Goldie Hawn Shares Why She Took a Break From Her Acting Career

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Goldie Hawn doesn’t want to go overboard with her projects.

At 80 years old, she’s already made so many wonderful and successful films that she doesn’t feel the need to act again.

Goldie Hawn recently told People magazine that the story is what matters most to her. She explained that she’s turned down many roles and scripts that didn’t appeal to her or feel like a good fit, but she appreciates the successful acting career she’s already had.

Goldie Hawn hasn’t been in a big film or TV show since The Christmas Chronicles 2 in 2020, where she acted with her partner of many years, Kurt Russell.

What caused Goldie Hawn – mother to Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson (with Bill Hudson), and Wyatt Russell (with Kurt Russell) – to step back from acting?

Honestly, she just gets it. She says life needs chapters, and I totally agree! The thought of doing just one thing forever? So boring! She realized this around 55, which is amazing, and decided she needed something more. She knew there was a whole world of things to learn and experience, and I feel that so deeply! It’s like she read my mind – you can’t just settle, you have to keep growing!

Goldie didn’t just reduce her on-screen work; she and Kurt also moved away from the Hollywood lifestyle, now spending most of their time living in Colorado.

For Kurt, the Centennial State provides a different pace of life.

He told The Wall Street Journal in a March 20th interview that his Old Snowmass home is his favorite. He enjoys waking up to mountain views, riding horses right from the barn, and relaxing by the fireplace.

For more stars who have left the hills of Hollywood for tamer pastures, read on.

Bringing Goldie back to acting is simple: all she needs is a good script.

She’s looking for content that really grabs people – something they’ll instantly want to see and share, and that will make them laugh or think she’s fascinating. But she hasn’t found it yet.

Alternatively, suggest a story idea that would allow her to act alongside her incredibly talented family.

Honestly, Goldie just gets it. She said it herself – we’re overflowing with amazing people! And she hinted at something HUGE possibly happening soon, like, anytime now! I’m practically vibrating with excitement, she basically said ‘never say never’ and I just know something incredible is coming. I’m glued to every update!

Goldie didn’t just reduce her on-screen work; she and Kurt also moved away from the Hollywood lifestyle, now spending most of their time living in Colorado.

For Kurt, the Centennial State provides a different pace of life.

He told The Wall Street Journal in a March 20th interview that his Old Snowmass home is his favorite. He enjoys waking up to mountain views, riding horses after visiting the barn, and relaxing by the fireplace.

For more stars who have left the hills of Hollywood for tamer pastures, read on.

I was so worried when I heard about Antonio Banderas’ health scare back in 2019. Thankfully, he recovered, and it’s been wonderful to see him return to his roots in Málaga, Spain. He’s really dedicated himself to the theater there, and you can tell how much joy it brings him. It’s just amazing to see him doing what he loves.

“It completely shifted my perspective on life,” Antonio shared with The Times in March 2026. “Coming face to face with my own mortality made me realize that, at my core, I’m a theater actor.”

The actor, who was once nominated for a Tony Award and still appears in some TV and film roles, 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 home, his neighbors, and the people he grew up with – meant everything to him. He hadn’t lost that sense of belonging, and in fact, it had only grown stronger over time.

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 widespread public criticism.

Ellen made a comeback with her last stand-up comedy show, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the show’s release, she announced that she was planning to retire from Hollywood.

During her ‘Ellen’s Last Stand…Up’ tour, Ellen DeGeneres announced to the audience that she’s retiring from stand-up comedy after her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate.

Ellen and Portia de Rossi now live in the Cotswolds. Ellen explained to Richard Bacon in July 2025, during a conversation at the Everyman theater in Cheltenham, that they decided to stay there permanently in November 2024 following Donald Trump’s reelection.

She enthusiastically described the English countryside as “absolutely beautiful,” telling the BBC that its charm was unlike anything she’d seen before. She particularly enjoyed the picturesque villages, towns, and buildings, noting that the area offered a more relaxed and simple lifestyle.

“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 see snow! Portia brought her horses with her, I have chickens, and we even had sheep for a short while – about two 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 primarily supplying ice cream to places like airlines and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia to oversee production at a large facility there. She grew to love the country during her visits.

Banks also recognized Australia as a strong market for her product, pointing out that it’s one of the top three countries in the world for ice cream consumption, along with America and New Zealand.

Ultimately, she moved to Australia with her son, York (whose father is her ex, 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 left 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 that change. Issues like homelessness and taxes also contributed to her decision, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table podcast that her move wasn’t politically motivated, despite happening after the presidential election. She emphasized that her work—including filming Land of Women in Catalonia and Searching for Mexico—led her to spend extended periods in those locations, and she simply preferred to stay. She feels fortunate to be able to leave the U.S. when many Americans can’t, and expresses sadness for those who are stuck in what she describes as a difficult environment.

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 thrilled 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 family seems to be enjoying their new life, with Gere telling Elle España in January 2025 that they are happier than ever and ‘seeing us in our momentum.’

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 half the year traveling between the US and France. They decided on a permanent move so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage), and sons Isaiah and Kenna – could attend school in France.

Milian shared that her kids are thriving in Paris, are learning French, and enjoying a normal childhood. She’s finding a good balance between family life and her acting career, working ahead of schedule to accommodate the time difference. She describes their life there as happy and healthy.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by ongoing speculation about why she left Los Angeles and decided to clarify the situation, reflecting on her busy career and social life in the early 2000s. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she explained that excessive paparazzi attention often overshadowed her work, which she found irritating. She wished the focus had remained on her career and felt the constant media attention spiraled out of control, ultimately prompting her desire for a quieter life. This led to her moving overseas, first to London and then Dubai, and even opening beach clubs in Greece, but she also wanted to escape the relentless spotlight and allow her work to speak for itself.

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

She eventually found 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, and has appeared 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 movie industry, he felt, would limit his perspective. He wanted a more varied life.

“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.”

So, Josh, along with 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 even a big movie fan, Jesse feels removed from the constant pressures of assessing his status in Hollywood.

Eliza Dushku, 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 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. She felt it was important to share her personal growth, newfound peace, and passion, believing she had finally discovered her true calling and purpose.

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 ruled out the possibility of returning to her home country someday.

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 location, and the family will think about returning to America once it’s safe and all citizens have 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 amount of time. This comes after two decades working in the film industry.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and fulfilled she feels while pursuing her life’s purpose. She expressed gratitude for her blessings, explaining that while choosing a path less traveled – one that doesn’t necessarily lead to wealth or fame – can be daunting, embracing what truly feels right brings a deep sense of satisfaction.

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 starring 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.

Okay, so, like, Ian Somerhalder basically took a break from acting – over four years now! – and it killed me, honestly. But it was all for the best reasons! He was building his companies and, most importantly, raising his adorable kids with Nikki Reed. And get this – all while doing that, he was working on these incredible documentaries! First, there was Kiss the Ground, which everyone needs to see, and now Common Ground! They’re both about how vital regenerative farming is, and seriously, it’s a cause he’s SO passionate about. I’ve been following everything, and it’s just amazing to see him using his platform for something so important. I’m obsessed, obviously!

Looking ahead, the actor said he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – like his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to regenerative agriculture and healthy soil practices, which are central to his and his family’s lifestyle. He explained this is his long-term vision, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these things – 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 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 shared in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, that she regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past. She feels frustrated with her career and embarrassed by the cheesy and unfulfilling parts she played. Having worked from age 13 to 21, she admitted she was already self-conscious about being on those shows by the time she was 15, and her friends didn’t share her enthusiasm.

I’ve been following her career for years, and I was really intrigued to hear her talk about potentially acting again. She admitted that writing her book has actually helped her rethink things. She’s always carried a lot of baggage from past experiences, but she feels like, if she wrote something specifically for herself, it might be the only way she’d even consider stepping back in front of the camera. It’s a cautious optimism, but as a fan, I’m really hoping she does it!

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 beautiful tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – 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, starting with a production deal with Netflix. She has already released the docuseries Harry & Meghan on Netflix, and is preparing a lifestyle show called With Love, Meghan for 2025. She’s also expanded her work into podcasts 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 incredibly demanding – it requires long hours and completely takes over your life, leaving no room for anything else.

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. Although she told InStyle in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seemed 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 and asking for ‘just one more’ film. “We love her, and we’ve been waiting for her to return – this is going to be amazing!”

As a lifestyle expert, I remember when Terrence Howard made it very clear he wasn’t planning on continuing his acting career after Empire wrapped up. Back in 2019, right before the final season aired, Extra asked him about what was next, and he famously said, ‘Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.’ He really seemed ready to move on to a new chapter!

I’ve been a huge fan of his for years, so it’s bittersweet to hear him talk about retiring. Even after taking on a few roles here and there, he announced in 2022, while promoting his The Best Man: The Final Chapters series on Peacock, that he was ready to step away. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he felt he’d given everything he had to offer as an actor and now he’s really excited to watch the next generation of talent come up. He didn’t want to just keep repeating himself, and I totally respect that!

Even with the 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 working since he was eight years old and simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.

It’s funny, growing up in the spotlight, some of that initial excitement faded. I remember Jack explaining it perfectly – before, acting was just something we did for fun with friends, a summer hobby. He really enjoyed it, but he realized making a living from something you love changes things. It’s not that he dislikes acting at all, it’s just not what he wants to do with his life, you know? It’s a shift from pure joy to a potential job, and that changes everything.

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 made a plan to manage their careers and raise their children, Owen and Greta. Kline explained in an interview with Playboy that they decided to alternate work schedules so they would never both be working at the same time. Greta is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.

I just don’t get it! Every time she’s supposed to work, Phoebe just…stays home with the kids. It’s like, she’s amazing, and she did that little thing in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s movie, The Anniversary Party back in 2001, which was fantastic, but mostly she’s just running her boutique, Blue Tree, here in New York. It’s a gorgeous shop, and I totally get supporting her business, but…I miss seeing her on screen! I wish she’d act more, honestly. It’s just…she prioritizes everything else, and it breaks my heart a little bit.

During the peak of his success with films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor paused his career after his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to dedicate his time to raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.

I’ve been a huge Rick Moranis fan for years, and it’s been way too long since I’ve seen him in a live-action movie – almost 30 years! I was so upset when I heard about the incident in New York City back in 2020, it just showed how much people still care about him. But I’m absolutely thrilled to hear he’s coming back to star in the new Disney movie, Shrunk, alongside Josh Gad! It’s fantastic news and I can’t wait to see him on screen again.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, actress Drew Barrymore suggested she was considering stepping back from acting. She told Vogue that most roles require intimate scenes, and she wasn’t comfortable with that. While she felt her relationship was solid, she believed any potentially difficult work needed to be truly exceptional to be worth it.

After her son, Martin, joined his older 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 fully focused on being a mom. She also helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, explaining that her children were the main reason she stopped pursuing film roles.

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 it behind and start my own business.

Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete—she just needed to finish one last piece.

You know, I had a really honest conversation with Mitch Hurwitz, the brilliant mind behind Arrested Development. I’d actually decided to step away from acting at that point, so I called him up and let him know that if they did a season five, I wouldn’t be participating. I was so relieved he was incredibly understanding – he really got where I was coming from. We had a wonderful chat, and honestly, I was surprised and thrilled when he ended up writing me into five episodes!

It’s understandable why, after winning three Oscars, an actor might consider retiring. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for the 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 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 is also directing it.

Bridgit Mendler, known for her role on Good Luck Charlie, stepped away from acting in 2018 to focus on her education. She earned both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and also attended Harvard Law School.

On top of everything else, Bridgit founded Northwood Space, a startup focused on building ground stations for sending and receiving data from satellites. She became the company’s CEO in February 2023.

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2026-04-29 22:50