Lights, Camera…Goodbye
It's easy to assume every celebrity wants more fame. However, some folks stepped aside to find joy elsewhere. And honestly? Their stories are super refreshing to read about.
Danica McKellar
Although she often appears in Hallmark and family-friendly shows, Danica McKellar is now better known for her mathematics work. She graduated summa cum laude from UCLA and went on to publish bestselling books that help kids, especially girls, feel confident and excited about learning math.
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates left acting in the early 90s to raise her children and later opened Blue Tree, a boutique on Madison Avenue. She curates every item herself—books and thoughtful gifts. The shop became a local treasure, even if many fans missed her on the screen.
Michael Schoeffling
After playing Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, Michael Schoeffling quietly exited Hollywood in 1991. He moved to Pennsylvania and started a custom furniture business. His days became filled with woodworking, far from flashing cameras and the spotlight that once followed his every move.
Peter Ostrum
More than 30 years have passed since Peter Ostrum began caring for livestock in rural New York. Fame arrived early with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), but he declined further roles and instead pursued a career in veterinary medicine outside Hollywood's orbit.
Paramount Pictures, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes stepped back from acting in 2010 and enrolled in beauty school. A manicurist license followed in 2022 from the Paul Mitchell School. That same year, she reappeared online to share her recovery story. Then, in 2025, she launched art exhibitions by embracing her creative independence.
The Heart Truth, Wikimedia Commons
Jeff Cohen
His role as Chunk in The Goonies was just the beginning. Jeff Cohen left acting behind and pursued law while studying at UCLA before launching his own firm, Cohen Gardner LLP. Today, he helps indie creators and child actors handle contracts with the kind of insight only an insider could offer.
Warner Bros. Pictures, The Goonies (1985)
Bridgit Mendler
Most people remember her from Disney’s Good Luck Charlie or the movie Lemonade Mouth, but Mendler has also co-founded Northwood Space, a satellite startup that secured $30 million in funding by April 2025. She even earned a JD from Harvard Law and completed a PhD through MIT by 2024.
Disney Channel, Good Luck Charlie (2010-2014)
Charlie Korsmo
From child star to policy scholar, Charlie Korsmo's journey is one for the books. Known for Hook and What About Bob?, he left acting in 1998. He earned a physics degree from MIT, graduated from Yale Law, and now teaches corporate law and policy.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, What About Bob? (1991)
Dylan Sprouse
Back in the day, Dylan Sprouse played Zack in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Today, he runs All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn, which brings together ancient brewing techniques with modern tastes. A graduate of NYU, he built a business often overshadowed by his twin's acting career.
Disney Channel, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008)
Kevin Jonas
Kevin Jonas has quietly built a strong business presence that media coverage rarely highlights. While his brothers have remained music icons, he launched JonasWerner, a construction firm, and co-founded Blu Market and Yood App, a path far from the spotlight's usual focus on pop stardom and the Jonas Brothers' music empire.
Garry Knight from Bromley, Kent, England, Wikimedia Commons
Gene Hackman
Swapping scripts for chapters, Gene Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after Welcome to Mooseport. Since then, he's written several historical fiction novels. Though rarely appearing in public, his low-key literary work has earned respect in publishing and storytelling circles.
20th Century Studios, Welcome to Mooseport (2004)
Nikki Blonsky
Spotlights dimmed, but Nikki Blonsky's passion never did. After starring in Hairspray (2007) and earning a Golden Globe nomination, she pursued cosmetology in New York. Now a licensed stylist, she's carving out a career with scissors and brushes instead of scripts and stage lights.
New Line Cinema, Hairspray (2007)
Taran Noah Smith
Disillusioned with acting, Taran Noah Smith left the industry in his teens. His new path led to a vegan cheese company and food innovation. Fame came early through Home Improvement, despite his interests living far from the spotlight that shaped his youth.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Home Improvement (1991–1999)
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz left acting behind and jumped into the driver's seat—literally. He built a second career as a NASCAR race car driver and earned sportsmanship honors along the way. An olive oil shop in Arizona became his next move, marking a major turn from his television roots.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Wikimedia Commons
Barret Oliver
Bastian from The NeverEnding Story (1984) now specializes in 19th-century image-making techniques like photogravure and collodion. That’s right, photography took over where acting left off for Barret Oliver. His work is mostly displayed in galleries because he prefers to stay behind the camera.
Warner Bros. Pictures, The NeverEnding Story (1984)
MC Hammer
Known for his flashy dance moves and “U Can't Touch This”, MC Hammer pulled off a pivot most fans missed. He became a preacher and later entered the Silicon Valley scene by investing in tech startups and speaking at conferences, quietly shifting his spotlight to innovation and faith.
M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This [Official Music Video] by Bad Boy Edd
Bill Berry
Following a brain aneurysm in 1995, Bill Berry left the spotlight in 1997 and made his home in rural Georgia. The former REM drummer and co-writer of "Everybody Hurts" embraced farming while occasionally returning to music, including drums and guitar, for personal enjoyment and select projects.
Bill Berry (R.E.M.) 1990 Interview by PeterBuckRocks
Jennifer Stone
Best known as Harper Finkle on Wizards of Waverly Place, Jennifer Stone took a sharp turn from acting after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That life shift inspired her to become a registered nurse by working through the COVID-19 pandemic and championing awareness for chronic illness and healthcare access.
Disney Channel, Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012)
Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter
Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter earned fame as a guitarist for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, admired for his technical chops. Over time, he developed a deep interest in military systems. His curiosity eventually opened the door to national defense consulting, where he advises on missile technology and security strategy.
Ian Somerhalder
Regenerative farming and sustainable business now take center stage for this The Vampire Diaries (TVD) actor. He co-founded Brother's Bond Bourbon and The Absorption Company, both rooted in eco-conscious practices. Earlier in his career, he became globally known for his roles in Lost and TVD.
The CW Network, The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
JB Gill
JB Gill began farming in 2012 by trading chart-topping hits with JLS for a life to raise pigs and turkeys after the band’s split in 2013. He later hosted Down on the Farm while promoting sustainable food practices and rural entrepreneurship across the UK, alongside occasional JLS reunions.
CBeebies: Down On The Farm - Title Song by CBeebies
Geena Davis
Geena Davis went from starring in Thelma & Louise and Beetlejuice to reshaping Hollywood's future. She founded a nonprofit for gender equity in media, launched a film festival, and executive produced This Changes Everything, a documentary on bias. Davis's advocacy earned humanitarian honors.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Thelma & Louise (1991)
Alan Donohoe
Burnout and industry fatigue pushed Alan Donohoe to leave the music world behind. Once the frontman of The Rakes, he sought renewal in tech by retraining as a software engineer. Coding offered both creative structure and the stability he'd been chasing ever since stepping off the stage.
Vanilla Ice
First known for the hit "Ice Ice Baby", Vanilla Ice made music history on the Billboard charts. He later built a career in real estate by flipping upscale homes on TV. Besides that, Ice teaches investment strategies, which combine education with entertainment to inspire hands-on learning.
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby (Countdown, 1990) by Countdown
Mara Wilson
Known for Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, Mara Wilson chose a quieter path outside of acting. She became an author and published the memoir Where Am I Now? Today, she speaks publicly about anxiety and mental health. She uses her storytelling talent with advocacy that feels refreshingly honest.
Sony Pictures Releasing, Matilda (1996)
