Aaron Paul is saying “Bonjour” to an exciting new chapter.
The actor, known for his role in Breaking Bad, shared that he and his family decided to leave Los Angeles earlier in the year after the destructive wildfires in January.
He told the Daily Mail in an interview on November 21st that the wildfires in Los Angeles convinced him and his family to leave. They sold their house and moved to Paris.
The Emmy-winning actor and his wife, Lauren Parsekian Paul, along with their children, Story and Ryden, were fortunate that their home wasn’t destroyed by the fire. However, the experience prompted them to make some significant life changes, and he’s very happy with the choices they’ve made, even if he’s still learning French.
“Paris is awesome,” Aaron gushed. “We always wanted to be around a completely different culture.”
The 46-year-old hopes his children will really enjoy and be influenced by the lifestyle in Paris.
He said they took the trip for their children, but also because he and his wife, Lauren, who got married in 2013, had always wanted to spend a year living in another country.
Aaron isn’t the only one looking for a change of scenery. Josh Duhamel recently shared that he’s also moved, choosing Minnesota for a more peaceful life.
He explained to People magazine in August that it’s easy to take our comforts for granted. He sees this as a chance to focus on what truly matters – things like family, friends, and creating lasting memories – and appreciate the simple joys in life.
Aaron and Josh are among the growing number of celebrities leaving Hollywood. Read on to discover more stars who are seeking a new beginning elsewhere.
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 executives, and significant public criticism.
Ellen DeGeneres recently returned to performing with her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, released in September 2024. Before its release, she announced her plans to leave Hollywood completely.
During her recent stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told her audience that she plans to retire after her upcoming Netflix special. According to SFGate, she said, “This is the last time you’re going to see me.” Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have since moved to England. Ellen confirmed to Richard Bacon in July 2025 that they relocated in November 2024 following Donald Trump’s reelection.
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 airlines and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia where a large production facility was making her recipes. She grew to love the country during her visits.
Banks also recognized Australia as a strong market for her product, noting that Australia, America, and New Zealand consume the most ice cream.
She ultimately decided to relocate to Australia with her son, York (whose father is 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 lived in Los Angeles for most of her adult life, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated her decision to leave. Factors like homelessness and taxes contributed to her feeling it was time for a new chapter, though she emphasized she doesn’t want to criticize California.
Longoria clarified on 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, and then continuing to live in Spain. She expressed feeling fortunate to be able to move, acknowledging that many Americans don’t have that option, and shared her concern for those who remain in a difficult situation. Despite the move, Longoria remains busy with recent acting roles in shows like Only Murders in the Building and the film 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, is Spanish and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. He’s excited about the move and the opportunities it will provide for their sons, Alexander and James, who are already bilingual. Gere also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife, Carey Lowell. The whole family seems to be thriving in their new environment. In a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere shared that they are happier than ever and really enjoying this new chapter in their lives.
Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially moved to Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, the couple previously spent six months of each year commuting between the U.S. and France. They made the decision 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 fantastic 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, she enjoys an active lifestyle, and she’s able to balance her work with family time due to the time difference.
As someone who’s seen a lot of public figures navigate their careers, I completely understand Lindsay Lohan’s decision to step away from the Los Angeles scene. She recently shared with Bustle that she felt her work was often overshadowed by the constant paparazzi and rumors, which was incredibly frustrating. She wished the focus could have been solely on her projects. It got to a point where she felt she needed to disappear to allow her work to speak for itself. That’s why she chose to build a life elsewhere – starting with London, then Dubai, and even opening beach clubs in Greece. It wasn’t just about escaping the chaos; it was about reclaiming control and ensuring her talent got the attention it deserved.
I used to worry so much about whether I’d ever find love, if that part of my life would just… never happen. It really took me focusing on myself and taking time to heal before things started to fall into place – before I started getting the opportunities I truly wanted. Thankfully, I did find love with Bader Shammas, and we got married in 2022 and welcomed our son, Luai, last year. We’re living in Dubai now, but I’m still working in Hollywood! I’ve been in a few movies like Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and even a sequel, 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. He wanted to avoid being surrounded by people constantly focused on the film industry, fearing it would limit his perspective. He craved a life with more variety and opportunities for personal growth, saying that experiencing different things is what makes life interesting.
So, Josh, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, moved to the countryside of Hampshire, England. He told The Guardian in July 2024 that while life with four kids is busy, it also allows him to focus on what truly matters. Despite the move, Josh has continued to act, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.
If you don’t follow Jesse on social media, you might be surprised to learn he no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the A Real Pain star revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse leads a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the entertainment industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t particularly interested in movies, Jesse feels removed from the pressures of constantly evaluating his place in Hollywood.
Eliza Dushku, known for 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, explaining that she’d finally discovered her true calling and purpose.
The actress best known for 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 recent political events as a factor in her move, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country someday.
In a TikTok video, she shared how much she misses her children and friends, and the life she had back home. She’s working on building a new life in her current country, and said her family will think about returning to America once it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.
Actress Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, has said she’s stepping away from acting for an unspecified period after two decades in the business.
In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her dreams. She expressed gratitude for everything she has, explaining that while it can be daunting to turn away from traditional success like money and fame, embracing her true purpose has brought her a deep sense of fulfillment instead of fear.
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 from The Vampire Diaries has been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.
Ian, who has two children with his wife Nikki Reed, took a break from acting over four years ago to focus on his family, develop his businesses, and release his films. He was discussing the 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground and its sequel, Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shared this with TopMob News in November 2023.
Looking ahead, the actor shared his long-term vision: he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands, including his bourbon and wellness company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil practices, values he and his family embrace. He explained this is his true path, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these things – it’s simply who he is and what he’s working towards.
During 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, alongside hosting the podcast.
Jennette recently shared that she regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past, detailing her feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She admitted to feeling unfulfilled by her career and described the roles as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked from age 13 to 21, she was already self-conscious about her work by age 15, feeling it wasn’t something her peers 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 previous negative experiences. She believes she might be open to it again if she were to write a role specifically for herself.
It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to meaningful charitable work, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.
Similar to Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle transitioned from her acting career in Toronto, where she starred in the show Suits, to a life within the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and 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, 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 burnt out. She explained that movie production is incredibly demanding – you’re committed for long hours every day, for months, and it leaves no room for anything else in your life.
Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing—she’d already published the New York Times bestsellers The Body Book in 2013 and 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 to performing at least one more time.
Jamie Foxx explained that he and others practically pleaded with Cameron Diaz to star in the upcoming 2025 Netflix movie, Back in Action. He said they begged her, saying, ‘Just do one more!’ He added that they all adore her and have been eagerly anticipating her return, believing the film will be amazing.
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 he was finished with acting and no longer wanted to play roles.
Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his intention to retire from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and enjoying the work of new performers, rather than simply repeating what he’d already done.
Even with those past issues, Howard has continued to act, appearing in shows like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley. He also has several new projects planned.
After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, Jack Gleeson, who was 21 at the time, decided to stop acting. He told EW 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 turning his 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 something 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.
When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they decided to stagger their work schedules. This arrangement allowed them to both be available to care for their children, Owen and Greta (who now performs as the singer Frankie Cosmos). Kline shared this plan with Playboy magazine.
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 her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.
When he was most famous for movies like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor took a break from filmmaking after his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to focus on raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.
I’ve been a huge Rick Moranis fan for years! It’s been way too long since he’s been on screen – I couldn’t believe it when I heard he hadn’t done a live-action movie since 1997, and even turned down a Ghostbusters cameo! That just shows how much people love him, especially when everyone was so upset about the news of him being attacked in New York. But now, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear he’s coming back! He’s going to be in the new Disney movie Shrunk with Josh Gad, and I honestly couldn’t be happier. It’s going to be amazing to see him back on the big screen!
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 that wasn’t something she wanted to pursue. She explained that taking on such roles felt risky, and unless a project was truly exceptional, the potential cost to her relationship wasn’t 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 in the film industry and was now focused on being a mom. She also mentioned helping her husband, Kimmel, with his work and pursuing painting as a hobby, explaining that her children were the main reason she stopped acting.
She’d starred in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those roles, the Australian actress began to feel like it was time for a change.
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 acting and start my own business instead.”
As a lifestyle curator, I’m always excited to see creative businesses come to life! With my company, General Public, almost fully realized, I just had one final piece to complete before we could officially launch. It felt incredible to be so close to sharing our vision with the world.
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 choose to retire. 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 everyone he’d worked with over the years, and clarified that this was a personal decision and no further comments would 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 finding fame on Good Luck Charlie, she stepped away from acting in 2018 to focus on her education. She went on to earn both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and also attended Harvard Law School.
On top of everything else, Bridgit started her own company, Northwood Space, in February 2023. The company is building ground stations to facilitate communication with satellites, and Bridgit became its CEO.
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2025-11-23 02:20