Joan Cusack Makes First Red Carpet Appearance in 11 Years

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Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln, it’s Joan Cusack.

The beloved actress returned to the red carpet after 11 years, attending the London premiere of Toy Story 5 on May 28th with her co-stars Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, and Greta Lee.

I was so thrilled to see Joan out and about again! It’s been over ten years since she graced the red carpet – I remember her at the Showtime Emmy Eve event back in 2015 – and she looked fantastic. She kept it chic and simple with a classic white button-down tucked into a high-waisted black skirt, and those thick-rimmed glasses were the perfect touch. It was wonderful to see her looking so great!

At 63, the actress’s part as Jessie in Toy Story 5 is a big return – it’s her first acting role in six years, following a guest appearance on the 2020 show Homecoming. She’s largely stayed out of the public eye recently, but she couldn’t resist coming back for another Toy Story film, particularly because this one gives Jessie, her yodeling cowgirl character, a central focus.

Joan described Jessie’s story as “glorious” during a May 28th interview on Virgin Radio UK.

The new movie, releasing June 19th, features Jessie asking Woody and Buzz Lightyear to assist Bonnie in making new friends. Joan said the story felt very relatable to her.

She explained that making friends is tough when you’re eight and a half, particularly when you’re hoping to find friends who are a really good fit.

Now that Toy Story 5 is about to be released, Joan—who shares sons Dylan, John, 28, and Miles, 25, with her husband Richard Burke—is turning her attention back to Judy Maxwell Home, her shop in Chicago. She started the business in 2011 while also working on the show Shameless.

Back when my children were small, I didn’t want to take on acting jobs because they usually required travel, she explained to The New Yorker in 2019. She was looking for something to occupy her time, as she doesn’t particularly enjoy cooking.

And since she was raised outside of Chicago, it felt like a natural fit for her. 

Joan also mentioned that owning a shop is particularly empowering for women today. She sees it as a place to develop and test your understanding of the world, rather than just practicing it at home – a personal space to refine your instincts and how you navigate life.

The shop has also allowed her to take a break from public attention, as the School of Rock actress confessed that constantly being a famous actress isn’t always enjoyable.

She admitted the work wasn’t particularly fulfilling, but she really enjoyed being around the creative sets and the interesting people she met. Ultimately, she said, it was a lot of fun.

For more stars who have stepped away from Hollywood, keep reading.

Following a serious heart attack in 2019, the actor best known for The Mask of Zorro returned to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, where he’s been able to pursue his passion for performing on stage.

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

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

He went on to say he’d never felt happier. Staying connected to his community—his family, friends, and the place he grew up—was incredibly important to him, and that connection had actually grown stronger over time.

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show concluded 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 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 Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, the comedian told the audience, according to SFGate, that she’s retiring after 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 theater in Cheltenham, that they decided to remain there 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 seemed to offer 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 experience snow for the first time. 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 initially focused on selling to other businesses, like airlines and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia where a large production facility was making her recipes. She quickly fell in love with the country during her visits.

She also realized Australia was a promising market for her product, noting that Australia, along with America and New Zealand, are the countries that consume the most ice cream.

Banks ultimately moved to Australia with her son, York (whose father is 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, and the pandemic accelerated that change. Issues like homelessness and taxes contributed to her decision, though she emphasized she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table podcast that her move wasn’t politically motivated by the election. Instead, it stemmed from work opportunities—six months filming in Catalonia, four months in Mexico for Searching for Mexico, and then a continued stay in Spain. She feels fortunate to be able to leave the US, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who aren’t so able. Despite the move, Longoria remains busy with recent projects like 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 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 this move will give their young sons, Alexander and James, as his children are already bilingual and he believes they will thrive in the new environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife Carey Lowell.

The family seems to be enjoying the change. In a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere stated, “We are happier than ever,” and described the move as a positive step forward for everyone.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially moved to Paris. She and her husband, singer Matt Pokora, spent the last three or four years traveling between the U.S. and France every six months, but decided to make Paris their permanent home so their children could attend school there. This includes her daughter Violet, from a previous relationship, and her two sons, Isaiah and Kenna, with Pokora. Milian shared with TopMob in December 2024 that her kids are thriving and learning French, and she’s enjoying a healthy work-life balance, working ahead of schedule to accommodate the time difference. She feels it’s a wonderful opportunity for her family and that everyone is happy with their new life in France.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her decision to leave Los Angeles. Looking back at her busy career and social life in the early 2000s, she explained to Bustle in March 2024 that she felt her work was often overshadowed by the constant attention of the paparazzi. She wished this hadn’t happened, as the media frenzy seemed to take on a life of its own. This was a major reason she wanted to step away from the spotlight, hoping people would focus on her career if there wasn’t a personal story to follow. Lindsay did move overseas, first to London and then to Dubai, even opening beach clubs in Greece, but a desire for a more private life was also a key factor in her move.

Lindsay Lohan admitted she worried she might never find love, wondering if that chapter of her life would ever begin. She realized that taking time to focus on herself was key to opening up possibilities and receiving the opportunities she truly wanted.

Eventually, she did find love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

Though they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind, and has recently starred 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 whole mindset. Being surrounded by people constantly focused on the film industry, he felt, would limit his life. He wanted a broader experience.

“I’ve always wanted to be around people doing lots of 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.

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 industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t a big movie fan, Jesse feels removed from the constant pressures of maintaining a public profile.

Eliza, known for her roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On (released in 2000), 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 her personal journey and the sense of peace and purpose she’d found, as it had become clear to her that this was her true calling.

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 working on becoming an Irish citizen because her grandparents were from there. While she mentioned current events as a reason for the move, she hasn’t ruled out moving back to her home country someday.

She shared on TikTok that she misses her children, friends, and her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in this country, 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. This comes after two decades working in the film industry.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Evangeline finally posted, and it was EVERYTHING! She said she’s just so happy living her truth, and I’m seriously getting chills! She talked about being grateful for everything she has, and how scary it was to walk away from, like, a super mainstream path – you know, money and being famous – but that finding what you’re meant to do just fills you with this incredible feeling. It’s like, she gets it! She really gets it, and it makes me believe I can follow my own path too. I’m obsessed with everything she does!

She’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood, saying, “I might go back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since finishing his role on the Netflix series V-Wars in 2019, the actor best known from The Vampire Diaries hasn’t taken on another acting job. He’s been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil quality around the world.

Ian Somerhalder took a break from acting about 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.

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, and I envision myself as a rancher, really building brands that will last. I’m talking about things I truly believe in – like my bourbon and my health and wellness company. It all ties into a lifestyle focused on regenerative agriculture and taking care of the land, which is something my family and I are deeply committed to. People often ask me why this is so important, and honestly, it’s because it’s simply who I am and the life I’m building for myself. It’s about creating a lasting legacy rooted in things I care about.

You know, a few years ago I made the decision to step away from acting. It wasn’t an easy choice, but I really wanted to explore other creative avenues. I’m now pouring my energy into writing and directing, which I’m loving, and of course, continuing to host my podcast, Empty Inside. I was chatting with Anna Faris on a recent episode about it all – it feels like a really good fit for where I am right now.

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 feeling self-conscious by age 15, as her peers didn’t view her TV work with the same excitement she expected.

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 suggested she might consider it again if she wrote a role specifically for herself, as that could be the only way she’d feel comfortable exploring it again.

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

Similar to Grace Kelly’s transition from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle left her life and acting career in Toronto—including her role in the show Suits—to join the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and live in California, Meghan is returning to professional life. This includes a production deal with Netflix, where she released the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan and will launch a lifestyle show called With Love, Meghan in 2025. She has also started a podcast and launched her brand, As Ever.

After starring in over 40 films since she began her career with 1994’s The Mask, the actress really needed a rest when she finished filming Annie in 2014.

She told Gwyneth Paltrow that she realized she wanted a different lifestyle. After years of intense work and filmmaking, she felt burned out. She explained that making a movie is all-consuming – you work long hours every day for months and have no personal time.

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 magazine in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, she seemed open to the possibility of 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, saying, ‘Please do one more!’ He added that they all adore her and have been eagerly anticipating her return, believing the film will be amazing.

Okay, so Terrence Howard said after five amazing years as Lucious Lyon on Empire, there would be NO MORE! I was devastated, honestly. I saw this interview with Extra right before the final season aired in 2019, and he straight-up told them, ‘Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.’ Like, DONE! It broke my heart, but I guess he needed to move on… still, it’s Lucious Lyon we’re talking about! It’s just… unbelievable he’d say that.

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Oscar-nominated actor 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 wants to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’s already mastered.

Even with those earlier concerns, Howard has continued to act, appearing in shows like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix movie Shirley. He also has several new projects planned.

After his character, King Joffrey, died on screen 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 explained that growing up had changed how he felt about acting. What used to be a fun hobby with friends, or a summer pastime, was now potentially a career. He enjoyed acting, but worried that making a living from it would change his perspective. It wasn’t that he disliked it, just that he didn’t see it as his long-term passion.

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.

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 now performs as the singer Frankie Cosmos). Kline shared this arrangement in an interview with Playboy.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn 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.

When he was most famous for 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 brief appearance 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 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 intimate scenes, and she wasn’t comfortable with that. While she felt her relationship was strong, she believed any potentially challenging work needed to be truly exceptional to be worth 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 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 acting 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.

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

She was almost finished with her consumer-art business, General Public – she just needed to complete one final piece.

As someone who’s navigated a lot of career shifts, I made the tough decision to step away from acting. When I heard there might be a fifth season of Arrested Development, I actually reached out to Mitch Hurwitz – the show’s brilliant creator – to let him know I wouldn’t be participating. I was so relieved he was incredibly understanding and supportive! We had a really good talk, and honestly, I was surprised and thrilled when he ended up writing me into five episodes anyway. It just goes to show, being honest about what you need can sometimes lead to unexpected and wonderful opportunities.

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, with no further comments to be made.

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

After appearing on Good Luck Charlie, Bridgit Mendler prioritized her education, starting with a master’s degree at MIT. She later earned a PhD from MIT and also attended Harvard Law School.

Honestly, it feels like Bridgit never stops! On top of everything else, she actually started her own company, Northwood Space. They’re building ground stations to help with sending and receiving data from satellites – super cool, right? I was so impressed when she became CEO in February 2023. It’s amazing to see someone so driven and innovative!

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2026-05-29 03:50