5 Celebrities Who Left Hollywood at the Peak of Their Career

Hollywood is the entertainment capital of the world of entertainment and for many, it is a lifelong dream to make it in the cutthroat world of Tinseltown. Even though it is hard to say relevant for it requires an unprecedented amount of dedication, resilience, and hard work, the fame, acclaim, and money make it all worth it in the end. So, even though it is hard to reach the top, some would literally make a deal with the devil to remain in the game.

Daniel Day-Lewis | Credit: Lincoln / 20th Century Studios

However, there are some stars, like the legend Daniel Day-Lewis or actress Cameron Diaz, who despite reaching their zenith, choose to step away and abandon enviable success. While there are several reasons, some are just not cut for the intense pressure it is to being a celebrity, some are tired of the fame and fortune and want to live a life beyond the camera and spotlight, and some just simply choose to walk away because they can.

So, here are five celebrities, who, despite having everything an actor could dream of, chose to leave Hollywood.

1 Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder in The Vampire Diaries | Credit: The CW

Ian Somerhalder rose to international fame as the elder Salvator brother in the hit series, The Vampire Diaries. Starring as the rugged, impulsive yet charismatic Damon Salvatore, he was the lead star of what would end up becoming one of the most successful supernatural television series of all time. From his iconic smoldering good looks to his piercing grey eyes, his nuanced portrayal in The Vampire Diaries made him a household name.

Despite the success he received, the actor after appearing in a handful of roles decided to retire from acting. In a recent interview with E! News, the actor stated,

I love what I did for a really long time. I love making films, I just did it for so long. We had an amazing run.

Later on, he added that despite the family he found while working in the industry, he now wants to focus on his family and on creating a better future for the next generation. And hence, he has since been actively involved in charity campaigns and welfare works. Through his Ian Somerhalder Foundation, the actor has been involved in advocating for a range of causes like animal rights, sustainable energy, and environmental conservation.

2 Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes / Credit: Nickelodian

One of the most famous actresses and child stars of the film industry, Amanda Bynes became famous with her work in Nickelodeon’s All That. After starring in several series, the child star seamlessly transitioned into young adult roles and rose to prominence. At one point one of the most followed young actresses of all time, Bynes is now missing from Hollywood for decades.

From acting alongside Colin Firth in What a Girl Wants to her roles in movies like Big Fat Liar and She’s the Man, Bynes had the potential to become one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. However, as is the case with a lot of child actors, she struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and even has had several run-ins with the law. In 2013 she was placed under a conservatorship, which continues till 2022.

While she once expressed that she no longer had an interest in acting, she has shown an inclination to return to the field but has not done so till now (via The Direct). Recently, in one of the rarest of public appearances, the retired actress popped up at rapper 50 Cents’ Las Vegas residency and even joined him backstage (via Entertainment Weekly).

3 Jack Gleeson

Jack Gleeson as King Joffrey in Game Of Thrones | Credit: HBO

Jack Gleeson became a global sensation for his portrayal of King Joffrey Baratheon in HBO’s live-action adaptation of Game of Thrones. His chilling and sadistic performance propelled him to worldwide acclaim and soon he became a household name thanks to his power-hungry character. Subsequently earning critical acclaim, by the time his character met a dramatic end in the show’s third season, Gleeson had become one of the most recognizable faces in the world of television.

However, when his character was killed off, Gleeson too decided to step away from acting. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he remarked,

I’ve been acting since age eight. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to… whereas up until now it was always something I did for recreation with my friends, or in the summer for some fun – I enjoyed it… When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.

He then went on to study philosophy and theology at Dublin’s Trinity College and eventually returned to acting via plays and theatre and even starred in the series Out of Her Mind and The Famous Five. However, he has been largely missing from the Hollywood spotlight, rather than working on a smaller, more intimate scale.

4 Sean Connery

Sean Connery quit acting in 2003 | Credit: Diamonds are Forever / United Artists

Sean Connery will forever be remembered as the first and arguably the most definitive James Bond. From his suave demeanor to his commanding screen presence, Connery has brought several iconic fictional characters to life. The late actor’s life works include movies like Dr. No, Goldfinger, The Untouchables, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Throughout his career, Connery received critical praise and bagged quite a lot of accolades in the process.

However, even though he was fairly successful and one of the most well-known actors in the film industry, he decided to step away from the world for good in 2003. The reason was the 2003 film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was not a critical success. Back in 2005, he famously remarked— I am fed up with the idiots. The ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and the people who greenlight the movies (via The Independent).

Since then, he lived a life away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but briefly made it out of retirement to voice the titular character in the Scottish animated film, Sir Billi.

5 Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman left acting to pursue other creative fields | Credit: Unforgiven / Warner Bros.

Gene Hackman‘s career spanned over four decades and included several unforgettable performances and roles. From movies like The French Connection to Unforgiven or The Royal Tenenbaums, Hackman garnered critical praise for his remarkable acting talent. Along the way, he also bagged several awards and wins from Oscars to Golden Globes.

However, even though he was pretty much at the height of his fame and career, he retired from Hollywood in 2004. Years later in an interview with Reuters, he remarked,

I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer. I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.

Although he did add that he missed the thrill and joy of acting, he was done being in the field after spending nearly 60 years of his life. Since retirement, he has penned down several books, embracing a quieter and more creative life away from the spotlight.