Jonah Hill Reveals Why He Moved Out of Los Angeles With His Wife, Kids

by

Jonah Hill is really happy with his family’s choice to raise their children outside of the Hollywood environment.

Actor Jason Bateman shared that he and his wife, Olivia Millar, moved out of Los Angeles three years ago and now live in a small town in San Diego County.

During a live recording of the SmartLess podcast in Los Angeles on April 25, Jonah quickly acknowledged his wife, whom he called his best friend. He gave a shout-out to Liv, calling her beautiful, and then greeted her directly, saying, “What’s up, baby?” according to People magazine.

“So I live in a very small town in San Diego,” the Superbad star continued, “and it’s amazing, and my neighbors are incredible people.”

The 42-year-old went on to explain that he and Olivia decided to move when they became parents.

He explained that they moved three years ago after their first child was born. He’d been wanting to get out of Los Angeles and raise a family in a different environment.

Jonah is grateful his laid-back neighbors don’t seem to care about his fame.

He said people generally don’t act strangely around him or inquire about his work. He mentioned his neighbor, Dr. Sean, who is a close friend, has never pried into his life or shown any unusual curiosity. Dr. Sean is actually here tonight, and has always been respectful of his privacy.

Although the director of Mid90s believes he and Olivia made the right choice for their family by moving away from Los Angeles, he still fondly remembers growing up there.

He reminisced about his childhood. “L.A. was an amazing place to be a kid in the nineties. You could skateboard downtown, sneak into movie premieres, or catch a comedy show – I remember seeing Chris Rock at a club once.”

He continued, explaining that growing up, you were exposed to the exciting world of entertainment, but also to more rebellious subcultures like punk music, skateboarding, and graffiti. Plus, he noted, there wasn’t any internet back then, which made it all the more amazing.

Jonah recently shared that he’s stepping away from Hollywood, following his announcement that he and Olivia secretly got married and had another child.

In a recent Interview Magazine conversation with Martin Scorsese, Hill shared that he now has two children. He explained that the only thing that could pull him away from his family is the editing process. While he enjoys writing and filming, he finds editing particularly rewarding – he described it as a constant source of enjoyment, even when challenges arise, comparing it to having dessert every day.

While discussing his new film, Outcome, he casually mentioned what’s happening in his personal life.

Jonah remembered telling his wife that Martin was going to watch his film over the weekend, and he wondered what would happen if Martin didn’t like it, since Martin had already committed to the project.

Keep reading for more stars who have left Hollywood…

Following a serious heart attack in 2019, the actor known for The Mask of Zorro returned to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, to dedicate himself to performing on stage.

In March 2026, Antonio told The Times that the experience completely changed his perspective on life. Confronting his own mortality led him to recognize his core identity as an actor.

The Tony Award nominee, who still appears in some TV shows and movies, now owns a theater and actively participates in local events.

He went on, saying he’d never felt happier. Staying connected to his community – his home, his neighbors, and the people he grew up with – meant everything to him. That connection hadn’t faded with time; in fact, it had grown stronger.

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 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’s release, she announced her plans to retire from Hollywood.

During her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, she announced to the audience that she’s retiring after her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate.

Ellen and Portia de Rossi have settled in the Cotswolds, and Ellen recently shared with Richard Bacon that they plan to stay there indefinitely. She explained that Donald Trump’s reelection influenced their decision to remain in the area, and they made this commitment in November 2024. She revealed this information during a conversation with Bacon at the Everyman theater in Cheltenham in July 2025.

She enthusiastically described the English countryside as “absolutely beautiful,” telling the BBC that its charm was unlike anything she’d seen before. She particularly appreciated the picturesque villages, towns, and architecture, noting it represented a more relaxed and simple way of life.

“It’s just a much 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.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by why people make big moves, and Tyra Banks’ recent relocation to Australia is a great example! It turns out, it wasn’t just about a change of scenery – it was all about the ice cream! You see, I discovered on a recent episode of Today with Jenna & Friends that Tyra owns SMiZE and Dream, a delicious ice cream company. While they’ve mostly supplied ice cream to places like airplanes and cruise ships, she’s been traveling to Australia a lot because that’s where a lot of the production was happening, and she just fell in love with the country. She realized it was a fantastic market too – did you know America, New Zealand, and Australia are the top three ice cream-loving nations? So, she made the amazing decision to move there with her son, York, her ex Erik Asla, and her boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin. She says Australia has been a dream come true for her and her family, and honestly, I can see why! It’s a smart business move combined with a beautiful lifestyle – a win-win!

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 enjoyed living in Los Angeles for most of her adult life, the city had changed, especially after the pandemic. Issues like homelessness and taxes contributed to her decision, though she emphasizes she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table that her move wasn’t due to politics, despite speculation. It began with filming Land of Women in Catalonia, followed by Searching for Mexico, and has continued for years due to her work. She feels fortunate to be able to leave the US when many others can’t, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who are stuck. Despite the move, Longoria remains busy with acting projects, including recent appearances 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 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 young sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, from a previous relationship with Carey Lowell. The family seems to be enjoying the change. In an interview with Elle España, Gere said they are happier than ever and are really hitting their stride.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have settled in Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, they previously spent six months of each year traveling between the U.S. and France. They recently made the move permanent 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 enjoys a balanced lifestyle with daytime activities and work during off-hours. She describes their life in Paris as happy and healthy.

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 2000s, she recently explained her decision to step away from the spotlight. In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, the Parent Trap star 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. Lindsay moved to London and then Dubai, also opening beach clubs in Greece, but a desire for a life free from unwanted attention was another key reason for her move.

Lindsay Lohan admitted she worried she might never find love, wondering 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 continues to appear 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 life with more variety.

“I’ve always wanted to be around people doing different things, things that would 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 when you have a family, and while life might seem slower, 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.

Many fans may not realize Jesse 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 of the entertainment industry.

Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a surprisingly normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking with people in the industry. He shared that with a wife who is a teacher and a son who isn’t particularly interested in movies, he feels removed from the constant pressures of maintaining a public profile.

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 focus on her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others. She felt it was important to share her personal growth, newfound peace, and passion, as she believes this is truly her calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing Wilma Flintstone 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 decision to move, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country someday.

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 this 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 after two decades in the business.

Honestly, I’m feeling incredibly happy and at peace right now because I’m truly living the life I’ve always envisioned. It sounds a little cheesy, but I’m just overflowing with gratitude for everything I have. I took a leap of faith and walked away from the path a lot of people would expect – chasing wealth and fame – and while it was definitely scary at first, it was the best decision ever. Embracing what I’m meant to do has completely replaced that fear with a deep sense of fulfillment. It’s amazing how good it feels to live authentically!

However, she isn’t ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I might go back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since appearing in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, actor Paul Wesley hasn’t taken on another acting role. 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 his family, grow his businesses, and get 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 envisions himself as a rancher, focused on creating lasting brands – like his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil, principles he and his family practice. He said this is his long-term goal, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these issues – it’s simply a part of who he is and who he’s becoming.

During 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 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 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 was already self-conscious about her work by age 15, feeling it wasn’t something her friends admired.

Despite past difficulties, 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 old insecurities. She believes the only way she might consider it again would be if she wrote a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, commit to meaningful charitable work, 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 TV show Suits – to a life within the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and live 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 plans to launch a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, in 2025 on the streaming service. In addition, she has started a podcast and launched 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 burnt out. She explained that making a movie is all-consuming – 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 2013 bestseller, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book in 2016—and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. While 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.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe how we got Cameron Diaz back! Jamie Foxx told TopMob News that we practically begged – like, on our knees! – for just one more movie. We’re all such huge fans, we’ve been waiting forever for her to return, and honestly, it’s going to be absolutely incredible. I seriously can’t wait for Back in Action on Netflix in 2025! It’s a dream come true!

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 don’t want to pretend anymore.”

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his retirement 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 prefers to watch and support rising new talent, rather than simply repeat performances of his own.

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, 21-year-old Jack Gleeson told Entertainment Weekly that he was leaving acting. He explained that he had 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 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 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 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 raise their children, Owen and Greta. Kline explained to Playboy that they decided to alternate work schedules so they would never both be working at the same time. Greta is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children whenever she’s 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.

During the peak of his success with films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor took a break from making movies 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 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 back on 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 comfortable with that. While she felt her marriage was strong enough to withstand potentially challenging roles, she believed any role she took on needed to be truly exceptional to justify it.

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 family. She explained she now supports her husband, Jimmy Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, saying, “I’m totally an outsider!” and that raising her children was the main reason she left the movie business.

She’d built a successful career with shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those experiences, the Australian actress began to feel like it might be time for a change.

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 that 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 let him know that if they made a fifth season, I wouldn’t be participating 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 those he’d worked with and his audience 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.

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 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.

Read More

2026-04-27 15:50