Jake Thomas had to figure it out on the way.
Therefore, it’s clear why the actor who portrayed Lizzie McGuire chose to temporarily pause his acting career following his role as Hilary Duff’s character’s younger brother Matt McGuire in the Disney Channel series for two seasons.
Reflecting on the past quarter-century since my debut, I’m eager to offer deeper insights into the reasons behind my decision to step away from the limelight. As a lifestyle guide, I believe it’s crucial to share personal experiences and learnings in our journeys towards wellness and balance.
Jake shared with TopMob News’ Francesca Amiker during an exclusive interview that he might never have truly stepped away from Hollywood completely. He explained that there was a phase in his life when he chose to concentrate on his education, attending college and taking on various classes. Jake added that at one point, he wanted to explore what he could achieve independently, rather than relying too much on the fame he had garnered as a child actor.
Jake, aged 35, mentioned that he mainly sought to find out if he could be successful on his own merit, rather than depending on other factors.
According to Jake, he managed to keep a low profile while studying at college and pursuing photography. Notably, his deep-seated enthusiasm paved the way for him to rejoin Hollywood’s scene, working behind the scenes on several TV productions.
However, the time away was more about growth.
During that period, he disclosed that he also experienced some personal growth. Now, he feels he has returned to his full potential, and he attributes this transformation to the wisdom he gathered then, which he’s integrated into his current self.
Currently, Jake occupies a significant position in his professional journey, notably as Marco Silva in the upcoming solo video game titled MindsEye. This game is scheduled for launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and personal computers on June 10th.
Jake clarified that this project is quite different from what he’s worked on before,” he said, “It was an exhilarating adventure for me, I enjoyed every bit of it, and the technology involved is mind-blowing.
Regarding his recent role, Jake openly enjoys playing the part of the arrogant, self-centered tech mogul.
He clarified, “I’ve portrayed some characters with questionable morals in my acting career. However, it doesn’t mean that Matt McGuire was one of them. He had a compassionate side. Since my role in ‘Lizzie McGuire’, I’ve played several parts in prime-time series where I was the suspected killer or the villain due to my character being untrustworthy. Over time, it seems I’ve been stereotyped as a villain in various productions.
However, years have passed since his initial screen appearance in Lizzie McGuire, Jake remains thankful for each role that contributed to his current success.
Speaking candidly to TopMob News about my professional journey, I can unequivocally assert that the diverse experiences and unparalleled opportunities I’ve encountered throughout my life are priceless. I am deeply grateful for all the extraordinary adventures and one-of-a-kind moments I’ve had the privilege to live through, which is why I wouldn’t give it up for anything else in the world.
Keep reading for more stars who took a break from Hollywood…
After 19 seasons, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” came to an end in 2022 due to allegations of a harmful work environment. This led to an internal investigation, dismissals of executives, and widespread criticism. However, Ellen returned to the limelight with her standup special “For Your Approval,” which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the release of this special, she announced that she would be leaving Hollywood for good. In her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, she told a crowd, as reported by SFGate, “This is the last time you’ll see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.
Ellen and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, are said to have relocated to England following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 elections. However, they haven’t made any official statements about the reasons behind their decision to move.
One reason Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, chose to relocate to Australia was to oversee her ice cream brand SMiZE and Dream. During an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, she elaborated that her company had primarily served the B2B market, such as airplanes and cruises. However, due to producing a significant amount of their ice cream in Australia at a large facility, she found herself drawn to the country every time she visited. Not only did she enjoy her time there, but she also recognized that it was an ideal market for her business. She stated, “The countries that consume the most ice cream are America, New Zealand, and Australia,” making Australia an attractive destination for both personal and professional reasons. Consequently, Tyra Banks moved to Australia with her son York (fathered by her ex Erik Asla) and partner Louis Bélanger-Martin, expressing that “Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.
After a significant period away from Wisteria Lane, where she once lived as a Desperate Housewives star, Eva has since established a new base in reality. In an interview with Marie Claire in November 2024, she expressed her feelings about leaving Los Angeles, stating that even before the pandemic, the city was undergoing changes and the atmosphere felt different. The arrival of Covid-19 accelerated this transformation, making her feel that this chapter in her life had come to an end.
For several years now, Eva, along with her husband José Bastón and their son Santiago, have divided their time between Mexico and Spain. She acknowledged her privileged position, as she can escape to these locations while many Americans are trapped in what feels like a dystopian America. However, her move was not motivated by President Trump’s re-election.
In the podcast The View: Behind the Table in November 2024, Eva clarified that her decision to leave wasn’t driven by political reasons. Instead, her work took her to different countries due to projects like Land of Women and Searching for Mexico. She has since remained active, taking on roles in shows such as Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.
The actor, who was previously living in Chicago, has decided to move to Madrid with his family. He mentioned this during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024. His wife, Alejandra Silva, is Spanish and they have spent around seven years together in the U.S. They are excited about this move as it will benefit their young sons, Alexander and James, who are bilingual and are expected to thrive in Spain. The family seems to be enjoying this new chapter in their lives, as Richard himself stated in an interview with Elle España in January 2025 that they are happier than ever.
From morning until night, the singer and her family reside in Paris. Christina, who is married to singer Matt Pokora, revealed this on an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show that aired in November 2024. For the past three or four years, they were frequently traveling between the U.S. and France every six months. However, they made the decision to permanently move to France so their children could attend school there. These children include daughter Violet from her previous marriage with The-Dream, and sons Isaiah and Kenna from her relationship with Matt. All three kids are now enrolled in a Parisian school. Christina expressed her excitement about this opportunity, stating, “What better chance than that?” Life seems to be going well for the family in Paris, as their children are happy there, learning French, and they enjoy daily activities together during the day. At night, Christina manages her work schedule as she works ahead of U.S. time zones, creating a healthy balance for her.
Lindsay has grown weary of baseless speculations about her departure from Los Angeles. To clear up any misunderstandings, she discussed her situation while reflecting on her busy career and social life during the 2000s.
“It feels like my work was overshadowed by paparazzi and such when I was younger, and that’s really irritating,” The Parent Trap alum shared with Bustle in March 2024. “I wish that aspect didn’t occur. It seemed to take on a life of its own. That’s why I wanted to disappear. I thought, ‘Unless there’s no story here, they’re not going to focus on just my work.'”
Lindsay eventually relocated, first to London and then Dubai (also launching beach clubs in Greece). However, there was another reason she opted for a life out of the limelight.
The Mean Girls actor pondered, “What if I never experience love? What if it never happens for me?” She continued. “It was only after taking some time for myself that opportunities started presenting themselves, and the ‘yeses’ I longed to give.”
Later on, Lindsay did find love with Bader Shammas, tying the knot in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, the following year. The couple currently reside in Dubai, but Lindsay hasn’t fully stepped away from Hollywood, appearing in films such as Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.
After a period of introspection, Josh made the choice to depart from Hollywood. In an interview with People in July 2024, he described Hollywood as not just a location, but a mindset that can consume one’s life if surrounded by constant talk about the film industry. Instead, he yearned for more diversity in his surroundings and experiences. As he put it, “I’ve always wanted to be around people engaged in various activities that would distract me from my work and encourage me to develop in different ways. To me, that’s what adds flavor to life.”
Following this desire, Josh, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, relocated to the countryside of Hampshire, England. Reflecting on the move, he told The Guardian in July 2024, “Time passes swiftly, especially with four children who keep us busy. In a sense, there’s less happening, but more of what truly matters is taking place.”
Despite his move, Josh has remained active and taken on roles in Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.
If you haven’t been keeping up with Jesse’s social media, you might have missed that he no longer resides in L.A. Instead, for the past ten years or so, he has been living off and on in Indiana, a place where he feels most comfortable. He shared this information in an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning back in February 2025. Jesse expressed that the entertainment industry, which he’s part of as an Oscar nominee, can feel unstable to him.
In his personal life, Jesse lives a rather ordinary existence with his wife Anna Strout and their son Banner. He is not active on social media or frequently in touch with industry contacts, which helps keep his life somewhat detached from the world of Hollywood. His wife is a teacher, and their son doesn’t watch many movies, so he isn’t constantly grappling with concerns about his status within the entertainment industry.
Following stints in television shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 2000 film “Bring It On”, Eliza announced in September 2024 that she had qualified as a psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioner and was pursuing additional education to become a mental health specialist.
She shared with Boston Magazine that she discovered a path in life where she could focus on personal healing to better assist others. It’s important for her to convey the incredible change, tranquility, and enthusiasm she has experienced. This, without a doubt, aligns perfectly with her true calling and life’s purpose.
The actress who plays a role in “The Flintstones” announced that she and her youngest son Clay moved to Ireland in January 2025. She’s also working towards acquiring Irish citizenship since her grandparents hail from there. However, Rosie mentioned some recent political changes as the cause for her departure, but she didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of returning home one day.
In a TikTok video, she expressed her longing, saying, “I yearn for my other children, my friends, and so many aspects of life at home. I’m currently seeking a new home here in this stunning country. When everyone in America can enjoy equal rights safely, that’s when we might think about returning.
Actress who stars in Ant-Man and the Wasp has decided to temporarily step away from her acting career, marking a break after 20 years in the entertainment industry.
On Instagram in June 2024, Evangeline shared her feelings of immense happiness and contentment. She expressed her deep gratitude for her blessings. Although giving up wealth and fame might seem daunting sometimes, she finds peace in following her life’s purpose (dharma), which fills her with a sense of fulfillment instead.
However, it’s not entirely ruled out that she won’t close the door, as she also mentioned, “There’s a possibility I might go back to Hollywood someday, but for the moment, this is where I feel at home.
Since his appearance in Netflix’s 2019 series, V-Wars, the actor from The Vampire Diaries 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.
About four years back, I took a break from acting to focus on raising my kids with Nikki Reed, developing my businesses, and releasing the documentaries ‘Kiss the Ground’ in 2020 and its sequel ‘Common Ground’, which highlight the importance of regenerative farming,” is how Ian explained his current endeavors to TopMob News in November 2023.
Speaking about the future, the actor expressed, “I see myself as a rancher and creator of enduring brand names, be it my bourbon or health and wellness business. My commitment to regenerative farming and soil management will be central to this, practices that our family has always followed. This is the path I envision for myself. So when others ask ‘Why are you so passionate?’ That’s why I am – because this is who I am, and this is what I aspire to become.
In the episode of her podcast “Empty Inside” dated February 2021, the former star of “iCarly” shared with her guest, Anna Faris, that she had chosen to step away from acting a few years prior. Now, her main focus lies in writing, directing, and hosting the podcast.
Jennette openly shared that she feels deeply ashamed about the acting roles she took on in her past, as she expressed this sentiment in her 2022 memoir titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died”. She went on to say that she harbors resentment towards her career because it hasn’t provided her with fulfillment. The roles she played felt overly cheesy and embarrassing to her, which is why by the age of 15, she already felt embarrassed about being on the shows she was a part of between the ages of 13 and 21. To her peers at 15, being on a Nickelodeon show wasn’t something cool; instead, it was an embarrassment.
Initially, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a second act. However, in an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, she expressed that writing the book has given her new insights, leading her to believe there might be an opportunity to revisit acting without the weighty past experiences. If she pens something personal, she feels this could potentially open up a chance for her to experiment with acting once more.
This seemed like an obvious choice. If we had the chance to wed Prince Harry, devote our life to charitable work that truly matters to us, and acquire access to the Queen’s stunning collection of tiaras, saying goodbye to Hollywood might be a decision worth making.
Mimicking Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood to Monaco’s Palace, Meghan Markle relinquished her Toronto residence and her popular role in “Suits” for a life within The Firm. However, after Harry and she stepped down from their senior roles and settled in Montecito, Calif., Meghan has been gradually returning to the business world through strategic ventures like their multi-year deal with Netflix.
In 2022, the Duchess of Sussex premiered her docuseries “Harry & Meghan” on Netflix, and in 2025, she unveiled her lifestyle show titled “With Love, Meghan.” She has also delved into podcasts and launched her brand As Ever.
Since her first role in “The Mask” in 1994, the actress had appeared in more than 40 films. After finishing work on “Annie” in 2014, it was high time she took a well-deserved rest from filming.
She shared with her friend Gwyneth Paltrow that she had recently made a change in her life, seeking something new. For a long time, she had been pushing herself to the limit, working tirelessly on films, which can be incredibly demanding. During filming, it’s easy to feel like you’re not your own person; the production owns you, and for months at a time, there’s barely any room for anything else in your life.
Besides delving deeper into various aspects, such as continuing her writing journey (having published The Body Book in 2013 followed by The Longevity Book in 2016), starting a family with husband Benji Madden, and exploring the realm of wellness, she expressed no desire for performing. However, it seems that there might be a possibility of one exceptional comeback.
In an interview with TopMob News, Jamie Foxx shared that he had humbly requested and expressed enthusiasm to Cameron Diaz for the 2025 Netflix film “Back in Action”. He expressed his affection for her, stating they’ve been eagerly waiting for her participation, and he’s certain this collaboration will be extraordinary.
In simpler terms, after completing his five-year stint on Empire, the actor firmly stated that there would be no more performances beyond that point. When asked about his future during an interview for Extra prior to the sixth and final season of the musical drama series in 2019, he emphatically declared, “I’ve had enough acting. I’m done with pretending.
Despite coming back for a few projects, the Oscar nominee declared his intention to retire from acting during the promotion of his Peacock series “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” in 2022. He explained to ET that he has reached a point where he feels he’s given his best as an actor. Now, he enjoys observing fresh talent emerge and doesn’t want to mimic himself any longer.
Regardless of those comments, it’s worth noting that Howard has made appearances in additional shows and movies over time. For instance, he featured in the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix film “Shirley.” Furthermore, there are several projects scheduled for him in the upcoming future.
After King Joffrey’s unexpected, purple-tinged demise in the year 2014, the young man, then aged 21, decided to leave acting behind. As he shared with EW, he had been acting since the age of eight. However, he confessed that he no longer found it as enjoyable as he once did.
Previously known as a child actor, the charm of it had started to fade. Earlier, it was merely a pastime shared with friends or an enjoyable summer activity, but now there’s the possibility that it could be a career. Jack elaborated, “I used to enjoy it, but when you turn it into your profession, it transforms the way you feel about it. It’s not that I dislike it; it’s simply not my preference.
After a hiatus of six years, he was eager to reclaim his spotlight and returned to television in 2020, joining the cast of BBC’s series “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 on TV shows including “Safe Harbor” and “The Famous Five.
In 1989, when Jennifer Aniston played her role in a virtual table read of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and married fellow actor Kevin Kline, they decided to work on different projects to ensure they wouldn’t work simultaneously. This was their strategy for managing their careers while caring for their children, Owen and Greta (now known as Frankie Cosmos in the music industry).
In other words, whenever it’s been Phoebe’s turn to work, she has decided to stay with the children instead. Despite making a brief appearance in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film “The Anniversary Party”, Cates spends most of her time managing her New York City boutique, Blue Tree.
During the peak 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 himself to raising his children Rachel and Mitchell instead.
Despite not appearing in a live-action movie since 1997, and turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, Rick continues to be a beloved cultural figure. This is demonstrated by the public outcry over reports of his assault in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans can look forward to seeing him again as he teams up with Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot Shrunk.
After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent actress from “Never Been Kissed” suggested that she might be moving away from film acting. As she put it to Vogue, “Ninety percent of acting roles require a lot of intimate scenes with others, and I’m not interested in that. It’s a strange and intense element to deal with, and while our relationship is robust enough to handle it, if one is going to walk through fire, there should be something extraordinary on the other side.
After my son Martin joined my older daughter Louisanna in 2014, my resolve to step away from movie-related activities became firm. In a 2016 event with Us Weekly, I stated, “I’m no longer involved in movies; I’ve become an outsider! I am essentially just a mom and an outsider.” This sentiment was further expressed as I help my spouse manage his business and indulge in painting as a hobby. My primary focus now is my children. I believe it is their needs that have primarily led me to stop engaging in such activities.
She had watched shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. When the Australian figured out that perhaps she was prepared for a change.
In her interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, she shared that at around 45, she found herself pondering if there was something new and difficult that she could take on. She had a sense of what her acting career would 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 item left to complete for her ongoing consumer-focused business, generally known as General Public.
I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the mastermind behind “Arrested Development,” and shared with him that if there’s a fifth season, I won’t participate due to my decision to retire from acting. He appeared very understanding and completely grasped the situation. We had an enjoyable chat, and later on, he included me in five episodes by writing for me.
After winning three Academy Awards, one might wonder what else there is left to achieve in acting. Shortly following his sixth Oscar nomination for his final film, “Phantom Thread” (2017), the actor made public that he would no longer pursue roles as an actor. He expressed immense gratitude towards his collaborators and audiences over the years. This decision was a personal one and neither he nor his representatives will provide any additional comments on this matter.
However, when Daniel thought he had stepped away, his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, drew him back into the world of cinema. In October 2024, production company Focus Features revealed that the Oscar winner would feature in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son who will also direct it.
In 2018, the actress who was known for her role on “Good Luck Charlie” decided to step away from the limelight and instead focused on furthering her education. She completed a master’s degree and later earned a PhD from MIT, and she also joined Harvard Law School.
Moreover, not only did Bridgit initiate her venture, Northwood Space, but she also assumed the role of CEO for this company in February 2023. The objective of Northwood Space is to construct ground satellite stations that enable data transmission to and from space.
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2025-06-10 16:19