News

After blowing away her audience in a totally amazing, raw performance in "The Shining", Shelley Duvall disappeared in a puff of smoke. Her fans were puzzled after she had been skyrocketed in this psychological thriller with Jack Nicholson. Apparently, the horror movie proved too strenuous and emotional for Duvall, leading her to step out of the limelight for over 20 years. She was tempted back last year with "The Forest Hills", another horror movie. Hope it doesn't have the same effect on her as "The Shining."

10. Mara Wilson

Image source: Daily Mail

It takes us right back when we see an image of a young Mara Wilson as Matilda. She was a child star and an excellent one at that. "Matilda" was watched and enjoyed by millions of kids (and their parents)in 1996. Only four years later Wilson distanced herself from Hollywood and became a writer. However, she appeared on the small screen in 2012, doing the odd episode on shows such as the animated "Bojack Horseman."

11. Frankie Muniz

Image source: Daily Mail

Time has been kind to Frankie Muniz as he has hardly changed over the years! Frankie was, of course, a star in "Malcolm in the Middle" and one of the most successful child actors during that time. Since then he's never been able to continue to make it big, only appearing in TV films and doing voice over work. Muniz spends most of his time as a family man and on his passion for racing cars.

12. Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Image source: Page Six

Jonathan Taylor Thomas was best known for his role in the hugely popular "Home Improvements" back in the '90s. Heart throb Thomas was surely destined for the high life but no! He left Hollywood to get an education and actually ended up being an Ivy Leaguer, earning degrees from Harvard and Columbia. Whilst we haven't seen him much over the years, he has made guest appearances on various tv shows and also turned his hand to directing.

13. Daniel Day-Lewis

Image source: Fox News

Daniel Day-Lewis spent so many decades making the most incredible movies. He has won many Oscars for performances including "There Will Be Blood" and "Lincoln." We were always waiting with baited breath as to what his next blockbuster would be but were left disappointed when he announced he was retiring from acting in 2017. Before filming his final movie "Phantom Thread", he explained that scripts weren't exciting enough for him to commit to them.

14. Melissa Gilbert

Image source: Femina.hu

"Little House On The Prairie" takes us back to our childhood and fills us with nostalgia as we watched the show every week, often almost close to tears with the emotional storylines. Melissa Gilbert became a star after playing Laura Ingalls Wilder and then continued to act afterwards in various tv shows and movies. It was a surprise then when she revealed a few years ago that she was giving it all up to live in a ramshackle cottage in the mountains! She said she wanted to be free!

15. Michael Schoeffling

Image source: Buzz South Africa

When Michael Schoeffling starred in "Sixteen Candles", the cult classic, it felt like this was just the beginning for him. He starred in a few more roles such as "Visio Quest", "Let's Get Harry" and "Mermaids" and then decided to quit. Now in his mid sixties, he said that actors spent a lot of time out of work and he wanted to make furniture instead which is exactly what he did. He has his own company called Wilkes-Barre based in Pennsylvania.

16. Taylor Lautner

Image source: ScorpioLikeYou

"Twilight" star Taylor Lautner is still gorgeous but it's been a good while since you have seen him in a movie or on television. His last credit was for "Cuckoo" on tv in 2018 where he played Dale. Lautner isn't worried though as he has over 6 million Instagram followers, mainly because of the Twilight series.' He dated Taylor swift in 2009 but it only lasted a few months. He now prefers the low key lifestyle he shares with his wife who he married last year.

17. Lindsay Lohan

Image source: In Touch Weekly

It's a shame that Lindsay Lohan, a mega child and teenage star, has been plagued by family troubles and substance abuse. The "Parent Trap" actress ending up stepping away from fame which was a real shame. After resurrecting her Instagram account in 2020, she released a single and agreed to an interview on "Lights Out With David Spade." Lohan lives in Dubai and hasn't been back to L.A. in over 10 years. Lindsay finally found happiness in 2022 when she got married.

18. Ricki Lake

Image source: AmoMama

What did happen to Ricki Lake? She totally dominated daytime talk in the late 1990s and also had a successful career in movies and tv. She was the original Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray" in 1988 and starred opposite Johnny Depp in "Cry-Baby" in 1990. It seemed like she was working all the time and then it suddenly stopped. Apart from "The Masked Singer", Ricki has concentrated on family life and is passionate about pushing for improved reproductive health care.

19. Erin Moran

Image source: RadarOnline

"Happy Days" was truly a happy time for us. We all loved that show! Erin Moran, as Joanie Cunningham went on to do a sequel, "Joanie Loves Chachi." Following its success, Moran starred in "The Love Boat", "Galaxy of Terror" and "Murder She Wrote." She was also in "Celebrity Fit Club" and a couple of tv movies. Her later years were tormented with drug and alcohol abuse. Sadly she passed away in 2017 from throat cancer.

20. Dave Chappelle

Image source: BBC

Surprisingly in 2004 comedian Dave Chappelle left his sketch comedy show on Comedy Central "The Chappelle Show" which was proving very popular and its audience was still growing. There was speculation as to why he had walked away from millions of dollars. There were conflicting reports that he experiencing drug abuse issues and others said he wanted to be the best father and family man he could be.

21. Kel Mitchell

Image source: Business Insider

Keenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were on Nickelodeon in the '90s and finishing in 2000. They were always known as a double act and for "orange soda!" Fast forward and they avoid seeing each other or doing interviews together. Mitchell decided to go down a different path and shut the door on acting. It went so quiet around him that there was a hoax out that he had died in 2006! Not true, but he has not been seen much in public and prefers it that way.

22. Kevin Jonas

Image source: Wikipedia

The Jonas Brothers, real life siblings, had to be one of the most popular young bands to come out of the millennium. Kevin Jonas didn't make stardom as an individual artist and decided to go down the sensible route. He got married and had kids and then became a building contractor! Who knows what could have been but one thing's for sure, he says he definitely made the right decision for himself.

23. Peter Ostrum

Image source: Business Insider

You may recognise the young boy in the image as Charlie Bucket from "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" from 1971 but not be familiar with his real name. Well, he's Peter Ostrum and he was only 12 years old when he won the lead role. Despite the huge reaction from the movie and the many offers that came his way, Ostrum shied away from the limelight to concentrate on caring for animals.

24. Lark Voorhies

Image source: YouTube

Lark Voorhies stole our hearts as the lovable Lisa Turtle in "Saved by the Bell: The College Years" and the TV movie of "Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas." It was a big surprise to find her disappear from public view after this film. She surfaced again, many years later, with weird make up and visible plastic surgery. It is thought she had struggled with mental health issues.

25. Dolores Hart

Image source: AmoMama

Dolores made her debut in the acting world in 1957 when she starred in "Loving You", opposite Elvis Presley. She played his love interest and the movie was very well received. Dolores was in great demand following the film and went on to star in "Wild Is The Wind" and "Where The Boys Are." She also appeared on Broadway. By 1963 she decided she had experienced enough of the showbiz lifestyle and she retired at the tender age of 24. She then became a Catholic nun in Bethlehem, Connecticut at the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis!

26. Phoebe Cates

Image source: Pinterest

Phoebe Cates still looks gorgeous, years after her '80s show "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." He gave up her lucrative career in Hollywood to be a mom full time and to spend more time with actor husband, Kevin Kline. With no ambition to return to the big or small screens, Cates bought a clothing boutique in Manhattan, named Blue Tree and she still spends time there.

27. Taran Noah Smith

Image source: Snakkle

"Home Improvements" star Taran Noah Smith made a decision when he was only 16 years of age. When the series ended in 1999 he vowed never to act again and he's stuck to it. He invested his money in a vegan restaurant and also spent time volunteering for various charities. All is quiet on the western front and very little has been heard of him for a long time.

28. Willa Ford

Image source: Entertainment Tonight

Willa Ford had her biggest hit single "I Wanna Be Bad" in 2001. She was the budding pop star who appeared on MTV in 2001, sporting a very sexy image! Although she made her mark in the music charts, it was not enough to fulfil her dreams. Ford released a studio album and her popularity then seemed to fade. She got bored with it all and became an interior designer as well as a mom.

29. Rebecca Gayheart

Image source: Daily Mail

In the late 1990's Rebecca Gayheart became a star as she landed the lead role in "Jawbreakers." She had previously had a small role in "Scream 2." It was widely assumed that she would be the next best thing in Hollywood but this was not to be. She was involved and at fault of a car accident in which a 9 year old boy tragically died. That was in 2001 and there's been nothing to report on her since then.

30. Donnie Dunagan

Image source: Youtube

We can't show you a young image of Donnie Dunagan because he was famous for playing the voice of Bambi in the movie of the same name. Although we all adored the baby deer, Dunagan was not a fan and actually decided to stop acting and join the Marine Corps instead! He never let it slip about his famous Hollywood film. Donnie is now 88 years young.

31. Matthew Fox

image source: thelist.com

One of Matthew Fox's biggest acting roles was on the hit TV show Lost where he played Jack, and then he seemingly dropped off the face of the earth! The reason for this is because he chose to retire from acting for a huge portion of his life and focus on his personal life.