No, Jonathan Bailey is not stepping away from acting for good.
The actor from Wicked explained his recent comments about taking a break from acting next year. He clarified that he’s simply decided to postpone working on two upcoming films so he can dedicate more time to his charity, The Shameless Fund. This organization raises money for LGBTQ+ support groups by collaborating with companies around the world.
I remember reading about this! Jonathan was actually cycling through Italy, on his way to a wedding, when he did an interview with a magazine. He told Esquire UK that the internet connection kept dropping, and unfortunately, something got lost in translation. A quote went around saying he was taking a break from acting, but that wasn’t what he meant at all. He was actually saying he’d be back to work the following year, and he was amazed by how much attention the whole thing got!
Honestly, by Monday it was everywhere – ‘Jonathan Bailey is retiring!’ It completely floored me. That’s when it really hit me: you just can’t control what people say or do, no matter how much you wish you could. It felt awful, like a total loss of control, and all I could do was just…accept it.
Good news for fans of the actor from Fellow Travelers: he won’t be off-screen for long. Although he likely won’t take on any new acting jobs in 2026, he plans to return to work sometime next year.
Jonathan, who will be in the fourth season of Bridgerton when it premieres on Netflix in January, confirmed he plans to return to work next year. He clarified that he won’t be taking all of 2026 off.
Jonathan first discussed his career during an interview in September, where he looked back on his hectic recent years.
He told British GQ that while the last three years have been incredible, given everything happening globally, he plans to take a break from acting next year to dedicate his time to the Shameless Fund.
Jonathan clearly outlined his goals for the fund as he shifted his priorities.
Jonathan first discussed his career during an interview in September, where he looked back on his hectic recent years.
He told British GQ that the last three years have been incredible, but given everything going on in the world, he plans to take a break from acting next year to dedicate his time to the Shameless Fund.
Jonathan clearly outlined his goals for the fund as he shifted his priorities.
I’ll be prioritizing hiring and building the right team over the coming months,” he said. “It’s shocking to realize that for every £100 donated in the U.K., only 1p actually reaches LGBTQ+ organizations. We need to work hard to find effective solutions, and I believe The Shameless Fund is a great one.
Jonathan is taking a quick break from Hollywood, but he’s not the only star to step away from acting. Here’s a look at other celebrities who have also paused their careers…
After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following reports of a negative and harmful work environment. These reports led to an internal investigation, the firing of several producers, and widespread public criticism.
Ellen DeGeneres recently returned to performing with her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, released in September 2024. Before the special’s release, she announced her plans to leave Hollywood completely.
During her stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told her audience that she plans to retire after her upcoming Netflix special. She confirmed to Richard Bacon that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to England in November 2024 following Donald Trump’s reelection.
Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, decided to move to Australia partly to focus on her ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream. She explained on Today with Jenna & Friends that her business had been primarily supplying ice cream to places like airlines and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia where a large production facility was making her recipes. She grew to love the country during her visits.
Beyond enjoying her time there, Banks also recognized Australia as a promising market for her product. She pointed out that Australia, along with America and New Zealand, are the countries that consume the most ice cream.
Ultimately, the supermodel relocated to Australia with her son, York (whose father is Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, sharing that Australia has been a wonderful experience for her and her family.
Eva Longoria, known for her role on Desperate Housewives, has moved away from Los Angeles and now divides her time between Mexico and Spain. In a November 2024 interview with Marie Claire, she explained that while she spent her adult life in LA, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that shift. She cited issues like homelessness and taxes as contributing factors, but emphasized she wasn’t trying to criticize California, she simply felt it was time for a new chapter.
Longoria, along with her husband José Bastón and son Santiago, began spending more time abroad a few years ago. She acknowledges her privilege in being able to leave, expressing concern for those who are unable to do so.
However, she clarified in a November 2024 appearance on The View: Behind the Table that her move wasn’t politically motivated, despite the timing around the presidential election. She explained that work commitments, including filming Land of Women in Spain and Searching for Mexico, led to an extended stay, and she dislikes the idea of it being framed as a political statement. Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, with recent roles in Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.
Actor Richard Gere has relocated from Chicago to Spain with his family. He shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024 that his wife, Alejandra Silva, who is from Galicia, Spain, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is enthusiastic about the opportunity for their young sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his former partner, Carey Lowell. According to a January 2025 interview with Elle España, the family is happier than ever and is really enjoying this new chapter. They are currently thriving in Spain and feeling positive about the future.
Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially made Paris their home. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, the couple previously spent six months of each year commuting between the U.S. and France. They decided to fully relocate so their children—Violet (from a previous marriage to The-Dream), and sons Isaiah and Kenna (with Pokora)—could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn the language and experience a new culture. She shared with TopMob that her kids are thriving, she enjoys an active lifestyle, and she’s able to balance work with family life effectively. She says the move has created a healthy and happy environment for everyone.
Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. Looking back on her busy career and social life in the early 2000s, she recently explained her decision to step away from the public eye. In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, Lohan expressed annoyance that her work was often overshadowed by the constant attention of the paparazzi. She wished the focus had remained on her career and felt the relentless media coverage took on a life of its own, prompting her desire to disappear. Lohan moved overseas, initially to London and then Dubai, and also started opening beach clubs in Greece, but she also sought a more private life away from the spotlight.
Lindsay Lohan wondered if she’d ever find love, questioning whether it would ever happen for her. She realized she needed to focus on herself before things could fall into place and she could say ‘yes’ to the opportunities she truly wanted.
She did eventually find love with Bader Shammas, marrying in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.
Though they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind, and has recently starred in films like Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.
Josh decided to leave Hollywood after some careful thought. He explained to People magazine in July 2024 that Hollywood isn’t just a location, but a way of life. He wanted to avoid being surrounded by people constantly focused on the movie industry, fearing it would limit his perspective. He longed for a more diverse environment where he could grow personally. As he told the publication, being around people with varied interests is ‘the spice of life.’
So, Josh, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, moved to the countryside of Hampshire, England. He shared with The Guardian in July 2024 that while life with four kids is busy, it also brings a focus to what truly matters. Despite the move, Josh has continued to act, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.
Many fans may not realize Jesse no longer lives in Los Angeles. He revealed in a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning that he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse leads a surprisingly normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the entertainment industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t particularly interested in movies, Jesse feels removed from the pressures of constantly evaluating his place in Hollywood.
Eliza Dushku, known for roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On, announced in September 2024 that she’s now a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist and is continuing her education in the field of mental health.
She explained to Boston Magazine that she was able to change her life’s path to prioritize her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others heal. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced – the peace and renewed passion she felt – because she now clearly understood her true purpose in life.
Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! Rosie, my absolute favorite, just announced she moved to Ireland with little Clay back in January 2025! Apparently, she’s even working on becoming an Irish citizen because her grandparents were from there – how amazing is that?! She said things happening back home played a part in her decision, but she didn’t say she’d never come back, which gives me hope! I’m just so excited for her and hoping she loves it there, but please come back to us eventually!
In a TikTok video, she shared that she misses her children, friends, and her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in her current country, and she and her family will think about returning to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.
Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, has said she’s stepping away from acting for an unspecified amount of time. She’s been working as an actress for two decades.
In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her goals. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path different from traditional success – like wealth and fame – can be daunting, embracing her true purpose brings a deep sense of satisfaction instead of fear.
She’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I could see myself going back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”
Since finishing his role on the Netflix series V-Wars in 2019, the actor best known for The Vampire Diaries hasn’t taken on another acting job. He’s been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.
Ian Somerhalder took a break from acting over four years ago to focus on raising his children, growing his businesses, and getting his documentaries released. He told TopMob News in November 2023 that these films—Kiss the Ground, released in 2020, and its sequel, Common Ground—highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shares two children with his wife, Nikki Reed.
Looking ahead, the actor explained he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and wellness company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil practices, values he and his family embrace. He said this is his long-term vision and the reason behind his passions, clarifying, ‘This is who I am, and this is what I’m working towards.’
In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy revealed to guest Anna Faris that she had stopped acting a few years prior. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.
Jennette shared that she deeply regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained that she often feels dissatisfied with her career and considers the parts she played to be cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on those shows from ages 13 to 21, she felt the embarrassment as early as age 15, noting that her peers didn’t view her Nickelodeon work with admiration.
She hasn’t ruled out returning to acting completely. In an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, she explained that writing her book helped her consider acting in a new light, free from past pressures. She suggested she might consider it again if she were to write a role specifically for herself, as that could be the only way she’d feel comfortable exploring it.
It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to the charities we care about, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood totally worth it.
Similar to Grace Kelly’s transition from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle left her life and acting role in Toronto—where she starred in the show Suits—to join the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and live in California, Meghan is returning to professional life. This includes a production deal with Netflix, where she released the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan and will launch a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, in 2025. She’s also started a podcast and launched her brand, As Ever.
After starring in over 40 films since she began her career with 1994’s The Mask, the actress really needed a rest when she finished filming Annie in 2014.
She told Gwyneth Paltrow that she realized she wanted a different lifestyle. After years of intense work and filmmaking, she felt burnt out. She explained that making a movie is incredibly demanding – it requires long hours, often 12 a day for months, leaving no room for anything else in her life.
Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing—she followed up her popular 2013 book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book in 2016—and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. Although she told InStyle magazine in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seemed she might be open to returning for at least one more project.
Jamie Foxx explained to TopMob News how they convinced Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action. He said they practically pleaded with her, saying, ‘Please do one more!’ He added that everyone loves her and has been eagerly awaiting her return, and that the film is going to be amazing.
The actor stated firmly that he wouldn’t return to the show after completing his five years on Empire. When Extra asked Terrence Howard about his plans before the sixth and final season aired in 2019, he said he was finished with acting and no longer wanted to play roles.
Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his intention to retire from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He explained to ET that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’d done before.
Even with those previous concerns, Howard has continued to act, appearing in shows like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley. He also has several new projects planned.
After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, the 21-year-old actor told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been working since he was eight years old and simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.
Jack isn’t a child star anymore, and some of the excitement has faded. He explained that turning acting into a career feels different than doing it as a hobby with friends during summers. He still likes acting, but doesn’t want it to be his profession, as making a living from something changes how you feel about it.
After taking six years off, Jack returned to acting in 2020 with a role in the BBC series Out of Her Mind. Since then, he’s also been in films such as Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.
After landing the role in a virtual table read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High in September 2020, Jennifer Aniston married actor Kevin Kline in 1989. They decided to stagger their work schedules so they could both be available to care for their children, Owen and Greta, who is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.
He added that Phoebe has consistently prioritized staying home with her children whenever she was scheduled to work. While she briefly appeared in her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates mainly focuses on running her New York City store, Blue Tree.
When he was most popular for films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor paused his career after his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to dedicate his time to raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.
Despite not appearing in a live-action movie since 1997 – he even turned down a small role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake – Rick remains a beloved figure, as shown by the strong reaction to news reports of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Good news for fans is that he’s returning to the screen in the upcoming Disney reboot, Shrunk, alongside Josh Gad.
Okay, so when Drew Barrymore married Adam Kimmel back in 2010, she started talking about maybe stepping away from acting, and honestly, it made SO much sense! She told Vogue that most roles require way too much… intimacy, and she just wasn’t into that. She said it felt weird and risky, and even though she and Adam had a great relationship, she needed a really amazing part to justify going through all that. Like, if she was going to put herself out there, it had to be worth it, you know?
After her son, Martin, joined his older sister, Louisanna, in 2014, she firmly decided to step away from acting. She told Us Weekly in 2016 that she was happy being a mom and focusing on family, explaining, “I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider!” She also mentioned she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, adding that her children were the main reason she stopped pursuing acting.
She’d starred in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those roles, the actress from Australia started to feel like it might be time for a change.
As I was nearing 45, I really started thinking about what I hadn’t yet tried. I wanted a big challenge, something completely different from what I was used to. Honestly, I had a pretty good idea of what my acting career would look like for the next decade or two, and I felt ready for a change. That’s why I made the leap and decided to step away from acting to build a business from the ground up.
Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete – she just needed to finish one final piece.
I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I wouldn’t participate in a fifth season because I had decided to stop acting. He was very understanding and supportive, and we had a good talk. Surprisingly, he ended up writing me into five episodes anyway.
It’s understandable why, after winning three Oscars, an actor might consider their career complete. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for the 2017 film Phantom Thread, the actor announced through his representative that he was retiring from acting. He expressed deep gratitude to those he’d worked with and to his fans over the years, and stated that this was a personal decision, with no further comments to be made.
I seriously thought Daniel Day-Lewis had retired for good! I was heartbroken, honestly. But then… then I saw the news in October 2024! Focus Features announced he’s starring in a new movie called Anemone, and get this – he wrote it with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who’s also directing! It’s like he couldn’t stay away, and I am so relieved. It’s a father-son project! I’m already counting down the days!
Okay, so, like, I was totally obsessed with Bridie on Good Luck Charlie, and then she just… disappeared! But it wasn’t a real disappearance, it turns out she went to MIT! Can you believe it? A master’s degree and then a PhD? As if that wasn’t enough, she decided to go to Harvard Law School too! Seriously, is there anything this woman can’t do? I’m so proud, but also, I miss seeing her on screen!
On top of everything else, Bridgit started her own company, Northwood Space, in February 2023. The company is building ground stations to facilitate communication with satellites, and Bridgit is serving as its CEO.
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2025-11-10 22:19