Why Rosie O’Donnell Calls Keanu Reeves Her “Worst” Guest on Talk Show

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Rosie O’Donnell has never shied away from sharing her point of view.

Rosie O’Donnell recently opened up about her experiences hosting her talk show, and surprisingly revealed that Keanu Reeves was a difficult guest, despite her personal fondness for him.

She admitted on the October 14th episode of *Sam Pang Tonight* that while she cares for him, he doesn’t perform well on talk shows.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired Keanu Reeves, and it’s easy to see why so many people do! He’s incredibly kind – genuinely sweet, in fact – and let’s be honest, he’s gorgeous! While I adore all of his films, I have to admit I was a little frustrated when I interviewed him back in 1997. He was lovely, but he just wouldn’t give me a straight answer to one particular question, and it was a bit of a challenge!

“I’d say, ‘So, Keanu, how’s it going? How are you feeling?’” she recalled. His response? “’Good.’”  

Rosie explained that they were broadcasting live, so they couldn’t do the segment over. After about three minutes, she finally told Keanu Reeves, ‘This is a talk show, and you need to actually talk!’

Things improved after the first interview, and Rosie mentioned that he quickly learned the ropes when he returned – he was 61 at the time.

“He’s a lovely man and a good-hearted guy,” she added. “So I don’t wanna throw him under the bus.”

I remember when Keanu was on Rosie’s show – it was great! He talked about making the movie *The Devil’s Advocate* back in 1997, and it was fascinating to hear him discuss it.

As a host, you always want to keep the conversation flowing, and sometimes that means gently nudging your guests! I was chatting with Keanu, and naturally, Al Pacino came up. When he didn’t immediately jump into the story, I playfully reminded him, ‘Hey, we’re on a talk show – questions are part of the deal!’ It’s all about creating a comfortable, yet engaging, atmosphere.

Keanu Reeves, known for his role in *John Wick*, told Rosie that he avoids most television interviews because he feels uneasy doing them.

Rosie quickly calmed him down by showing him some toys, including a Keanu Reeves action figure from the 1989 movie *Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure*. He immediately started to relax.

It’s easy to see why Keanu Reeves isn’t a fan of talk shows. He’s mentioned before that he’s a private person and prefers to keep to himself when he’s not working.

He explained to *Parade* magazine in 2019 that his goal was always to act in films. While thankful for the chance to do so, he values his privacy and is glad he’s been able to maintain it.

Some celebrities have completely stepped away from public life, and a few have even retired from acting. Keep reading to find out which stars have left Hollywood behind.

After 19 seasons, *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful workplace. These claims led to an internal investigation, the firing of several producers, and significant public criticism.

Ellen DeGeneres recently 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 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, host of *America’s Next Top Model*, decided to move 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 airlines and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia to oversee production at a large facility there. She really enjoyed her time in Australia and recognized it as a promising market. According to Tyra, the countries that consume the most ice cream are America, New Zealand, and Australia. She ultimately moved there with her son, York (whose father is Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, stating that Australia has been a wonderful experience for her and her family.

Eva Longoria, best known for her role on *Desperate Housewives*, has left Los Angeles and now divides her time between Mexico and Spain. She explained to *Marie Claire* that while she lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that shift. She cited issues like homelessness and taxes as contributing factors, but emphasized she doesn’t want to criticize California, she simply feels it’s time for a new chapter.

Longoria, along with her husband José Bastón and son Santiago, began spending more time abroad a few years ago. She acknowledges her privilege in being able to leave, expressing anxiety and sadness for those Americans who don’t have the same opportunity.

However, she clarified in an interview on *The View: Behind the Table* podcast that her move wasn’t politically motivated, despite occurring after the presidential election. She explained that her work, including filming *Land of Women* in Spain and *Searching for Mexico*, led to extended stays in those countries, and she’s now been living there for years. She dislikes the idea that her decision has been framed as a political statement. 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, who is from Galicia, Spain, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is thrilled about the opportunity for their young sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife, Carey Lowell. The whole family appears to be enjoying the change. In a January 2025 interview with *Elle España*, Gere shared that they are happier than ever and are really embracing this new chapter in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have settled in Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, they previously spent half the year commuting between the U.S. and France. They recently made the move permanent so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage to The-Dream), and sons Isaiah and Kenna (with Pokora) – could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a wonderful opportunity for them. She shared with TopMob that her kids are thriving and learning French, and she’s enjoying a balanced lifestyle with daytime activities and work during the evenings. She describes their life in Paris as happy and healthy.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by ongoing speculation about why she left Los Angeles and decided to clarify the situation, reflecting on her busy career and social life during the 2000s. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she explained that unwanted attention from the paparazzi often overshadowed her work, which was frustrating. She wished the focus had remained on her career, and felt the constant media attention spiraled out of control, prompting her desire for a more private life. This desire led her to move overseas, first to London and then Dubai, where she also started opening beach clubs in Greece. However, escaping the spotlight was a major reason for her move.

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

She did eventually find love with Bader Shammas, marrying in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

Although they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She’s continued to appear in films such as *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 more diverse life.

“I’ve always wanted to be around people doing all sorts of things, to take my mind off work and help me grow in new ways,” he said. “That’s what makes life interesting.”

So, Josh, along with 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 with a big family, and while life might seem simpler, it’s filled with what truly matters.

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 fairly ordinary life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He explained that he avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t a movie buff, Jesse feels removed from the pressures of constantly evaluating 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 focus on her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others heal. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced—the peace and passion she’d found—because she now clearly understood this was her true calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing a character in *The Flintstones* shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay. She’s currently working on becoming an Irish citizen because her grandparents were from there. While she mentioned recent political events as a factor in her move, she hasn’t dismissed the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

Oh my gosh, she actually *said* it! She posted a TikTok and just… my heart! She admitted she misses her kids, her *friends*… everything back home! It’s so sad, but she’s really trying to build a life there now, in this new country. But she made it so clear – she’ll only come back to America when *everyone* has equal rights. Like, she’s waiting for America to be better, and I’m just… living for that. I need them back, but I totally understand. It’s just… everything!

Actress 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 life’s purpose. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path different from traditional success – like wealth and fame – can be daunting, embracing what truly feels right brings a deep sense of fulfillment instead of fear.

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 finishing his role in the 2019 Netflix series *V-Wars*, the actor best known from *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 over four years ago to focus on his family, develop his businesses, and get his films released. He told TopMob News in November 2023 that this included launching the 2020 documentary *Kiss the Ground* and its sequel, *Common Ground*, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shares two children with his wife, Nikki Reed.

Looking ahead, the actor shared that he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil practices, values he and his family embrace. He explained this is his long-term vision, and the reason behind his dedication to these areas. ‘It’s simply who I am and what I’m working towards,’ he said.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, *Empty Inside*, former *iCarly* star Jennette McCurdy revealed to guest Anna Faris that she quit acting a few years ago. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette shared that she deeply regrets many of her past acting roles, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She admitted to feeling resentful towards her career and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on those shows from ages 13 to 21, she was already self-conscious about her work by age 15, feeling it wasn’t something her peers admired.

She hasn’t ruled out returning to acting completely. In an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, she explained that writing her book helped her consider acting in a new light, free from past pressures. She suggested she might consider it again if she were to write a role specifically for herself, as that might be the only way she’d feel comfortable exploring it.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, devote ourselves to causes we care about, and wear the Queen’s beautiful tiaras would definitely make leaving Hollywood worthwhile.

Similar to Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle transitioned from her acting career in Toronto, where she starred in the show *Suits*, to a life within 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 production 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 burnt out. She explained that making a movie is incredibly demanding – it requires long hours, often 12 a day for months, and leaves you with no personal time.

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 seems she might be open to returning for at least one more project.

Jamie Foxx explained that he and others practically pleaded with Cameron Diaz to star in the upcoming 2025 Netflix movie, *Back in Action*. He said they begged her, saying, ‘Just do one more!’ Foxx added that they all adore her and have been eagerly anticipating her return, believing the film will be amazing.

The actor stated he wouldn’t return to acting after completing his five-year role on *Empire*. When asked by *Extra* about his plans before the show’s sixth and final season in 2019, Terrence Howard said, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done with pretending.”

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Oscar-nominated actor announced his retirement from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, *The Best Man: The Final Chapters*. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he feels he’s given everything he has to offer as an actor and now wants to focus on watching and enjoying new talent, rather than repeating past performances.

You know, even with everything that happened, I’ve been thrilled to see Regina Howard continuing to work! She’s popped up in some great things recently, like the TV series *Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist* and the Netflix film *Shirley*. And honestly, it sounds like she has a lot more exciting projects on the horizon, which is fantastic to see!

After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, the 21-year-old actor told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been working 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 enjoyed acting, but making a living from it changes things. It’s not that he dislikes it, he just doesn’t see it as his desired profession.

I was so thrilled to see Jack return to acting after a six-year hiatus! He jumped right back in with the BBC series *Out of Her Mind* in 2020, and he’s been consistently working ever since. I’ve enjoyed seeing him in films like *Rebecca’s Boyfriend* and *In the Land of Saints and Sinners*, plus TV shows like *Safe Harbor* and *The Famous Five*. It’s great to have him back!

When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High*, married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they made a plan to balance their careers and raise their children, Owen and Greta. Kline explained to *Playboy* that they decided to alternate work schedules so they wouldn’t both be working at the same time. Greta is now a singer known as Frankie Cosmos.

He added that Phoebe has consistently prioritized staying home with her children whenever she was scheduled to work. While she briefly appeared in a 2001 independent film, *The Anniversary Party*, starring her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cates mainly focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

When he was most famous for movies like *Ghostbusters* and *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*, the actor took a break from filmmaking after his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to focus on 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 in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will soon see him back on 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 interested in that. She explained that taking on such roles felt risky, and while her marriage was solid, she needed a truly exceptional opportunity to justify it.

After her son, Martin, joined his sister, Louisanna, in 2014, she firmly decided to step away from acting. She told *Us Weekly* in 2016 that she felt like an outsider and was now completely focused on being a mom. She also mentioned she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, but her children are her main priority, which is why she stopped pursuing film roles.

She’d built a strong career with popular shows like *Ally McBeal*, *Nip/Tuck*, *Arrested Development*, and *Scandal*. After those experiences, the Australian actress started to feel like it was time for a change.

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 it behind and start my own business.”

Her company, General Public, which creates 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 wouldn’t be interested in a fifth season because I had decided to stop acting. 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. Soon after receiving his sixth Oscar nomination for his 2017 film, *Phantom Thread*, his representative announced his retirement from acting. He expressed immense gratitude to those he’d worked with and 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 the show *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 communication with satellites, and Bridgit is serving as its CEO.

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2025-10-17 04:19