Hollywood’s Elite Are Leaving the Business

by

Courtney Henggeler says her time in Hollywood has officially wrapped. 

The Cobra Kai actress shared that she’s retiring after two decades of acting. 

After more than two decades of battling in the acting world, this 46-year-old shared on a Substack post last month that they’ve decided to retire from acting on a Friday. They contacted their agents and announced they were leaving the game. Instead of being just another piece moving in someone else’s system, they yearned to be the one controlling things. When asked about what they wanted instead, they simply said, “I want to be the machine.

Courtney, who portrayed Amanda LaRusso throughout all six seasons of the popular Netflix show, took a moment to consider her career journey, noting that it was marked by a busy and swift tempo. She mentioned that while there weren’t many significant parts or chances, she did get the occasional witty remark.

She shared that her entire professional journey has been centered around acting, yet not just the skill or technique of acting. What she’s genuinely familiar with is the struggle, the hard work, often punctuated by brief acting assignments. Occasionally, she might get a small role, like the time she said “Sorry” on TV’s Dr. House – “Sorry,” that was it, her line, a moment of genius.

She added, “Or a recurring guest-star that never seemed to recur….”

From 2003 onwards, Courtney has been featured in various television series such as Mom, Big Bang Theory, Faking It, and Jane the Virgin. Throughout her career, she has expressed gratitude for the opportunities and notable achievements, including a leading role in a long-running TV show and an encounter with George Clooney.

She expressed that she feels fortunate, as she was part of a hit television show. Earning money from it, her image graced the billboards she had dreamed of seeing herself on for over two decades. Not only that, but she was guided by George Clooney in her work – a true testament to her good fortune, as this is often seen as the epitome of success, or the ‘golden goose’ in many careers.

Meanwhile, as each peak came, Courtney disclosed her dissatisfaction with her job, yet she persisted for decades, even though she yearned to leave it behind.

She stated, “For a long time, I suppressed the inner voice urging me to leave, it was like an endless nagging. It wasn’t the acting itself that bothered me, but rather the hurdles I had to overcome to get there. What was once essential, something I willingly engaged in and even enjoyed, eventually felt suffocating.

Courtney wrapped up her message by posing a couple of questions regarding her choice to depart from Hollywood. She wondered aloud, “What if there was no need to face challenges constantly? Could it be possible that we ourselves are those very challenges?

For more stars who’ve stepped away from Hollywood, keep reading… 

The popular talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which Ellen DeGeneres hosts, concluded in 2022 following a 19-season broadcast due to accusations of a harmful workplace culture. This led to an internal probe, dismissals of several executives, and widespread public disapproval.

Ellen DeGeneres, who played Dory in “Finding Nemo” and its sequel “Finding Dory,” made a comeback in the limelight with her last standup comedy special titled “For Your Approval” on Netflix in September 2024. Prior to this special, she announced that she would be bidding farewell to Hollywood permanently.

During her “Ellen’s Final Stand…Up” tour, she informed the audience, as reported by SFGate, that this was her last appearance. Following her Netflix special, she plans to retire.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I must share that Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi have recently made a move across the pond to England – a decision seemingly influenced by the potential re-election of Donald Trump in 2024, as per numerous news outlets.

Following roles in productions like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the year 2000’s “Bring It On”, 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 found a way to reorient her life’s path towards self-healing, enabling her to assist others in their healing journey. It would be unfair not to express the profound transformation, tranquility, and enthusiasm I’ve experienced since then. This is undeniably my true vocation, my genuine purpose.

Actress who plays a role in “The Flintstones” shared that she relocated to Ireland along with her 12-year-old son Clay in January 2025. She also mentioned that she was working towards acquiring Irish citizenship since her grandparents are from there. However, she didn’t completely dismiss the idea of returning home, hinting at potential future plans, while suggesting recent political events as her motivation for moving.

She expressed in a TikTok video that she misses her other children, friends, and numerous aspects of life at home. She’s trying to find a suitable place here in this charming country. When everyone in America can enjoy equal rights safely, that’s when she might consider returning.

Actress who plays a role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” revealed her decision to temporarily step away from acting following two decades in the entertainment business.

In a post on Instagram last June, Evangeline expressed her immense happiness and contentment. She expressed deep gratitude for her blessings, acknowledging that choosing a path other than wealth and fame (which might appear obvious) can sometimes be frightening. However, she emphasized that following one’s life purpose (dharma) replaces those fears with a sense of accomplishment instead.

However, she doesn’t definitely close the door on returning to Hollywood. Instead, she says, “I could go back to Hollywood someday, but for now, this is where I feel at home.

Since the Netflix series “V-Wars” in 2019, the actor from “The Vampire Diaries,” who is also a father of two with Nikki Reed, hasn’t taken on a new acting role. Instead, he has immersed himself more deeply into a personal project: his efforts to address climate change by enhancing soil health worldwide.

In an interview with TopMob News in November 2023, Somerhalder explained that he took a break from acting more than four years ago to focus on raising his children, growing his businesses, and releasing the documentaries Kiss the Ground and its sequel Common Ground. These films highlight the importance of regenerative farming.

Speaking of the future, he explained, “I envision myself as a rancher and creator of enduring brand names, be it my bourbon or health and wellness firm. My commitment to regenerative agriculture and soil management for health will also be part of this journey, a practice that my family and I abide by. That’s the path I see for myself. So when others ask ‘Why are you so invested?’ It’s because I am passionate about who I am and where I am headed.

In a 2021 episode of her podcast “Empty Inside,” the former iCarly star revealed to guest Anna Faris that she stepped away from acting a few years prior, and now concentrates on ventures in scriptwriting and film direction, along with hosting the podcast.

Jennette openly shared her feelings about her acting career, stating, “I’m deeply ashamed of the roles I took on in my past.” This sentiment is expressed in her 2022 memoir titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died“. She expressed resentment towards her career and felt unfulfilled by the characters she portrayed. These roles seemed cheesy and embarrassing to her. Jennette was already embarrassed by her work on shows that she was a part of from age 13 to 21, and by 15, she found it embarrassing. Even her peers at 15 were not impressed with her being on a Nickelodeon show; instead, they saw it as something to be embarrassed about.

Although she hasn’t completely ruled out a return to acting, she expressed during an interview with TopMob News in October 2022 that writing the book has given her newfound perspective. She suggested that if she were to write something tailored for herself, it might offer an opportunity to reconsider acting without the weight of past experiences that had burdened her for so long.

As a dedicated follower, it seemed almost inevitable for me. If given the chance to unite my life with Prince Harry, prioritize philanthropic endeavors that resonate deeply within me, and be granted access to the Queen’s stunning collection of tiaras, saying goodbye to Tinseltown could feel like a worthwhile compromise.

In a similar fashion as Grace Kelly transitioned from Hollywood to Monaco’s Palace, Meghan Markle relinquished her Toronto home and her popular role in Suits, embarking on a new life within The Firm. However, with Harry stepping down from his senior position, she is gradually re-entering the professional world, facilitated by strategic business ventures such as their multi-year production agreement with Netflix.

Since her first role in “The Mask” in 1994, the actress had been involved in more than 40 films. By the time she finished shooting “Annie” in 2014, it was certainly a good time for her to take a well-deserved break from filmmaking.

She clarified to her friend Gwyneth Paltrow that she had made a change in her life, seeking different experiences. For years, she had been pushing herself relentlessly with work, films, and it was exhausting. Making a movie, she pointed out, can be all-consuming – they have control over you for 12 hours each day, for months straight, leaving little room for anything else.

Additionally, there were many other areas she wanted 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 was also focused 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 there might be an exception made for a single comeback.

Jamie Foxx conveyed to TopMob News that he had humbly requested and shown great admiration for Diaz, saying something like, “Could you please do it one more time?”, regarding getting her to join the upcoming Netflix movie “Back in Action”. He expressed his fondness for her, shared his anticipation of her involvement, and stated that this collaboration will be nothing short of extraordinary.

The actor firmly declared that there would be no additional performance following his five-year stint on Empire, as reported by Extra during their interview with the Oscar nominee before the start of the musical drama series’ last season in 2019. When asked about his future plans, he simply stated, “I’ve decided to step away from acting; I’m through with pretending.

Despite coming back for a few productions, he once more declared his intention to retire from acting during the promotion of his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, in 2022. In conversation with ET, he explained, “I’ve reached a stage where I’ve already offered the finest acting abilities I possess. Now, I find pleasure in observing fresh acting talents emerge, and I don’t wish to mimic my own past performances.”

Regardless of previous remarks, it’s worth noting that Howard has made a comeback, featuring in several ventures such as the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and Netflix movie “Shirley”. Additionally, there are more projects on the horizon for him.

After King Joffrey met an untimely, purple-hued demise in 2014, the then 21-year-old actor who played him revealed he was leaving the acting world behind. “I’ve been acting since I was 8 years old,” explained Jack Gleeson, the star of Game of Thrones, about his choice to quit. “I just didn’t find it as enjoyable as I once did.

Originally, acting was more of a pastime and source of enjoyment among friends or during summer breaks. But now that he’s considering it as a career, the charm seems to fade a bit. He explained, “It’s a different experience when you make a living from something. It alters your connection with it. I don’t dislike it; it’s simply not my passion anymore.

However, following a hiatus of six years, he felt prepared to reclaim his position and joined the cast of BBC’s show “Out of Her Mind” in 2020.

In September 2020, during a virtual table read for the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, Jennifer Aniston played her role. She married actor Kevin Kline in 1989 and they decided to take turns working so they wouldn’t both be busy simultaneously. This way, they could effectively care for their children, son Owen and daughter Greta (now known as Frankie Cosmos when performing).

Nevertheless, he added that whenever it’s been Phoebe’s turn to work, she has opted to stay with the kids instead. Despite appearing briefly in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film “The Anniversary Party,” Cates primarily focuses her time on managing her New York City boutique, Blue Tree.

In the midst of his popularity with “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” the ’80s actor took a break from filmmaking shortly after his wife’s death from breast cancer in 1991, devoting his time instead to raising his children Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not appearing in a live-action role since 1997, and turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, he continues to be a beloved cultural figure, as demonstrated by the uproar following reports of his alleged assault while walking in New York City on October 1.

It’s great news for fans, as he’s going to come back, this time with Josh Gad, in the upcoming Disney remake named “Shrunk”.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent actress from “Never Been Kissed” suggested that she might be moving away from acting. She clarified this to Vogue, stating that a large majority of acting roles require intimate scenes with others, which she is not interested in. She described acting in such scenes as playing with a strange fire, and while her relationship could handle it, there needs to be something extraordinary on the other side to justify walking through the fire.

Her resolve became firm when her son Martin joined her older daughter Louisanna in 2014. This led her to declare, as she told Us Weekly at a 2016 event, that she had stepped away from the world of movies and now considered herself an outsider. She emphasized that she assists Kimmel with his business ventures and enjoys painting in her spare time. Her primary focus, she explained, is on her children, which is likely the main reason she stopped pursuing a career in the spotlight.

She had previously watched shows like “Ally McBeal,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Arrested Development,” and lastly “Scandal.” It occurred to her then that perhaps it was time for a change.

She shared, on Ellen DeGeneres’ self-titled talk show in 2018, that she was nearing 45 and found herself pondering if there was something new and difficult that she could embark on. “I had a sense of what acting would be like for me over the next decade or two,” she continued, “so I decided to step away from it and start a business instead.

Her consumer-art company, General Public, was still a work in the making, but she only needed to complete one more artwork.

I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the mastermind behind “Arrested Development,” and shared with him that if there’s a season 5, I won’t participate as an actor because I’ve decided to step away from acting. He was very empathetic about my decision and we had a wonderful chat. Later on, he found a way to include me in five episodes of the series.

After securing three Academy Awards, one might wonder what more there is to achieve. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for his last movie, “Phantom Thread” in 2017, the actor made a statement through his representatives that he would no longer pursue acting roles. He expressed deep gratitude towards his collaborators and fans over the years, and this decision was personal. No further comments will be made on this subject by him or his team.

However, when he believed he had left, his son drew him back into the fold. In October 2024, Focus Features revealed that the Oscar winner would star in “Anemone“, a film he co-wrote with his son Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also take up the director’s role.

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

Beyond my wildest dreams, I, a fervent admirer, can’t contain my excitement when I share that Bridgit has not only graced us with her brilliance but also ventured into the cosmos with Northwood Space! This innovative startup is on a mission to erect ground satellite stations, transforming the process of sending and receiving data from space. Guess what? In February 2023, she took the helm as CEO, steering this interstellar vessel towards uncharted territories!

Watch
TopMob News

weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on TopMob.

Read More

2025-04-15 15:48