Why Morgan Freeman, 88, Isn’t Retiring From Acting Anytime Soon

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Morgan Freeman isn’t hitting the brakes on his acting career. 

The star of Driving Miss Daisy, who celebrated his 88th birthday in June, still has many scripts he wants to create. He also revealed the two guiding principles that motivate him to keep working.

Morgan recently shared advice on staying young at heart with AARP. She quoted a saying about aging – ‘Keep moving’ – and a line from Clint Eastwood: ‘Don’t let the old man in.’ According to Morgan, the key is to maintain a routine: get up each morning, exercise, take vitamins and any necessary medications, and most importantly, stay active. She emphasizes that consistent movement is the secret to feeling young and vital.

The Golden Globe-winning actor has been consistently working over the past ten years, including returning as the character Thaddeus Bradley in the 2025 film Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Having already appeared in the first two Now You See Me movies with Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, he was thrilled to rejoin the cast and reveal the tricks behind every illusion.

He explained that working on the third film, which came out on November 14th, was easier because he was more comfortable with his lines, deeply familiar with the role, and used to working with the same cast. Knowing what to expect made the whole process smoother.

When Jim Carrey, who starred in Bruce Almighty and has four children – Alfonso, Saifoulaye, Deena, and Morgana – isn’t filming a movie, he enjoys playing golf to stay active.

Morgan jokingly admitted he’s surprisingly good at golf, despite considering himself an amateur. He also shared that he enjoys the active nature of the sport, noting it involves a lot of movement.

He described it as a physically active game involving a lot of movement – walking, bending, and swinging the club – and admitted it could get frustrating at times. He believes it’s an excellent sport for seniors, even better than bocce.

This isn’t the first time Steve Carell has said he doesn’t plan to retire from acting. He’s actually been motivated to keep working because of the increasing use of AI – specifically, seeing AI recreate his voice for projects without his consent. This has encouraged him to continue auditioning for roles.

He told The Guardian on November 10th that he was upset. “I’m an actor, and like any actor, I don’t want people falsely imitating me,” he explained. “That’s my job, and if you’re doing it without my permission, you’re essentially taking money out of my pocket.”

He admitted he’d occasionally think about retiring, but as soon as he received a job offer, all those thoughts vanished. He’d immediately start focusing on the practical details – salary and location – just like he always had.

As Morgan continues his long career, here’s a look at other actors who have stepped away from Hollywood…

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful workplace. These claims led to an internal investigation, the firing of several producers, and widespread public criticism.

Ellen DeGeneres returned to performing with her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, released in September 2024. Before the special aired, she announced her plans to leave Hollywood completely.

During her stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres announced to her audience that she’s retiring from performing after her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have since moved to England. Ellen confirmed to Richard Bacon in July 2025 that they relocated 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 initially focused on selling to other businesses, like airlines and cruise ships, and she’d been traveling to Australia frequently because that’s where her ice cream was being produced. She quickly fell in love with the country during her visits.

Banks also realized Australia was a promising market for her product, noting that the top three countries for ice cream consumption are the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

Ultimately, the supermodel moved to Australia with her son, York (whose father is her ex, Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, stating that Australia has been a wonderful experience for her and her family.

As a longtime fan, it’s interesting to hear where Eva Longoria is these days! It feels like just yesterday we were all on Wisteria Lane with her, but she’s since moved on and found a new home base. She recently shared that while she spent her whole adult life in Los Angeles, things started changing even before the pandemic. Then Covid hit, and that really pushed her to leave. She mentioned issues with homelessness and taxes, but clarified she doesn’t want to speak negatively about California – it just felt like the right time for a new chapter.

For the past few years, she, her husband José Bastón, and their son Santiago have been splitting their time between Mexico and Spain. She feels incredibly grateful for the ability to move and escape, especially knowing many Americans don’t have that option, and she feels a lot of anxiety and sadness for those who are stuck.

She also wanted to clear something up: her move wasn’t about politics or a reaction to the previous election. It actually started with work – filming Land of Women in Catalonia, then Searching for Mexico, and then returning to Spain. It’s been years now, and she just doesn’t like that people are trying to make it a political thing. Even with the move, she’s still incredibly busy with projects like Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip, which is wonderful to see!

Actor Richard Gere has relocated from Chicago to Spain with his family. He explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024 that his wife, Alejandra Silva, who is from Galicia, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is enthusiastic about how the move will benefit their young sons, Alexander and James, who are already bilingual and will thrive in the Spanish-speaking environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife Carey Lowell. In an interview with Elle España in January 2025, Gere shared that the whole family is happier than ever and currently experiencing a wonderful period in their lives.

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 half the year commuting between the US and France. They decided to fully relocate so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage), and sons Isaiah and Kenna – could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn the language and experience a new culture. She describes their life in Paris as wonderful, noting that her kids are thriving and she’s found a healthy balance between her active daytime lifestyle and work, which she does ahead of schedule. She shared with TopMob in December 2024 that her family is very happy with their new life.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her decision to leave Los Angeles. Looking back on her busy career and social life in the early 2000s, she recently explained her reasons for wanting a change. In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, Lohan said she felt her work was often overshadowed by the constant attention of the paparazzi, which was frustrating. She wished the focus could have remained on her career, but the media created its own narrative, prompting her to seek a quieter life. She moved overseas, first to London and then to Dubai, and even opened beach clubs in Greece, but a desire to escape the spotlight was a major factor in her decision to move abroad.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, questioning if it was even possible for her. She realized she needed to focus on herself, and once she did, opportunities began to appear and she was able to pursue the things she truly wanted.

Lindsay eventually found love with Bader Shammas, and they married in 2022, welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

Although they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She continues to star 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. Being constantly surrounded by people focused solely on the film industry, he felt, would limit his perspective. He wanted a more varied life.

“I’ve always wanted to be around people doing lots of different things, things that would take my mind off work and help me grow,” he said, calling that “the spice of life.”

So, Josh, his wife Tamsin Egerton, and their four children moved to the countryside in Hampshire, England. He told The Guardian in July 2024 that time flies with a large family, and while it might seem like less is happening on the surface, more of what truly matters is.

Despite the move, Josh remains active in his career, with recent roles in Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

Okay, so you won’t BELIEVE this! I just found out Jesse doesn’t actually live in L.A. anymore! He told CBS News Sunday Morning back in February that he’s been living in Indiana, on and off, for the last ten years! Can you imagine? He says that’s where he truly feels at peace, and that he’s just not comfortable being around the craziness of the industry. It’s so refreshing! Even though he’s nominated for an Oscar, he lives a totally normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He’s not even ON social media! He said he’s not constantly on the phone with people in the industry either. Apparently, his wife is a teacher, and his son doesn’t even really watch movies! It’s amazing – he’s totally removed from all that Hollywood stuff and just focuses on his family. It makes me love him even more, honestly!

Eliza Dushku, known for her 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 told 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. 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 calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing a character on The Flintstones shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay. She’s currently working on becoming an Irish citizen because her grandparents were from Ireland. While she mentioned recent political events as the reason for her move, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country someday.

She shared in a TikTok video that she misses her children and friends, and many aspects of her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in her current country, and hopes to return to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.

Actress Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, has announced she’s stepping away from acting for an unspecified amount of time after a two-decade career.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her dreams. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path less focused on money and recognition can be daunting, aligning with one’s true purpose brings a deep sense of satisfaction instead of fear.

However, 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 from The Vampire Diaries hasn’t taken on another acting job. Instead, he’s been focusing on a personal project: working to fight climate change by improving soil health around the world.

It’s been a little over four years since I took a step back from acting. My family and I – my wife, Nikki Reed, and our two kids – became my priority, and I wanted to focus on building my businesses too. I was also really passionate about getting some important films out there. I’m so proud of how Kiss the Ground, which came out in 2020, and its sequel, Common Ground, have highlighted the critical need for regenerative farming. It’s been a fulfilling journey balancing everything, and I’m excited about the impact these films are having.

Looking ahead, the actor said he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on creating lasting brands – whether it’s his bourbon, his health and wellness company, or sustainable farming practices that he and his family prioritize. He explained this is his long-term goal and the reason behind his passions, stating, ‘This is who I am and what I’m working towards.’

During a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy revealed to guest Anna Faris that she had quit acting a few years prior. She’s now pursuing writing and directing opportunities, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette recently shared that she regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past, detailing her feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She admitted to feeling resentful towards her career and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having started on shows as a young teenager, around age 13, she was already feeling embarrassed by her work by age 15, feeling it wasn’t something her friends were impressed by.

Despite her past experiences, she hasn’t ruled out returning to acting. She explained to TopMob News in October 2022 that writing her book helped her consider acting in a new light, free from the pressures she felt before. She believes she might be open to it again, but only if she were to write a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, focus on the charities we care about, and wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Similar to Grace Kelly’s transition from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle left her life and acting role in Toronto (known for the show Suits) to join the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down from their senior royal duties and live in California, Meghan is returning to professional life. This includes a production deal with Netflix, where she released the docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022 and will launch a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, in 2025. She has 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 – you’re committed for long hours every day, for months, and it leaves no room for anything else in your life.

Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing – she followed up her successful 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 seems she might be open to returning to performing at least once.

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, getting down on their knees to ask her to do it. “We love her and have been waiting for her to return, and this is going to be amazing,” he shared.

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, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done with pretending.”

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 Entertainment Tonight that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than repeating past performances.

Even with the 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 other projects planned for the future.

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 acting 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 initial excitement has faded. He explained that turning his hobby into a job has changed things. ‘Before, it was just something fun to do with friends or during the summer,’ he said. ‘I still like it, but making a living from something alters how you feel about it. It’s not that I dislike it, it’s just not my career goal.’

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 like Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.

When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they made a plan to balance their careers and family life. Kline explained in Playboy that they decided to alternate work schedules so they would never be working at the same time, allowing them to both care for their children, Owen and Greta (who now performs as the singer Frankie Cosmos).

He also pointed out that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she had a small role in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates mainly focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

When he was most famous for movies like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor took a break from filmmaking 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 of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will be happy to hear he’s returning to the screen alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot, Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, actress Drew Barrymore suggested she was considering stepping back from acting. She told Vogue that most acting roles require a lot of intimate scenes, and she wasn’t interested in that. She explained that while she and her husband had a strong relationship, she needed a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially difficult or compromising material. She felt that if you’re going to take risks, the reward needs to be worth it.

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 felt like an outsider to the movie world and was now focused on being a mom. She explained that she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting, but her children are her main priority, which is why she stopped pursuing acting roles.

She’d built a strong career with popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those experiences, the Australian actress felt she was finally ready to try something new.

Turning 45, I started thinking about trying something completely new and challenging,” she shared on her wife Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2018. “I had a good idea of what my acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so I decided to leave acting and start my own business instead.”

She was almost done with her art business, General Public – just one final piece remained.

I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I was finished with acting, so I wouldn’t be in a potential season five. 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 decide to retire. 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 everyone he’d worked with over the years and stated that this was a personal decision, with no further comments to be made.

Just as Daniel Day-Lewis had announced his retirement from acting, a new project drew him back in. In October 2024, Focus Features revealed he would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also be directing.

After finding fame on Good Luck Charlie, she decided to focus on her education in 2018. She went on to earn both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and she also attended Harvard Law School.

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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2025-11-14 20:21