George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney, along with their twin children Alexander and Ella, have been granted French citizenship, marking a significant step in their decision to embrace life in rural France. This move, which aligns with George Clooney French citizenship as a key focus, is not just a legal change for the Clooneys; it cements their choice to prioritize privacy, family values, and a simpler lifestyle away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
The Clooney Family’s New Chapter in France
The Clooneys have settled into rural France, a transition eased by their ongoing residence in the countryside prior to gaining official citizenship. George Clooney and Amal Clooney married in Venice in 2014, but have increasingly sought tranquility and a sense of normalcy for their children by moving their home base. Their decision was influenced by concerns over raising their twins in Los Angeles and the pervasive Hollywood culture.
George Clooney shared candid thoughts about their adjustment to life in France.
“We live on a farm in France,”
George told Esquire, noting that his own childhood experiences on a farm initially left him reluctant about the idea. Still, he admitted his reservations gave way to a commitment to provide his kids a different upbringing.
“A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it.”
The couple’s rural environment has shifted family dynamics.
“But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know?”
Clooney added.
“They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”
– George Clooney, Oscar Winner
Concerns regarding fame and public attention played a significant role in George Clooney’s decision to settle in France.
“I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,”
he expressed.
“France—they kind of don’t give a s–t about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”
– George Clooney, Oscar Winner
George Clooney’s remarks highlight the family’s desire for privacy and a more grounded life for their children. Even as young as eight, his daughter Ella reacts indifferently to her father’s international stardom.
“Even at 8, I’ve got my daughter rolling her eyes now, which is a new thing,”
Clooney recounted on the New Heights podcast.
“I’d say like, ‘Hey, you know, your dad’s a big star.’ And she just rolls her eyes.”
– George Clooney, Actor
Regarding family discipline and the challenges of parenthood, Clooney said,
“I have to say, it’s a pretty funny adventure raising kids, ’cause you don’t realize how much they’re listening to you.”
– George Clooney, ER Star
Other Celebrities Seeking Life Beyond Hollywood
The Clooneys’ move and new citizenship are part of a broader trend among well-known figures choosing to step away from Los Angeles and high-profile careers in search of privacy, family balance, or new personal projects. Several other public figures have recently shared insights into their decisions to relocate or change careers for a life away from conventional celebrity culture.
Ellen DeGeneres Embraces Countryside Living in the U.K.
Ellen DeGeneres, best known for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, ended her talk show in 2022 after nineteen seasons, in the wake of workplace allegations and industry scrutiny. DeGeneres later confirmed her intention to leave Hollywood and settle in England’s Cotswolds with her wife, Portia de Rossi.
“This is the last time you’re going to see me,”
DeGeneres stated during her tour, and revealed her exit after her Netflix special. – Ellen DeGeneres, Talk Show Host
She has expressed her affection for her new environment, especially its calm and beauty.
“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 Moves to Australia for Business and Family
Supermodel and television host Tyra Banks chose Australia, motivated by the expansion of her ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream.
“So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream,”
Banks explained. Her business ties and the country’s strong market for frozen desserts convinced her to relocate with her son York and her partner, Louis Bélanger-Martin.
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.”
– Tyra Banks, Supermodel
Eva Longoria Finds New Horizons in Spain and Mexico
Eva Longoria, known for her time on Desperate Housewives, left Los Angeles following a shift in the city’s atmosphere and a series of international work commitments. She described this transformation,
“I had my whole adult life here,”
adding that the pandemic heightened her sense of disconnection from Los Angeles. Longoria now divides her time between Spain and Mexico, with her husband, José Bastón, and their son Santiago.
“I didn’t leave because of the political environment,”
Longoria emphasized, instead crediting her move to professional opportunities and filming schedules. – Eva Longoria, Actress and Director
Richard Gere Settles in Spain With Family
Richard Gere and his wife, Alejandra Silva, have established a home in Madrid, motivated in part by Silva’s roots in Galicia. Gere shared,
“My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here. And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.”
– Richard Gere, Actor
He further explained the benefits for their sons, Alexander and James, saying,
“Our kids are bilingual, so they’re going to flourish there.”
Gere noted that the family has thrived since their move, stating,
“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever.”
– Richard Gere, Actor
Christina Milian Relocates Her Family to Paris
Singer and actress Christina Milian, married to French artist Matt Pokora, decided to move to Paris permanently so their children could study in France.
“My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years. And for the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.”
– Christina Milian, Singer
Milian emphasized the positive effects of the move, saying,
“They’re all going to school in Paris. I was like, ‘What better than an opportunity than that?’”
Her family enjoys an active lifestyle, and Milian appreciates the healthy balance she’s found in her new environment. – Christina Milian, Actress
Lindsay Lohan Pursues Privacy Abroad
Lindsay Lohan explained her departure from Los Angeles as an effort to escape constant public scrutiny and paparazzi coverage.
“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.’”
– Lindsay Lohan, Actress
After moving first to London and then Dubai, Lohan focused on her personal life, eventually marrying Bader Shammas and starting a family. She continues working in film while enjoying greater privacy overseas.
Josh Hartnett Prefers Life in the English Countryside
Actor Josh Hartnett left Hollywood for England’s Hampshire, driven by a desire for personal growth and space from industry pressures.
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind,”
Hartnett shared.
“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.”
– Josh Hartnett, Actor
Hartnett values time with his family and the opportunity to raise his children in a more spacious and private setting, stating that less is happening on the surface, but
“more of the important stuff is happening.”
– Josh Hartnett, Actor
Jesse Eisenberg Finds Comfort Away from Los Angeles
Jesse Eisenberg, known for The Social Network, now lives primarily in Indiana.
“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.”
– Jesse Eisenberg, Actor
Eisenberg leads a remarkably normal life with his wife Anna Strout, who is a teacher, and their son Banner. He’s opted out of social media and prefers not to remain immersed in the entertainment industry, expressing a sense of separation from the Hollywood scene.
“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.”
– Jesse Eisenberg, Actor
Eliza Dushku Palandjian Transitions to Mental Health Work
After years in projects like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bring It On, Eliza Dushku Palandjian shifted her focus to mental health, becoming certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“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,”
she explained.
“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, Mental Health Professional
Rosie O’Donnell Moves to Ireland for Family and Safety
Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland in 2025, citing family roots and current U.S. politics as key motivations.
“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
O’Donnell is in the process of acquiring Irish citizenship, hoping that Ireland offers her and her youngest child Clay a safer, more accepting place to live.
Evangeline Lilly Pauses Acting to Seek Fulfillment
Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, announced a break from acting after two decades in the industry.
“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.”
– Evangeline Lilly, Actress
Lilly has not ruled out a future return, stating,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
– Evangeline Lilly, Actress
Ian Somerhalder Pursues Sustainability Over Stardom
Actor Ian Somerhalder has not taken an acting role since 2019, dedicating his time to climate advocacy and business.
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched.”
– Ian Somerhalder, Actor and Entrepreneur
He envisions himself as a rancher and business owner in the future, pursuing regenerative agriculture and wellness projects.
“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, Actor and Entrepreneur
Jennette McCurdy Leaves Acting for Writing and Directing
Former child star Jennette McCurdy has largely turned away from acting work and now focuses on writing, directing, and podcasting.
“My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past,”
McCurdy said during her podcast.
“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.”
– Jennette McCurdy, Former Actress
She has not categorically ruled out acting again, hinting,
“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. 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 Director
Meghan Markle’s Transition from Entertainment to Royalty
Marking a significant departure from her Hollywood career, Meghan Markle left acting and her role on Suits when she married Prince Harry, embracing royal duties and philanthropic causes as the Duchess of Sussex. After retreating from senior royal responsibilities, Meghan and Harry now reside in Montecito, California. Meghan has slowly reengaged with media projects, including a Netflix production deal and new podcast and lifestyle ventures.
Cameron Diaz Explores Life Beyond Films
Cameron Diaz, following a prolific film career, stepped away from acting after 2014’s Annie, seeking time for personal growth and family.
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life,”
Diaz told Gwyneth Paltrow, reflecting on the demands of filmmaking.
“I don’t miss performing. Right now I’m looking at the landscape of wellness and all that,”
she confessed later, though she was persuaded to return for the Netflix film Back in Action. – Cameron Diaz, Actress
Her return was encouraged by her peers.
“We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again.’ We love her, we’ve been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic.”
– Jamie Foxx, Actor
Terrence Howard’s On-and-Off Retirement
Terrence Howard declared his intention to quit acting after completing Empire.
“Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
Howard reaffirmed his intention while promoting The Best Man: The Final Chapters, stating,
“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.”
– Terrence Howard, Actor
Despite these declarations, Howard has taken up several recent acting roles, signaling a possible openness to select projects in the future.
Jack Gleeson Steps Back, Then Returns
Jack Gleeson, who rose to fame as King Joffrey in Game of Thrones, stepped back from acting after the series, citing waning enthusiasm.
“I’ve been acting since age 8. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.”
– Jack Gleeson, Actor
After a six-year break, he returned to the industry, illustrating a recurring theme among celebrities who alternate between private life and public roles.
Phoebe Cates Prioritizes Family and Business
Phoebe Cates, known for Fast Times at Ridgemont High, focused on family after her marriage to Kevin Kline. Kline noted,
“agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time,”
but Cates opted to prioritize being with her children rather than returning to acting regularly. Kline elaborated,
“whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
– Kevin Kline, Actor
Cates now operates her New York City boutique Blue Tree, having largely stepped away from film roles.
Rick Moranis Reemerges After Long Hiatus
Rick Moranis, a major figure in 1980s cinema, withdrew from Hollywood after his wife’s death in 1991 to focus on raising their children. Although absent from live-action movies since 1997, Moranis is set to return for Disney’s reboot, Shrunk, ending decades away from the industry.
Leelee Sobieski Focuses on Family and Art
Leelee Sobieski, following marriage and the birth of her children, decided to end her acting career, citing discomfort with the nature of most roles.
“Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that,”
Sobieski said.
“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.”
– Leelee Sobieski, Former Actress
“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.”
– Leelee Sobieski, Former Actress
Portia de Rossi Pursues Business After Acting
Portia de Rossi transitioned from acting in shows like Ally McBeal and Arrested Development to launching her own company.
“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,”
she explained.
“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.”
– Portia de Rossi, Entrepreneur
Although she stepped away, de Rossi made a brief return for the final season of Arrested Development at the request of the show’s creator.
Daniel Day-Lewis Announces Retirement, Then Returns for Family Project
Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement after Phantom Thread, with his representatives stating,
“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 (Statement through Representatives)
Despite his retirement, Day-Lewis will return for a film, Anemone, written in collaboration with his son Ronan Day-Lewis.
Bridgit Mendler Pursues Science and Technology After Acting
Bridgit Mendler, renowned for Good Luck Charlie, left the spotlight in 2018 to pursue advanced education, earning a master’s and PhD from MIT and enrolling in Harvard Law School. She also launched Northwood Space, a startup focused on satellite data communication, where she serves as CEO, demonstrating a dramatic pivot from acting to innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Broader Impact: Privacy and Personal Fulfillment
The decisions of George Clooney and other well-known figures to move away from Hollywood or step back from their professions reflect shifting priorities for privacy, family life, and personal fulfillment. For Clooney, gaining French citizenship is closely linked to providing a grounded upbringing for his children and seeking respite from constant media attention. The stories of these celebrities illustrate a collective desire among many in the public eye to reclaim a sense of normalcy and personal agency in an overwhelming, high-profile world. As more public figures seek citizenship or residence abroad, the trend points toward a new definition of success—one rooted not in constant visibility, but in stability and self-determined living. The experiences of these stars may well inspire others pursuing life outside the limelight or searching for meaningful change.
