Actors Who Left Hollywood at the Height of Fame: Their Stories

Sometimes the best part of a great story is knowing it had a start and a stop, whether for love of life or to seek another dream. Those who give up fame, stardom, and the glamour of hollywood to make this change. It is truly incredible, to see someone find happiness!

id="leaving-hollywood-at-the-height-of-fame">Leaving Hollywood At The Height Of Fame:

Some might say there's nothing better than fame and all those cool perks. That feeling of the world showering you with admiration. But for some of Hollywood's greats it really was time to do something else, even when they could have had a future in film. These choices have taken a range of actors through these transitions!

• It may involve someone who had an amazing run as a child and had a heart's desire to do something new.
• An iconic, well-known actor had simply found it was time to move on, making it clear that their life was about to be changed, and for the better.
• Others had planned a time to step back from Hollywood but ultimately found a new purpose. They just loved what they were doing. They really left behind the world of celebrities and stars to enjoy their lives.

Leaving for the Better

If you love these big Movies stars and everything they do! Here's a list of some big names. You might not be familiar with every person, but you will hear names you've surely heard of. You won't believe how many icons walked away. Not all at once. The decision had an impact, though.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas:

• Jonathan Taylor Thomas made a major splash as a kid star! With some very notable roles. He was on the series "The Bradys."
• His star kept rising in 1991 with "Home Improvement," with an iconic role as Randy Taylor. He had a super busy period and that only continued in the 1990s.

For this star he reached a milestone most adults can only imagine!

• He gave "Simba" from "The Lion King" his iconic voice,
• "Pinocchio " in The Adventures of Pinocchio was his as well.

For Thomas this success hit while he was still in his teens! With his biggest break at "Home Improvement." ending in 1998. He was just 17 years old and chose to focus on a completely different part of his life- learning. He did have a couple of cameos here and there as an adult but it appears Thomas wanted to give all of his attention to learning something completely new.

Jack Gleeson

Jack Gleeson, another well-known star with his breakthrough role as "Joffrey Baratheon", a truly memorable character on "Game of Thrones." The role got Gleeson noticed, for sure, and his success even brought this figure a level of recognition around the globe! But Gleeson had one big, shocking surprise for fans as he decided to step back from Hollywood, even as the fans were wanting more.

• Gleeson made this decision in 2014. This followed Joffrey meeting a surprising end.
• It seems that his choice to walk away was made, in part, from wanting to take time to explore his own learning goals and focus on new endeavors!
• However, Gleeson, has found his way back to a few new productions!

This included taking on new roles, but also giving back to the acting community.

Rick Moranis:

• Rick Moranis is another huge name with some super iconic roles! Everyone remembers him from classics like "Ghostbusters, "Spaceballs," and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," along with so many other blockbusters!

This is one of the many amazing roles, that showed just how creative he was. In 1997, he made the choice to take a break and retire from Hollywood, but was never far away from those of us who missed seeing his memorable performances! It looks like this talented comedian also wanted a different life!

• It seems Moranis found the pressure of Hollywood tough.
• The actor wanted to spend time with his kids as a single father!

There has been a bit of a mystery surrounding his time away but he hasn't disappeared completely as he did appear in the "Brother Bear" film with a memorable voice acting part! It seemed like for this comedy icon, a new opportunity is coming as the plans to continue his story through the film "Shrunk is a sequel to his classic "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." But fans need to wait until the movie is done, with the big delay, we'll all have to wait to see this iconic comedian back on the screen!

id="daniel-day-lewis">Daniel Day-Lewis:

• Daniel Day-Lewis is a household name! An Academy Award winner. He took on the method acting role in a super dramatic and powerful way.

His story of leaving behind a career shows dedication! The actor embraced his craft with all of his passion! For these roles the performer went to extremes, just to portray characters that fans can't ever forget.

• This included roles in "In the Name of the Father," where he put himself in solitary confinement.
• "The Last of the Mohicans", was truly an impressive adventure for Day-Lewis where he had an experience in the wild!
• For "Lincoln," a true tour de force performance! He really became this iconic leader. The star truly went through the whole transformation and embodied these incredible historical figures.

The decision to make this drastic change wasn't a spur of the moment! Day-Lewis stepped back in 1997 with "The Boxer." A period he calls, "semi-retirement," lasting around 5 years! And it was then that the legendary star really made his impact. Returning to the world of movies with "Gangs of New York." , where he partnered up with the filmmaker Martin Scorsese. However, Day-Lewis announced that he would be retiring from Hollywood in 2017, and it happened. Following this retirement decision, he shared a pretty remarkable turn, stepping back into Hollywood as part of his son's first directional film called "Anemone." You won't want to miss Day-Lewis return!

id="shirley-temple">Shirley Temple:

Her success was super monumental that she had a drink named after her. If you are thinking, "Wow, who would give up Hollywood in this kind of moment?" Well, the truth is, there are lots of instances that bring a fascinating narrative to this topic!

• Shirley Temple, started making films at the age of three! She then exploded on the screen with "Bright Eyes." at just six years old.
• Her career had no limitations and was truly incredible!
• In 1934, she made 10 movies!

Her charm won fans all over! What's remarkable, this was a star who brought laughter and warmth to the world, that was long lasting! Temple did many types of genres with even more amazing success. Her acting skills would then blossom as she went through a few different parts as a teenager, including one with Cary Grant! The pair really hit it off in the "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" movie! Then there was "Fort Apache," a legendary western with the star, John Wayne, a cinematic duo that no one will ever forget!

That marked a huge turning point! It came when Temple made a decision to walk away. At only 21. And not only that, she got to experience a full, powerful new life with roles in U.S. Politics.

• It turned into her new career! Temple had so many important positions. including serving as an "Ambassador to Ghana. and Czechoslovakia! This isn't just the only way she touched so many lives. As a "Chief of Protocol." for the United States, Temple brought some incredible, heartwarming moments for those she served.

Even today. If you ask people who Temple was! She is truly a beloved and one of the best performers.

id="greta-garbo"> Greta Garbo

• It was the silent movie era. A super iconic time period! The time of incredible artistry, and an era where people couldn't believe the performance that "Greta Garbo", had.
• Garbo became a true movie star!
• She got this new position in America and her work is what made her so famous and beloved!
• She made an impressive jump from "silent film" to "talkies,"
• And was still an extraordinary actor with films such as "Flesh and the Devil." (which brought her major success!), "Anna Christie", "Grand Hotel," "Anna Karenina," and "Camille!"

This super popular actress's rise to success was tremendously unique. Garbo was super picky, though! Not just any part! This superstar had an edge to her craft, going against the grain.

• By 1941, Garbo, took a complete step back. A big change! She decided to end her career! That wasn't all though.
• Garbo received tons of opportunities from Hollywood! But she went on to say "no!" It's no wonder. This actress became a true icon. Her fans still miss her! In a quote from her biographyer "Sven Broman," he mentioned, "I was tired of Hollywood, I did not like my work." She found herself burnt out and just didn't feel connected to those projects, which is no surprise, if this truly is what she believed!

id="joe-pesci">Joe Pesci

• The man is a legend! The best!
• Joe Pesci is a remarkable actor known for playing powerful, intense characters!

He is well known from movies that captured his incredible talents! Fans of "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," and "Casino," love his intense, yet heart-wrenching performances, and who could forget the hilarious, menacing part of "Harry Lime" in "Home Alone"?

• Pesci's movie credits just go on and on! However, he decided to step back from his iconic movie career, with a complete exit in 1999.
• From there. He only accepted a couple of major movie roles.
• The first was a cameo appearance in "The Good Shepard" in 2006, alongside Robert De Niro, his longtime partner.
• "The Irishman" in 2019 is also a well-loved movie for Pesci!

He found acting had to be just right as he wanted to explore more and get away from that one "gangster" part! A really remarkable feat of strength!

id="gene-hackman"> Gene Hackman

• He's considered one of Hollywood's finest and the actor made a lasting impact with an incredible career. "Gene Hackman is a true star that brought countless characters to life.

Fans really loved this actor's work! With countless films such as "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," one of his roles was alongside Clint Eastwood! Those movies are unforgettable. He brought remarkable "blockbusters" to the big screen for fans to treasure! He left hollywood when he was 74 years old and has now found happiness!

• The actor has focused on writing.
• It turned out that acting had become tough for "Hackman." as he got older.
• Hackman chose to take that leap of faith.

But that doesn't mean we haven't heard from the star since 2004. The iconic actor took on the role of narrating two big documentaries like "The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima," a true masterpiece, and "We, the Marines." "Hackman" might never return to Hollywood! But this beloved star shared an impressive range that is a lasting lesson to anyone, who might feel their talents need to be pushed further!

id="mary-kate-and-ashley-olsen"> Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

• "The Olsen Twins" made their debut in the 1990s at a very young age!

They starred in "Full House," which turned into their breakout series! The girls grew in fame and as they reached those middle school and preteen years, they had some remarkable success.

• These stars did movies, TV series, and created an entire universe around them as icons of teen style! This included book releases and animated movies!

While these superstars have given the world so much. The Olsen Twins decided that they had enough of that spotlight in the mid-2000s. It became a brand-new and exciting chapter.

• Their talents expanded and took a new, innovative path in the world of fashion! "The Row"! This is a big name when it comes to style!
• With their incredible knowledge of the world, they decided to move into creating clothing, footwear, and more.

What really made "The Olsen Twins" so influential. Is how much they loved fashion even before they were teens! They truly built their mark! Their talents were not only seen in front of a camera! "The Olsen Twins" did what only those most successful do!

id="macaulay-culkin"> Macaulay Culkin

He was a massive kid star during the 1990s. You might even consider Macaulay Culkin to be the face of those iconic films. Everyone knew "Culkin" from classics like "Home Alone."

While it may seem that this iconic film had all the attention. Culkin followed that success up, taking part in big blockbusters such as "My Girl", and "Richie Rich."

• At the time he was only 15 years old, when he decided to walk away from the glitz and glam.
• "Culkin wanted to live his life without the limitations of stardom.

What's cool about his choices. Culkin returned to film in some independent films "Saved and "Sex for Breakfast! Those films gave audiences a chance to appreciate the star, but not at the huge scale of the 1990s!

• Culkin continued his journey in the arts, taking on new, exciting ventures that were totally different.
• He was a part of the group "The Pizza Underground", a hilarious musical project.
• It wasn't his only endeavor! Culkin became the CEO of "Bunny Ears." A satirical web-site for all things in pop culture!

He's continued to work on various projects. One notable was "American Horror Story", a classic horror series. There were also some surprise roles.

• Culkin returned in a great ad campaign! A "Google" ad featured this super star as the same memorable "Kevin McCallister." He also continues to add new content that shows his creativity!

A star who was loved and appreciated as an amazing actor, there's something really great about how "Culkin" found another, even more special side!