12 Celebrities Who No Longer Plan to Appear on Our Screens

A study from a few years ago has found that the average person will watch around 5,000 movies in their lifetime. Which means that on average we spend almost a year watching movies, and this doesn’t even include the time we spend on TV series. So it’s understandable if we care about our favorite actors and await their new releases. But some of them have decided to quit acting for good and focus on other projects instead.

We at Bright Side made a list of 12 actors who have decided to retire from acting and keep busy with other endeavors outside the industry.

1. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz got her breakthrough role in the comedy film The Mask, playing opposite Jim Carrey, when she was only 21 years old. She went on to star in a large range of movies, from romantic comedies to dramas, until her last appearance in the 2014 movie Annie. Shortly after, Cameron decided to retire from acting for good because she wanted to pursue other things instead. Recently, the former actress became a businesswoman and a self-help writer, publishing 2 books.

2. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

The twin actresses began their career with a shared role in the series Full House. The last time both Mary-Kate and Ashley appeared on the screen was in 2004 in the movie New York Minute, playing teenage twins from Long Island, this time. Later, Mary-Kate Olsen continued acting without her sister for a few years, but retired from the industry for good in 2011. Since they quit acting, the twins have been running a very successful fashion brand that they founded in 2006.

3. Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes made her movie debut in the comedy Big Fat Liar in 2002 and had her last appearance in a movie only 8 years later when she starred in Easy A. She was only 24 years old when she quit acting, tweeting that she didn’t ’love it anymore’. A few years later, Amanda decided to enroll in fashion school.

4. Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson is best-known for playing the lead role in Matilda when she was only 9 years old. She last appeared in a movie in 2000 and took a decade long break before starring in a few web series. Mara is currently a writer, and she also has her own podcast.

5. Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow first appeared in a TV movie directed by her father called High, but critics said her first notable role was in the thriller Se7en starring alongside Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. She last played the character of Pepper Potts in the movie Avengers: Inifnity War. Gwyneth told an interviewer that she simply fell out of love with acting and that she wouldn’t like to return to the screen in the future either. She’s more focused on her lifestyle brand Goop at the moment.

6. Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman made his debut in Mad Dog Coll, playing a cop. His last appearance was the leading role in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004. He retired from acting for good at the age of 74 because of health concerns. Since then, Gene has become a successful novelist, having published 5 books in total.

7. Danny Lloyd

Danny Lloyd became famous for his role of Danny Torrence in The Shining, but decided to put an end to his career as a child actor when he was 14. Later, he chose a very different profession far from the spotlight, becoming a biology professor and teaching at a community college. He still made a small appearance in the sequel to The Shining Doctor Sleep, but he wasn’t cast as the lead role this time.

8. Meghan Markle

Meghan played a nurse for 2 episodes on General Hospital as her first role, and left the series Suits after 7 seasons in 2018. The former actress retired from acting shortly after her engagement to Prince Harry was announced, so she could focus on royal engagements instead.

9. Freddie Prinze Jr.

One of Freddie’s most famous appearances was also his breakout role in I Know What You Did Last Summer. He went on to star in several other movies, including She’s All That and Scooby-Doo.

He decided to quit acting after playing in a movie for the last time, appearing in Jack and Jill vs. the World. In 2017 Freddie confirmed that he wouldn’t like to continue acting, although he did accept some voice over roles. He’s been focusing more on his passion, cooking, instead.

10. Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar made her acting debut when she was only 4 years old, starring in An Invasion of Privacy. Her last role on the big screen was in 2009 in Possession, although she still accepted voice over roles and small appearances in sitcoms more recently. But Sarah has been focusing more on other projects, for example charitable activities and managing a startup.

11. Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen became a famous child actress when she starred in the family movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, playing Cindy Lou Who. Later, she was cast in Gossip Girl, but after the show ended, she decided to quit acting for good and focus on her music career instead. Taylor has been the lead singer of the rock band Pretty Reckless ever since it was founded in 2009.

12. Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis decided to retire from acting in 2022 because of medical reasons. He began his acting career with small roles in the 1980s, working his way up to the top after being cast as the lead role in the TV show Moonlighting. His most famous roles include John McClane in the Die Hard franchise and Butch Coolidge in Pulp Fiction.

Which of these actors would you like to see perform again? Tell us in the comment section below!