Hollywood told them to move to Los Angeles—but these famous actors, singers, and media icons refused. Discover the surprising places they chose instead, and why some of entertainment’s biggest stars turned their backs on Tinseltown for good.

Frank Zappa was the musical mastermind who shredded the electric guitar just as easily as he composed contemporary classical hits. But when he wasn’t pioneering musique concrète or experimenting with films, he was pushing his bandmates and his fans to their limits—until one of them pushed back.

When Peter Fonda hit the big screen riding a motorcycle in Easy Rider, he changed the way Americans looked at their heroes. He was irresponsible, immoral, and looked really good in sunglasses. But sustaining a bad boy image is hard, and Fonda soon lost himself in forgettable action movies. Then one film changed everything.

Val Kilmer is a lot more complicated than the action star we know from the screen—his life behind the scenes was somehow even more fast-paced. Born into a relatively normal family, his youth was anything but. Because of his bizarre behavior and his shocking affairs, this now-ailing star is a modern-day Casanova. An action film could easily be made from his memoirs. Continue reading to discover his rollercoaster ride of a life.

Joan Crawford might have been one of the most electric actresses of her generation, but that genius came with an infamous price. From her bitter feud with fellow screen legend Bette Davis to the scandals erupting just behind her bedroom door, Crawford’s risque stardom and controversial life are complex, tragic, and forever tarnished.

Jim Carrey went from a small-time comedian to the highest-paid movie star in the world in a single year. He's still one of our most iconic—and controversial—performers. But while Carrey's manic energy made him the star he is, it also comes with a dark side.