Mindy Kaling Reveals Surprising Reason She Stepped Away From Acting

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Mindy Kaling enjoys running point from behind the camera for now.

The alumna of the Office found her beginnings in Hollywood as a writer and actress, but confessed that she deliberately steered clear of appearing in her latest series because of personal beliefs or luck-related concerns.

Actually, the reason she didn’t appear in the TV series Never Have I Ever, which draws some influence from her experiences as an Indian-American girl, is because…she wasn’t included in it.

Mindy expressed this during the Paley Media Council Series on June 5, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter: “The show is centered around an Indian-American family in Southern California. If I’m not a part of it, what’s wrong with me?” She added, “I have a bit of a superstitious side. I think, ‘These shows are doing well and I’m not in them, so maybe I should wait.’

However, the creator of “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” who was recently seen on “The Morning Show” in 2023, admitted that there might be a shift in her feelings or perspective.

Mindy, the mother of Katherine (age 7), Spencer (age 4), and Anne (who is just 15 months old) said, ‘I long for it.’ She expressed her desire to pen or collaborate on a show where she can perform soon.

Indeed, the maker and lead actress of the “Mindy Project” pointed out that juggling both roles as a writer and an actor is “incredibly enjoyable and extremely efficient.

She expressed her desire to repeat the experience by saying, “I’d really enjoy doing it once more.” Regarding future plans, she mentioned, “In the coming years, as I introduce some new projects from my pipeline, revisiting that could turn out to be a delightful endeavor.

But whenever she does return, Mindy has been vocal about letting other actors take the spotlight. 

She shared with Variety in February, “If I were the one scripting the show, I wouldn’t necessarily need to be the main character. Instead, I’d delight in crafting a series for an exceptional talent and then take on a supporting role within it.

Read on for more stars who have also made the decision to step away from in front of the camera. 

1. After 19 seasons and controversies surrounding a toxic work environment that led to an internal investigation, firings of executives, and public backlash, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” ended in 2022. Later, in September 2024, Ellen made her comeback with her stand-up special “For Your Approval” on Netflix. Prior to this special, she announced that she would be retiring from Hollywood altogether, as expressed during her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, according to SFGate.

Ellen and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, are said to have relocated to England following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 elections. Several sources report this move, although neither has confirmed the reason behind it.

Tyra Banks, host of America’s Next Top Model, relocated to Australia due to her growing ice cream business, SMiZE and Dream. In an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, she stated that while her company had primarily focused on B2B sales (such as on airplanes and cruises), they were now producing a significant amount of their ice cream in Australia at a large facility. Her frequent visits to the country left her charmed by its charm, which eventually led to her decision to move there with her son York (Erik Asla’s ex) and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin. She expressed that Australia was a perfect market for her ice cream business as it ranked among the top three countries consuming the most ice cream, alongside America and New Zealand.

After quite some time since Eva lived on Wisteria Lane as a Desperate Housewives star, she has established a new residence in real life. In an interview with Marie Claire in November 2024, she spoke about her departure from Los Angeles, stating that even before the pandemic, the city was transforming. The atmosphere felt different, and then Covid-19 exacerbated the change, pushing her to move on. Eva explained that factors like homelessness and taxes made California feel like a chapter in her life that had come to an end.

For the past few years, Eva, along with her husband José Bastón and their son Santiago, have been spending time between Mexico and Spain. She acknowledged her privilege for being able to leave and go somewhere while many Americans are stuck in California, which she described as a dystopian country, expressing her empathy and sadness for them.

Eva clarified that her move wasn’t motivated by President Trump’s re-election but rather because of her work commitments. She spent six months filming Land of Women in Catalonia, followed by four months in Mexico for Searching for Mexico, and then returned to Spain. Since moving, she has remained active with projects like Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.

The actor, who was previously based in Chicago, has announced his family’s move to Madrid, Spain. This decision was influenced by his Spanish wife, Alejandra Silva, whom he met around seven years ago. The move is expected to benefit their young sons, Alexander and James, as they are already bilingual and will have the opportunity to thrive in this new environment. Richard also mentioned that he and his family are particularly content at this time. In an interview with Elle España, he expressed that they are happier than ever.

From morning to night, the singer resides in Paris. Christina, who is married to Matt Pokora, shared this on an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show in November 2024. For the past few years, they had been traveling between France and the U.S. every six months. However, they made a permanent move to France so their children – Violet from her previous marriage with The-Dream, and sons Isaiah and Kenna from her relationship with Matt – could attend school in Paris. Now, life seems wonderful for the family. Christina stated that her kids are content in Paris, have learned French, enjoy the park, and she leads an active daytime lifestyle. At night, she manages her work since it’s ahead of U.S. time, maintaining a balanced and healthy routine for herself.

Lindsay has grown weary of false speculations about her departure from Los Angeles. To clear up any misconceptions, she spoke candidly about her past, which included a demanding job schedule and frequent partying during the 2000s.

In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, Lindsay explained, “I feel that some of my work was overshadowed by paparazzi when I was younger, and that’s quite irritating.” She added, “I wish that part hadn’t happened. It seemed to take on a life of its own. That’s why I chose to disappear. Unless there’s no story here, they won’t focus solely on my work.”

After leaving Los Angeles, Lindsay lived in various places such as London, Dubai, and even opened beach clubs in Greece. However, there was another motive behind her decision to step away from the limelight.

In her own words, she expressed a moment of self-doubt, questioning if love would ever find her or if it was destined to pass her by. However, as she focused on herself, opportunities began to unfold and ‘yes’ moments presented themselves – experiences she longed to embrace.

Interestingly, Lindsay eventually found love with Bader Shammas, tying the knot in 2022 and welcoming their son Luai in the following year. Despite residing in Dubai, she hasn’t entirely departed from Hollywood. She continues to grace the silver screen in films such as Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.

After giving it a good long think, I realized that Hollywood wasn’t just a location for me – it was an all-consuming state of mind. Surrounded by people constantly discussing the film industry, I felt my life becoming monotonous, something I never wanted,” I confided in People magazine back in 2024.

Instead, I craved more than just the movie business. “I’ve always yearned to be amongst people who are engaged in a multitude of activities beyond my own work, stimulating my mind and encouraging me to expand in various directions,” I continued. “That’s what truly spices up life for me.”

Consequently, my dear Black Hawk Down co-star Tamsin Egerton, our four children, and I decided to trade the bustling cityscape for the tranquil Hampshire countryside in England.

“Time flies when you’re raising a family,” I told The Guardian in 2024. “With so many responsibilities, life can feel hectic. Yet, paradoxically, it’s the essential moments that fill our days.”

Despite our move, I’ve remained active and have been fortunate enough to secure roles in Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you haven’t kept up with Jesse’s social media updates recently, you might not be aware that he no longer resides in Los Angeles. In a 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Jesse shared that he has been living in Indiana for the past decade, feeling most at ease there. He expressed his discomfort with the instability of the entertainment industry and prefers to lead a low-key life with his wife Anna Strout and their son Banner. Interestingly, Jesse is not active on social media and doesn’t frequently communicate with industry contacts, which helps him maintain a lifestyle that feels detached from Hollywood’s constant evaluation of his status in the industry.

Following her roles in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the movie “Bring It On” from the year 2000, Eliza announced in September 2024 that she had earned certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy and was continuing her education to become a mental health specialist.

She shared with Boston Magazine, “I found a way to alter my path and concentrate on self-healing to better assist others in their healing. It would be unfair not to reveal the change, the tranquility, and the enthusiasm I now carry. This is undoubtedly my true vocation, my genuine purpose.

In January 2025, a star of “The Flintstones” announced that she and her youngest son Clay had relocated to Ireland. She’s also working towards acquiring Irish citizenship since her grandparents are from this European nation. Although Rosie pointed to recent political changes as the reason for her departure, she didn’t completely rule out a future return to her home country.

In the TikTok video she shared, she expressed her longing for her other children, friends, and various aspects of life at home. She’s on a journey to find a suitable place here in this lovely country. And once safety and equal rights are guaranteed for everyone in America, it will be something we seriously consider returning to.

As a devoted admirer, I’m sharing the news that the remarkable actress who graced our screens in Ant-Man and the Wasp has decided to take a break from acting for an undetermined period, following two decades of exceptional contributions to the film industry.

In her Instagram post from June 2024, Evangeline expressed her happiness and contentment, saying “I’m bursting with joy today as I live according to my vision.” She also shared her feelings of gratitude for the blessings in her life. Although choosing a path other than wealth and fame can be intimidating at times, she emphasized that embracing your true purpose (dharma) replaces fear with fulfillment.

However, it’s not definitive that she’s closing the door on this, as she mentioned, “I could potentially go back to Hollywood someday, yet, at present, this is where I feel I belong.

Since his appearance in the Netflix series V-Wars in 2019, The Vampire Diaries alum has not taken on a new acting role. Instead, he has dedicated himself more intensely to a personal project – making strides towards combating climate change by enhancing the quality of our soil.

Approximately four years ago, I took a break from acting to focus on my family responsibilities with my wife Nikki Reed and also to develop my businesses and introduce these films to the public. This conversation occurred in November 2023, when discussing the release of the 2020 documentary “Kiss the Ground” and its sequel “Common Ground,” both shedding light on the importance of regenerative farming.

Speaking about the future, the actor stated, “I will transform into a rancher and create enduring brand names, be it my bourbon or health and wellness company. My commitment to regenerative agriculture and soil management practices, which my family and I follow, is also part of this vision. This is the path my life is taking. So when others ask me ‘Why do you get involved?’ I care because this reflects who I am and where I’m headed.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast “Empty Inside”, the former star of “iCarly” disclosed to her guest, Anna Faris, that she had chosen to step away from acting several years ago. Now, her focus is on ventures in writing, directing, and hosting the podcast, along with other endeavors.

Jennette openly shared her feelings about her acting career, stating, “I’m deeply ashamed of the roles I played in my past.” This sentiment is expressed more clearly in her 2022 memoir titled I’m Glad My Mom Died. She expressed resentment towards her career and felt profoundly unfulfilled by the characters she portrayed, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. From the age of 13 to 21, she worked on various shows, but by 15 years old, she was already ashamed of her Nickelodeon work. Even at that young age, her peers didn’t find it cool; instead, they found it embarrassing.

Although she hasn’t definitively ruled out a return to acting, her recent experiences with writing have led her to believe there might be an opportunity to experiment with acting without the burden she had carried for so long. In fact, she suggested that penning something personal could potentially open up a chance for her to revisit acting again.

This seemed like an obvious choice. If we had the chance to marry Prince Harry, devote our life to causes that are deeply meaningful to us while also gaining entry to the Queen’s magnificent collection of tiaras, saying goodbye to Hollywood might not be such a hard decision to make.

In a move reminiscent of Grace Kelly transitioning from Tinseltown to the Principality of Monaco, I, too, stepped away from my Toronto abode and the captivating role that propelled me on Suits, embracing a life within The Firm. However, after Harry and I relinquished our senior roles and settled in Montecito, Calif., I’ve been gradually re-entering the world of business through strategic ventures such as our multi-year partnership with Netflix.

As the Duchess of Sussex, I’ve graced the screens of millions with my 2022 docuseries, Harry & Meghan, and my forthcoming 2025 lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan. In addition, I’ve ventured into podcasting and launched my brand, As Ever.

Since making around 40 films since her acting debut in 1994’s “The Mask,” the actress had worked tirelessly in the industry and deserved a well-earned rest following the completion of filming for “Annie” in 2014.

She shared with her friend Gwyneth Paltrow that she had recently changed her life goals. For years, she had been pushing herself relentlessly through work and filmmaking, which took such a toll on her. As she put it, making a movie can consume you completely – you’re committed for 12 hours a day, often for months at a time, leaving little room for anything else.

As a die-hard fan, there’s so much more I yearn to delve into with Cameron Diaz, from her continued literary journeys (expanding upon her 2013 New York Times best-seller “The Body Book” with the release of “The Longevity Book” in 2016) to her family life with husband Benji Madden. However, despite her admission in 2019 to InStyle that she no longer misses performing and is focusing on wellness, it seems there might be a chance for at least one more spectacular comeback.

Jamie Foxx expressed his fervent request to TopMob News about convincing Cameron Diaz to reprise her role for the 2025 Netflix film “Back in Action”. He shared, “We were practically begging and pleading on our knees, saying something like, ‘Please give us one more,'” and added, “We adore her, we’ve been anticipating this moment, and this reunion is going to be nothing short of fantastic.

As a devoted fan, I can share that when asked about his future during an interview before the sixth and last season of Empire in 2019, Terrence himself made it clear that he was stepping away from acting: “I’ve decided to hang up my acting shoes. I’m done with the pretense.

Despite coming back for a few productions, the Oscar nominee declared his intentions to retire from acting while publicizing his Peacock series “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” in 2022. In conversation with ET, he expressed, “I’ve reached a stage where I feel I’ve given my best as an actor. Now, I prefer observing the emergence of fresh acting talent and don’t wish to imitate myself.”

In spite of those remarks, it’s worth noting that Howard has made appearances in additional shows and films since then. These include the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix film “Shirley.” Furthermore, there are several projects scheduled for him in the time to come.

Or more concisely:

Though initially criticized, Howard has continued to work in various shows and films, such as “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” on TV and “Shirley” on Netflix. Future projects are also planned for him.

Following the abrupt, purple-hued demise of my character King Joffrey in 2014, I, at the age of 21, chose to step away from acting. Reflecting on my journey, I’ve been acting since the tender age of eight. However, I found myself no longer deriving the same joy from it as I once did.

Once a child actor, the initial charm had faded as he now faces the possibility of turning it into a career. Previously, acting was merely a pastime shared with friends during leisure time or a summer activity for fun. However, Jack found joy in it. Now that it could become his livelihood, he feels differently about it. It’s not that he dislikes it; rather, it’s no longer the path he wants to follow.

Six years later, he was prepared to resume his acting career, landing a role on BBC’s show “Out of Her Mind” in 2020. Since then, Jack has been featured in films such as “Rebecca’s Boyfriend” and “In the Land of Saints and Sinners”, as well as television series like “Safe Harbor” and “The Famous Five”.

In September 2020, Jennifer Aniston, who played the dream girl in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” married actor Kevin Kline in 1989. They decided to take turns in their work commitments so they would never be working simultaneously, as they wanted to balance their careers with caring for their children, son Owen and daughter Greta (now known by her stage name Frankie Cosmos).

In other words, when it’s been Phoebe’s turn to work, she has consistently opted to stay with the kids. Although she appeared briefly in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 indie film titled “The Anniversary Party,” Cates primarily dedicates her time to managing her New York City boutique, Blue Tree.

At the peak of his popularity from “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” the ’80s actor chose to leave filmmaking shortly after his wife’s death due to breast cancer in 1991, devoting himself to caring for his children Rachel and Mitchell instead.

Despite not taking on a live-action movie role since 1997, even turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, Rick continues to be an adored cultural figure, as demonstrated by the public outcry over news of his assault in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will rejoice at the announcement: He’ll reappear on screen alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney film Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent actress from “Never Been Kissed” suggested she might be moving away from film roles. In an interview with Vogue, she explained that a large proportion of acting roles require intimate scenes with others, which she prefers to avoid. She described it as a peculiar flame to play with, and while their relationship is robust, she feels that if one is to walk through fire, there should be something extraordinary on the other side.

After her son Martin joined her older daughter Louisanna in 2014, her resolve to pursue a different path was made firm. In a conversation with Us Weekly at a 2016 event, she expressed, “I am no longer involved in movie affairs. Now, I consider myself solely as a mom and an outsider.” She elaborated that she assists Kimmel with his business ventures and indulges in painting as a hobby. “My primary focus is my children,” she added, suggesting that this shift was the main reason for her decision to stop her previous work.

She had previously watched shows like “Ally McBeal”, “Nip/Tuck”, then moved on to “Arrested Development” before ultimately deciding that perhaps she was ready for a change, as indicated by her watching “Scandal”.

In her interview on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2018, she shared that at age 45, she found herself pondering if there was something new and difficult that she could undertake. She had a sense of what her acting career might look like for the next decade or two, so she decided to step away from it all and start a business instead.

She had only one more piece left to complete for her consumer-focused art company, General Public, which was currently still under development.

I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the mastermind behind “Arrested Development,” expressing my regret that if there’s a fifth season, I wouldn’t be participating due to my decision to stop acting. He was very empathetic about it and clearly understood the situation. Our chat was enjoyable, and later on, he found ways to include me in five different episodes.

After bagging three Academy Awards, one might wonder what significant milestones are left for him to achieve. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for his last film, “Phantom Thread” in 2017, the actor announced that he would no longer pursue acting roles. He expressed his deep appreciation towards his collaborators and audience over the years. This decision was personal and he will not provide any additional comments on this matter.

However, when Daniel believed he had moved on, his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, drew him back into the world of filmmaking. In October 2024, production company Focus Features revealed that the Oscar winner would star in “Anemone“, a movie he co-wrote with his son who will also direct it.

In 2018, the actress who starred on “Good Luck Charlie” decided to step away from the limelight and focus on her education. She completed a master’s degree and then a PhD at MIT. Additionally, she joined Harvard Law School for further studies.

Furthermore, not only did Bridgit establish her venture, Northwood Space, but she also took on the role of CEO in February 2023. This innovative company is focused on constructing ground satellite stations to facilitate data transmission from space.

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2025-06-06 23:51