Ellen DeGeneres, Evangeline Lilly and More Stars Who Quit Hollywood

As I delve into the fascinating lives of these remarkable individuals, it strikes me how they each reached a point where they chose to step away from the limelight and embark on new, uncharted paths. It’s as if they were saying, “I’ve danced with the stars, now it’s time for a different kind of dance.

The list of stars who have taken their final Hollywood bow continues to grow.

2024 saw an abundance of remarkable performances by rising talents such as Mikey Madison of Anora and Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode from Wicked. However, some veteran actors decided to bid farewell to the glamorous world of Hollywood.

After over four decades of entertaining crowds with laughter, Ellen DeGeneres concluded her career in show business after releasing her last stand-up special, “For Your Approval,” in September 2022.

She informed a gathering during her “Ellen’s Final Stand…Up” tour, as reported by SFGate, that this would be the last time they see her. After her Netflix special, she plans to retire.

The actress who played the lead in “Finding Dory” (previously known for playing Saffron on Arrested Development), now residing in the U.K. with her wife Portia de Rossi, mentioned the criticism she received following accusations of a harmful work environment at her self-titled show. This led to an internal investigation and increased public attention.

In a lighthearted manner during her performance, she quipped, “I was booted from the entertainment industry. Guess it’s because I’m tough on people,” she said jokingly. “In the world of show business, you can’t be harsh. They’ll show you the door if you’re too stern.

Ellen’s retirement moves her into a circle of retirees that encompasses figures such as Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Rick Moranis. However, she is not alone in departing from Hollywood this year, as other notable names have also chosen to exit the industry.

Actress Evangeline Lilly, known for her role as Hope Van Dyne in the Avengers and Ant-Man and the Wasp series, recently expressed that she’s embarking on a fresh journey, using the words “a new chapter has begun.

On a June 2024 Instagram post, she expressed her heartfelt happiness and contentment. ‘Thank you, God, for these blessings I’m so grateful for,’ she said. Abandoning what might appear to be the conventional path (wealth and fame) can sometimes feel daunting, but following your life’s purpose replaces those fears with a sense of accomplishment.

“I might return to Hollywood one day,” she added, “but, for now, this is where I belong.” 

Approximately three months following Evangeline’s announcement, Eliza Dushku, renowned for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Bring It On” (2000), and “Bull” on CBS, publicly shared that she had obtained certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She is now pursuing additional education to specialize in mental health care.

In September 2024, she shared with Boston Magazine that she had the resources to change her path and concentrate on self-healing to better assist others in healing. She felt it was important to now reveal the transformation, tranquility, and enthusiasm she experiences. This, she emphasized, is undeniably my true calling, my genuine purpose.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m here to keep you updated on the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Here’s a sneak peek at some familiar faces who’ve recently bid adieu to Tinseltown… Stay tuned!

The popular daytime TV program known as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which has been hosted by Ellen DeGeneres since its inception, concluded in the year 2022 following a long run of 19 seasons. This decision was made due to claims of a harmful work environment that led to an internal probe, dismissals of several executives, and widespread criticism from the public.

Ellen DeGeneres, known for voicing Dory in “Finding Nemo,” made a comeback with her last stand-up comedy special titled “For Your Approval” on Netflix in September 2024. Prior to this release, she announced her decision to depart from Hollywood permanently.

During her “Ellen’s Final Stand…Up” tour, she informed the audience, as reported by SFGate, that this would be the final time they’d see her perform. Following her Netflix special, she plans to retire from stand-up comedy.

Ellen and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, have apparently relocated to England following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 elections, as reported by several news sources.

Following her roles in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the movie “Bring It On” from the year 2000, Eliza announced in September 2024 that she had obtained certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy and was pursuing additional education to become a mental health specialist.

She shared with Boston Magazine that she had the opportunity to alter her life’s path towards self-healing, which in turn would enable her to assist others in their healing. She felt it was important to convey the remarkable transformation, serenity, and enthusiasm she now experiences. This, she believes, is undeniably her true vocation, her genuine purpose.

Actress who stars in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has decided to step away from acting for an undefined period following two decades in the film industry.

In her Instagram post from June 2024, Evangeline expressed her overflowing happiness and contentment. She’s deeply appreciative of her blessings and shared that while departing from what appears to be the conventional path (wealth and fame) can sometimes be intimidating, embracing one’s life purpose (dharma) fills the void with contentment instead.

However, it’s not definitive that she’s closing the door. In fact, she mentioned, “There’s a possibility I could go back to Hollywood someday, but for the moment, this is where I feel I truly belong.

Since the 2019 Netflix series “V-Wars,” the former star of “The Vampire Diaries” hasn’t taken on a new character. Instead, this father of two (with wife Nikki Reed) has delved more into a personal project – his efforts to tackle climate change by enhancing the world’s soil quality.

I took a break from acting approximately four years ago to focus on raising my children, developing businesses, and releasing these documentaries,” Somerhalder shared with TopMob News in November 2023 about launching the 2020 documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’ and its sequel ‘Common Ground’, both highlighting the importance of regenerative farming.

As he envisions the future, he explained, “I see myself as a rancher and establishing enduring brand names, whether it’s my bourbon or my health and wellness business. My commitment to regenerative agriculture and maintaining healthy soil will be integral to both me and my family. That’s the path I’m choosing. So when others ask ‘Why do you invest so much energy?’, that’s why – because this is who I am, this is where I’m headed.

In an episode of her “Empty Inside” podcast from February 2021, the former iCarly star shared with guest Anna Faris that she made a decision to step away from acting several years ago, and is now dedicating her time to ventures in writing, directing, as well as hosting the podcast.

Jennette candidly shared that she feels deeply regretful about the acting roles she took earlier in her career. She expressed resentment towards her profession and feels underwhelmed by the characters she portrayed, describing them as overly cheesy and cringe-worthy. From the age of 13 to 21, she was involved in shows that she found embarrassing, even at 15 years old, when her peers didn’t share the same sentiment about her being on a Nickelodeon show. Instead, it was something she found mortifying.

Although she hasn’t completely ruled out a return to acting, her recent experiences in writing have sparked a newfound interest in potentially revisiting it, but without the burden she carried for years. She expressed this during an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, suggesting that if she were to write something specifically for herself, it could be one of the few avenues to cautiously re-enter acting again.

From my perspective, this opportunity seemed almost inevitable. If given a chance to unite with Prince Harry, devote myself wholeheartedly to philanthropic endeavors that truly resonate, and even access the Queen’s stunning collection of tiaras – all while saying goodbye to the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown – it would feel like a worthwhile compromise.

Mimicking the journey Grace Kelly made from Hollywood to the Principality of Monaco, Markle departed her Toronto residence, as well as her prominent role in Suits, for a life within The Firm. However, following their relinquishment of senior roles, she is gradually re-entering the professional world due to strategic business decisions such as their multi-year production agreement with Netflix.

Since her debut in “The Mask” back in 1994, the actress had been involved in over 40 films. After completing filming for “Annie” in 2014, she felt it was high time for a break. As she confided in friend Gwyneth Paltrow, this decision was about seeking new experiences in life. She had given so much energy to her work, creating movies, for such a long time that it became exhausting. When making a movie, the production demands you completely, with 12-hour days for months on end, leaving no room for anything else.

Additionally, there were numerous other areas she yearned to delve into, such as writing (having published her 2013 New York Times best-seller The Body Book, followed by The Longevity Book in 2016). She also embarked on starting a family with her husband Benji Madden. However, she admitted to InStyle in 2019 that she doesn’t miss performing. Yet, it seems that the landscape of wellness and other aspects might entice her for at least one comeback performance.

Jamie Foxx pleaded and expressed his enthusiasm to TopMob News about securing Diaz for the upcoming Netflix movie ‘Back in Action’. He stated, ‘We simply asked if she could do it one more time,’ expressing their affection for her and their eagerness. He believes this collaboration will be nothing short of amazing.

The actor firmly declared that there wouldn’t be a repeat performance following his five-year stint on Empire, as reported by Extra during their interview with the Oscar nominee before the series’ final season in 2019. When asked about his future plans, he emphatically stated, “I’ve had enough of acting and pretending.

Despite rejoining acting for a few projects, he declared his intention to retire from acting while publicizing the Peacock series “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” in 2022. Speaking to ET, he said, “I’ve reached a stage where I believe I’ve given my best as an actor. Now, I prefer watching emerging talent and don’t want to imitate myself.

Even though some people had issues with him previously, it’s worth noting that Howard has made a comeback, featuring in several recent productions such as the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix film “Shirley”. More projects are scheduled for him in the near future.

After King Joffrey’s unexpected, purple-hued demise in 2014 at the age of 21, he shared with Entertainment Weekly that he was stepping away from acting. He elaborated, “I’ve been acting since I was 8 years old. I simply wasn’t finding it as enjoyable as I once did.

Initially, acting was more of a pastime, a source of enjoyment during my free time with friends or in the summer for fun. However, as I’ve grown older, there’s an opportunity to turn it into a career. Yet, it’s no longer the same carefree experience it once was. It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s no longer the path I wish to follow.

Following a hiatus of six years, he was prepared to reclaim his position and jumped back into action by joining the cast of BBC’s show Out of Her Mind in 2020.

In September 2020, during Jennifer Aniston’s participation in a virtual table read for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” she and her co-actor Kevin Kline, who tied the knot in 1989, devised a strategy to balance their work lives. They decided to take turns in their careers so they wouldn’t be working simultaneously, ensuring they could dedicate enough time to their children, Owen and Greta (now known as Frankie Cosmos in her music career).

In other words, Phoebe tends to prioritize taking care of the children when it’s her turn for work, although she did appear briefly in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film “The Anniversary Party.” For the most part, Cates focuses on managing her New York City boutique called Blue Tree.

At the peak of his popularity with “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” the ’80s actor retired from movie-making shortly following his wife’s death due to breast cancer in 1991, choosing instead to dedicate himself to raising his children Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not taking on any live-action roles since 1997, including turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, his status as a beloved cultural figure remains undiminished. This is clear from the uproar that followed news reports about an alleged assault he experienced while walking in New York City on October 1st.

It’s great news for fans: he’ll be back, joining forces with Josh Gad, in the upcoming Disney remake titled “Shrunk”.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent actress from “Never Been Kissed” suggested a possible shift away from acting. As she put it to Vogue, “Ninety percent of acting roles require a lot of intimate scenes with others, and I’m not interested in that.” She continued, “It’s an intense flame to play with, and our relationship is robust enough to handle it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there needs to be something extraordinary on the other side.

Her resolve became firm when her son Martin followed in the footsteps of her older daughter Louisanna in 2014, leading to a change in her lifestyle. During a 2016 event with Us Weekly, she expressed that she is no longer involved in movie-related activities and has transitioned into being just a mother and an outsider. She mentioned that she assists Kimmel with his business ventures and paints as a hobby in her spare time. The primary focus of her life now is her children, which is the main reason for her stepping away from the entertainment industry.

In my professional journey, I’ve delved into the captivating worlds of Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. It dawned on me one day, an Australian native, that perhaps it was time for a change in the script – to turn the dial and embark on new adventures.

In her appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2018, she expressed that at the age of 45, she found herself questioning if there was something new and difficult that she could undertake. She elaborated that she had a sense of what her acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so she made the decision to leave acting and start a business instead.

She still had one final piece left to complete on her ongoing project at her consumer-oriented art company, General Public.

I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the mastermind behind “Arrested Development,” and shared that if there is a fifth season, I wouldn’t participate due to my retirement from acting. He appeared sympathetic and fully comprehended my situation. We had an enjoyable chat, and afterward, he wrote me into five episodes.

After winning three Academy Awards, one might wonder what significant achievements are left to pursue. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for his last film, “Phantom Thread” (2017), the actor made a statement through his representative, expressing that he would no longer be active as an actor. He expressed deep gratitude towards all his collaborators and audience over the years. This decision is personal, and neither the actor nor his team will provide further comments on this matter.

As I was ready to step away from the spotlight, my son drew me back into the world of cinema. In October 2024, Focus Features made an exciting announcement: I would be starring in “Anemone,” a film I co-wrote with none other than my talented son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also direct this project.

In 2018, an actress who was well-known for her role in “Good Luck Charlie” decided to step away from the limelight and instead focused on furthering her education. She completed a master’s degree and then a PhD at MIT. Currently, she is also working towards earning a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Not only did Bridgit accomplish something extraordinary, she also founded her company, Northwood Space, in late 2022. This innovative venture is dedicated to constructing ground-based satellite stations for efficient data transmission between Earth and space. As of February 2023, she took on the role as CEO of this pioneering brand.

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2024-12-26 16:19