Leelee Sobieski Makes Rare Public Appearance 10 Years After Retiring

Leelee Sobieski continues to have a deep impact.

Drew Barrymore, known for her role in Never Been Kissed, was spotted in New York City celebrating her 43rd birthday on June 10th. It was a rare public outing for the actress, who has largely stepped away from acting for the past ten years after having children.

Sobieski looked stylish and relaxed on her outing, wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt with a knee-length blue skirt. She finished the outfit with sneakers and a gold necklace.

Actress Eliza Dushku, known for her role in Deep Impact, has largely stayed out of the public eye recently. She decided to leave Hollywood after having children – a daughter, Louisanna, now 17, and a son, Martin, 11 – with her husband, Adam Kimmel.

Back in 2016, she told Us Weekly that she’d stepped away from acting and didn’t feel like part of the Hollywood scene anymore. She explained that she was now focused on raising her children, and that was the main reason she’d decided to stop working in movies.

It wasn’t only her children who influenced her decision to stop acting. Sobieski has said that the kinds of roles she was offered after marrying Jimmy Kimmel in 2010 also played a big part.

Okay, so I was reading this old interview with her, and she just gets it, you know? She was talking about how almost every role asks actors to do all these intimate scenes with other people, and she’s just not into it. She said it feels… weird, like playing with fire. And she and her partner are super solid, thankfully, but even they have boundaries. She basically said she’d only consider a role with that kind of stuff if the story itself was absolutely amazing – something truly worth going through all that for. It’s just… so smart, and it totally makes sense! She’s so aware and protective of her relationship, and I admire her so much for it.

For her, the more attractive part of her life was her husband and children.

Although she hasn’t acted in a film since 2016’s The Last Film Festival (and before that, 2012’s Branded), she’s continued to express her creativity through painting and other visual arts.

Leelee Kimmel, whose father Jean Sobieski was an artist, showcases her artwork on Instagram under her married name.

She once explained to Interview Magazine that she never wanted to be an actress, preferring to paint. Her parents, however, told her she couldn’t say that, as it would sound ungrateful. They insisted she was grateful and needed to keep those feelings to herself.

She happily shared that she successfully reached her goals by expressing her feelings through her artwork.

Sobieski explained that his paintings felt like a raw expression of his inner thoughts and the state of the world, almost as if they were a release of everything he was feeling.

For more stars who have stepped out of the Hollywood spotlight, 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, to dedicate himself to performing on stage.

“It completely shifted my perspective on life,” Antonio shared with The Times in March 2026. “Facing my own mortality made me reflect and recognize that, at my core, I’m a theater 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, saying he’d never felt happier. Staying connected to his community – his home, his friends, and his background – meant everything to him. That connection had actually grown stronger over time, not faded away.

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 firing of several producers, and widespread public criticism.

Ellen made a comeback with her last standup comedy show, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the show’s release, she announced her plans to step away from Hollywood completely.

“This is the last time you’re going to see me,” she told a crowd during her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, per SFGate. “After my Netflix special, I’m done.”

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.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” she gushed about the English countryside, per the BBC. “We’re just not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages and the towns and the architecture—everything you see is charming and it’s just a simpler way of life.

“It’s just a nicer place,” Ellen explained. “They treat animals well, and everyone is friendly. We really love living here. We moved in November, which wasn’t the best timing, but I finally got to experience snow! Portia brought her horses with her, and I have chickens. We even had sheep for a short time – about two weeks.”

Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, moved 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’d been traveling to Australia frequently to oversee production at a large facility there. She grew to love the country during her visits.

She also recognized Australia as a strong market for her product, noting that the top three countries for ice cream consumption are the US, New Zealand, and Australia.

Banks ultimately decided to relocate to Australia with her son, York (whose father is her ex, Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, stating 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 spent her adult life in LA, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated her decision to leave. She cited issues like homelessness and taxes as contributing factors, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table that her move wasn’t politically motivated by the election of President Trump. Instead, it stemmed from work opportunities – six months filming in Catalonia, followed by four months in Mexico, and then a continued presence in Spain. She feels fortunate to be able to move freely, expressing concern for those who aren’t as lucky.

Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, with recent projects including 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 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 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 whole family seems to be enjoying the change. In an interview with Elle España in January 2025, Gere said 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, they previously spent six months of each year commuting between the U.S. and France. They decided to fully relocate 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 wonderful opportunity for them to learn the language and experience a different culture. She describes their life in Paris as happy and healthy, with her kids thriving in school and enjoying an active lifestyle. Milian balances family life with her acting career, working ahead of schedule to maintain a good work-life balance.

Honestly, I’ve been so frustrated seeing all the speculation about why Lindsay left LA. It’s great she’s finally addressing it! She recently explained to Bustle that a lot of her hard work back in the day got lost in the craziness of the paparazzi and tabloid culture, which really bothered her. She wished people had focused on her projects instead of the drama. That’s actually a big part of why she needed a change of scenery – she felt like the constant attention was overshadowing everything she accomplished. So she decided to move away, first to London and then to Dubai, even opening beach clubs in Greece! But it wasn’t just about escaping the noise; she really wanted people to focus on her and what she was creating, not just a fabricated story.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, questioning if it was even possible for her. She realized that taking time to focus on herself was the key to opening up to new opportunities and finding things she truly wanted.

She did eventually find 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 such as Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.

Josh decided to leave Hollywood after some careful thought. He explained to People magazine in July 2024 that Hollywood isn’t just a location, but a way of life. 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 to me.”

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 life might seem simpler, it’s filled with what truly matters.

Despite the move, Josh has remained active in his career, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you don’t follow Jesse on social media, you might be surprised to learn he no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the A Real Pain star revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He explained that he avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the 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 Hollywood and doesn’t worry about his standing in 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 to become a mental health professional.

She told 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 feels it’s important to share the positive changes she’s experienced, the peace she’s found, and her renewed passion, as she believes this is truly her life’s work.

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 current political events as a factor in her decision to move, she hasn’t dismissed the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

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 her current country, and they’ll think about returning to America when it’s a safe and equitable place for everyone.

The Ant-Man and the Wasp star announced she’s taking an indefinite hiatus from acting after 20 years in the industry.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I was completely losing it when I saw Evangeline’s Instagram post in June! She said she was just overflowing with happiness because she’s finally living the life she always dreamed of! It’s like, she’s so thankful for everything she has, and she talked about how scary it was to walk away from, you know, the easy path – all the money and being famous – but then she said finding her true purpose just filled her with so much joy instead. It was SO inspiring, I literally cried! She’s living her best life and it makes me so happy for her!

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 finishing his role 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, explained to TopMob News in November 2023 that he 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 Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming.

Looking ahead, the actor shared that he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on creating lasting brands – whether it’s his bourbon, his health and wellness company, or sustainable farming methods that he and his family practice. He explained that this is his long-term goal and the reason behind his passions, stating, ‘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 had stopped acting a few years prior. She’s now pursuing writing and directing opportunities, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette shared that she regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She admitted to feeling resentful towards her career and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. She started working on those shows as a young teenager, around age 13, and felt embarrassed by her work as early as age 15, noting that her friends didn’t share her enthusiasm for her Nickelodeon shows.

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 feels the only way she might consider it again would be if she wrote a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a clear choice. The opportunity to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to meaningful charitable work, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Following the path Grace Kelly took from Hollywood to the Palace of Monaco, Meghan left behind her home in Toronto—and her breakout role on Suits—for a life in The Firm. Though, now that she and Harry have shed their senior roles and live in Montecito, Calif., she’s edging back into the business thanks to business moves like their multi-year production deal with Netflix.

The Duchess of Sussex released her 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan as well as her 2025 lifestyle show With Love, Meghan on the streaming service. She’s also launched podcasts and 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. Making a movie, she explained, completely takes over your life – you’re committed for 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 popular 2013 book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book in 2016 – and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. Though 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 – it’s going to be amazing,” he shared.

The actor stated firmly that he wouldn’t return to acting after completing his five years on Empire. When Extra asked Terrence Howard about his plans before the show’s sixth and final season in 2019, he said, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done with pretending.”

Despite briefly returning for a few projects, 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 ET that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to make way for new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’d done before.

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 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 a child, but 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 now that pursuing acting professionally is a possibility, it feels different from when it was just a hobby he shared with friends during summers. He still enjoys acting, but worries that making a living from it will change how he feels about it. It’s not that he dislikes it, he just isn’t sure it’s what he wants as a career.

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.

As a lifestyle expert, I always find it fascinating to learn how successful couples balance work and family. Back in 1989, when Jennifer Aniston – yes, that Jennifer Aniston – married Kevin Kline, they came up with a really smart solution. They decided to stagger their work schedules so they’d never both be on set at the same time. This allowed them to fully focus on raising their two children, Owen and Greta, who’s now a musician known as Frankie Cosmos. It’s a testament to their commitment as parents that they prioritized being present for their kids, even with demanding careers.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she made a brief appearance in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates mainly focuses on running her New York City store, Blue Tree.

Oh my gosh, it broke my heart when Rick Moranis basically disappeared! He was huge in the ’80s with Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids – I had every movie! But then, sadly, his wife passed away from cancer in ’91, and he just…stopped making movies. He said he wanted to be there for his kids, Rachel and Mitchell, and honestly, even though I was devastated as a fan, I totally understood. Family first, you know? It was just so sad to lose him from the screen, but you have to respect that decision.

Despite not appearing in a live-action film 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 a lot of intimate scenes, and she wasn’t interested in that. She explained that while she and her husband have a solid relationship, she needs a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially challenging material. She likened it to needing a significant reward to justify facing a difficult situation.

Her decision was solidified after son Martin joined older sister Louisanna in 2014. “I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider,” she noted to Us Weekly at a 2016 event, explaining that she helps Kimmel with his business and paints on the side. “I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.”

I’ve always been fascinated by actors who know when it’s time for a change. This actress, after hitting major roles in shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and even Scandal, finally felt like it was the right moment to shift gears and explore something new. It’s inspiring to see someone recognize that sometimes, you need to redirect your path!

Turning 45, I started thinking about taking on a new, really challenging project that I hadn’t tried before,” 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 acting and start my own business instead.”

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

I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I was finished 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 what else there is to achieve. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for his 2017 film, Phantom Thread, the actor announced through his representative that he was retiring from acting. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone he’d worked with and to his audiences over the years, and stated 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 becoming known for her role in 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 also attended Harvard Law School.

Let me tell you, Bridgit doesn’t stop! Beyond everything else, she actually started her own company, Northwood Space. They’re building ground stations – think of them as crucial hubs for sending and receiving data to and from satellites. I’m so impressed – she stepped into the role of CEO in February 2023, and it’s been amazing to watch her build this from the ground up.

2026-06-11 03:22

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