Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals Why She Took a 7-Year Hiatus From Acting

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Gwyneth Paltrow needed to step away to come back supreme. 

Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of Goop, is returning to acting with the film Marty Supreme after a seven-year hiatus and more than fifteen years since her last significant movie role. She recently explained the reasons behind her decision to leave acting in the first place.

Gwyneth Paltrow told Jacob Elordi in a recent Variety interview that she felt very lonely in her 20s. She explained that she was still figuring out who she was and spent a lot of time traveling. She credits her family with helping her mature and discover her true self, which eventually led her to start her own business.

When Gwyneth Paltrow saw the film starring Timothée Chalamet, she felt it was meant to be. Paltrow, who has two children – Apple, 21, and Moses, 19 – with her ex-husband Chris Martin, and is also a stepmother to her husband Brett Falchuk’s children, Izzy, 21, and Brody, 18 (from his previous relationship with Suzanne Bukinik), had a feeling of destiny about it.

The idea for Marty Supreme came to me unexpectedly. My sons were leaving for college, and I was really shocked and couldn’t believe they were growing up. It made me question who I was. Then I met Josh Safdie, and I immediately felt like this project was worth pursuing. It reminded me of the fun, low-budget films we made back in the 90s.

Gwyneth Paltrow has said before that she wasn’t particularly eager to act in movies again.

Gwyneth Paltrow recently explained to The Hollywood Reporter that her decision to return to acting wasn’t about a sudden desire to perform. Instead, she said, it was because her four children had grown up and become more independent.

Although the 53-year-old woman was occupied with managing her wellness business, she remembered feeling a bit lost when her children left home.

She explained that she began to feel really anxious about her purpose in life and figuring out where she belonged.

As she put it, “‘Where do I want to live? Who am I? It was pretty profound.’”

And make no mistake, the acting bug did eventually come back to bite her. 

Gwyneth remembered feeling confused at first when she arrived on the set of Marty Supreme. Then, she realized, “Oh my God, I’m actually excited to be here!”

For more stars who have left Hollywood, keep reading…

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful work environment. These claims led to an internal investigation, the firing of several executives, and widespread public criticism.

Ellen DeGeneres returned to performing with her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, released in September 2024. Before the special aired, she announced her plans to leave Hollywood completely.

During her recent stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres announced to her audience that she’s retiring after her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate. She 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 airplanes and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia to oversee production at a large facility there. She grew to love the country with each visit.

Banks also recognized Australia as 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 decided to make the move with her son, York (whose father is Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, sharing that Australia has been a wonderful experience for her and her family.

Eva Longoria, best 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 Los Angeles, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated her decision to leave. Issues like homelessness and taxes contributed to her feeling that it was time for a new chapter, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified in an interview on The View: Behind the Table podcast that her move wasn’t politically motivated by the election of President Trump. She emphasized that her work, including filming Land of Women in Catalonia and Searching for Mexico, led to extended stays in those countries, and she dislikes the idea of her decision being framed as political. She feels fortunate to be able to leave the United States when many Americans aren’t so lucky, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who are. Despite the move, Longoria remains busy with acting projects, including 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 explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024 that his wife, Alejandra Silva, is from Galicia and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is excited about the move, believing it will be especially beneficial for their young sons, Alexander and James, who are already bilingual. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife Carey Lowell. The 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 hitting their stride.

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), and sons Isaiah and Kenna – could attend school in France.

Milian shared that she saw this as a wonderful opportunity for her kids, and the family is thriving. She told TopMob that her children are happy and fluent in French, and she enjoys an active lifestyle. She balances her work by taking advantage of the time difference, working ahead while her kids are in school and enjoying daytime activities.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her decision to leave Los Angeles. She recently explained that she wanted to shift the focus back to her career, which she felt was often overshadowed by the intense paparazzi attention she received in her younger years. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she expressed her wish that the media frenzy hadn’t happened, as it seemed to take on a life of its own. This desire to have her work speak for itself was a major reason she chose to move away from the spotlight, first to London and then to Dubai, where she also started opening beach clubs in Greece. She wanted to create a situation where the focus would be on her projects, not just tabloid stories.

Lindsay Lohan once worried she might never find love, wondering if it would ever happen for her. She realized that taking time to focus on herself was key to opening up possibilities and receiving the opportunities she truly wanted.

Eventually, she did find love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

The couple currently lives in Dubai, but Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She continues to appear 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 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.”

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 when you have a 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 their 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 constant pressures of assessing his status 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 her personal growth, newfound peace, and strong sense of purpose, as she now clearly understands this is what she’s meant to do.

The actress best known for playing a character on The Flintstones shared that she moved to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay, and is working to become an Irish citizen because of her family’s heritage. She mentioned recent political events as a factor in her decision to move, but 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, her friends, and her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in this country, and she and her family will think about returning to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.

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 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 her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path less traveled – prioritizing purpose over things like money and fame – can be daunting, it ultimately leads to a much more satisfying life.

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 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.

Ian Somerhalder took a break from acting about four years ago to focus on raising his children with his wife, Nikki Reed, and developing his businesses. He also worked to release two documentaries, Kiss the Ground (2020) and Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shared this information with TopMob News in November 2023.

Looking ahead, the actor shared that he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and wellness company. He’s deeply committed to regenerative agriculture and healthy soil practices, which are central to his and his family’s lifestyle. He explained that this future is his true passion, and it’s the reason he’s so dedicated to these causes. It’s simply who he is and who he’s determined to be.

During a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy shared with guest Anna Faris that she had quit 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 earlier in her career, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained that she feels unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on those shows 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 experiences, 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 the pressures she felt before. She believes she might be open to it again, but only 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 wear the Queen’s beautiful tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Similar to Grace Kelly’s transition from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle left her life and acting career in Toronto – including her role on the show Suits – to join 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 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 burned out. Making movies, she explained, is incredibly demanding—it requires long hours and complete dedication, leaving no room for anything else in your life.

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, it seemed she might be open to returning for at least one more project.

Jamie Foxx explained to TopMob News that they had to really ask and plead with Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action. “We all adore her and have been eagerly awaiting her return, and this is going to be amazing,” he said.

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, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done with pretending.”

Despite briefly returning for a few projects, 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 supporting new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’d already mastered.

Even with those past issues, 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, Jack Gleeson, who was 21 at the time, told Entertainment Weekly that he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been acting since he was eight years old and 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 acting into a career feels different than doing it as a hobby with friends. He still enjoys acting, but making a living from it has changed how he views it, and it’s not something he wants to pursue professionally.

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 such as Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.

After landing the role in a virtual table read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High in September 2020, Jennifer Aniston married actor Kevin Kline in 1989. They decided to stagger their work schedules to ensure one of them was always available to care for their children, Owen and Greta, who is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.

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 mainly focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

During the peak of his success 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 soon see him return 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 comfortable with that. While she felt her marriage was solid enough to withstand potentially difficult situations, she believed any challenging role needed to be truly exceptional to be worth it.

Honestly, becoming a mom really shifted my priorities. After my son, Martin, joined his big sister, Louisanna, in 2014, I knew I was done with acting. I told Us Weekly a while back that I’m happily on the sidelines now – a total outsider, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I mostly support my husband, Jimmy, with his work, and I still love to paint when I can, but my kids are my absolute focus. That’s really the biggest reason I stepped away from the movie world.

Oh my god, she was amazing in everything! I mean, Ally McBeal? Iconic. Then she just kept blowing my mind with Nip/Tuck, and Arrested Development was genius! But it was Scandal where I really felt like she was finally saying, ‘Okay, I’ve proven I can do anything, now let’s see what I want to do!’ It felt like a turning point, like she was finally taking control. I’ve been following her career forever, and it was such a cool moment!

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.”

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

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, Daniel Day-Lewis felt he’d achieved his goals. Following his sixth Academy Award nomination for his 2017 film, Phantom Thread, his team announced his retirement 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 finding fame on 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 later 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 data transmission to and from satellites, and Bridgit is serving as its CEO.

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2025-12-09 22:52