Jonathan Bailey Announces Break From Acting

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Jonathan Bailey is shameless about adjusting his focus.

Following an exhausting series of projects such as “Wicked”, “Jurassic World: Rebirth”, “Fellow Travelers”, and numerous seasons of “Bridgerton”, the 37-year-old is now eager for a change in pace.

For the past three years, I’ve been consistently working, an experience I find both rewarding and overwhelming. Recently, however, considering current global events, I plan to take a break from acting next year and dedicate my time solely to The Shameless Fund,” he shared with British GQ during an interview on September 3.

A U.K. charity, established by Jonathan and dedicated to fundraising for organizations that help the LGBTQ+ community, collaborates with international brands. This collaboration led to the actor’s popular “slutty little glasses” partnership with Cubitts eyewear, which became viral.

For the coming months, I’ll be dedicating my efforts towards staffing and ensuring we place the ideal team members in their respective roles. Interestingly, only one penny out of every £100 donated in the U.K. reaches the LGBTQ+ community. Finding effective solutions can be challenging, but I truly believe that The Shameless Fund could be just that.

As a dedicated follower, I am thrilled about the chance to truly impact lives through this fund and its collaborations. To me, it’s not just work, but an exciting and imaginative journey. And I’m delighted to say that I’ve enlisted some renowned friends to join me in promoting my latest collaboration with Cubitts.

Last month, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan’s costar from the movie “Wicked,” showcased the rose-tinted glasses and endorsed the brand on her Instagram. Similarly, Scarlett Johansson was spotted wearing the same glasses in a recent sultry photo with Jonathan. In the picture, Jonathan playfully nibbled on Johansson’s neck while she posed for the camera. Additionally, Johansson took part in Loewe’s provocative “Drink Your Milk” campaign with the fashion brand last year.

Prior to his break from Hollywood, Jonathan managed to weave The Shameless Fund into his everyday routine in an expressive manner.

During our work with The Shameless Fund, the color pink holds significant value,” he shared with British GQ. “It symbolizes joy and happiness, and it flatters immensely – which is likely why I chose to wear it frequently during the promotional tour for Wicked.

Read on for more stars who have been open about stepping away from Hollywood. 

The television talk show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres concluded in 2022 following 19 seasons, due to accusations of a harmful work environment. These claims led to an internal investigation, dismissals of several executives, and widespread criticism.

In September 2024, Ellen made her comeback with her final stand-up comedy special titled “For Your Approval” on Netflix. Prior to this event, she announced her decision to depart from Hollywood altogether.

During her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, she informed a gathering that this would be the final time they’d see her. Following the release of her Netflix special, she indicated she was concluding her career. Ellen and her wife Portia de Rossi moved to England in November 2024, following Donald Trump’s reelection. This was confirmed by Ellen to broadcaster Richard Bacon in July 2025.

One of the main factors that led the host of America’s Next Top Model to relocate to Australia was her desire to maintain her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream. In an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, Tyra Banks explained that while her company had primarily focused on Business-to-Business deals like supplying ice cream for airlines and cruises, she had been frequently traveling to Australia due to their large production facility there. She found herself falling in love with the country every time she visited, and recognized it as an excellent market for her business, given that Australia, New Zealand, and America are among the top three ice cream consuming countries. With her son York (fathered by her ex Erik Asla) and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, Tyra moved to Australia, expressing her joy at how the country had fulfilled a longstanding dream for her and her family.

Although it’s been a while since Eva Longoria’s character resided on Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, her real-life address has changed. Eva spoke about leaving Los Angeles in November 2024, stating that even before the pandemic, the city was undergoing changes. She described a shift in atmosphere and mentioned that the Covid-19 situation exacerbated these changes. Eva’s reasons for departure were not solely due to California’s issues like homelessness and high taxes, but she expressed concern for those who cannot leave.

Eva, her husband José Bastón, and their son Santiago have spent time living between Mexico and Spain over the past few years. She also mentioned that she felt fortunate to be able to escape and relocate. However, Eva clarified that her move was not solely due to President Trump’s re-election, but rather her work commitments took her to Spain and Mexico for various projects. Since moving, Eva has continued to keep herself busy with roles in shows like Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.

The actor and his family are relocating from Chicago to Madrid, Spain, as they have spent a considerable time in the country due to his wife being Spanish. He shared this during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024. He also expressed enthusiasm about the move’s positive impact on their children, who are already bilingual and will thrive in Spain. Richard has a son named Homer with his ex-wife Carey Lowell, and he shared that they are all enjoying this new chapter in their lives, as they seem to be happier than ever.

From morning till night, the singer resides in Paris. Previously, they were splitting their time between the U.S. and France due to their marriage to the singer Matt Pokora, who is French. However, they chose to permanently relocate to France, so that their children – Violet, Isaiah, and Kenna – could attend school there. This move provides them with an exceptional opportunity, as stated by Christina herself. The family’s life seems wonderful in Paris, with the kids adapting well, learning French, and enjoying various activities during the day. As for Christina, she manages her professional commitments by working during the night since her work schedule is ahead of the local time, resulting in a healthy balance between family and career life.

For years, Lindsay had grown weary of misconceptions swirling around her departure from Los Angeles. To clarify matters, she acknowledged her busy work schedule and frequent partying during the 2000s as factors that often overshadowed her achievements due to constant paparazzi attention.

In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, she explained, ‘It feels like some of my work got overshadowed by the media and all the commotion when I was younger, which can be quite frustrating. I wish that part didn’t happen. It seemed to develop a life of its own. That’s why I decided to step away from the limelight – I figured if there wasn’t a story, they wouldn’t focus on just my work.’

After moving abroad to London and Dubai, she even opened beach clubs in Greece. However, there was another motivation behind her desire for privacy: ‘There were personal reasons as well that led me to seek solace away from the public eye.’

In her own words, the actress from “Mean Girls” expressed a worry: “What if I never experience love? What if it never happens for me?” However, she found that simply focusing on herself allowed opportunities to arise. She mentioned being eager to say ‘yes’ to experiences she desired.

Luckily, Lindsay met her husband, Bader Shammas, in 2019, and they tied the knot in 2022. Their son, Luai, was born in 2023. Even though they reside in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t given up on her Hollywood career. She has been featured in films like “Our Little Secret,” “Irish Wish,” and the reboot of “Freaky Friday.”

After some deep contemplation, actor Josh found himself yearning for a change from the bustling world of Hollywood. In an interview with People magazine in July 2024, he expressed his feelings, stating that being surrounded by people who are always engrossed in movie-making would keep one’s life monotonous. Instead, he desired to be part of a diverse community that would broaden his horizons and push him towards personal growth. He likened this to the essence of life itself – variety and expansion.

Consequently, Josh, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, relocated to the tranquil Hampshire countryside in England. In an interview with The Guardian also in July 2024, he admitted that time flies by quickly when raising a family, but the essential moments are what truly matter. Despite choosing a slower pace of life, Josh has continued to take on roles in projects such as Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you haven’t been on social media recently, you might not be aware that Jesse no longer resides in Los Angeles.

In February 2025, Jesse, star of “A Real Pain,” revealed to CBS News Sunday Morning that he has spent the past decade living off and on in Indiana. He feels most comfortable there. He considers Hollywood as an unstable environment that he prefers to avoid.

Even though Jesse is an Oscar nominee, his daily life is quite ordinary with his wife Anna Strout and their son Banner. Jesse avoids social media and doesn’t frequently communicate with industry people. As a result, his life feels relatively isolated from the entertainment industry. Jesse’s wife is a teacher, and their son, Banner, isn’t very interested in movies. Therefore, Jesse’s life is not consumed by constant analysis of his own status within the industry.

Following her roles in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the year 2000’s “Bring It On”, Eliza disclosed in September 2024 that she had earned qualifications in psychedelic-assisted therapy and is pursuing additional education to become a mental health expert.

She shared with Boston Magazine, “I found the ability to change paths in life and concentrate on healing myself first, in order to assist others in their healing process.” She added, “It would be unfair not to express the incredible transformation, serenity, and enthusiasm that I’ve experienced. This is undeniably my true vocation, my genuine purpose.

In January 2025, the star of The Flintstones announced that she and her youngest child Clay had relocated to Ireland. She was in the process of acquiring Irish citizenship since her grandparents were natives of the European nation. Although Rosie cited recent political changes as her motivation for moving, she didn’t entirely rule out a possible return to her homeland in the future.

In a TikTok video, she expressed her longing, saying, “I yearn for my other children, my friends, and many aspects of life at home. I’m trying to find a place to call home here in this stunning nation. However, once all citizens have equal rights guaranteed in America, that’s when we might think about returning.

Actress who plays a role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has decided to temporarily step away from acting following two decades in Hollywood.

In her Instagram post from June 2024, Evangeline expressed her profound happiness and contentment as she followed her vision. She was incredibly thankful for all her blessings. Although stepping away from the seemingly obvious path (wealth and fame) can be intimidating at times, embracing one’s true purpose replaced those fears with a deep sense of fulfillment.

However, she doesn’t necessarily close the door permanently. She elaborates by saying, “There may be a time when I return to Hollywood, but for now, my heart is here.

The actor from “The Vampire Diaries” hasn’t taken on a new acting role since the 2019 Netflix series “V-Wars.” Instead, he’s channeled his energy into a personal endeavor – working diligently to address climate change by focusing on improving our planet’s soil.

Ian, father of two with Nikki Reed, shared with TopMob News in November 2023 that he had taken a break from acting approximately four years prior to focus on child-rearing, business ventures, and the release of both the 2020 documentary “Kiss the Ground” and its sequel “Common Ground”. These films highlight the importance of regenerative farming.

As he gazes into the future, the actor shared that he envisions himself as a rancher and creator of enduring brand names, whether it’s his own bourbon or wellness company. He emphasizes his commitment to regenerative agriculture and sustainable soil management practices, which are deeply ingrained in him and his family. This is the path he sees for himself. When others ask why he takes such an interest, he responds that this is who he is, and this is where he sees himself heading in life.

In a February 2021 episode of her “Empty Inside” podcast, the former iCarly star shared with guest Anna Faris that she stopped acting several years ago and now concentrates on ventures in screenwriting, directing, and podcast hosting, as well.

In her 2022 memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette expressed regret over her acting career, admitting, “The roles I’ve taken in the past make me feel ashamed.” She also shared that she harbors resentment towards her career and feels largely unfulfilled by the parts she played. Jennette described these roles as “cheesy” and “embarrassing,” explaining that even at a young age, around 13 to 21, she felt embarrassed about them. She recalls that by the time she was 15, her peers were not impressed by her Nickelodeon shows, instead finding them embarrassing.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to believe that penning this book has opened up a possibility for me to revisit acting in a new light. A light that wasn’t tainted by the weighty baggage I carried for so long. If I were to craft a piece specifically tailored for myself, I sense it could be a stepping stone for me to tentatively step back into this realm once more.

This seemed like a straightforward decision. If we had the chance to marry Prince Harry, devote our life to charitable endeavors that are closest to our heart, and have access to the Queen’s stunning collection of tiaras, saying goodbye to Hollywood might feel worth it.

Moving along the trajectory that Grace Kelly once followed, transitioning from Hollywood to the Principality of Monaco, Meghan Markle decided to leave her Toronto home, along with her popular role in Suits, for a new life within The Firm. However, after Harry and Meghan relinquished their senior royal roles and settled in Montecito, California, she has started to re-enter the entertainment industry due to strategic business decisions such as their multi-year production deal with Netflix.

The Duchess of Sussex has been quite active lately, releasing her 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan, and her 2025 lifestyle show With Love, Meghan on the streaming platform. In addition to this, she has initiated podcasts and her brand As Ever.

Since making more than 40 films since her debut in “The Mask” in 1994, the actress had worked tirelessly and deserved a well-earned rest after completing the filming of “Annie” in 2014.

She shared with her friend Gwyneth Paltrow the reason behind her recent change, stating, “I found myself yearning for different experiences in my life.” After years of relentless work, filmmaking, and long hours, she admitted, “It’s an exhausting routine. When you’re engrossed in making a movie, it seems like they have complete control over you. You’re tied to the set for 12 hours a day, often for months straight, leaving little room for anything else.

She had much more to delve into, including writing (having published her 2013 best-seller, “The Body Book”, followed by “The Longevity Book” in 2016) and starting a family with spouse Benji Madden. However, as she shared with InStyle in 2019, “I don’t miss performing. At the moment, I’m focusing on wellness and related fields,” it seems she might consider a comeback performance at least once.

Jamie Foxx shared with TopMob News that he and others had earnestly implored and expressed their fondness to Cameron, saying something along the lines of ‘Please do it one more time,’ in regards to getting her to agree for the 2025 Netflix film “Back in Action”. He conveyed his affection towards her, stated they’ve been eagerly awaiting her return, and expressed his excitement that this project would be simply fantastic.

After completing a five-year stint on Empire, the actor made it clear there wouldn’t be any additional performances. When asked about his plans for the future by Extra before the sixth and last season of the musical drama series in 2019, Terrence emphatically stated, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done feigning.

Despite coming back for a few productions, the Oscar nominee expressed his intentions to retire from acting once more while publicizing his Peacock series, “The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” in 2022. In an interview with ET, he mentioned, “I’ve now reached a stage where I believe I’ve delivered my best work as an actor. Now, I find joy observing fresh acting talents rise, and I don’t want to mimic myself.”

Regardless of the previous comments, however, Howard has made additional appearances in several shows and films since then. These include the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix movie “Shirley,” with a number of upcoming projects scheduled for him as well.

After King Joffrey’s unexpected, purplish-hued demise in 2014, the then 21-year-old declared that he was leaving acting behind. “I’ve been acting since I was eight,” explained the star of Game of Thrones, detailing his reasoning for the move. “I just didn’t find it as enjoyable as I once did.

After growing out of being a child actor, the initial charm seemed less enchanting. Now that there’s an opportunity for it to be my profession, it was previously a pastime shared with friends or a summer activity for fun. I found joy in it. However, when something becomes your career, it alters your perspective towards it. It isn’t about disliking it, but rather it’s not the path I desire to take.

After a hiatus of six years, he was eager to return to his acting career, and in 2020, he became part of the cast for BBC’s show titled “Out of Her Mind”. Since then, Jack has also been seen 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”.

When Jennifer Aniston, playing the dream girl in Fast Times at Ridgemmont High during a virtual table read in September 2020, married fellow actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they decided to take turns working so they would never be busy simultaneously. In an interview with Playboy, he explained that this arrangement allowed them to balance raising their son Owen and daughter Greta (now known as Frankie Cosmos in her music career).

Whenever Phoebe has been scheduled to work, she prefers to spend time with the children instead. Despite appearing in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her New York City boutique called Blue Tree.

During the peak of his prominence in movies like “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” the actor of the ’80s took a break from filmmaking not too long after his wife’s death due to breast cancer in 1991. He chose instead to dedicate himself to raising his children Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not taking on a live-action movie role since 1997, including turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, Rick continues to be a cherished cultural figure. This is shown by the public outcry over reports of an attack against him in New York City in 2020.

Fortunately, fans can rejoice: He’ll reappear on the big screen, sharing it with Josh Gad, in the upcoming Disney remake Shrunk.

Ever since I tied the knot with fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, I’ve been hinting that I might be considering a shift away from acting. As I shared with Vogue, a large percentage of acting roles require intimate scenes with others, which is something I’m not comfortable doing. It’s an unusual flame to dabble in, and while our relationship is robust enough to navigate such situations, it’s only worth walking through the fire if there’s something extraordinary waiting on the other side.

Her resolution became firm when son Martin joined sister Louisanna in 2014. Speaking to Us Weekly at a 2016 event, she expressed her distance from movie-related work by saying, “I am no longer part of it! I am simply a mother and an outsider.” She clarified that she assists Kimmel with his business endeavors and spends time painting on the side. In essence, she stated that she is primarily dedicated to her children, which led her to stop working in movies.

She had previously watched shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. When the Australian figured out that perhaps she was prepared to move on.

She shared that at around 45 years old, she found herself pondering if there was something new and difficult she could take on. This thought surfaced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018. With a sense of what her acting career might look like for the next decade or two already in mind, she chose to leave it behind and embark on an entrepreneurial journey instead.

In her ongoing project with the consumer-oriented art company, General Public, she only needed to complete one more piece.

In simple terms, “I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of ‘Arrested Development’. I told him that if there is a season 5, I wouldn’t be participating since I decided to stop acting. He seemed very understanding and agreed wholeheartedly. We had an enjoyable chat, and later on, he included me in five episodes.

After winning three Academy Awards, one might wonder what else there is left to achieve in acting. Not long after receiving his sixth Oscar nomination for his last film, “Phantom Thread” in 2017, the actor announced that he was retiring from acting altogether. His representatives released a statement thanking all of his collaborators and audience members over the years, stating that this decision was personal and they would not be providing any additional comment on the matter.

However, when Daniel thought his involvement in films had come to an end, it was his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who brought him back into the fold. In October 2024, it was announced that Focus Features would produce Anemone, a film written by the Oscar winner along with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also serve as the director for the project.

In 2018, the actress from “Good Luck Charlie” decided to step away from the limelight to focus on her education. She completed a master’s degree at MIT and then went on to earn a doctorate from there. Additionally, she attended Harvard Law School.

Furthermore, not only did Bridgit initiate her venture, Northwood Space, but she also took on the role of CEO as of February 2023. This innovative company is focused on constructing ground satellite stations for efficient data transmission between Earth and space.

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2025-09-05 23:48