Katherine Heigl Makes First Public Appearance in 2 Years

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Katherine Heigl is stepping back into the spotlight.

She recently made a public appearance after two years to support a great cause. The former Grey’s Anatomy star attended an event on March 8 benefiting Florida’s Big Dog Ranch House.

Katherine wore a vibrant knee-length dress with a blue, green, and purple design to the Wine, Women & Shoes event in Palm Beach, Florida. She completed the look with blue heels, a yellow handbag, and a stylish, full updo.

Katherine Heigl, 47, loved getting to cuddle the puppies at the event, but she was especially happy to have her mom, Nancy Heigl, with her. Nancy, looking elegant in beige, also enjoyed holding a puppy and posed for a picture with Katherine.

Katherine made her first major public appearance since early 2024 at the fundraiser. The actress, known for her role in 27 Dresses, moved to Utah with her husband, Josh Kelley, and their three children – Naleigh, 16, Adalaide, 13, and Joshua, 8 – several years ago, seeking a quieter lifestyle.

She told TopMob News in April that creating a peaceful life for herself and her family has brought her immense happiness, focus, and stability. When asked about returning to Hollywood, she simply wondered, ‘Why risk losing that?’

This is not to say, however, that she never questions the decision to retreat from the spotlight.

She admitted she often wonders if she should be striving for more, pushing herself harder, and being more ambitious. But ultimately, she realizes she simply doesn’t want to. She believes it’s okay not to pursue things just because you feel you should, or because of societal pressure.

However, living in Utah has actually brought her family even closer together. She’s thankful she can be there more for her children as they become teenagers, and she and her husband, Josh, have grown even more connected.

Katherine described him as her rock, especially given the life they’ve built together in Utah. She said he’s always been someone she could completely rely on, a safe and dependable presence from the very beginning.

Okay, so she hasn’t said she’s done with acting forever, thank goodness! She was still working on Firefly Lane until just last year, which I obviously re-watched a million times. But honestly, the biggest problem is where she lives now. She’s settled in Utah, and it makes it SO hard for her to just pop over for auditions or filming. It’s frustrating, but I get it… she needs her life too. Still, it makes seeing her on screen feel like a real treat when it happens!

She explained that filming in Utah isn’t an option, and she’s currently unable to commit to on-location shoots. She’s concerned balancing work with her family would be too difficult, and she wouldn’t be able to fully focus on a project while worrying about her children at home.

Plus, she’s already experienced the joy of a successful and jam-packed career.

“I feel incredibly fulfilled and thankful for my time in this industry and all the hard work it took,” she shared.

For more stars who have moved out of the Hollywood bubble in Los Angeles, read on. 

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 stand-up comedy special, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the special aired, she announced her plans to retire from Hollywood.

During her recent stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told the audience, according to SFGate, that she plans to retire after releasing a Netflix special. She stated, ‘This is the last time you’re going to see me.’

Ellen and Portia de Rossi have settled in the Cotswolds. Ellen shared with Richard Bacon in July 2025, during a conversation at the Everyman theater in Cheltenham, that they decided to stay there permanently after Donald Trump was reelected 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 all felt like 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, and I have chickens. 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 where a large facility was producing her recipes. 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 three countries that consume the most ice cream 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, saying 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. In a November 2024 interview with Marie Claire, she explained that while she lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that shift. She cited issues like homelessness and taxes as contributing factors, but emphasized she doesn’t want to criticize California, she simply feels this chapter of her life is over.

She also discussed the move on The View: Behind the Table podcast, clarifying that it wasn’t due to politics, despite speculation following the presidential election. Her work, particularly filming Land of Women in Catalonia and Searching for Mexico, led to extended stays in those countries, and she’s been living there for years. She acknowledges her privilege in being able to leave, expressing concern for Americans who aren’t as fortunate. Despite the move, Eva remains busy with acting projects, including 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 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 thrilled 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 ex-wife, Carey Lowell. The family seems to be enjoying the change. In an interview with Elle España in January 2025, Gere shared that they are ‘happier than ever’ and ‘seeing us in our momentum.’

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 traveling between the U.S. 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 wonderful opportunity for them. The family seems to be thriving in their new life. Milian shared with TopMob that her kids are happy and fluent in French, and she enjoys an active lifestyle with a healthy work-life balance, working ahead of U.S. hours.

As someone who’s seen a lot of shifts in the public eye, I completely understand the need to reclaim your narrative. Lately, I’ve been hearing whispers about why I decided to leave Los Angeles, and honestly, it’s time to set things straight. Looking back at my early career, it’s frustrating that so much of my work got lost in the noise of the paparazzi and constant speculation. I really wished the focus could have stayed on my projects! It felt like the drama took on a life of its own, and the only way to shift that was to step away. That’s why I ended up moving abroad—first to London, then to Dubai, and even opening some beach clubs in Greece. It wasn’t just about a change of scenery, though; I truly wanted to create a life where my work could speak for itself, without all the added story.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, questioning if it would ever happen for her. She realized she needed to focus on herself before things started falling into place and she could say ‘yes’ to 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, recently appearing 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 different things, to take my mind off work and help me grow,” Josh said. “That’s what makes life interesting.”

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, more of what truly matters is. Despite the move, Josh has remained active in his career, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by how people choose to live, and Jesse is a great example of prioritizing personal comfort over Hollywood hype. You might be surprised to learn he actually lives in Indiana! He shared with CBS News that he’s been based there on and off for the past decade, and that’s where he truly feels at home. He prefers a sense of stability, which is understandable.

Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a remarkably normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He’s intentionally stepped away from the constant buzz of the industry – he’s not active on social media and rarely connects with people in the business. In fact, his son doesn’t even really watch movies! He’s built a life that feels separate from all that, and it’s refreshing to see someone so grounded, especially with a teacher as a wife and a family that keeps things real.

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 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 she’d found, and her renewed passion, because she now clearly understood this was her true calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing in 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 current political events as a factor in her decision to move, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

In a TikTok video, she shared that she misses her children, friends, and the life she had back home. She’s now working to build a new life in her current country, and the family will think about returning to America when it’s a safe and equitable place for everyone.

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. This comes after two decades working in the film industry.

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 traveled – prioritizing purpose over things like money and fame – can be daunting, it ultimately brings a deep sense of fulfillment.

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 Somerhalder took a break from acting more than four years ago to focus on raising his children, developing 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 said he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on building lasting brands – like his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil, values he and his family practice, and this is the path his life is taking. He explained that this is the reason for his passion and dedication – it’s simply who he is and who he’s becoming.

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

Jennette recently shared that she deeply regrets many of her past acting roles, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained that she feels frustrated with her career and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on those shows from age 13 to 21, she felt self-conscious about her work as early as age 15, noting that her friends weren’t particularly impressed with her being on a Nickelodeon show.

I’ve been following her career for years, and I was so interested to hear her talk about potentially acting again! She’s said that writing her book has actually helped her rethink things. For a long time, she carried a lot of negative feelings about acting, but now she thinks she might be able to approach it differently. She mentioned that if she wrote something specifically for herself, that might be the only way she’d even consider getting back into it. It’s really exciting to see her open to the possibility, and I’m hoping she does!

It seemed like a clear choice. 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.

Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – most notably her role in the TV show Suits – to a life within the British Royal Family. After stepping down from their senior royal duties and moving to Montecito, California, Meghan is now returning to professional life, starting with a production deal with Netflix. She’s already released the docuseries Harry & Meghan on the streaming platform, and has another lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, scheduled for 2025. In addition, she’s also 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.

You know, I realized I needed a real shift in my life. I’d been pushing myself incredibly hard for years – constantly working, filming, and it was exhausting. Movie-making is demanding, and honestly, it’s the perfect environment to get completely consumed. You’re on set for twelve hours a day, often for months, and it leaves absolutely no room for anything else. It’s like your whole life revolves around the production, and I needed to reclaim mine.

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 in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seems 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, getting down on their knees to ask her to do it. “We love her, and we’ve been waiting for her to return – this is going to be amazing,” he added.

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’ve decided to stop acting; I’m finished with pretending.”

Despite taking on a few roles here and there, the Oscar-nominated actor 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 simply repeating performances he’s done before.

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 working since he was 8 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 a hobby into a job changes 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 it 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.

I was so excited to see Jennifer Aniston participate in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High table read! It reminded me of when she married Kevin Kline back in 1989. They were a really thoughtful couple – they decided to take turns with work so they could always be there for their kids, Owen and Greta. It’s amazing to see how Greta has grown up and is now a successful singer known as Frankie Cosmos. They really prioritized family, and it’s lovely to see how well their children are doing.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she had a small role in her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 film, The Anniversary Party, Cates mainly 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 paused his film career after his wife sadly died 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 film since 1997 – he even turned down a small role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake – Rick remains a beloved figure, as seen by the strong reaction to news of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will soon see him return 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 her relationship was solid, she needed a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially difficult or compromising material – something worthwhile on the other side of that challenge.

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 in the movie world 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, her children were the main reason she stopped acting.

She’d built a successful career with shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After all that, the Australian actress began to think she might be ready for a change of pace.

Turning 45, I started thinking about trying something completely new and challenging,” she shared on The Ellen DeGeneres 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 it behind and start my own business.”

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.

It’s understandable why, after winning three Oscars, an actor might consider retiring. 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.

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.

Bridgit Mendler, known for her role on 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 later 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 data transmission to and from satellites, and Bridgit is serving as its CEO.

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2026-03-10 17:50