
Bug Hall is hoping to go off the grid forever.
Bug Hall, famous for playing Alfalfa in the 1994 movie The Little Rascals, has revealed he and his family—wife Jill and their five children—now live a simple, off-the-grid life in Mountain View, Arkansas. They made a conscious decision to give up their wealth and live with very little money.
Bug told the Daily Mail that he aims to live a life where he doesn’t need to earn money. He explained that if he ever has a financial need, he’ll find temporary work or a quick job to cover it.
The man, age 40, explained that his family is currently living in a camper van equipped with a water well and generator. They’re building both a house and a small hydroelectric dam on their property, aiming to become completely self-sufficient within the next six months.
Brandon Hall, known as Bug, and his wife Jill got married in 2017 and had their first child while living in Los Angeles. They later moved to a different part of the country. In 2020, the actor, who starred in Get a Clue, was arrested in Texas for inhaling air duster. He told the Daily Mail that he felt he needed to take responsibility for his actions, even though no charges were filed.
Bug shared that he had been sober for 15 years before a specific incident, but he struggled with relapses that were often overlooked during his time in Hollywood. Now, he actually feels thankful for his arrest, looking back on everything.

He really enjoyed all aspects of filmmaking – writing, producing, and acting. He felt like a difficult experience was necessary to push him further, almost as if it was meant to be.
He eventually chose to leave Hollywood, feeling that the environment involved too much dishonesty and control.
He explained he didn’t want a job that felt pointless, like simply creating things to amuse or occupy others.
Right now, he’s prioritizing his family and home life. He and his wife, Jill, are homeschooling their children and don’t plan to encourage them to go to college, believing traditional schooling isn’t worthwhile, he told the Mail.
He shared that his eight-year-old daughter dreams of founding a convent on their property in Arkansas, and another daughter has asked him to build a house for her and her future spouse.

In an April 2025 YouTube video called “Into the Unknown,” Bug shared that he and his wife were raising their five children in a very strict and conservative Catholic environment.
He stated in the video that he believes raising ‘radical Catholic extremists’ is the sole method for addressing the problems of our time.
The actor from Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves! also talked more about his promise to live simply, explaining that owning a lot of things didn’t actually make him happy – he felt they were ultimately meaningless.
He continued, “What I gave up wasn’t much compared to the incredible blessings the Lord had in store for me—the rewards of choosing to live so differently.”
For a look at more stars who have chosen to forgo a life in Hollywood, keep reading.

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful workplace. These claims led to an internal review, the dismissal of several producers, and widespread public criticism.
Ellen made a comeback with her last standup comedy show, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the show aired, she announced her plans to retire from Hollywood.
During her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told the audience, according to SFGate, that she plans to retire after releasing her upcoming Netflix special. She stated, ‘This is the last time you’re going to see me.’
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have settled in the Cotswolds. Ellen shared with Richard Bacon in July 2025, during a conversation at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, that they decided to stay there permanently in November 2024 following Donald Trump’s reelection.
She raved about the English countryside, telling the BBC it was “absolutely beautiful.” She explained that people weren’t accustomed to such scenery, and she found the villages, towns, and buildings utterly charming, reflecting a more relaxed and uncomplicated lifestyle.
“It’s just a nicer place,” Ellen explained. “The animals are well cared for, and everyone is so friendly. We really love living here. We moved in November, which wasn’t the best timing, but I finally got to see snow! Portia brought her horses with her, and I have chickens. We even had sheep for a short while – about two weeks.”

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m always fascinated by why people make big moves, and Tyra Banks’ recent relocation to Australia is a great example! It wasn’t just a whim – it was all about her ice cream! She founded SMiZE and Dream, and while it started as a business supplying ice cream to places like airlines and cruise ships, she realized Australia was a key production hub for her recipes. She fell in love with the country during her visits, and it quickly became a dream location. Plus, she discovered Australia is one of the top three countries in the world when it comes to ice cream consumption – alongside America and New Zealand! So, she made the leap, bringing her son York and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin along for the adventure. She’s said it’s been a dream come true for her and her family, and honestly, who wouldn’t love that?

Eva Longoria, known for her role on Desperate Housewives, has moved from Los Angeles and now divides her time between Mexico and Spain with her husband, José Bastón, and their son, Santiago. She explained to Marie Claire that while she spent her adult life in LA, the city had changed, especially after the pandemic, due to issues like homelessness and taxes. Although she doesn’t want to criticize California, she feels this chapter of her life is over.
She clarified in an interview on The View: Behind the Table that her move wasn’t politically motivated by the election, but rather a result of her work taking her to Spain for Land of Women and Mexico for Searching for Mexico. She’s been living abroad for years now due to these projects. Longoria acknowledges her privilege in being able to leave the country, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who aren’t as fortunate. Despite the move, she remains busy with acting roles in shows like Only Murders in the Building and the film 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, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is excited about the opportunity for their sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his former partner, Carey Lowell. In a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere stated the family is happier than ever and currently enjoying a positive chapter in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially moved to Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, the couple previously spent half the year commuting between the U.S. and France. They decided to make Paris their permanent home so their children—Violet (from a previous marriage to The-Dream), and sons Isaiah and Kenna (with Pokora)—could attend school there. Milian shared that she felt it was a wonderful opportunity for her kids. The family seems to be thriving in France, with Milian noting her children are happy and fluent in French. She enjoys an active lifestyle and balances her work by taking advantage of the time difference, working ahead while the kids are in school.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. She recently explained that a busy work life and constant partying in the early 2000s were often overshadowed by intense paparazzi attention, which she found irritating. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she expressed a wish that the media frenzy hadn’t happened, as it seemed to take on a life of its own. This was a major reason she decided to step away from the spotlight. Lindsay moved overseas, first to London and then to Dubai, even opening beach clubs in Greece, but she also wanted to create a life where the focus could be on her work, rather than sensationalized stories.
Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, questioning if it would ever happen for her. She realized that taking time to focus on herself was key to opening up possibilities and receiving opportunities she truly wanted.
She eventually found love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.
Although they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She’s continued to star in films such as 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 film industry, as he didn’t want his life to become narrow.
He craved a broader experience, telling the magazine he always wanted to be around people with diverse interests that would challenge him and help him grow. He described this variety as essential to a fulfilling life.
So, Josh, along with 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 life might seem simpler, it’s filled with what truly matters.
Despite the move, Josh has remained active in his career, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you don’t follow Jesse on social media, you might be surprised to learn he no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the A Real Pain star revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He explained that 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 constant pressures of assessing his status in Hollywood.

Eliza, known for her roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On (from 2000), announced in September 2024 that she’s now a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist and is continuing her education to become a mental health professional.
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. She felt it was important to share her personal journey and the sense of peace and purpose she’d found, believing this was truly her calling.

The actress best known for playing a character on The Flintstones shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay, and is working to become an Irish citizen because of her family’s heritage. While she mentioned recent political events as a factor in her move, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country someday.
In a TikTok video, she shared how much she misses her children and friends, as well as many aspects of her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in this country, and they’ll think about returning to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.

After two decades as an actress, the star of Ant-Man and the Wasp has announced she’s taking a break from acting with no set return date.
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 less traveled – one that doesn’t necessarily prioritize money or recognition – can be daunting, it ultimately leads to a much more satisfying life.
She’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I might go back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since finishing his role in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, the actor best known from The Vampire Diaries has 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 with his wife, Nikki Reed, and to develop his businesses. He also worked to release two documentaries, Kiss the Ground (2020) and Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shared this with TopMob News in November 2023.
Looking ahead, the actor said he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on building lasting brands – like his bourbon and health company – and using sustainable farming methods that prioritize healthy soil. He explained this is his long-term goal and the reason he’s so passionate about these things. It’s simply a reflection of who he is and who he’s striving to be.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy shared with 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 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 embarrassed by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and awkward. She started working on those shows as a young teenager, around age 13, and felt self-conscious about them even by age 15, as her friends weren’t impressed by her being on television.
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 believes she might be open to it again, but only if she were to write a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a clear choice. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to meaningful charitable work, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood totally worthwhile.
Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – best known for her role in the TV show Suits – to a life within the British Royal Family. After stepping back from their official duties and moving to Montecito, California, Meghan is now returning to professional life, starting with a production deal with Netflix. She has already released the docuseries Harry & Meghan on the streaming service, and a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, is planned for 2025. In addition, she has launched a podcast and her own 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 burned out. She explained that making a movie is incredibly demanding – it requires long hours and completely takes over your life, leaving no room for anything else.
Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing—she followed up her successful book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book—and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. Although she told InStyle in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seemed she might be open to returning to performing at least one more time.
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 we’ve been waiting for her to return – it’s 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, “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 wants to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’s already mastered.
You know, even with some of the things people have said, I’ve been thrilled to see Regina Howard continuing to work! She’s popped up in some great roles recently, like the TV series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley. And honestly, she has a lot more exciting projects on the horizon, which is fantastic to see!

After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, Jack Gleeson, who was 21 at the time, told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been acting since he was a child, but simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.
You know, growing up in the spotlight definitely changes things. For a while, it felt like the fun was fading. I realized that turning a hobby into a career shifts your perspective. It wasn’t that I disliked acting, it just wasn’t the path I wanted for my life. Before, it was all about having fun with friends, a summer pastime. But when money’s involved, it changes the whole dynamic – it’s no longer purely enjoyable.
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 unique agreement. Kline explained to Playboy that they decided to alternate work schedules so they could both be available to care for their children, Owen and Greta. Greta is now a singer who performs as Frankie Cosmos.
He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she briefly appeared in a 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, starring her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cates mainly focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

During the peak of his success with movies like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor paused his career after the death of his wife from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to concentrate on 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 solid relationship, she needed a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially uncomfortable or challenging material.
After her son, Martin, joined his 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 her 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 built a successful career with shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After all that, the Australian actress started to think she might be ready for a change.
I was turning 45 and really starting to think about what I wanted to do with the next phase of my life. I was looking for a big challenge, something completely new. I’d spent so much time acting, and I had a pretty good idea of what the next decade or two would look like in that world, so I made the decision to step away and try my hand at building a business instead. It felt like the right time for a change.
Oh my gosh, you guys, her company, General Public, it’s almost done! She’s been building it for ages, and honestly, it’s incredible. She just has one final piece to complete, and then it’s all finished! I’m seriously counting down the minutes!
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 Academy Award nomination for the 2017 film Phantom Thread, the actor announced through his representative that he was retiring from acting. The statement expressed his gratitude to colleagues and fans over the years, and clarified that this was a personal decision and no further details would be shared.
I seriously thought that was it! I mean, Daniel Day-Lewis retired, right? Done! But then… October 2024, and Focus Features dropped the bomb! He’s starring in a new film called Anemone, and get this – he wrote it with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who’s also directing! I can’t even breathe! It’s like he just couldn’t stay away, and I am SO not complaining.

Bridgit Mendler, known for her role in Good Luck Charlie, left acting in 2018 to focus on her education. She earned both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and also attended Harvard Law School.
On top of everything else, Bridgit also started her own company, Northwood Space, in February 2023. The company is building ground stations to facilitate data transmission to and from satellites, and Bridgit is serving as its CEO.
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2026-01-30 05:20