A-List Stars Who Left Hollywood: Where Are They Now?
MACAULAY CULKIN
Macaulay Culkin was a charming child actor who we all loved from Home Alone. Culkin impressed and captured the heart of the audiences with his endearing performances in his movies like My Girl, Richie Rich, and Home Alone 2. Because of his popularity, no one expected Culkin to leave the spotlight. However, after film and TV projects, Culkin’s stardom suddenly dimmed.
For reasons unknown, Culkin wasn’t very welcoming of new projects after the success of Home Alone 2. Whether it’s because he managed to build up a good credit score or he was simply exhausted, Culkin remained selective of roles he wanted to portray. He now runs a website called BunnyEars.com, which publishes a variety of comedy content.
TOBEY MAGUIRE
Tobey Maguire used to be a staple of Hollywood TV, and he was one of the highest-paid actors in the industry. Thanks to his luck, talent, and good-boy appearance, he landed the role of the iconic Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 2000s. The hit movie made him an A-list celebrity, as he starred in multiple films afterward.
Much to his fans’ dismay, the third installation of the Spider-Man series flopped and affected his career. He found comfort in gambling and was later facing a lawsuit for playing in an underground poker casino. While his lawyers successfully settled the charges, his career never got back up from the scandal.
CAMERON DIAZ
It was a real shock to fans when Cameron Diaz suddenly left Hollywood. Diaz first appeared in the industry when she was 22, and immediately gained popularity for her iconic roles in movies such as My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary and Vanilla Sky. Her countless awards highlighted her unbeaten run in Hollywood.
Diaz is now living a peaceful life with her husband, away from the world of Hollywood. The versatile actress has made a firm decision to stop acting, but never shared the reasons behind this move. Whatever she chooses to do, we’re sure she’s backed up by her investments.
MO’NIQUE
Monique Angela Hicks was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars because of her role in the film Precious. Widely known as Mo’Nique, this comedienne displayed her versatility and drove to wow the entertainment industry in a flash. She received an Oscar award for Best Actress in playing Mary Lee Johnston, where she was praised for nailing such a dark and sinister role.
Soon after, many believed that fame got to her head, and she started to demand more money for her appearances. Because of the reputation that she built, producers have been reluctant to include her in projects. We can only hope that she has enough insurance to lean to.
KEVIN JONAS
The Jonas Brothers became a hit when they starred in the Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock in 2008. After gaining a massive following for their incredible music, the trio announced their disbandment in 2013. While two out of three brothers continued to explore the music industry, the eldest, Kevin Jonas, decided to step out of the limelight.
Since disbanding, Kevin started his own show with his wife, Danielle. Along with the series, Jonas ventured further into investment planning by starting quite a few business ventures. Although the brothers have now reunited, it seems Kevin is keeping one foot in the startup world as a full-blown entrepreneur.
JACK NICHOLSON
Everyone considered Jack Nicholson as one of Hollywood’s all-time greats. We can never forget his performances in the movies Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, and of course, Batman. Unfortunately, he decided to lay low, and we haven’t seen him in films for quite a few years now.
He is an icon in the entertainment industry with various awards and recognition over the years of his career. Despite his seemingly incredible success, Nicholson’s last project underperformed, which might have influenced him to retire. While these are still rumors, we’re certain Nicholson’s credit score is enough to keep him on his feet once he genuinely decides to leave Hollywood.
LARA FLYNN BOYLE
Lara Flynn Boyle was one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood during the ‘90s. At the time, she was making a generous amount of investment money. She was a household name with her eye-catching freckles and her undeniable talent for acting. But after decades of being the sweetheart of the industry, Boyle is now rarely seen on film or TV.
Pointing to her love life, Boyle quits due to the stress of getting involved in a love triangle and being labeled as a home-wrecker. Throughout her career, she was the prey of many entertainment websites. It wasn’t long before Boyle finally decided to leave the industry for good.
KATHERINE HEIGL
We’ve seen Katherine Heigl less and less on screen after her role in Knocked Up. The reason? Her reputation for being difficult to work with. Case in point: A project where she had an unusual degree of complaints about the project being sexist and how she wasn’t given enough scenes to showcase her skill. Simple words to some, but it caused her popularity to dip. From being an Emmy-winning actress, fetching more than $6 million per project – she went to being cast in small roles in lesser known films. She’s set to replace Meghan Markle and we hope this changes things for her!
JOHAN HILL
Actor-director Jonah Hill received more than one Academy Award nomination for acting. His career was at its peak, and his fame rose above and beyond because of his outstanding comedic performances. However, this run was halted because of incorrect decisions he made in the industry. Although, what mattered most was how he handled it. During the downfall of his career, Hill focused on getting fit in 2011 and lost more than 40 pounds through the years. He tried participating in many fitness online classes and tried out different activities to achieve his goals. His transformation earned him headlines that would hopefully get him back on-screen.
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT
Most kids today don’t know who Jennifer Love Hewitt is, but ‘90s fans know her from popular films like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Party of Five, and Can’t Hardly Wait. Fans widely loved her because of her undeniable talent and charm. Hence, it was a surprise to most that her career started to go downhill. Many point to her diva attitude as the main reason for her failure. Additionally, she received many criticisms throughout her time in the limelight, even being named as the worst-reviewed actress with a poor box office record. We can only hope that she saved up enough before calling her bankruptcy lawyers.
MIKE MYERS
Aside from being the actor behind the voice of Disney Character Shrek, Mike Myers is also famous among lawyers and prosecutors for a series of lawsuits and flopped movies. His roles as Wayne Campbell and Austin Powers paved the way for his stardom during the ‘90s, and his career had been very steady. However, when he tried producing movies and exploring different genres of films, it didn’t work for him. After the unsuccessful Love Guru film, his projects reduced to none. In 2017, he was dubbed best-selling author and landed a brand-new character in The Gong Show. He is slowly getting his career going, and his fruitful investments will lead to his comeback debut.
MIRA SORVINO
A victim of date-rape by a famous producer, Mira Sorvino, felt like her career was stolen after Harvey Weinstein blacklisted her. She was not able to bounce back after this incident, and even worse, her claim for harassment against Weinstein was trashed. As expected of someone with Weinstein’s influence, he had the capability to hire the best lawyers.
Sorvino was an Oscar and Golden Globe awardee for her outstanding performance in Mighty Aphrodite. Her career was doing well prior to the issue, and it’s truly a loss to see such incredible talent leave Hollywood for the worst reasons.
ASHLEY JUDD
Another of Harvey Weinstein’s victim is Ashley Judd. Recognized as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People Magazine, she is one of the first women to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct and was unsuccessful in recovering her career after the issue spread all over media channels. Despite the full effort of her lawyers, Judd’s case had a sad outcome. Weinstein’s connections got her blacklisted from almost every production company. Because she was unable to do any more projects, Judd’s career soon ended. Up until today, she continues to stand for women’s rights and be the voice of sexual misconduct victims.
PHOEBE CATES
A dedicated mother and wife, Phoebe Cates, decided to retire from the showbiz industry to focus more on taking care of her family and household. Cates first entered the industry in the ‘80s and grew to become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Her debut film, Paradise, deserves all the credit for her incredible success.
After leaving the limelight, Cates moved on to devote most of her time to her family. We heard that she’s also currently exploring the world of business as another means of livelihood. All we can say is we’re excited to see where she’ll succeed next!
JACK GLEESON
Best known for his role in the hit series Game of Thrones, Jack Gleeson disappeared from the red carpet after his successful portrayal of King Joffrey. Many claimed that despite his incredible performance, he wasn’t getting calls for new projects and roles. In an interview, Gleeson mentioned her retired from Hollywood to pursue an academic career instead, where his interest truly lies.
Gleeson went on to express that the star-studded lifestyle was not for him, and he was keen on leaving the industry soon. As we wait for more updates on Gleeson’s new career path, we’re hoping to get a few online classes from him once he settles into the academe.
EMILIO ESTEVEZ
Remember Andrew Clark in teen comedy-drama, The Breakfast Club? That’s right, Emelio Estevez played that role in this hit movie. However, if it still doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because he hasn’t been doing much since. Coming from a family of actors, he’s had quite a success in the industry. He gave credit to his family for the head start. Besides acting, Emilio is also known for directing several episodes of television shows. His directorial debut was way back in 1986 on a film titled Wisdom. This movie made Emilio the youngest person to write, direct, and star in a single major motion picture. If you’re wondering what he’s been up to now, Emilio is behind the screen working on various television shows and series.
ALYSON HANNIGAN
If you are a fan of the series How I Met Your Mother, Alyson Hannigan would be a familiar face. Best-loved for being a talented, versatile actress, she was one of the most followed stars in Hollywood. However, after the success of her films, tv series, and shows, Hannigan is no longer on news headlines.
According to reports, Hannigan is now focusing on caring for her family. Soon, she shifted her career to business, as she explored investment planning and the buy-and-sell of real estate. With a new exciting career ahead of her, we’re excited to see how this star will achieve success outside the screen.
AMANDA BYNES
One of the childhood favorites from The Amanda Show, Amanda Bynes, was well-loved by her fans during her time with the kids’ TV network Nickelodeon. By the time she moved on from the comedy series, her career went downhill, and the bankruptcy lawyers started calling. After her last TV appearance in the teen film Easy A, Bynes was on the headlines for her admission to different psych wards. This followed her public breakdown in 2010. Soon, Bynes was back on her feet. While she was trying to stand back up her career, she was attending fashion school to follow her biggest passion.
EDDIE MURPHY
Eddie Murphy’s successful career started when he was one of the casts of SNL from 1980-1984. Apart from being an actor, he was known for his amazing work as a screenwriter and comedian. However, despite being one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time, Murphy wasn’t safe from the sudden career fallback. When he failed to win the 2007 Academy Awards, his projects flopped one after the other. Murphy wasn’t offered any role until 2016, and his supposed-comeback movie didn’t help either. Although we’re still waiting for his next big project, we’re sure Murphy has his investment money for back-up.
MISCHA BARTON
The Entertainment Weekly’s It Girl Mischa Barton was able to travel the world with her crew when she worked for a three-year project in 2003. She was at the peak of her career when her role as Marissa Cooper in The OC got famous. Once loved by the many, Barton now holds a bad reputation because of her behavior. The worst was when she was arrested for driving without a license and under the influence. While the court’s decision included taking her to a rehab, it did no help Barton. Following the trial, she caused another fuss in the media when she drove a truck to a condominium. Insurance companies must have had their work cut out for them.
FREDDIE PRINZE, JR.
I Know What You Did Last Summer was Freddie Prinze, Jr.’s door to a successful career in Hollywood, to which many other roles and voiceover gigs on movies like Kim Possible, Shark Bait, and Star War Rebels followed. The multi-talented star had a stellar path and an incredible credit score to look forward to, but it was cut short because of a bad experience with a co-actor. On the set of 24, Prinze had some heat with actor-producer Kiefer Sutherland, even calling him “the most unprofessional dude in the world.” It wasn’t long before this drove Prinze to quit the acting altogether.
KEL MITCHELL
Another childhood star from Nickelodeon, Kel Mitchell, sadly had to say goodbye to his successful career after a misunderstanding with a co-star. After he starred in All That and Kenan and Kel, his name was all over media and fan sites. In 2003, he lost his spot in SNL to Kenan Thompson, which soon drove his career to a decline. Things got tense between Kel and Kenan after the incident. They are no longer on speaking terms, but they did make an appearance on The Tonight Show purely for work reasons. Mitchell went back to taking projects and guest roles on children’s shows, which must have helped him to keep his credit cards.
KELLY MCGILLIS
Her undeniable talent in acting, which many saw in her appearance in Top Gun, made Kelly McGillis a famous name in Hollywood. Everyone looked forward to seeing more of her on TV. In 1989, she had a negative experience while filming Cat Chaser, which involved a graphic rape scene and endless problems in the script. The experience was enough to drive McGillis out of Hollywood soon after. Still pursuing her passion for the big stage, she took on smaller projects and TV appearances to pay off her insurance and credit cards. After some time of staying on the sidelines, she pursued theater and later settled down.
MEG RYAN
Meg Ryan was loved for her roles in famous romantic comedy films like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail. With her charm and incredible acting talent, she was soon named one of Hollywood’s sweethearts in the 1990s. While she had a huge fan base, this wasn’t enough to sustain her career. She soon went into bankruptcy after many of her later projects failed. She tried to bring her career back by playing roles in Going Against Type and Against the Ropes in 2004, but to no avail. Even after taking on indie film projects, we are yet to see Meg Ryan back on the limelight.
LEELEE SOBIESKI
Her performance in Deep Impact gave Leelee Sobieski’s career an incredible start, as many were excited to see her on more projects. However, the 1998 film didn’t do much to help her stay in the limelight. Her many projects weren’t enough to sustain her career, even as she earned an Emmy nomination for Joan of Arc. As she moved toward a life with fewer credit options, Sobieski decided to devote her time and energy to taking care of her family. In 2012, she made it official by confirming that she didn’t “do movie stuff anymore” and that she wanted to focus on her kids.
GARY DOURDAN
It was Gary Dourdan’s undeniable acting talent and passion that allowed him to play in eight seasons of the crime hit series CSI. Throughout his career, Dourdan didn’t stray too far from his character, as he was on media news for confrontations with co-workers, scandalous relationships, and his gambling addiction. Since leaving the show, Dourdan continued to live recklessly as he got arrested numerous times. Seven years after he filed for bankruptcy, Dourdan is making a comeback to Hollywood. His recent projects include Hawaii Five-0.
NIKKI BLONSKY
The movie adaptation of Hairspray was a hit of the decade when it aired in 2007. Playing the role of Tracy Turnblad, Nikki Blonsky was shaping up to be the next star in the movie industry. After working with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars like John Travolta and Queen Latifah, many were excited to see where she was heading. To manage her loans, she took a gig on ABC Family’s Huge, but it didn’t do much to help her rise to stardom. Now, she’s focusing on working as a part-time makeup artist and hairstylist after earning her cosmetology license in 2011.
PAZ DE LA HUERTA
It wasn’t long after her appearances on two seasons of Broadwalk Empire when Paz de la Huerta made the wrong decisions that gravely affected her career. Her next appearance in Nurse 3D only made it worse, to an insane extent that Huerta decided to sue the filmmakers for damaging her career. As she waited on for more calls, she got involved in many scandals that earned her the reputation of an alcoholic who crashes award shows. After making headlines for the wrong reasons and never getting another project to help her back up, Huerta soon fell into a path of drinking, depression, and bankruptcy.
JONATHAN BENNETT
Everyone knows Aaron Samuels from the iconic movie Mean Girls. After he gained a massive following from playing the charming love interest of Lindsay Lohan, Bennett disappeared from the spotlight. Many wondered what might have happened to the star, and it was even reported that he took a career as a spin instructor to pay off his cash loans. Unexpectedly, Bennett made his Hollywood comeback. As he took on many projects, it seems that he’s looking to stay in the industry for the long haul. His latest shows include an appearance in The Haunting of Sharon Tate and hosting Halloween Wars.
GENE HACKMAN
Fans and producers rejected not all who leave Hollywood, and such is true for industry legend Gene Hackman. His passion for acting even bagged him two Oscar Awards, but after his 2004 project Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman decided to retire. Currently, he’s living a quiet life with his wife of 26 years, Betsy Arakawa. Although he bid goodbye to the entertainment industry, Hackman found a new love for writing. He published novels throughout the last two decades, including fiction and thriller. With his new successful career, Hackman might need to do some investment planning with his family soon.
JONATHAN TAYLOR THOMAS
Jonathan Taylor Thomas is the voice behind the Disney character we all love, Simba in The Lion King. As one of the most popular teen stars back then, Thomas was in countless on-screen shows and magazine covers. However, despite his growing popularity among the fangirls, Thomas was soon out of Hollywood. After he built his career since he was eight, he decided to let go of his career to travel and study. Thomas pursued his studies at Harvard University despite having the option to take online classes. Although he bid goodbye to the industry, we’re certain that Thomas will be successfully making investment money in whatever field he chooses.
ADRIAN GRENIER
Adrian Grenier’s roles as Anne Hathaway’s boyfriend in The Devil Wears Prada and as Chase Hammond in Drive Me Crazy kickstarted his career in Hollywood. The promising actor was gaining a huge fanbase from his incredible performance in his appearances. Insurance companies and brands were excited to work with Grenier, but his career soon declined. After his last performance in 2015 as Vincent Hammond in Entourage, Grenier hasn’t been offered a lot of projects. He’s been doing guest roles to save up investment money, and his most recent is playing Owen Read at Christmas at Graceland: Home of the Holidays.
SALLY FIELD
Sally Field rose to fame for her role in the TV sitcom Gidget. She had a lot of projects varying from TV shows and films. She also won an Emmy award for her portrayal in Sybil, Beautiful, and Saturday Evening Posts, and won an Academy Award for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart. Apart from her busy acting career, Field was a director and writer on the side. However, for Field, her family and home security was always her priority. Now she’s devoting her time to her children and grandchildren. Although she’s still in the limelight today, it is not for being an actress but for being a spokesperson for a pharma company.
MARTIN LAWRENCE
Martin Lawrence was a prominent name in Hollywood in the ‘90s. The actor, producer, stand-up comedian, and writer contributed to many hit films like Do the Right Thing, House Party, and other box office movies. He was at the peak of his stardom, and he had quite a roster of projects offered to him. Later on, Lawrence was rushed to the hospital due to exhaustion. His career started to go downhill from there. He was arrested for pulling out a gun in the middle of an intersection, sexual harassment, and punching a man in the club. Luckily for him, he had the privilege to hire the best lawyers.
AARON ECKHART
At the start of his career, Aaron Eckhart struggled to find a genre that would bring him success. From indie films to sports drama, he played different roles in various films. While it reflected his versatility, it didn’t do well to keep his momentum and investments. Eckhart started to be recognized from his portrayal of George in Erin Brockovich. It gave him more projects like Thank You for Smoking, which he received a 2006 Golden Globe nomination for. He was also included in People Magazine’s 100 most beautiful people. The highlight and most auspicious time of his career was when he was cast in the Batman movie: The Dark Knight.
RONDA ROUSEY
Ronda Rousey’s reign in Women’s Mixed Martial Arts was genuinely astonishing. Unfortunately, tables turned after Holly Holm defeated her in 2015. Her record in the sport declined and brought her more losses. Rousey shifted into the movie industry after experiencing depression from losing her two-year winning streak in MMA, but it took her years of practice and online classes to get called for movie projects. Some of her projects included The Expendables 3, Furious 7, and the recent Charlie’s Angels.
Currently, the first American woman, Olympic medalist is still as adventurous as ever, as she ventured into the world of wrestling. She won her first WWE title and is slowly getting her fame back again.
RANDY QUAID
Gaining his popularity from his appearances in movies National Lampoon Vacation and Brokeback Mountain, Randy Quaid stayed on the limelight for quite some time. Giving credit to his incredible talent and passion for acting, he was nominated for both an Emmy and Academy Award. Unfortunately, a string of legal issues connected to his personal life negatively affected his career, and he hasn’t been on-screen since 2009. In 2010, Quaid and his wife got in trouble for burglary, among the many legal issues tied to him. They escaped the courts and moved to Canada, claiming that they feared for their lives in America.
CAREY MULLIGAN
The talented and gorgeous Carey Mulligan became a huge name in Hollywood after her breakthrough performance in 2009 movie An Education. Her showcase of talent in the project got her an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. With such a promising career ahead of her, many were excited to see her in more roles on-screen. After the movie’s success, she didn’t receive any calls for major roles. For quite some time, Mulligan was away from the big screen. It was her next big project, The Great Gatsby, that deserved the credit for bringing her career back to life.
ALEX PETTYFER
Alex Pettyfer is a familiar face from the 2012 American comedy-drama film Magic Mike. The daring role he played in the movie set him up for quite a journey in the entertainment industry. Sadly, it was a single wrong decision that caused his career and investments to go downhill. After working on the Magic Mike movies with Channing Tatum, Pettyfer soon got in a heated argument with the lead star that angered the whole project crew. The feud affected his image gravely, and he tried desperately to make a comeback. Thankfully, his 2017 movie, The Strange Ones, received praise from critics.
JESSE EISENBERG
Best known for his incredible acting in comedy-drama film Adventureland and horror film Zombieland, Jesse Eisenberg gained a massive fan base during his time in the spotlight. His talent and passion earned him several nominations, including the much-coveted Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. These projects were followed by yet another successful movie, The Social Network. However, after the continuous success of his on-screen projects, Isenberg decided to take a break from Hollywood. Many were surprised at his sudden decision, and some assumed that bankruptcy was involved. Soon enough, Isenberg came back with countless exciting projects, including his praise-worthy role in Resistance.
PATRICIA ARQUETTE
Patricia Arquette is no doubt one of the most passionate actresses in Hollywood, and it’s no surprise that she soon won as Oscar for Boyhood in 2014. Although many expected to see more of her, Arquette’s career slowed down since grabbing the award. Much to her fans’ dismay, she only received offers on smaller projects. Today, Arquette continues to appear in many films and TV shows. Her most recent role was a voice-acting as Harmony’s mom in Toy Story 4, which only showed how versatile an actress she is. Indeed, we’re certain she’ll stay in the limelight with a steady career and a good credit score.
PATRICIA ARQUETTE
Most of us think that winning an Oscar comes with opportunities that can boost every actor’s film career even further. However, that’s not the case for everyone. Patricia Arquette, who won an Oscar in 2014 for her performance in Boyhood, found herself working only on minor projects after receiving the prestigious award. This, however, doesn’t come as a surprise. During her Oscar acceptance speech, she voiced out about wage inequality and sexist Hollywood producers. It is something that more and more actors have been openly discussing in Hollywood today, most notably on the issues of gender pay gap where women are generally earning less than their male counterparts. Indeed, Patricia should at least be given credit for the pay increase that women in Hollywood today are enjoying.
ALLISON MACK
Allison Mack’s story isn’t something you’d expect from an actress. Allison landed her first television role on an episode of the WB series 7th Heaven and was known for her role as Chloe Sullivan in the hit television show Smallville. She even earned several awards for her performance on these television shows. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Mack joined a cult, NXIVM, that eventually ruined her career. She was arrested for the crimes she committed while being in the group, and in April 2018, she was arrested by the FBI in Brooklyn for sex trafficking and forced labor conspiracy. Lawyers of the accused were in for a challenge to prove her innocence.
RICK MORANIS
We’ve known Rick Moranis on numerous shows and film productions, including Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and The Flintstones. He started his career quite successfully until things started going downhill. After he lost his wife to breast cancer in the early ‘90s, he became a single father. Moranis wanted to be there for their two kids, and so he slowly left public life and retired from the film industry to focus on being a father. For Moranis, his time for the family is his most significant investment. He then worked on his music and released an album, My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs, in 2013.
BILLY ZANE
Billy Zane played a lot of roles in different hit movies, like as Rose’s villainous fiance, Cal, in Titanic and one of Biff’s gang in multiple Back to the Future movies. He also appeared in Charmed, had a cameo in Zoolander, and dozens of other films and TV shows. Now, we don’t see Zane on A-list giant movies anymore. Despite that, he continues to work as often as he likes. He’s busy on stage as a theater buff. He’s also got his time making movies as a principal partner for a production company and content distributor RadioactiveGiant. Billy should also be given credit for his versatility. He’s got seven current and upcoming features lined up.
ANDIE MACDOWELL
If you watched Sex, Lies, and Videotape in 1989, you definitely know Andie MacDowell. Her role in the movie was her debut appearance in the film industry. She even got her first nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Macdowell can also be seen in various television productions such as Green Card, Groundhog Day, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Her career continued to blossom in the ’90s. However, after a few years, finding roles and booking jobs became hard for Macdowell. She only had a few films and projects after that and quickly pivoted to modeling. Macdowell needs to give credit to the name she created for herself in the film industry because transitioning to modeling became easy. She has been modeling for Calvin Klein Inc and working as a spokeswoman for L’Oreal since 1986.
WESLEY SNIPES
Popularly known as Blade in the Marvel Comics Blade film trilogy, Wesley Snipes was also known as a famous personality in the film industry during the ’90s. He appeared in films like Demolition Man, White Men Can’t Jump, New Jack City, and other television shows and movies. Unfortunately, his career did not end well when he was imprisoned at McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania because of tax evasion. He was sentenced for three years for misdemeanor failure to file U.S. federal income tax returns. After he was released, thanks to his lawyers, Snipes appeared in the sequel of the Expendables 3.
SEAN CONNERY
Sean Connery and his legendary role as 007 in James Bond movies marked his career in the industry. Sean was the first actor to portray James Bond on-screen. He won an Academy Award and even garnered three Golden Globe awards. He starred in a total of seven James Bond movies. However, in the midst of his success, Sean announced he would be retiring for good after finishing his work in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003. In 2006, he received the AFI’s Lifetime Achievement Award. While most fans were still hoping for his big-screen comeback, Sean will never be returning on-screen. Most people think he already made a lot of investments as Agent 007.
DAVE CHAPPELLE
For anyone who watched Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights back in 1993, that’s when Dave Chapelle made his debut appearance on a film. He had a few movie and television projects, most of which were support roles. Since Chapelle was also a standup comedian, he hosted his own show, Chapelle’s Show, after a decade of doing films. While the show was a success, he decided to quit and focused more on investing time on far better things. Chapelle was dubbed as the “comic genius of America” after years of success. His most recent movie credit is in Lady Gaga’s A Star Is Born.
LARK VOORHIES
Lark Voorhies was widely known for her role as Lisa on the NBC sitcom, Saved by the Bell. She even won awards twice in 1990 and 1993 and was nominated six times for the Young Artist Award for her performance in the show. Once the NBC show ended, there were no signs of Voorhies in Hollywood or any other film and TV projects. It turns out she’s spending most of her time focusing on exploring her talent in painting. The fans only hope that she is making a wise investment of her time. However, fans are hinting maybe Voorhies will be making an on-screen comeback for her appearance in several premiers and red carpet events.
KARYN PARSONS
Best known for her role as Hillary Banks, the eldest Banks who loves shopping and nothing else with her unbridled confidence, from The French Prince of Bel-Air, Karyn Parsons hasn’t been in the spotlight for quite a while since. After six seasons and 148 episodes, NBC then canceled the show, and the cast went on their separate ways. It’s been almost a decade since we’ve last seen Parsons, and most people are curious as to where she is now. Today, she spends most of her time working on her charity organization called Sweet Blackberry. The organization aims to help children and bring little known stories of African American achievement and unsung Black heroes to children everywhere. Karyn should not only be remembered for her talents, but she should be given credit for her generosity as well.
GEENA DAVIS
Geena Davis rose to fame and success in the films The Fly, Beetlejuice, The Accidental Tourist, Thelma & Louise, as well as A League Of Their Own. Because of her roles in these films, she became a huge star in the ‘80s and the ‘90s. Davis won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award when she landed a role in Grey’s Anatomy and Commander in Chief. Unlike most of the Hollywood artists who focused on investment planning for entrepreneurial investments, Davis turned from actor to activist. She advocates for gender equality and founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Her non-profit commissioned was the most extensive research project on gender in film and television that was ever undertaken, conducted by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
MARA WILSON
Starting her career as a child star, Mara Wilson was acting in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda. However, in 2000, she took her chance to live an ordinary life and quit acting. She wanted to go to school just like the rest of her peers. A few years after that, Mara focused on her writing career and published her own memoir in 2016, titled Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame. Even though the movie Matilda was released over 23 years ago, it is still one of the most iconic films for kids. Definitely, writing turned out to be a significant investment of her time she would never regret.
RENÉE ZELLWEGER
After her appearance in Bridget Jones’ Diary and her role in Chicago, Renée Zellweger became one of the most popular Hollywood actresses. She won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Despite getting all these awards, Renee was not seen in any movies since 2010. The good news is that Zellweger is just taking a pause from public life. Who knows, during this period, she was just making a wise investment of her time. Zellweger is set to play as Judy Garland in 2019. Garland was one of the brightest movie stars in Hollywood’s Golden Era. Fans can’t wait for Zellweger’s comeback and her performance for this iconic role.
ARIANA RICHARDS
Ariana Richards was known for her role as Lex Murphy in Jurassic Park way back 1993. After this phenomenal project with Steven Spielberg, she appeared in numerous TV programs from the early 1990s to the early 2000s, including Empty Nest, The Golden Girls, and Boy Meets World. She even received various Young Artist Awards for her acting. However, Richard’s few on-screen performances remain only in the ‘90s. She did not continue her career, and since adulthood, she decided to pursue her passion for the painting instead. Richards has her priorities and made investments more on her talent in painting rather than staying in the limelight for a long time.
ROBERT BLAKE
Robert Blake is one of the actors with the longest acting career in the industry. Blake started his career in film as a child star in 1939 with his debut appearance in a movie, called Bridal Suite. Back in the day, he had a chance to work alongside many famous actors. However, Blake had to render his service in the army. After he finished working for the military, he focused on perfecting his Hollywood career. He appeared in many Hollywood films and television shows for decades until 2001. Blake was accused of murdering his wife and had to quit his acting career. No one could imagine how stressful it could have been for him to see lawyers defend himself from this heavy accusation. Ever since he was acquitted for doing the crime, he started living away from the spotlight.
ELIZABETH HURLEY
Playing Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Elizabeth Hurley became famous after her performance in this film. She was also known for her part of the Devil in Bedazzled. However, what made her famous even more was when she went public with her relationship with Hugh Grant. Even more so, when she accompanied Grant to the movie premiere of the 1994 hit movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral, she turned heads wearing a black Versace dress with gold pins that resulted in instant media attention that boosted her career. However, the public started to get mad when Hurley and Grant began to see divorce attorney dissolve their marriage and settle on legal agreements to raise their son.
DYLAN AND COLE SPROUSE
While they were both known as the twin child stars from the Disney show, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Cole Sprouse was first seen in the hit series F.R.I.E.N.D.S in the ‘90s as Ross Geller’s son, Ben. After Cole and Dylan worked in Disney for years, the two decided to pursue degrees at New York University. A few years after that, a lot of things started to happen. Cole returned to television and took the role of Jughead Jones in the television show Riverdale in 2017. He is also set to return to the big screen with the film Five Feet Apart. Dylan, on the other hand, just took a huge leap to make an investment to focus on entrepreneurship and has since opened a bar in Brooklyn.
DEBRA WINGER
If there were a lot of actors and actresses who were famous in the ‘90s, Debra Winger was one of them. She was known for her roles in An Officer and a Gentleman, Tears of Endearment, and Shadowlands. Due to her incredible talent, she got nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for each film. After her successful years in Hollywood, she decided to take a break. While she wasn’t doing any films, she continued acting on stage. However, she was thinking of the investments she already made in doing movies, so she then went back to the film and television industry and appeared in several minor roles and projects.
JOSH SAVIANO
Only a few might remember, but Josh Saviano was a former child actor who played as Kevin Arnold’s best friend, Paul Pfieffer, on the hit comedy-drama television show, Wonder Years, in the 90s. He eventually quit acting right after his role in Wonder Years. He chose his professional development in academic than in acting. It was less exciting than anticipated comparing it to the limelight of acting and the film industry, but he was able to make a name for himself in the career he had chosen. He decided to become a lawyer after finishing his degree from Yale University.
TAYLOR MOMSEN
Taylor Momsen was so brave to leave the tower he has built for years. She played the role Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl and made an appearance in How the Grinch Stole Christmas back in 2000 as Cindy Lou. A year after the said show, she decided to retire in acting for good. Everyone had wondered why and where she took all the courage from. She joined a rock band, The Pretty Reckless, and became its lead singer. She devoted all her time to this, and we wish her success in this huge investment.
SHELLEY DUVALL
Shelley Duvall is not just talented; she is also very versatile. She can take different roles with no stroke of compromise on her performance. She was always excellent and fabulous in all the films she made an appearance in. The role which made the most significant impact on the public that she had was being Wendy Torrance in the horror film The Shining. It was popular film in the 1980s. In 2002, Duvall was gone like a bubble. The public was wondering where she had been. Four years after, she was a guest in the show, Dr. Phil, and made a confession. All those times she was gone, she had a mental illness. People could just wonder how difficult it must have been for her, juggling with medications and constant medical consultations. You see, mental illnesses are as crucial as physical diseases to be included in any insurance package.
ALI MCGRAW
Successes for some are manifested through awards, money, and fame. As for Ali Mcgraw, her dreamed success is different. She was voted as the top female box office star in the world and won several awards in the show business such as two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination. She had great shows like Goodbye, Columbus, and Love Story. Everyone adored her. She was famous and wealthy. Despite all these glaring achievements, she still sought things that would make her feel at ease and content. Fortunately for her, she was good at money management and was able to save sufficient funds from relocating. Currently, she is living in New Mexico, doing yoga, designing clothes, and fighting for animal welfare causes.
NICK STAHL
Nick Stahl must have been overwhelmed with all the fame he was getting at a young age. He started his show business career at the age of 13. He made appearances in several films like Man Without a Face, Bedroom, and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. He even had a role in a popular TV show, Carnivale. Any other young man would exchange place with him.However, what people did not know was how much he was struggling inside. He resorted to substance abuse that made his career decline. Not only that, he almost hired more attorneys to get him away from his suspicious lewd acts. Good thing, he was able to get over this pit and currently enjoys life with his family, being sober.
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES
Catherine Zeta-Jones had been one of the most appealing women in Hollywood. All of her characters were seductive or upright intimidating. Two of her films were The Mask of Zorro and The Entrapment. She also performed in Traffic and Chicago, the musical. However, her love for Michael Douglas and her constant fear of losing him due to cancer made her lost track of life. She suffered from depression and other mental health illnesses. Although she enrolled in a rehab center, things had not been smooth for her. She looked stress, which was not good for her career, given that her looks were her primary investment in the industry. Good thing, things had come back to normal in 2014, and she finally came back to a TV show called Queen America.
BRIDGET FONDA
Bridget Fonda is one of those women who value family more than anything in this world. She was brave enough to leave everything she worked hard for. Although she is the daughter of Peter Fonda and a niece of Jane Fonda, the public is well-aware of her struggles to be in big-screen films like It Could Happen to You and Single White Female. She got married to an excellent composer, Danny Elfman, and decided to focus on their family from then on. People are only hopeful that she has thought this through and that she has consulted with a financial advisor as such a decision was a huge step to take on.
CHUCK NORRIS
Chuck Norris is more than just a celebrity, star, and show business icon. He is a great lover and a loving husband. He was willing to leave the tall tower he had built for his career so that he could be with his wife 24/7 and take good care of her, too. His famous movies are Way of the Dragon, Missing in Action 1,2, and 3, Walker, and Texas Ranger. No wonder he still managed to stay in the spotlight despite his absence on TV or big screens. He is just so genuine that he has become an internet sensation. The public adores his authenticity behind the cameras and scripts. He channeled all these support and made an investment in publishing six books, two of which became New York Best Sellers.
DENNIS FRANZ
Most people who tried standing in the spotlight would long for it continuously, no matter how happy they could be. They would miss working, memorizing scripts, and seeing people excited. Dennis Franz is one of these people. Although he is already pleased having a private life with his wife in Idaho, he stays optimistic about grabbing opportunities to be back in show business again. To the degree that he wore his NYPD Blue Shirt during the 2016 Primetime Awards. Franz made appearances in the early 2000s in the shows, Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. He also garnered numerous awards, including a Golden Globe award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Primetime Emmy Awards.
GLENDA JACKSON
Glenda Jackson was one of the few people who won the Academy Award multiple times. She did not just get such prestigious honor once, but twice. Her popular shows include Sunday Bloody Sunday and Elizabeth R. As regards the reason why she disappeared for almost two decades, it remains a mystery up until today. She must have been excellent in money management that she managed to survive without making appearances in her workplace — Hollywood. Just in 2016 that she returned to the stage and became part of Shakespeare’s King Lear in London. During her comeback, she again won a Tony award from a Broadway show, Three Tall Women.
JOE PESCI
While many of the people think that it was a waste for Joe Pesci to leave Hollywood earlier than expected, Joe Pesci was spirited to leave all he established behind in order to pursue his authentic happiness. He never really liked Hollywood and all the fame that surrounded it. Good thing, he was good at money management that he did not have to endure such a career anymore. Some of his notable projects include Raging Bull, Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny, and Home Alone. He may never have plans on going back on big screens, but he did a film for Martin Scorsese on Netflix — The Irishman.
RENE RUSSO
Rene Russo started to make a name in the industry from the age of nine. She was this little girl who was so eager to grab some projects. Although she started young, she only made a few appearances in the movies. Some of her shows include In the Line of Fire, Outbreak, Tin Cup, Ransom, Yours Mine Ours, Frigga, and the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. She was so thrilled that when she finally got the spotlight she ever dreamt of, she got weary and decided to take a break. Apart from her lethargy in the show business world, she was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder. People were too suspicious to the degree that they assumed it was the reason for her long break from the industry.
DANA CARVEY
Health is wealth for Dana Carvey. He gave up all that he built in Hollywood just to keep himself away from stress and keep himself healthy. He had been through a lot already. He barely got comedy roles in the 1990s while his peer Mike Myers did pretty well in the industry. However, what struck him most was his abnormal chest pains. He underwent a bypass surgery only to get caught up with attorney appointments. The surgeon who operated on him bypassed a wrong artery. Fortunately, he won the case and earned millions of dollars, which he gave to charity.
MARY-KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are not only twins nor colleagues at work; they are business partners. They decided to retire in 2012 from being actresses. They founded a production company called Dualstar Entertainment Group, which produced several TV shows such as Passport to Paris, Our Lips are Sealed, So Little Time, and New York Minute. Recently, they have been avoiding cameras and the public eye as much as possible. They even declined the invitation to make appearances in the show, Fuller House. They must have enjoyed their private life and their newly established investment, a clothing line. These two gorgeous ladies just make the public more thrilled about the mystery of their lives.
MICHAEL SCHOEFFLING
Michael Scheffling did not bother to make an explanation to the public and left the show business right away. All the films he had done like Mermaids, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, and Sixteen Candles were all great, but never a time he attempted to look back. Currently, he is based in Pennsylvania, enjoying a private life with his beautiful wife and two adorable children. He is also managing his very own investment, a carpentry business — an entrepreneurial venture which people never expected him to get into.
STACEY DASH
Stacey Dash decided not to let the show business world confine her. The public was impressed with her talents that they believed she could make a mark in Hollywood if she just continued doing projects. Her most famous role was being the best friend of Cher in the film Clueless. Let us not forget her appearances in Fox News and Kaye West’s music video, though. Despite all these encouragements and positive feedback from the public, she left Hollywood and decided to be a conservative political activist. She should also be given credit for being brave to run for a congressional seat.
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR
Sarah Michelle Gellar was not only doing well in show business. She was remarkable. She won five Teen Choice Awards and got a Golden Globe nomination. Two of the popular shows she made an appearance in are Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Cruel Intentions. However, after thorough financial planning, she decided to leave her glaring career behind and pursue her passion — baking. Definitely, she is dauntless to make such a massive leap of faith. Currently, she is managing her own company called Foodstirs, which offers sustainable and organic baking products. She is happy living with her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., and two children.
MATTHEW FOX
Matthew Fox did not become popular because of his films alone. He caught the attention of the public when he made a scene in the news, breaking the law and selling his house in Oregon. He must have struggled deeply with money management. If only he managed to keep his feet on the ground and respect the laws, he could have stayed in the industry until today. He was talented and outstanding. He even won a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the famous series, Supernatural. He also made a remarkable appearance in the Party of Five and Lost.
CALISTA FLOCKHART
Despite the downfall of Calista Flockhart’s career in Hollywood, she still ended up happy and satisfied today. She is married to Harrison Ford, with whom she had an adorable son. Calista was popular in the 1990s as she played several roles in various shows like Ally McBeal and Brothers and Sisters. She made an appearance in the series Supergirl but disappeared once again when the set’s location was moved to Vancouver from Los Angeles. She did not want to be relocated away from his son and loving husband. Again, her family is her top priority to the degree that she is willing to give up anything for them.
DOMINIC MONAGHAN
Dominic Monaghan’s career in the show business industry is like a volcano’s life story. It made an enormous eruption, and after, it stayed dormant. He reached the peak of his career when he made an appearance in Lord of the Rings and Lost. However, after the latter was aired, he never had any significant roles served on his plate anymore. Good thing for him, he stayed persistently, and all the time-investment he did become fruitful. Somehow, hosting had made his life even better. He is the current host of the program, The Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan. This may not be the career he imagined himself to have, but it worked pretty well for him.