Josh Hartnett’s life after Hollywood has taken on a new meaning as he settles into a quieter existence in the English countryside, joining a growing number of celebrities who have swapped the entertainment industry’s intensity for personal fulfillment elsewhere. From England to Australia and Spain, stars are choosing new surroundings for reasons ranging from family and business, to finding peace and redefining their sense of self.
Why Stars Are Leaving Hollywood Behind
The lure of Hollywood extends beyond a physical location, shaping an entire way of life and mindset. Over recent years, several big names in entertainment have taken a step back or permanently left Hollywood, opting for more peaceful or pragmatic lives beyond the glare of relentless media coverage. Their departures often reflect a desire for deeper balance, autonomy, and meaning.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, after years at the forefront of American television, left California for the Cotswolds in 2024. Ellen shared with an audience in Gloucester that life there is “just better,” echoing the sentiment among those who have sought a new beginning away from Los Angeles. Jason Priestley moved to Nashville, stating,
It’s so much easier to navigate your life here,
and,
And it’s a cool, interesting place.
– Jason Priestley, Actor.
Josh Hartnett, now raising his family in England, described the novelty and connection he experiences living among people outside the movie business as life’s true spice.
Celebrity Moves: Redefining Family and Home
The move away from Hollywood isn’t always permanent or absolute for these stars, but it does provide a chance to recalibrate priorities. Brendan Fraser, who settled in Bedford, New York, after some introspection, said,
I’ve never been that far away, but I did step out of the spotlight for a spell there to sort some things out in my life and to take stock of who I am, where I’m going, and what my aspirations are,
and,
I’ve learned that it’s going to do me good to work smart instead of work hard.
– Brendan Fraser, Actor.
This new flexibility reflects the global nature of the film and television industry, with opportunities untethered from any one place, allowing celebrities to carve out the rhythm that best suits them and their loved ones.
Ellen DeGeneres: Finding Tranquility in the Cotswolds
Following the end of her long-running talk show due to public controversy and workplace investigations, Ellen DeGeneres stepped back from Hollywood. She and her wife Portia de Rossi ultimately decided to settle in England’s Cotswolds after November 2024, with Ellen expressing admiration for the region’s natural beauty and simple lifestyle. As Ellen recounted,
Everything here is just better—the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here. We moved here in November, which was not the ideal time, but I saw snow for the first time in my life. We love it here. Portia flew her horses here, and I have chickens, and we had sheep for about two weeks.
– Ellen DeGeneres, Talk Show Host.
Tyra Banks: Business Opportunities in Australia
Tyra Banks moved to Australia in pursuit of growth for her ice cream business and a better lifestyle for her family. She said,
So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream,
and explained,
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.
and,
The three countries that eat the most ice cream?
concluding,
Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.
– Tyra Banks, Supermodel and Entrepreneur. She relocated to Australia with her son and boyfriend, aligning her personal and business ambitions.
Eva Longoria: A New Chapter in Mexico and Spain
For Eva Longoria, leaving Los Angeles was about closing a chapter. She spoke about her changing relationship with California and her decision to split time between Mexico and Spain:
I had my whole adult life here,
and,
But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether it’s the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s–t on California—it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.
and,
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.
– Eva Longoria, Actress and Director. Her move was driven by her evolving work in television and film internationally, asserting,
I didn’t leave because of the political environment,
and further explaining,
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: Family and Fulfillment in Spain
Richard Gere decided to move to Spain, prioritizing his marriage to Alejandra Silva and their bilingual children. He noted,
My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here,
adding,
And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.
and,
The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum,
– Richard Gere, Actor.
Christina Milian: Choosing Paris for Family
Christina Milian and her husband Matt Pokora chose Paris after years of commuting, focusing on their children’s education and happiness. She shared,
My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years,
and,
And for the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.
and,
They’re all going to school in Paris,
and continued,
I was like, ‘What better than an opportunity than that?
detailing the positive impact,
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.
– Christina Milian, Singer and Actress.
Lindsay Lohan: Escaping Public Scrutiny
Lindsay Lohan moved first to London and then Dubai, seeking privacy away from media intrusion and finding new love abroad. She explained her motivations,
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,
and,
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.’
and,
I was like, ‘What if I never fall in love? What if this never happens?’
and concluded,
And it took me just taking time for me for all those doors to open and the ‘yeses’ to come—the things I wanted to say ‘yes’ to.
– Lindsay Lohan, Actress. Living in Dubai, she continues to work in film, balancing career and family life away from the constant attention of Los Angeles.
Josh Hartnett: A Thoughtful Exit from Spotlight
Josh Hartnett’s decision to leave Hollywood behind stemmed from his desire for personal growth and a broader perspective. He told People,
Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind,
and reflected,
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.
He pointed out,
I’ve always wanted to be around … people generally doing lots of other things that would bring my mind off of my work and force me to grow in different directions,
and called this,
the spice of life.
– Josh Hartnett, Actor. Hartnett, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and four children, relocated to Hampshire, England. He further shared,
With four children, you have so much to do. In a way, less is happening. But more of the important stuff is happening.
Despite the move, Hartnett continues to accept challenging roles in film but now on his own terms, truly embracing Josh Hartnett’s life after Hollywood.
Jesse Eisenberg: Embracing Simplicity in Indiana
Jesse Eisenberg, known for his critically acclaimed performances, prefers the stability of life in Indiana over Los Angeles. He described,
I’ve lived in Indiana for the last decade on-and-off,
and continued,
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.
and,
I’m not on social media, and I’m not a person who’s on the phone with industry people all the time,
and,
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.
– Jesse Eisenberg, Actor.
Eliza Dushku Palandjian: Redefining Purpose through Mental Health
Stepping back from mainstream acting, Eliza Dushku Palandjian trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy and focused on mental health. She shared,
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,
and,
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.
– Eliza Dushku Palandjian, Former Actress and Mental Health Advocate.
Rosie O’Donnell: Seeking Belonging in Ireland
Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland in January 2025, motivated by her family roots and political shift in the United States. She remarked,
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.
– Rosie O’Donnell, Actress and Comedian.
Evangeline Lilly: Journeying Away from Fame
Evangeline Lilly announced an indefinite hiatus from acting, preferring a life less driven by fame and fortune. She said,
I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision,
and continued,
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.
and,
I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.
– Evangeline Lilly, Actress.
Ian Somerhalder: Transforming Passions Beyond Acting
Ian Somerhalder has shifted focus to environmental activism and family. Describing his choices, he stated,
I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched,
and,
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.
– Ian Somerhalder, Former Actor and Environmental Advocate.
Jennette McCurdy: Exploring New Creative Paths
Jennette McCurdy, formerly of iCarly fame, transitioned from acting to podcasting, writing, and directing. She admitted,
My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past,
and elaborated,
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.
She left open the possibility of acting again only if it felt true to her new creative identity, sharing,
I do feel like only through writing the book have I gotten to a place where I think there might be a way of exploring acting that doesn’t carry that baggage that I carried with me for so long,
and,
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.
– Jennette McCurdy, Writer and Former Actress.
Meghan Markle: Royal Life Transforming Hollywood Roots
Meghan Markle dramatically transformed her life after leaving behind the world of TV to marry Prince Harry and join the British royal family, following in Grace Kelly’s footsteps. Since stepping down as a senior working royal, she and Prince Harry have combined royal and celebrity worlds through projects like their docuseries and production deals, maintaining a presence in public life from Montecito, California.
Cameron Diaz: Slowing Down After Decades On Screen
After prolific work in film, Cameron Diaz paused her career to focus on wellness, writing, and family with Benji Madden. Reflecting on her break, she said,
I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life,
and described the pace of acting,
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.
She admitted,
I don’t miss performing. Right now I’m looking at the landscape of wellness and all that,
– Cameron Diaz, Former Actress. She returned for the Netflix film Back in Action after Jamie Foxx’s urging, as Foxx shared,
We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again,’
and,
We love her, we’ve been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic.
– Jamie Foxx, Actor.
Terrence Howard: Seeking Fulfillment Through Change
Terrence Howard announced multiple times he intended to retire from acting. He declared,
Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.
and reiterated,
I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor,
and,
Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.
– Terrence Howard, Actor. Despite these statements, Howard continues to work sporadically in the industry, pursuing projects on his terms.
Jack Gleeson: Navigating Early Stardom and Satisfaction
Jack Gleeson left acting after his high-profile role in Game of Thrones, later returning after a significant break. He explained,
I’ve been acting since age 8,
and,
I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.
and,
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,
and,
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.
– Jack Gleeson, Actor.
Phoebe Cates: Prioritizing Parenting Over Acting
Phoebe Cates chose to put her family first, stepping away from acting to raise her children with Kevin Kline. Kline spoke of their arrangement,
agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time,
and,
whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.
– Kevin Kline, Actor.
Rick Moranis: Stepping Back for Family, Planning a Return
Rick Moranis withdrew from acting to focus on parenting after his wife’s passing, a decision that resonated with many fans. He refrained from screen roles for decades but is scheduled for a return with Disney’s upcoming Shrunk alongside Josh Gad.
Leelee Sobieski: Valuing Privacy and Family
Leelee Sobieski left acting to prioritize her relationship and shield her family from Hollywood’s pressures. She reflected,
Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that,
and,
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.
and later confirmed,
I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider,
and,
I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.
– Leelee Sobieski, Artist and Former Actress.
Portia de Rossi: New Challenges After Acting
Portia de Rossi transitioned from a successful acting career to entrepreneurship, searching for challenges beyond what she knew. She explained,
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,
and,
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.
and,
I called Mitch Hurwitz, who’s the creator of Arrested Development and I said, ‘If there is a season 5, I won’t be doing it because I quit acting. And he seemed really understanding and he totally got it. We had a great conversation, and then he wrote me into five episodes.
– Portia de Rossi, Entrepreneur and Former Actress.
Daniel Day-Lewis: Retiring at the Pinnacle
Daniel Day-Lewis, having won three Oscars, formally retired from acting following his role in Phantom Thread. A statement conveyed,
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.
– Daniel Day-Lewis, Actor. However, an upcoming project with his son Ronan Day-Lewis suggests the possibility of a return to screen.
Bridgit Mendler: Academic Pursuits and Tech Leadership
Bridgit Mendler left her acting career to pursue postgraduate studies at MIT and Harvard Law School before founding the tech start-up Northwood Space. As CEO, she’s now dedicated to advancing satellite communications rather than working in entertainment.
The Significance and Future of Celebrity Life Transitions
The movement of stars like Josh Hartnett, Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, and others away from Hollywood reflects evolving notions of work, fulfillment, and family among high-profile individuals. While some continue their creative work on their own terms, others completely reshape their careers and lifestyles. These choices highlight a trend toward deeper personal authenticity and the quest for balanced, meaningful lives—offering a blueprint for reinvention well beyond the glamour of Hollywood. The ongoing journeys of figures such as Josh Hartnett underscore the reality that life after Hollywood can be more fulfilling, complex, and rewarding than the traditional entertainment path, suggesting that more stars may follow suit in search of their own definition of success.
