Morgan Freeman, known for his distinguished Morgan Freeman acting career longevity, revealed personal strategies and outlooks that have enabled him to remain active and relevant in film well into his late eighties. Speaking candidly about his persistence in the industry, Freeman discussed his commitment to continuing his work and shared practical advice for sustaining energy and focus over time.
Freeman Shares the Philosophy Behind His Enduring Success
The acclaimed actor, most recently recognized for his role in the “Now You See Me” franchise, has openly discussed what motivates him to maintain his pace. After celebrating his 88th birthday, Freeman emphasized that he has many more stories to tell, motivated by life lessons and words of wisdom passed down from others in the film world. Morgan Freeman told AARP in a recent interview,
“There is a saying about old age, ‘Keep moving,’ and what Clint Eastwood says: ‘Don’t let the old man in,’”
attributing much of his energy to these concise yet inspiring mottos.
Freeman underscored the importance of establishing and sticking to healthy habits. As he put it,
“The way to do that is to keep getting up in the morning, keep working out in the gym, keep taking your vitamins, keep taking your prescribed meds, and keep moving. Keep moving. That is the secret to it all.”
These principles, rooted in practicality, have enabled him to repeatedly accept engaging roles and embrace new scripts.
Continuing Dedication to Acting and Return to Franchise Roles
Throughout the past decade, Freeman has notably reprised his role as magician Thaddeus Bradley in the “Now You See Me” films, a franchise where he stars alongside Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson. Looking forward to the next installment, set for 2025, he spoke about the advantages of working with colleagues and material that are familiar. As Freeman reflected on the franchise’s third installment,
“You’re more comfortable learning your lines,”
and,
“you’re more comfortably ensconced in the role, you’re more comfortable interacting with the same actors that you were interacting with before. You know what to expect. It makes it easy.”
This camaraderie and knowledge of the process, he notes, help lighten the demands of returning to set.
Pursuits Beyond Acting: Fitness and Hobbies
When not immersed in film projects, Freeman is an enthusiastic golfer, often spending time on the course for leisure and exercise. He modestly assessed his abilities, saying,
“I’m pretty good at it, I must say. I mean, for a hack,”
commenting on how the sport offers consistent opportunities for movement. Freeman pointed out that golf’s physicality is uniquely suited to older adults, explaining,
“It’s walking, stooping, bending, swinging, cussing,”
and summing up,
“It’s a great sport for older adults. It’s better than bocce ball.”
His approach illustrates how staying active in both work and daily habits contributes to ongoing vitality.
Perspectives on Retirement and Resilience in a Changing Industry
On the topic of retirement, Freeman explained that he has frequently considered stepping away, but always found compelling reasons to continue. External changes, including technological advancements like AI’s ability to replicate voices, have particularly impacted his view. He described his stance to The Guardian:
“I’m a little PO’d, you know. I’m like any other actor: don’t mimic me with falseness. I don’t appreciate it and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if you’re gonna do it without me, you’re robbing me.”
This sentiment reflects his protective attitude toward his profession and artistic contributions.
For Freeman, retirement is not a goal he pursues actively; rather, he finds ongoing motivation from new projects. He said,
“Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me. But as soon as my agent says there’s a job or somebody wants you or they’ve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday: how much you’re going to pay, where we’re gonna be?”
This adaptive approach allows him to welcome each opportunity with the same focus and curiosity as earlier in his career.
Other Notable Stars Who Have Taken Different Paths
While Morgan Freeman chooses to extend his Morgan Freeman acting career longevity, numerous actors have stepped away from Hollywood for personal, professional, or lifestyle reasons. Their stories provide broader context on the choices available within the entertainment industry and underscore the uncommon nature of Freeman’s enduring commitment.
Ellen DeGeneres Steps Away from the Spotlight
Ellen DeGeneres ended her long-running talk show in 2022 amid controversy and later confirmed she would be leaving Hollywood after her final standup special, “For Your Approval.” During a performance, she announced,
“This is the last time you’re going to see me,”
and added,
“After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
Her decision followed a significant period of public scrutiny, and she has since relocated to England with her wife Portia de Rossi.
Tyra Banks Pursues Business Ventures Abroad
Tyra Banks left the spotlight in part to focus on her ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream, which spurred frequent travel to Australia. She said,
“So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream,”
and described business expansion abroad:
“But we’ve been more what we call B2B, like on an airplane and on cruises. I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in a big facility doing our recipes. And I just fell in love with it every time I went back and went back.”
Banks ultimately moved to Australia, noting,
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.”
Eva Longoria Finds New Roots Abroad
Eva Longoria, best known for “Desperate Housewives,” left Los Angeles for Spain and Mexico, shaping a new chapter in life alongside her husband José Bastón and their son Santiago. She commented,
“I had my whole adult life here,”
but noted changing circumstances, including the pandemic. While Longoria acknowledged,
“I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them,”
she clarified elsewhere,
“I didn’t leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there since Land of Women—shooting six months in Catalonia, then four months in Mexico for Searching for Mexico, then back to Spain. Now I’ve been there for years. So I just don’t like that it’s politicized.”
Richard Gere Embraces Life in Spain
Richard Gere opted to move with his Spanish wife Alejandra Silva and their children to Madrid after years living abroad. He said,
“My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here. And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.”
He described the move as beneficial for their bilingual children, sharing,
“so they’re going to flourish there,”
and reflected,
“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever.”
Christina Milian Chooses Family Life in France
Christina Milian, married to French singer Matt Pokora, decided to relocate permanently to Paris so that her children could study in France. She explained,
“My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years,”
adding,
“And for the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.”
Milian reflected on the benefits,
“They’re all going to school in Paris. I was like, ‘What better than an opportunity than that?’”
She later shared,
“They know French. We go to the park. I have an active lifestyle that’s really nice during the day. Then at night time, I do my work because I work hours ahead. It’s a nice, healthy balance for me.”
Lindsay Lohan Finds Fulfillment Overseas
Lindsay Lohan left Los Angeles after struggling with intense media attention and a fast-paced lifestyle. She recounted,
“I feel like some of [my work] got overshadowed by paparazzi and all that kind of stuff when I was younger, and that’s kind of annoying. I wish that part didn’t happen. I feel like that kind of took on a life of its own. So that’s why I wanted to disappear. I was like, ‘Unless there’s no story here, they’re not going to focus on just my work.’”
Lohan eventually married Bader Shammas, settled in Dubai, and started a family, but she continues to act in select projects.
Josh Hartnett Relishes a Simpler Life in the UK
Josh Hartnett chose to step away from the Hollywood circuit for greater personal growth and balance. He observed,
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind. If you’re around people who are constantly talking about the movie business, your life is going to be pretty much one note. And I’ve never wanted that.”
Hartnett and his family now live in Hampshire, England, where he remarked,
“With four children, you have so much to do. In a way, less is happening. But more of the important stuff is happening.”
He remains active with various film roles.
Jesse Eisenberg Prefers Life Away from Hollywood
Jesse Eisenberg, notable for his role in “The Social Network,” has spent much of the last decade living in Indiana. He shared,
“I’ve lived in Indiana for the last decade on-and-off. That’s where I feel the most comfortable. I’m not somebody who wants to surround myself in an industry that just feels kind of unstable to me.”
Eisenberg appreciates a measured, quieter lifestyle, elaborating,
“I’m not on social media, and I’m not a person who’s on the phone with industry people all the time. So, my life feels pretty separate. My wife is a teacher. My kid doesn’t really even watch movies. So, I’m not like knee-deep in the world of constantly trying to assess my own status in an industry.”
Eliza Dushku Palandjian Pursues Healing and Mental Health Work
Eliza Dushku Palandjian, once a regular on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Bring It On,” transitioned from acting to studying and practicing psychedelic-assisted therapy. She described this shift,
“I had the means to shift directions and choose a course in my life that focused on healing myself so that I could help heal others.”
Dushku Palandjian sees her current path as genuine purpose, saying,
“I would be remiss if I didn’t now share the transformation and the peace and the passion that I have. This is just absolutely so clearly my real calling, my real purpose.”
Rosie O’Donnell Starts a New Life in Ireland
Rosie O’Donnell moved to Ireland with her youngest child in early 2025, seeking new opportunities in light of family history and recent political shifts. While adjusting to a new environment, she shared her feelings in a personal video,
“I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in in this beautiful country. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
Evangeline Lilly Explores Fulfillment Outside Hollywood
After two decades in the industry, Evangeline Lilly, the “Ant-Man and the Wasp” star, announced a step back from acting. She explained in a social media post,
“I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision. I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment.”
Lilly left open the possibility of returning to Hollywood in the future, but for now finds purpose elsewhere, writing,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
Ian Somerhalder Dedicates Himself to Environmental Causes
Ian Somerhalder, a familiar face from “The Vampire Diaries,” distanced himself from acting to focus on combating climate change and building family businesses. He explained,
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched.”
Looking forward, he added,
“I will be a rancher and building legacy brands, whether it’s my bourbon or my health and wellness company, and the regenerative agriculture and healthy soil management practices that I live by and our family lives by. That’s where my life was going. So when people say ‘Why do you care?’ That’s why I care. Because that’s who I am, that’s what I’m going to become.”
Jennette McCurdy Redirects Her Creative Talents
Jennette McCurdy, once known for “iCarly,” recounted her desire to leave acting behind, sharing honestly,
“My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past. I resent my career in a lot of ways. I feel so unfulfilled by the roles that I played and felt like it was the most cheesy, embarrassing. I did the shows that I was on from like 13 to 21, and by 15, I was already embarrassed. My friends at 15, they’re not like, ‘Oh, cool, you’re on this Nickelodeon show.’ It was embarrassing.”
McCurdy now focuses on writing, directing, and podcasting, with potential openness to acting again if it aligns with her creative control:
“Maybe if I write something for myself. I think that’d really be maybe one of the only ways I could kind of try exploring it again.”
Meghan Markle Balances Royal Life and New Media Ventures
Meghan Markle followed in the footsteps of famous predecessors by leaving her Hollywood career for royal life after marrying Prince Harry. Having shifted focus to philanthropy and family, she later returned to media with productions such as the docuseries “Harry & Meghan” and the lifestyle show “With Love, Meghan.” Markle also ventured into podcasting and entrepreneurship, keeping her public profile active in her own way.
Cameron Diaz Trades Film Sets for Family and Wellness
Cameron Diaz starred in over 40 films but paused her acting career after 2014’s “Annie,” stating her desire for a new direction. She told Gwyneth Paltrow,
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life. I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind. When you’re making a movie—it’s a perfect excuse—they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else.”
Diaz found new purpose in writing and family, but, with enough persuasion, agreed to return for her role in “Back in Action” at Jamie Foxx’s urging:
“We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again.’”
Terrence Howard Steps Back but Remains Creative
Terrence Howard declared his intention to finish acting at the end of his time on “Empire,” stating,
“Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
Later, he told ET,
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor. Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.”
Despite intermittent returns to work, Howard continues to enjoy other pursuits and has several future projects.
Jack Gleeson Finds New Perspective After Fame
Jack Gleeson, famous for playing King Joffrey on “Game of Thrones,” took a break from acting after his character’s dramatic exit. He explained,
“I’ve been acting since age 8. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.”
He added,
“Now there’s the prospect of doing it for a living, 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.”
After a six-year break, Gleeson returned to TV and film for selected projects.
Phoebe Cates Steps Out of Show Business for Family
Phoebe Cates, after marrying actor Kevin Kline, deliberately prioritized family life over a career in acting. Kline shared their arrangement,
“agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time,”
but emphasized,
“whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
Cates instead operates a boutique in New York City and rarely appears in front of the camera.
Rick Moranis Prioritizes Family After Tragedy
Rick Moranis stepped back from acting after his wife’s death in 1991 to raise their children, Rachel and Mitchell. Although he took an extended break and resisted opportunities to return, recent news confirmed he is set to appear in Disney’s “Shrunk” alongside Josh Gad.
Leelee Sobieski Redefines Her Career on Her Own Terms
Leelee Sobieski left acting after finding most roles unfulfilling and incompatible with her personal life. She explained,
“Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that. It’s such a strange fire to play with, and our relationship is surely strong enough to handle it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there has to be something incredible on the other side.”
Sobieski has focused on family and painting instead, stating,
“I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider. I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.”
Portia de Rossi Finds Entrepreneurial Fulfillment
Portia de Rossi announced her retirement from acting to pursue business, sharing,
“I was approaching 45 and I just kind of…was wondering is there something that I could tackle now that I’ve never done before that would be really challenging and different. I kind of knew what acting would look like for me for the next 10, 20 years, so I decided to quit and start a business.”
She later participated in a few final episodes of “Arrested Development,” honoring a commitment to the show’s creator, but has since focused on the art company General Public.
Daniel Day-Lewis Makes a Private Exit—And Unexpected Return
Widely regarded as one of the greatest living actors, Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement shortly after the release of “Phantom Thread.” Through his representatives, he issued a statement that he,
“will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”
Day-Lewis surprised the industry when it was
