Why Nate Bargatze Moved to Nashville for His Daughter Harper

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Nate Bargatze is standing up for his family.

The comedian shared that his daughter, Harper, who he has with his wife, Laura Bargatze, was the main reason he decided to move back to Nashville.

Nate, 46, recently shared with People magazine that he loves his neighborhood. He described it as a quiet, residential area – a cul-de-sac filled with families and people who work in typical professions, not the entertainment industry. He appreciates that his neighbors are just ‘regular people’ and friends.

As someone who’s seen a lot of families navigate the spotlight, I always admire parents prioritizing normalcy for their kids. That’s exactly what the host of the 2025 Emmys did – they actually moved back home specifically to give their teen, Harper, a more typical childhood, shielding them from the often overwhelming world of show business.

He explained that she wasn’t present at the moment, but she was aware of his work and even helped promote it. While she occasionally saw glimpses of what he did, she was mostly focused on school and maintaining a normal life.

Nate made it clear that if Harper was interested in pursuing a career in entertainment, she would have to do it independently. He said the decision was entirely up to her.

Nate isn’t alone in choosing to leave Los Angeles. Chris Hemsworth recently explained the reasons behind his family’s decision to move back to Australia permanently.

He explained that around the time his sons were born, he and his family were living in Los Angeles but weren’t really happy there. He added that he wasn’t even filming much in Los Angeles at the time, as most projects were shooting on location elsewhere. He shared this during an appearance on the Smartless podcast on February 23rd.

The actor, known for his role in The Avengers, and his wife, Elsa Pataky, share three children: a 13-year-old daughter named India Rose, and 11-year-old twin sons, Sasha and Tristan. He recently shared that they were also worried about maintaining their family’s privacy.

Chris explained that when they returned home, they’d be met by paparazzi and all the usual downsides of being famous and living in that environment.

Ever since making a major move over ten years ago, the actor known for Extraction has enjoyed a consistently peaceful life.

He explained that after a long day at work, everyone dreams of a vacation. For him, coming home is like a holiday, thanks to their large farm, horses, motorcycles, and surfing opportunities.

The actor from Snow White and the Huntsman also explained that growing up in Australia with his brothers, Luke and Liam Hemsworth, influenced his decision to move.

I grew up about 20 minutes outside of Melbourne, in the hills,” the 42-year-old said. “We were pretty isolated – our closest neighbor was a kilometer or two away.”

He explained that the area was surrounded by forests and wild land. As a result, they spent their time having outdoor adventures and playing make-believe.

For more stars who have famously moved out of Hollywood, read on…

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show concluded in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful workplace. These claims led to an internal review, the dismissal of several executives, 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 announced to the audience that she’s retiring after her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate.

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 remain there after Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024.

She raved about the English countryside, telling the BBC it was ‘absolutely beautiful’ and unlike anything she was used to. She especially loved the charming villages, towns, and architecture, noting it represented a more relaxed and simple way of life.

“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, I have chickens, and we even had sheep for a couple of weeks.”

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 airplanes and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia to oversee production at a large facility there. She grew to love the country with each visit.

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

She ultimately moved there with her son, York (whose father is her ex, 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 from Los Angeles and now splits her time between Mexico and Spain with her husband, José Bastón, and their son, Santiago. She explained to Marie Claire that while she lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life, the city had changed, especially after the pandemic. Issues like homelessness and high taxes contributed to her decision to start a new chapter.

Longoria emphasized she wasn’t leaving due to politics, despite speculation following the presidential election. She clarified on The View: Behind the Table podcast that her work – filming Land of Women in Catalonia and Searching for Mexico in Mexico – led to an extended stay abroad.

She acknowledges her privilege in being able to move, expressing concern for Americans who don’t have the same opportunity. Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, recently appearing 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 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 what this change will mean for their young sons, Alexander and James, noting that the boys are already bilingual and will thrive in the new environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife, Carey Lowell.

The entire family appears to be adjusting well. In a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere shared, “We are happier than ever,” and described the move as a positive step forward for them all.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially moved to Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, they previously spent six months of each year commuting between the U.S. and France. They made the permanent move 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. She shared with TopMob in December 2024 that her kids are thriving, are fluent in French, and she’s enjoying a balanced lifestyle with daytime activities and work during the evenings. She describes life in Paris as ‘magnifique’ and a healthy balance for the whole family.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. She recently explained that a demanding work schedule combined with intense media attention in the early 2000s made things difficult.

In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she said she wished the focus had been solely on her career, rather than the constant paparazzi and rumors. She felt the media frenzy spiraled out of control, and that’s why she needed to step away.

Lindsay moved to London and then Dubai, even opening beach clubs in Greece, but she also wanted to escape the constant spotlight and allow her work to speak for itself.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she’d 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 new possibilities and receiving the 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, and has appeared 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 surrounded by people constantly focused 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 all sorts of things, things that would take my mind off work and help me grow in different ways,” he said. “That’s what makes life interesting to me.”

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 when you’re raising a family. While it might seem like less is happening on the surface, he feels more of what truly matters is. Despite the move, Josh has continued to act, 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 environment. He explained he prefers to avoid the instability he feels is common in the entertainment industry.

Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking with industry professionals, which helps him maintain a sense of separation from the pressures of Hollywood. His wife is a teacher, and his son isn’t particularly interested in movies, further grounding him in a life outside the industry.

Eliza, 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 explained to Boston Magazine that she was able to change her life’s path to focus on her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others heal. She felt it was important to share her personal transformation and the newfound peace and passion she’d discovered, believing this was truly her life’s purpose.

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

Honestly, it’s been really tough being away from my other children and my friends. I find myself constantly thinking about all the things I loved about life back home. I’m working hard to build a new life here, in this beautiful country, but a big part of me is waiting for things to change back in America. We’re hoping to return as soon as it’s a place where everyone has the same rights and feels safe – that’s when we’ll truly consider coming home.

Actress 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 after two decades in the business.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her goals. She expressed gratitude for her life and explained that choosing a path based on personal purpose, even if it means giving up traditional success like wealth and fame, can be frightening but ultimately leads to a much more satisfying life.

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 starring in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, the actor best known for The Vampire Diaries has been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.

Ian, who has two children with his wife Nikki Reed, took a break from acting over four years ago to focus on raising his family and developing his businesses. He was also working to release two documentaries: Kiss the Ground (released in 2020) and its sequel, Common Ground. Both films highlight the importance of regenerative farming practices, he told TopMob News in November 2023.

Looking ahead, the actor said he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to regenerative agriculture and healthy soil practices, values he and his family embrace. He explained that this future is central to his identity, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these things. He said, ‘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 shared with guest Anna Faris that she quit acting a few years ago. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

I’ve been a longtime follower of Jennette’s, and it really struck me when she opened up about her acting past in her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She shared how much she actually regrets a lot of the roles she took, saying she feels really unfulfilled by them and even embarrassed. She explained that she started doing those shows as a young teenager, around 13, and by 15 she was already cringing! It wasn’t something she could share with her friends – they weren’t impressed by being on a Nickelodeon show, and honestly, she understood why. It’s heartbreaking to hear how she felt, but so brave of her to be so honest about it.

Okay, so she hasn’t completely ruled out acting, which is HUGE! She actually said writing her book helped her see that maybe, just maybe, she could approach it differently this time. All those old feelings and pressures she carried for so long? She thinks she can leave those behind. But it would have to be something she wrote herself, a role specifically for her. Honestly, that’s the only way she’d even consider it, and I’m already brainstorming what that role could be! It’s a tiny glimmer of hope, but it’s enough to keep me obsessed!

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to meaningful charities, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood totally worthwhile.

Similar to Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle transitioned from her acting career in Toronto—where she became known for her role in the show Suits—to a life within the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and are living in Montecito, California, Meghan is returning to professional life, starting with a multi-year deal with Netflix.

She has already released the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan and is preparing a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, scheduled for 2025, both on Netflix. Additionally, she’s launched a podcast and her lifestyle 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 and complete dedication, leaving no room for personal life.

I’ve always been fascinated by Cameron Diaz! After achieving so much in movies, she really dove into other passions. She followed up her amazing book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book, and it was clear she was focused on wellness and maybe even starting a family with Benji Madden. She actually told InStyle she wasn’t missing acting at all, but there’s a hint she might consider doing another project someday, which I’d absolutely love to see!

Jamie Foxx explained that he and others had to really plead with Cameron Diaz to star in the upcoming 2025 Netflix movie, Back in Action. He said they begged her, saying, ‘Just do one more!’ He added that they all adore her and have been eagerly anticipating her return, believing the film will be amazing.

I was shocked when Terrence Howard said he was finished with acting after Empire wrapped up! I remember reading his interview with Extra back in 2019, right before the sixth and final season aired. He was so firm, saying he’d completed his five-year run and was truly ‘done pretending.’ It seemed so definitive at the time, and as a huge fan, I was really sad to hear it.

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 wants to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than repeating performances he’s already mastered.

Even with those past issues, 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 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 a hobby into a job changes things. “Before, acting was just for fun with friends or something to do during the summer. I really enjoyed it,” he said, “but making a living at it alters how you feel about it. It’s not that I dislike it, I just don’t want it to be my career.”

After a six-year hiatus, 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 the September 2020 virtual table read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 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 primarily focuses on running her New York City store, Blue Tree.

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 died of breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to concentrate on raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.

I’ve been a huge Rick Moranis fan for years! It’s been way too long since he’s been on screen – almost 30 years! I was so upset when I heard about the incident in New York City in 2020, it just showed how much people still care about him. But I’m absolutely thrilled to hear he’s coming back! He’s teaming up with Josh Gad in the new Disney movie, Shrunk, and I can’t wait to see him back where he belongs – making us laugh!

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 taking on such roles felt risky, and unless a project was truly exceptional, she didn’t think it was worth it, especially given the strength of her relationship.

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 felt like an outsider and was now focused on being a mom. She also helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby. Ultimately, she explained that her children were the main reason she stopped pursuing film roles.

She’d starred in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those roles, the Australian actress felt she might be ready for a change of pace.

Okay, so I was turning 45 and I just started thinking, ‘What haven’t I done yet?’ I needed something really challenging, something totally different. I’d pretty much figured out my acting career for the next decade, maybe two, and honestly, it felt…stale. So, I just made a decision – I quit acting and decided to dive headfirst into starting my own business. It was terrifying, but so exciting!

Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete – she just needed to finish one last piece.

I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I was done 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.

You know, as someone who follows careers closely, it’s easy to understand why some people reach a point where they just… stop. Daniel Day-Lewis is a perfect example. After winning three Oscars, and getting nominated for his final film, Phantom Thread, in 2017, he simply decided he was done with acting. His team released a statement saying he was incredibly thankful for everyone he’d worked with over the years, but it was a personal decision, and he wasn’t going to discuss it further. Honestly, after achieving that level of success, it’s hard to blame him for wanting to move on to other things!

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 stepped away from acting in 2018 to focus on her education. She went on to earn both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and also attended Harvard Law School.

On top of everything else, Bridgit founded Northwood Space, a startup focused on building ground stations for sending and receiving data from satellites. She became the company’s CEO in February 2023.

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2026-02-28 19:20