George Clooney and Amal Clooney Get French Citizenship With 2 Kids

The Clooneys have found their ticket to paradise in France.

George and Amal Clooney, along with their eight-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, have become French citizens. This was confirmed by a citizenship document seen by People magazine.

George and Amal Clooney, who got married in Venice, Italy, in 2014, won’t have much adjusting to do. They’ve already been living in the countryside, so the move won’t be a huge change for them.

He told Esquire magazine in October that he grew up on a farm in France. Despite spending a significant part of his childhood there, he didn’t enjoy farm life as a child.

Although he had some doubts, he was concerned about the impact of Hollywood culture on their children, so they chose to live a simpler, more rural life, believing it would be best for Alexander and Ella.

You know, as someone who looks at modern family life a lot, I’ve noticed a really wonderful trend. I was speaking with an Oscar winner recently, and they were describing how their kids are actually disconnecting from devices. It’s amazing – they’re sitting down to dinner with the family, helping with chores like clearing their plates… it’s a simpler, more connected way of living, and honestly, they believe it’s making for a much richer, better life for their children.

As someone who’s seen a lot of families navigate the spotlight, I totally get the desire to shield your kids. I recently heard about a 64-year-old who moved to Europe specifically hoping it would give his children more privacy and help them avoid being labeled a ‘nepo baby’ – someone who benefits solely from their parents’ fame. It’s a smart move, honestly; creating a bit of distance can really allow kids to forge their own path.

He explained that he didn’t want his children to face the pressures of growing up in the spotlight. He felt France wouldn’t treat them fairly, and he didn’t want them constantly harassed by the paparazzi or measured against other celebrity children.

For a look at which other big stars have distanced themselves from Hollywood, read on.

After all, their children couldn’t care less about their parents’ fame.

George recently shared on the ‘New Heights’ podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce that his eight-year-old daughter has started rolling her eyes at him. He explained that when he playfully points out his celebrity status, saying something like, ‘You know your dad’s a big star,’ she now responds with an eye roll.

Okay, so George – my George, obviously – was married before, to Talia Balsam way back in the late 80s and early 90s, but honestly, who cares now? He says his kids are amazing, so well-behaved, and I totally get why! He admitted he’s a bit of a disciplinarian at home, which… honestly? Makes me love him even more. A firm hand is good! He’s just perfect.

It’s surprisingly funny being a parent,” the ER star shared, “because you quickly learn just how much kids pick up from what you say.

For a look at which other big stars have distanced themselves from Hollywood, read on.

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 recent stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told the audience, according to SFGate, that she plans to retire after releasing a Netflix special. She stated, ‘This is the last time you’re going to see me.’

Ellen 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’s reelection in November 2024.

She enthusiastically described the English countryside as “absolutely beautiful,” telling the BBC that its scenery was unlike anything she was used to. She particularly enjoyed the charming villages, towns, and architecture, noting that 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.”

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 been supplying ice cream to places like airplanes 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 with each visit.

Banks also realized Australia was a promising market for her product, noting that the top three countries for ice cream consumption are the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

She ultimately moved there with her son, York (whose father is Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, saying 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 divides 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. Issues like homelessness and taxes also contributed, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table podcast that her move wasn’t due to politics, despite some assumptions. She initially went to Catalonia for a six-month filming project, then spent four months in Mexico, and has been based in Spain for years due to work commitments. She feels fortunate to be able to move freely, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who aren’t so lucky.

Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, with recent roles 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 what this change will mean for their young sons, Alexander and James, noting that the boys are already bilingual and will thrive in the new environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, from a previous relationship with Carey Lowell. Gere told Elle España in January 2025 that the whole family is doing well and is happier than ever, describing them as being at a positive turning point in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially made Paris their home. 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 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 her kids, who are already learning the language and enjoying life in Paris. She describes a healthy balance, with active days for her family and work hours completed ahead of schedule. She shared with TopMob in December 2024 that her kids are happy and she’s enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. She recently explained that a busy work life and frequent partying in the early 2000s were often overshadowed by intense media attention. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she expressed annoyance that paparazzi coverage detracted from her work and ultimately led her to seek a quieter life. She wanted to escape the constant scrutiny and allow her career to speak for itself. This desire led her to move overseas, first to London and then to Dubai, where she also started opening beach clubs in Greece.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, and worried it might never happen. She realized she needed to focus on herself before she could open herself up to new possibilities and the things she truly wanted.

She eventually found love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

The couple currently lives in Dubai, but Lindsay continues to work in Hollywood, appearing 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 more diverse life.

He shared that he’s always sought to be around people with varied interests, something that would challenge him and broaden his horizons – what he calls “the spice of life.”

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 time flies by with a large family, and while it might seem like less is happening on the surface, 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 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 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 being able to help others. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced – the peace and renewed passion she felt – because she now clearly understood her true calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing in The Flintstones shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay. She’s currently working on becoming an Irish citizen because her grandparents were from there. 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 in the future.

In a TikTok video, she shared that she misses her children, friends, and life back home. She’s working on building a new life in her current country, and says her family will think about returning to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.

Actress Evangeline Lily, 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.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and fulfilled she is while pursuing her life’s purpose. She expressed gratitude for her blessings and explained that although choosing a path different from traditional success – like wealth and fame – can be daunting, embracing your true calling brings a deeper sense of satisfaction 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, grow his businesses, and get his documentaries released. He was discussing the launch of Kiss the Ground (2020) 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 explained he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil practices, which are central to his and his family’s lifestyle. He said this is his long-term vision, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these issues – it’s simply who he is and who he’s becoming.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy told Anna Faris that she quit acting a few years ago. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

Okay, so Jennette was just so brutally honest in her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, and it totally broke my heart, but also, I get it. She basically said she’s so ashamed of a lot of the acting she did, and honestly, same! She feels like her career never really fulfilled her, and she said the roles were just…cheesy and embarrassing. Can you imagine? She was on those shows from 13 to 21, and she was already cringing by 15! Like, her friends weren’t exactly thrilled she was on Nickelodeon, which, relatable. It just makes me love her even more that she’s so real about it all. It’s just…ugh, I feel so protective of her, and it’s just so sad that she felt that way for so long.

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 – that could be the only way she’d consider it.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to causes we care about, and wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – most notably her role in the TV show Suits – to a life within the British Royal Family. After stepping back from their senior royal duties and moving to Montecito, California, Meghan is now returning to professional life. This includes a multi-year 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 her own brand, As Ever.

Oh my gosh, can you believe she’d made over 40 movies since The Mask back in ’94? Seriously, 40! When she finally finished Annie in 2014, everyone said she needed a break. And honestly? She SO deserved it. I was worried about her, she works so hard!

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 incredibly demanding – it requires long hours, often 12 a day for months, and leaves you with 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. Though 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 for at least one more project.

Jamie Foxx explained that they really had to convince Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action, saying they ‘begged and pleaded’ with her. He added that everyone loves her and has been eagerly awaiting her return, and the film is going to be amazing.

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

As someone who’s observed a lot of careers, I can really relate to what Taye Diggs shared with me recently. While he’s dipped his toe back in for a few projects, he announced in 2022, while promoting The Best Man: The Final Chapters, that he’s seriously considering stepping away from acting. He explained he feels he’s given everything he has to the craft, and honestly, he’s at a point where he’d rather support the next generation of talent than simply rehash what he’s already done. It’s a really gracious and self-aware perspective, and I admire it.

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, 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 excitement has faded. He explained that turning a hobby into a job changes things. “Before, acting was just for fun with friends or something to do during the summer. I really enjoyed it,” he said, “but when you rely on something for income, it alters how you feel about it. It’s not that I dislike it, it’s just not my career goal.”

Oh my gosh, after SIX years of waiting, he was BACK! I nearly screamed when I found out he joined the cast of BBC’s Out of Her Mind in 2020. And it hasn’t stopped since! He’s been in Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and even popped up in TV shows like Safe Harbor and The Famous Five! I’m trying to watch everything he’s in, honestly!

After 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 is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.

He also pointed out that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she had a small role in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

During the peak of his popularity 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 shown by the strong reaction to news reports 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 that wasn’t something she wanted to pursue. She explained that while her relationship was solid, she needed a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially difficult or compromising material – something worthwhile on the other side of that challenge.

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 solely on being a mom. She also mentioned she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, explaining, “I think that’s mainly why I stopped [acting].”

She’d built a strong career with roles in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After all that, the Australian actress started to feel like it was 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 it behind and start my own business.

I’ve been following Corita Kent’s work for years, and her company, General Public, was always evolving – a constant creative process. At the time, she only had one more piece to complete, and I was so excited to see what she’d come up with!

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 consider retiring. Following his sixth Academy Award nomination for his 2017 film, Phantom Thread, Daniel Day-Lewis announced through his representative that he would be stepping away from acting. The statement expressed his gratitude to colleagues and audiences 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 finding fame on the show 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 also 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.

2025-12-30 03:50

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