We all dream about being “discovered” and making it big as Hollywood stars or musicians – but some people have already done that, and decided they’d rather step down from those roles to live simpler, “normal” lives instead.
From Greta Garbo to MC Hammer, some stars, no matter how big, have decided they’ve had their time in the sun, and would rather focus on other things.
Who are they, and where are they now?
Angus T. Jones – Event Producer
Angus T. Jones starred as the funny kid on Two and a Half Men, starting out as a child and continuing his role well into his teen years.
Following the show’s ending, however, Angus elected not to continue as an actor, but rather to focus on the business side of things, and joined the management team of an event production company called “Tonite.”
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Amanda Bynes – Fashion Designer
Amanda Bynes was hugely successful as a teen, with her own show on Nickelodeon and in films like What A Girl Wants, Hairspray and She’s the Man.
But she decided to leave all that, and enroll in California’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where she studied fashion design.
Mara Wilson – Writer
Mara Wilson is often recognized for her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda, but has not acted in years. Instead, she spends her time focusing on her work as a writer, having penned multiple journalistic pieces, as well as a play.
Dylan Sprouse – Brewmaster
Dylan Sprouse rose to fame with his twin, Cole, after the two brothers played in a string of hits like Big Daddy, Friends and in their own show, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody on the Disney Channel.
The two siblings have grown since, and today, Dylan has become a brew master, operating a meadery and bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Barret Oliver – Photography and Print Artist
Barret Oliver is best known for his depiction of Bastian in 1984’s acclaimed adaptation of Michael Ende’s The NeverEnding Story. He was fairly successful during his relatively brief stint as a child actor, and starred in 13 films between 1982 and 1989 – but ultimately, he decided to realize his talent elsewhere.
Today, Oliver specializes in 19th century photography and print techniques. His work has been featured in museums, gallery exhibitions and in films, and he even wrote a book about ancient photography techniques titled A History of the Woodburytype.
Sarah Michelle Gellar – Entrepreneur
After a few memorable appearances in several slasher films, Sarah Michelle Gellar played the titular role in Joss Wheadon’s groundbreaking, genre-bending television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and changed TV forever.
But following her success as an actress, Gellar set her sights on the business world. Gellar founded a culinary startup called “FoodStirs” in 2015.
Erik Per Sullivan – Student
Erik Per Sullivan is best known as Dewy, Malcolm’s younger brother in Malcolm in the Middle.
Following the show’s ending, Sullivan took a break from acting enrolled in the University of Southern California, where he focused on his studies.
Erin Moran – Retirement
Erin Moran was born in 1960 – and was landing TV roles by 1967.
A wildly successful child star, she was cast as Joanie Cunningham in the legendary sitcom, Happy Days when she was 13, and continued to play the well-loved character for over 8 years, well into the ’80s.
Jack Gleeson – Theology Student
Jack Gleeson is one of today’s most recognizable actors. He did, after all, play the monstrous child-king Joffrey on HBO’s hit show, Game of Thrones.
But while playing Joffrey certainly has its perks, it’s definitely not easy playing one of the most hated characters on television, and when his character was killed off, he chose to leave acting and to begin theology studies in college.
Alicia Silverstone – Environmentalist
Back in the ’90s, Alicia Silverstone was a rising star, mainly thanks to her iconic performance in Clueless. There was a hardly a movie she wasn’t in, and she garnered multiple awards – but ultimately, decided to step out of the public spotlight to focus on smaller projects – including a rescued pets sanctuary in L.A. and extensive vegan activism.
Greta Garbo – Early Retiree
Greta Garbo’s name is almost synonymous with “Classic Hollywood.”
Despite having only appeared in a handful of movies, many of them silent, Garbo made a lasting impression on the world of film, before she decided to retire at the early age of 35.
From 1940 onward, Garbo led a life of leisure, vacationing abroad and travelling with an exclusive group of friends, as well as collecting art.
Syd Barrett – Art (and Gardening)
Syd Barrett was one of the founding members of the most successful musical groups of all time: Pink Floyd.
Despite Pink Floyd’s success, Barrett retrieved from public life, and chose to live in a quiet home in his hometown of Cambridge, where he focused on creating large, abstract canvas pieces, as well as on his gardening.
Peter Ostrum – Veterinarian
Peter Ostrum is possibly one of film history’s most beloved child stars – but he only played in one film.
In 1971, Ostrum played the titular role of Charlie in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, opposite of the indominable Gene Wilder.
