Sally Field is one of those actors who has been around for what feels like, eternity. In the second half of her career, she was nominated for an Oscar for Lincoln and for her role in the Spider-Man franchise. Let’s give her some well-deserved credit for a moment as she’s starred in iconic films like “Steel Magnolias,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and “Forrest Gump.” That is quite an accomplished resume.
However, she’s been out of the picture for some time now. She last appeared in the critically acclaimed indie “Hello, My Name Is Doris.” In 2014, she was rightfully presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Spiderman's Absence
You probably didn't even notice Tobey Maguire's absence from Hollywood. Well, news flash, quite some time has gone by since he's last appeared in a film and since the release of the first Spiderman movie in 2012.
Apparently, concern exists for his whereabouts and people are talking to Google to search "Is Tobey Maguire dead?" Other than voicing the narrator's role in the animated film Boss Baby, the Spider-Man star has only appeared in one film since 2013, the little-seen Pawn Sacrifice. The actor got so much recognition for his iconic performance in Spiderman that most people don't even realize he's gone AWOL.
A-lister Gone AWOL
It's rare for an A-list actor to completely abandon Hollywood, but Cameron Diaz did it very stealthily, without many people even seeming to notice. Maybe we don't notice that she hasn't been in a new movie in years because we find ourselves re-watching "There's Something About Mary," "Charlie's Angels," "In Her Shoes," and of course, arguably the best romantic comedy, "The Holiday."
It seems that Cameron Diaz simply grew tired of her years of hard work and has since settled down with now-husband Good Charlotte's Benji Madden. Fun fact, she is the sister-in-law of Nicole Richie who is married to Benji's brother.
Where's Precious?
It may have seemed like Mo'Nique's career was just taking off when she won an Oscar for her role in 2009's Precious. After an award like that, it would have been obvious for the actor to star in more movies and win more awards. However, the stand-up comedian only acted in four more movies after that, and one was a TV movie.
Apparently, winning an Oscar made Mo'Nique develop a haughty persona and a heightened and exaggerated sense of her worthiness. Her refusal to "play the game" in Hollywood did not go over very well with her peers, and she was shunned.
Jack's Disappearance
Nicholson is a star we'd love to see make a comeback. The actor has more Oscar nominations than any other male actor in history, however, he hasn't appeared in a feature film since 2010's unremarkable "How Do You Know?"
The legend was supposed to appear opposite Kristen Wig in an English remake of the German comedy "Toni Erdmann" but he supposedly dropped out of the project. We think that he should just sit back and glory in the $400 million he made over the years. Because quite frankly, what more is there to achieve if you’ve already banked in the cash and received three Oscar awards?
Peaked with "Twin Peaks"
It's mind-boggling to see how an actor like Lara can go from such pivotal roles to such... unimpressive ones. Lara was everywhere in the 90s. She is most recognized for her role as Donna Hayward in the ABC cult television series "Twin Peaks" and "The Practice," for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. However, since 2014, the star is nowhere to be found.
If you want to know just how much her career has plummeted, for reference, one of her most recent projects was called Hansel & Gretel Get Baked, and it was nominated for "Trashiest Trailer" at the Golden Trailer Awards.
Burning Bridges
Heigl seemed to be relishing her position as an A-list star in 2007 when she took home an Emmy Award for "Grey's Anatomy" and starred in the hit comedy "Knocked Up." However, she then basically ruined her reputation when she pointed a finger at her directors and make some harsh statements about their projects.
Making these remarks burned some bridges for her and Heigl has not been on the radar since the romantic comedy "27 Dresses "in 2008. More recently, she has been cast in the leading role opposite Sarah Chalke and Ben Lawson for the Netflix show "Firefly Lane."
Super Gone
Jonah Hill has made quite an impressive physical transformation since his comedic roles in films like "Superbad," and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall.: He took home Oscar nominations for his supporting role in "Moneyball" and "The Wolf of Wall Street." For the last few years, Hill has appeared in minor roles and voice roles.
He will also have a minor role in "The Beach Bum" which will be released later this year. Additionally, he has plans to voice roles for "How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" and "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part." The media also went crazy in 2023 when controversial texts were released between him and an ex-girlfriend, and some have even called the star “canceled.” Yikes!!
Party of None?
With a name like hers, it seems like Jennifer Love Hewitt was destined for stardom. Hewitt is most recognized for playing Sarah Reeves Merrin on the Fox teen drama Party of Five from 1995-1999 and in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. It’s safe to say that she was one of the hottest stars of the 90s.
However, her 90s fame came to a halt at the start of the 21 st century, and the actress hasn’t been on the big screen since 2012. Perhaps she is taking time to be a mommy to her two young children and a wife to her husband.
Lost His Powers
Mike Myers may have played the very iconic voice of Shrek and of course, Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers franchise, but if anybody knows what he’s been up to since 2008’s awful The Love Guru, then I will be very impressed. Since you probably don’t know what he’s been up to, you are close to the right answer.
He hasn't been up to anything. After the terrible last movie he starred in, he was not able to bounce back to his once legendary reputation and so he took a long break for a decade after the movie failure. One can only hope that makes a grand comeback before it’s too late for him.
Meg's Meandering
Meg Ryan was America's favorite Sweetheart throughout the 90s and she starred in some iconic romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. However, a number of movie failures caused her career to experience a decline.
She starred in some movies in the early 2000s, but the movies were not such great commercial successes and were not able to bump her career back to what it once was. Since then, she has acted in several indie films and has also tried her hand at directing. Maybe, just maybe, she may be back for good, though, since she was part of the cast of “What Happens Later,” a rom-com was scheduled to come out in 2023.
Who Now?
It seems like an Oscar and Golden Globe Winner would have all the acting opportunities at her disposal, but for Mira Sorvino, things just weren’t in her favor. She has only made minor appearances here and there. The reason why she has had trouble getting cast is absolutely absurd and the infamous uncouth Harvey Weinstein has something to do with it.
Thanks to the scoop from "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson, it has been confirmed that Weinstein blacklisted Sorvino from major pictures after she filed a harassment claim against him. Yikes! It’s horrendous that this man could have such a big say in the lives and careers of so many women.
Banned by Miramax
Ashley Judd is another great example of a star who was destroyed at the cusp of a pig. The award-winning actress had a number of brilliant acting gigs in the 90’s, but her career was cut way too short. She starred in a number of hits, including “Heat” in 1995, “Double Jeopardy” in 1999, and “Kiss the Girls” in 1997.
Since then, her career has been very quiet as she only got small parts in lesser-known films. Once again, the horrid Weinstein is to blame. His company Miramax blacklisted Judd in Hollywood after she refused the advancements he made at her in a hotel room. The guy can't handle rejection, it seems.
Alyson's Hiatus
Since the final days of How I Met Your Mother, we have seldom seen Alyson Hannigan. We have since only seen her make several guest appearances and star in a TV movie. She has also more recently lent her voice in “American Dad!” for a meager three episodes and more actively in the animation “Fancy Nancy” by Disney, where she voiced the character Claire Clancy from 2018 to 2022.
We hope that the reason for her disappearance from the screen is due to marital bliss with her former Buffy costar Alexis Denisof. Plus, when you are a star in a hit TV series and have $30 million, you can afford to take time off to be with family.
Bye Bye Bynes
Amanda was at the peak of her career when she had a psychotic meltdown. We last saw the wig enthusiast in 2010’s Easy A. Before that, she played a major role in 2007’s “Hairspray,” and 2006’s “She’s the Man.” Both movies were smasher hits so it was sad to see her go shortly after them. And You have to admit though, she was a talented child star back in the day.
Rather than being in and out of movie shoots, she has been out of the spotlight since her complete public breakdown in the early 2010s. Recently though, she got her act together, and with that, she has confirmed her interest in acting again. Catch that pun? She has also been attending fashion school.
No Longer It
Mischa's claim to fame was in 2003 when she played Marissa Cooper in The O.C. She played this part for three years. During this time, Mischa was at the peak of her career. Capitalizing on the show's fame, the star attended parties all over the world. She was once named Entertainment Weekly’s “It Girl” during the first year of the show and quickly became a paparazzi favorite.
Mischa explains her demise as a result of “living a jet-set lifestyle. She also alleged that the fame got a bit much for her at some point, so she needed a break from all the media attention. If you miss the actress, then get ready, because she's set to star in the upcoming "The Hills: New Beginnings."
Where's Prince Charming?
Freddie Prince Junior was the teen heartthrob of the 90s after starring in the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series. Since his guest role on 24, the actor has been doing voice acting for animated shows and video games. The star also made a slight comeback around 2022 in “Clerks III” and “Christmas with You,” but these movies don’t come close to the movies he featured in in the 90s.
According to Prinze, his experiences with Kiefer Sutherland on the set of 24 caused him to want to quit acting because they were so negative. While Freddie is not acting so much these days, he is getting to enjoy more quality time with wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and their two children.
He Wasn't All That
Kel Mitchell had a lot of fans back when he starred as a regular on Nickelodeon's "All That" and "Kenan and Kel." It seemed like his decline began when he lost out to his former costar Kenan Thompson for a spot on "SNL" in 2003.
Now that Kenan has become the show's longest-standing cast member, the two have virtually stopped speaking, besides an appearance together on "The Tonight Show." That’s kind of sad because the two made such an epic team on their hilarious award-winning show. Nowadays, Mitchell appears in kids' shows and smaller roles, and has unfortunately not had any major roles in recent years.
Nothing Further
Kelly McGillis became a major star after appearing in the Oscar-winning Top Gun alongside big names like Tom Cruise and Meg Ryan. However, her negative experience in the 1989 "Cat Chaser" discouraged her from wanting to pursue her acting career any further.
She continued to star in some films and TV shows here and there until she settled on being a theatrical actor and character TV actress. For that, we see no issues if she prefers to keep a distance from the mainstream media, and what better to do that than to transition to mostly theatrical roles? She has since come out as a lesbian in 2009.
Early Retirement
Phoebe Cates made jaws drop... for both men and women alike. She starred in 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." She continued to appear in several movies throughout the '80s and early '90s. However, following a time period during which she was completely absorbed in her film career, she disappeared.
It seemed that she retired from her career as an actress in 1994 to focus on her marriage to Kevin Kline and their two children. Since her retirement, she has acted in only one movie, "The Anniversary Party," as a favor to Jennifer Jason Leigh, who was the film's director.
Shallow Impact
It seemed like Sobieski could have had a promising career based on her performance in the blockbuster asteroid drama "Deep Impact" in 1998. The film brought her to the attention of many casting directors. Unfortunately, the movie didn't seem to have a deep impact on her career and the actress pretty much vanished afterward.
In 2012, Sobieski confirmed, "I don't do movie stuff anymore". Commenting on the reasons for her early retirement to Us Weekly, Sobieski said, "I am just focused on my kids. I think that's mainly why I stopped...Also, ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don't want to do that.
Fell Out of Fashion
It appeared like Nikki Blonsky was going to be the next big star after playing the role of Tracy Turnblad in 2007's movie adaptation of "Hairspray." Although she starred alongside an impressive list of actors like John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Zac Efron, her career path took a big turn after the movie... for the worse.
In 2011, she earned a cosmetology license and started working part-time as a makeup artist and hairstylist. How could somebody who was poised to be the next big thing experience such a turn of events? We guess we will never know why she made that choice in the end.
Boardwalk to Nowhere
Paz de la Huerta seemed destined for fame when she acted on "Boardwalk Empire" for two seasons. The series went on air from 2010 to 2014 and was such a hit that it won a hefty 20 Emmy awards. However, her career quickly petered after the role. Since then, she hasn't made any high-profile appearances.
In 2015, it was reported that de la Huerta was suing the filmmakers, for ruining her career. Paz has also made allegations against Harvey Weinstein, an act which she describes as having made her life take a sharp dark turn. She became depressed and after a second season, HBO did not renew her contract.
Dethroned
Surely, no Game of Thrones fan could forget Jack Gleeson. Jack played television's most despised enemy, King Joffrey. Despite the high-profile role, Gleeson has not acted since 2014. In 2012, the actor hinted at his intention to retire from acting to pursue an academic career once his work on Game of Thrones was finished.
In 2014, Gleeson confirmed he would be permanently retiring from acting after concluding his work in "Game of Thrones." In the same interview, he said that while he previously had the desire to pursue a degree, he has since gone off that idea. He is currently busy running his own touring theater company, which has a puppet show.
Not Fetch
To anyone who's seen "Mean Girls" as much as I have, you would recognize that attractive face anywhere. Jonathan Bennett played the hunky Aaron Samuels as Lindsay Lohan's love interest. Following the role, he virtually disappeared from the acting world for several years.
At one point, he was even reported to be working as a spin instructor in Los Angeles. Nowadays, his career is on a steady incline. He currently is serving as the host of Food Network's "Halloween Wars," having hosted the previous "Cake Wars." Other recent noteworthy roles include “The Christmas House” in 2020, and he starred in 8 episodes of the comedy series “Awkward” in 2016.
A Second Career
Sometimes, when you have a good enough reason, you're ready to say goodbye to your career as an actor. Gene Hackman's time was up after 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport." With two Oscar wins under his belt, the veteran actor is sitting back and enjoying life with his wife of 26 years, Betsy Arakawa. He got an Oscar in 1972 for his role in “The French Connection” and again in 1993 for his work in “Unforgiven.”
Retiring from acting allowed some free time for his writing career. In the last two decades, he has finished five novels, including three works of historical fiction, a Western, and a police thriller. The guy is living proof that it’s never too late to make a big career change!
From Hollywood to Harvard
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was one of the most iconic teenage stars of the 90s. Since his contributions to the voice of Simba in "The Lion King" and as Randy Taylor on "Home Improvement," JTT has just about vanished from the acting world. While most people only dream of achieving the type of success he had as a child star, the actor decided to walk away from it all in 2000.
He told People Magazine that he'd been working nonstop since he was eight years old and he wanted a chance to travel and study. While he has been missed, we are very impressed to see that he graduated from Harvard University. He has made minor appearances here and there but nothing comes close to the roles he held back in the day.
All By Himself
For some time, it seemed like Adrian Grenier was popping up everywhere. He played Anne Hathaway's gorgeous boyfriend in "The Devil Wears Prada" and, of course, his most recognized role as Vincent Chase in the HBO series "Entourage." The series was such a hit that it won six Emmy awards and a bunch of other awards and nominations, too.
His latest performance on screen was in 2015's reprisal of his role as Vincent in the Entourage film adaptation. But, it seems like people grew tired of entitled bros and Adrian hasn't had an acting gig since. Women must also be over the whole bro thing because this hunk is still single at age 42. Yikes!
Out of the Picture
Sally Field is one of those actors who has been around for what feels like, eternity. In the second half of her career, she was nominated for an Oscar for Lincoln and for her role in the Spider-Man franchise. Let's give her some well-deserved credit for a moment as she's starred in iconic films like "Steel Magnolias," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Forrest Gump." That is quite an accomplished resume.
However, she's been out of the picture for some time now. She last appeared in the critically acclaimed indie "Hello, My Name Is Doris." In 2014, she was rightfully presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Legal Trouble
In the 90s, it seemed like Lawrence was developing a long-lasting career as an actor. He was one of the leading actors of the decade, most notable for his hit TV show, Martin, and his roles in "Do the Right Thing" and "House Party." Towards the end of the 90s, Lawrence got into some legal trouble which perhaps offset his career.
In 1995, while filming "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate," he lashed out in a violent rage and was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Plus, his show, “Martin,” fizzled and then ended (rather poorly) because Tisha Campbell accused Martin Lawrence of harassment.
He's Back?
Aaron Eckhart first gained wide recognition as George in "Erin Brockovich". He was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2006 for his role in "Thank You For Smoking." Another big breakthrough came as District Attorney Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the Batman film The "Dark Knight." Since playing roles in Olympus Has Fallen and its sequel London Has Fallen, Eckhard hasn't graced our screens.
However, he has made a comeback with Midway, starring Mandy Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Luke Evans. We're excited to see the talented actor back to doing what he does best. As recent as 2022, he also starred in the Showtime award-winning series “The First Lady” alongside big names in the industry like Gillian Anderson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Viola Davis.
Short Lived Acting Career
UFC fighter Ronda Rousey seemed to have a promising acting future, but, when she lost her UFC winning streak to Holly Holm in 2015, she retreated from the limelight. After a three-year hiatus, she returned to the big screen in 2018 in the action thriller film "Mile 22". Unfortunately, the film got generally unfavorable reviews.
In addition to being the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo (she won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics), she enjoyed a two and a half year undefeated streak in UFC, she began her professional wrestling career and won her first WWE and professional wrestling title at SummerSlam 2018.
Bizarre Behaviors
Randy Quaid is the older brother of Dennis. He's also an Emmy and Academy Award nominee who's most recognized for his role in 'Brokeback Mountain." In contrast to the success he has experienced in the acting world, his personal life is a bit less successful and he has gotten into a number of legal issues.
He hasn't appeared in a film since 2009, the same year that he and his wife were arrested for using an invalid credit card to pay a $10,000 bill. This led to a series of other bizarre behaviors. The couple has somehow ended up in Vermont where they plan to stay.
Promising Young Woman
You would think that this talented and beautiful actress, Carey Mulligan would have gotten more gigs over the years. Her breakthrough role was in 2009's "An Education," for which she was nominated for an Oscar. Over the years, she hasn't held many high-profile roles other than playing Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" in 2013 alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.
She recently returned to the big screen, starring in the Paul Dano-directed marriage drama "Wildlife" as well as in the 2020’s Oscar-nominated film "Promising Young Woman," for which she got her second Oscar nomination. Things are looking good because in 2021, she also played the leading role in a highly anticipated movie – “The Dig.”
No More Magic for Mike
Alex Pettyfer was the blonde boy at the heart of "Magic Mike," who emitted the kind of tough charisma that hinted he'd become a star or at least a successful character actor. But one wrong move and he single-handedly ruined his own career. The actor had a feud with Channing Tatum and angered the crew with his dramatic behavior.
However, his recent role in the psychological thriller "The Strange Ones" may have earned his career a comeback, and if anything, garnered him some praise. Since this 2017 role, he has had a trail of other small roles like in “The Last Witness,” “Echo Boomers,” and most recently “The Infernal Machine” in 2022.
Back from a Break
Jesse Eisenberg has his breakthrough role in the comedy-drama film "Adventureland" and the horror-comedy "Zombieland." In 2005 he also starred in the Oscar-nominated flick “The Squid and the Whale,” alongside Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney. He earned nominations for several awards, including an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in "The Social Network" in 2010.
Following this role, Eisenberg took a break from acting for some time. He was busy again, working on some projects, one of which included portraying the legendary mime Marcel Marceau in "Resistance." Most recently, he portrayed Ralphe in “Manodrome” in 2023.
The Oscar Curse
Sometimes, when an actor wins an Oscar, it seems like their career will know no limits. And for others, their careers seem to fade. Patricia Arquette won an Oscar in 2014 for Boyhood but she has since worked on very small and little-seen projects. In 2018, the word was received that she would star in the Hulu series "The Act."
She also played Tilly Mitchell in the Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora, in which she had to gain weight, wear prosthetic teeth, and brown contact lenses. She also recently starred in 2022’s award-winning series “Severance,” which was a completely mind-bending series that deserves a watch if you haven’t seen it!
Cult Classic
Now, this is a rather unique one compared to the other ones on this list. Allison Mack's first big television role was on an episode of the WB series 7th Heaven. In October 2001, she began playing Chloe Sullivan in the WB/CW hit tv show, Smallville. She won several accolades and nominations for her performance.
Things went horribly wrong when The actress destroyed her career after she joined the cult NXIVM in 2011. Recently, she was put under house arrest for the crimes she committed for the cult. She was arrested in Brooklyn by the FBI in April 2018, Not the typical thing that usually end an actor's career.
Retired for the Right Reasons
For a number of years, it seemed like Rick Moranis was in everything. He appeared in several iconic films like "Ghostbusters," "Spaceballs," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and "The Flinstones." It seemed like his career was going to skyrocket and that he would do more than what he's done since... which is nothing.
He also had such a talent for writing that the director of “Ghostbusters” gave the star the steering wheel for some of the scenes from this flick, and he is even mentioned as one of the movie’s writers. After he lost his wife to breast cancer in the early '90s and became a single father, he decided to retire from the industry so he could be there for his two children, rightfully so.
Couldn't Catch Up
Billy Zane enthralled the country with his villainous turn in "Titanic." Since the late 90s, the actor hasn't scored another high-profile role that even comes close to this one, other than his appearance in "Zoolander 2," in which he starred as himself.
However, just as we saw his character refusing to surrender, chasing Jack and Rose down the grand staircase and into the ship as it sunk, he too has refused to give up on his acting career. He has continued to appear in several low-profile projects over the years. He made a recent appearance in 2023’s “Centurion XII” and “Stai Sereno (Stay Calm).”
A Steady Halt
Andie MacDowell first received critical acclaim for her role in "Sex, Lies, and a Videotape" in 1989. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ann in this movie. She has had several other nominated-worthy performances in "Green Card," "Groundhog Day," and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." She seemed to be the "It girl" of the 90s but, then her career came to a steady halt.
She has since only appeared in small films and TV projects. Besides acting, MacDowell has modeled for Calvin Klein Inc. as well as been a spokeswoman for L'Oreal since 1986. She did, however, somewhat redeem herself recently when she starred as the neurotic mother in Netflix’s hit series “Maid.”
Charlie Sheen's Brother
While Emilio Estevez’s was born into an acting-savvy family, and his career may have lasted longer than some of his other Breakfast Club members, I'm sure you can't name what he's been doing since the Mighty Ducks. His early opportunities for success may helped launch the star into Hollywood’s arena of fame but he didn’t seem to lodge himself too deeply into the industry.
He may have been born into a family of actors but he decided to sit this one out when it came to taking things to the next level in his career. He is the son of Martin Sheen and the brother of Charlie Sheen. He has since directed a number of films, like 2010's "The Way," which received critical acclaim, but that’s about all we can say about him.
Doing Time
Wesley Snipes is another actor who seemed to be everywhere in the 90s. He starred in "Jungle Fever," To "Wong Foo," "White Men Can't Jump," and, of course, "Blade." Unfortunately, he was imprisoned at McKean Federal Correctional Institution for tax evasion. Snipes was sentenced to four years but after several appeals the star got away with only serving 28 months in prison.
Since his release, Snipes has appeared in several projects but nothing compared to the calibre of his previous work. One of the most recent projects he featured in was “Back on the Strip” in 2023, where he portrayed Luther ‘Mr. Big.’
A Comedic Comeback
Dave Chapelle began his career in 1993 in Mel Brooks's "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." The stand-up comedian and actor seemed to have had a lot of success in 2013 with his comedy sketch, "Chapelle's Show," but he quit the show two years later after feeling like he was being misunderstood. In 2016, he signed a $20 million-per-release comedy-special deal with Netflix and in 2017, he produced and released four of his specials in one year.
Chappelle has been called the "comic genius of America" and has been ranked as one of the best 50 Stand Up Comics of All Time. We are sure that a comeback would be very appreciated by his fans.
Doesn't Like the Spotlight
Lark Voorhies played in “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” before she rose to fame playing Lisa on the ABC sitcom, "Saved by the Bell." The series aired from 1989 to 1992 and followed the lives of six close-knit friends as they navigate through their teens. After the show, the actor pretty much disappeared from Hollywood.
She did play several episodes in the “Days of Our Lives” soapy from 1993 to 1994, and some other odd episodes and appearances on shows here and there but for the most part we didn’t see too much of her. She spent more than a decade away from the spotlight, spending time painting mostly. She has recently started appearing at several premiers and red-carpet events.
Sweet Blackberry
Karyn Parsons rose to fame for her role as Hillary on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." The series went on air from 1990 to 1996, and made big names for a number of actors including Will Smith and of course Parsons herself. However, she's been out of the spotlight for the last decade.
The star did however break the silence after a long period of no Hollywood action in 2018 and 2020 when she appeared in “On Monday of Last Week” and “Sweet Thing” respectively. Other than that, She spends most of her time on her charity, Sweet Blackberry, which helps teach children about important unsung Black heroes.
Geena's Anatomy
Born as Virginia Elizabeth Davis, Geena was a big star back in the 80s and 90s. She is most recognized for the roles she played in films like "The Fly," "Beetlejuice," "Thelma & Louise," and "A League of Their Own." The Academy Award and Golden Globe winner has since taken on roles in television, starring in "Commander in Chief" as well as "Grey's Anatomy" from 2014 to 2018.
We are glad to see her focusing her time on social activism for gender equality in the media in recent years. Oh, and she has also been married four times, but who's counting?
Accidental Fame
Mara Wilson was a busy kid, acting in films like “A Simple Wish,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Matilda." However, she quit acting long ago in 2000 so that she could experience a normal childhood.
She has since focused on writing, and has published her own memoir in 2016 called "Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame." She has also been more active behind the scenes by loaning her voice in series like “BoJack Horseman,” and “Big Hero 6: The Series.” While Matilda was released already 23 years ago, it still lives on as one of the most iconic children's movies of all time.
Iconic Culkin
There is perhaps no more of an iconic child star than Macaulay Culkin was. By age 12, he became the most successful child actor of all time. He is, of course, best known for playing Kevin in the Christmas movie "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2," in 1990 and 1992 respectively, and in the family drama “My Girl” in 1991.
With a promising career like his, it was surprising to see him retire at age 14. Perhaps this had to do with his estrangement from his father. While he has appeared in some things here and there, he has mostly chosen to stay out of the spotlight.
A Passion for Painting
You might remember Ariana Richards for her role as Lex Murphy in none other than Steven Spielberg's 1993, "Jurassic Park." Ariana had appearances in various television programs throughout the 90s and early 2000's, like "The Golden Girls," "Empty Nest" and "Boy Meet World."
Sadly, though after her appearance in 1997’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” the star didn’t feature much. Allegedly the star left behind a life of glitz and glamour in Hollywood to pursue greener pastures. Richards went from child star to following her passion and talent for art. We guess that acting isn’t for everyone who makes it big at such a young age, and good for her for following her dreams!
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Robert Blake had one of the longest acting careers. He began acting as a child in 1939 in the movie "Bridal Suite" which starred Annabella and Robert Young and after being drafted into the army, he proceeded to become a seasoned Hollywood actor.
He enjoyed a long career in Hollywood until 2001 when he had to quit the business after he was accused of taking his wife's life. Blake was acquitted and has since maintained a low profile in the showbiz sector. Sadly, the award-winning actor passed away at the age of 89 in 2023, following a long battle of heart disease.
From Actress to Housewife
More commonly known as Liz Hurley, the actress is best known for acting as Vanessa Kensington in "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" and as the Devil in "Bedazzled." She also portrayed Sabrina Ritchie in 1992’s action thriller “Passenger 57.” Hurley has since retired from acting to focus on raising her son while remaining out of the spotlight.
But she hasn’t been completely absent from the scene, she’s just taken on smaller roles. In the early 2010’s she starred in the iconic “Gossip Girl” series for 14 episodes and in 2015 she played a big role in “The Royals” series. Most recently the star portrayed Liz Haines in the horror fantasy “Piper.”
Double Trouble
The twin child stars, Dylan and Cole Sprouse were made successful Disney stars after starring in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," which ran from 2005 to 2008. After the Disney channel rejected a series they pitched, the two decided that it was time to call it quits and they proceeded to pursue degrees at NYU.
Who would have thought that Dylan would go on to pursue Video Game Design and his brother Cole a degree in Geographic Information Systems in archaeology? Dylan has since opened a bar in Brooklyn, and as for Cole, he actually returned to television in 2017, acting as Jughead Jones in CW's "Riverdale." He is also set to return to the big screen, starring in 2019's Five Feet Apart.
Theater Kid
Debra Winger is one of the most successful actresses of the 80s. She is most recognized for her roles in "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Tears of Endearment," and "Shadowlands," and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for each film. Following her success, she decided to take a break from film, a move she had been anticipating for years.
During the break, she didn't leave the acting world completely, she just switched over to the theater. In the last two decades, she has returned to film and television quite sparingly, appearing in things here and there like “Rachel Getting Married”in 2008 and “The Choir” in 2014, but nothing compared to her early works.
After the Wonder Years
Josh Saviano is most notable for his role as Paul Pfeiffer on the hit 90s TV show "The Wonder Years." The four-time Emmy winning series ran from 1988 to 1993 and got killer reviews from critics at the time. Following the role, he retired from acting.
There was a rumor circulating that he grew up to be Marilyn Manson, but his life turned out a little less exciting but nonetheless impressive- he graduated from Yale University and became a lawyer, and became a father to his one child who he had with his wife Jennifer Romer. The two have been married since the early 2000s and are still going strong today.
Rocker Girl
Long before Taylor Momsen's fame from her role as Jenny Humphrey on "Gossip Girl," she played Cindy Lou in 2000's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." She also played in “Underdog” in 2008, and in “Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams” in 2002 but started to branch out of acting in the late naughties.
In 2011, she retired from acting to focus on her rock band “The Pretty Reckless” in which she is the lead singer and frontwoman. In 2021 the band became the first ever female-fronted music band to get seven number one singles when their track “Death by Rock and Roll” hit the charts.
Failed to Shine
Shelley Duvall established herself as one of the best actresses of her time. She delivered sensational performances one after another, receiving critical acclaim for her presentations of various eccentric characters. Recalling her harrowing role as Wendy Torrance in the 1980 horror film, "The Shining," is enough to give even the toughest person goosebumps.
Since 2002, she has retired both from acting and from the public eye, and nobody really knew what happened to the star. In 2016, she appeared on Dr. Phil where she shared her struggles with mental illness. Most recently, in 2023 she starred as Mama in the thriller “The Forest Hills.”
Mischief
Born as Elmore Rual Torn Jr., it's a good thing that he took on the more fitting stage name as Rip Torn. He had a very celebrated career, including multiple wins and nominations and timeless performances. He starred as Zed in the famed “Men in Black” in 1997 and the prequels, and he also played a big role in the award-winning late night talk show, “The Larry Sander Show.” He retired from acting after being arrested in 2010.
He had several charges made against him which included first-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief. Following the incident, he has seldom appeared in films, popping up here and there in C-grade films. Sadly, He passed away in 2019 at the age of 88 as a consequence of the disease Alzheimer’s dementia.
New Life in Texas
Nick Stahl's career began as a child, during which he gained recognition at age 13 for his work in "Man Without a Face," a film he starred in alongside Mel Gibson. He had critical and box office success with his roles in the 2001 movie "In the Bedroom" and 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." Unfortunately, his struggle with substance abuse impacted his performance as well as his personal life. In 2012, his estranged wife filed a police report declaring that her husband had gone missing.
He was found five days later and immediately entered a rehab program. He gave an interview in 2017, sharing that he had moved out to Texas to take a break from acting and focus on his family and on sobriety.
America's Queen
Zeta-Jones established a reputation in Hollywood after appearing in roles that emphasized her sex appeal like 1998’s "The Mask of Zorro" and 1999’s "The Entrapment." She was celebrated for her performances However, her world was turned upside down in 2010 after her husband, actor Michael Douglas, was diagnosed with tongue cancer.
The actress took a hiatus from Hollywood following the diagnosis of her husband. She once again took a few years off from acting and has since returned to action in last year’s feud and a TV show called "Queen America." However, she continues to maintain a low profile.
The Fonda Family
You better believe it, Bridget Fonda is Peter Fonda’s daughter and Jane’s niece. She made her acting debut at just five years old in 1969’s “Easy Rider.” It was only much later on that She first made a name for herself in films like “It Could Happen to You” and “Single White Female” in 1994 and 1992 respectively.
She even went on to study acting at NYU and at the Theatre Institute of Lee Strasberg, but sadly her last work in the showbiz sector was in the early naughties. Since 2002, she has retired from acting to raise her son, Oliver, who she’s been raising with her husband Danny Elfman, a music composer for “The Simpsons” series.
An Internet Sensation
After Norris served in the United States Air Force, he competed as a martial artist, winning many championships. He is most known for films like Way of the Dragon and Missing in Action 1, 2, & 3. The martial artist gone actor hasn’t had a big role since 2005. The actor, most recognized for “Walker, Texas Ranger” has taken time off in order to support his wife and her health issues.
While Norris has not acted in quite some time, his reputation as a tough guy definitely lives on through things like the viral Chuck Norris Facts meme which made him an internet sensation. Norris also continues to make appearances in ads and commercials.
An Animal Activist
The legendary Doris Day was the biggest female actress to grace the big screen in the early 60s. The iconic actress has been in far too many films to list them all here and she was ranked sixth among the box office performers by 2012. Besides her acting career, she was also one of the most celebrated singers of the 21st century and recorded more than 650 songs. That’s no mean feat!
The veteran retired from acting after her sitcom “The Doris Day Show” went off the air in 1973. She was living in Carmel-by-the-sea, California, and was an animal welfare activist up until her passing in 2019.
Gone for Two Decades
Glenda Jackson took a major break from acting from 1992 to 2015. The British actress and former Labour Party politician is one of few actors to receive the Triple Crown of Acting. The two-time Academy Award winner is famous for films like "Women in Love" and "A Touch of Class." After a 23-year hiatus, she appeared in the play "Blood, Sex and Money."
In 2016, she once again returned to the stage, playing the title role in Shakespeare’s "King Lear" in London. This past year, she returned to Broadway, acting in "Three Tall Women," and won a Tony Award for her performance.
An Inexplicable Disappearance
If you are a kid of the 90s, then there's a good chance you recognize Joe Pesci for playing one of the main villains in the Christmas classic "Home Alone." However, Pesci was a veritable acting force who worked with the iconic director Martin Scorsese on classic films like "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas", and "Casino."
In 1999, he walked away from it all. According to Complex, it was unclear why Pesci retired early. Over the last two decades, he has made appearances here and there (think, a Snickers commercial) but it doesn't look like he's about to relive his days as an actor.
A Much Deserved Break
While she only had a few acting credits to her name, Rene Russo was cast in some quintessential 90s movies. In the first decade of the 2000s, she disappeared from the limelight after she finished filming 2005's "Yours, Mine, and Ours." She then took a 6-year-long hiatus until appearing in 2011's "Thor," where she played Chris Hemsworth's Viking goddess mom Frigga.
During her disappearance, rumors spread that she went AWOL because of her bipolar disorder, but the star shared with Showbiz in 2014 that her mental illness was not the cause of the break she took from acting. Quite authentically, she said that she needed a break from acting since she had been doing so since age 9.
The Secret Life of Dana
Comedian Dana Carvey rose to fame in the early '90s after his breakthrough performances on SNL. In 1997, he tried for a successful comedy series but it failed on ABC. Around this time, he started to experience chest pains and had to get bypass surgery on his heart.
It turns out, the doctor bypassed the wrong artery and Carvey successfully sued the surgeon for millions. He donated the money to charity. Recently, he has done some voice work for the basset hound Pops in 2016's "The Secret Life of Pets." He is considering making a comeback, but at the moment, he seems to be happy spending time with his kids who are comedians on the rise themselves. You go, man.
Retired at 18
The Olsen twins decided to retire from acting in 2012, a move that ended their almost lifelong careers. They started acting just one year after their birth, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the television series "Full House." However, their careers hardly ended there. In 1993, the Dualstar Entertainment Group, a production company owned by the twins, was founded, which proceeded to produce a long list of TV movies and video releases.
They both declined to join the cast of the "Fuller House," the continuation of "Full House." They avoid being in the public eye and are usually spotted in big sunglasses.
A Star Carpenter
There aren't many teenage heartthrobs who can hold a candle to Jake Ryan from “Sixteen Candles." As Jack Ryan obsessed fans already know, the actor who played the character, Michael Schoeffling, has left Hollywood behind him. He performed memorable roles in “Mermaids” and “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken,” in 1990 and 1991 respectively, and then left Hollywood completely after 1991.
Schoeffling now reportedly resides in Pennsylvania and has pursued a life in woordwork as he now has a carpentry business. He and his wife have two grown children, including a model daughter. From time to time the star appears on his daughter’s social network feeds but for the most part we don’t see much of him.
No Longer Clueless
Stacey Dash made a big name for herself after she played Cher's best friend in the cult classic Clueless in 1995. While it seemed like she could have the potential for a great career, her acting days have for a long time been over. These days, the former actress is known more for being a conservative political activist.
She has made appearances in some minor films like “Corsicana” and “First Lady,” and also as a FOX News commentator. Recently, she ran for a congressional seat before choosing to withdraw from the race. She also appeared in Kanye West's music video as well as Carl Thomas.
Slaying After Buffy
We don’t need to tell you what Sarah Michelle Gellar is best known for. Of course, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and who could forget "Cruel Intentions?" The star won five Teen Choice Awards and a Golden Globe Award nomination for the series. It also turned her into a household name.
She has now left acting behind her and focuses her time on her new company, Foodstirs, which produces sustainable, fair trade, and organic baking products, including baking kits, mixes and baked treats. She also has an adorable family with a husband and fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr. and they have two children.
Gone and Lost
Matthew Fox found fame in his roles on "Party of Five" and the supernatural drama series "Lost," the latter of which he won a Golden Globe award. He also played in some big films like “World War Z” in 2013 and “Bone Tomahawk” in 2015.
Apparently, the star had a turbulent personal life, since he was accused of assaulting a bus driver in Ohio in 2011. The bus driver withdrew the subsequent suit but we guess it somewhat tarnished his reputation in the industry quite remarkably. Most recently he starred in the series “C*A*U*G*H*T” in 2023, and “Last Light” in 2022, but for the most part he has been missing in action.
Low-Key Acting
Calista Flockhart played the iconic title character in the late ’90s/early ’00s classic “Ally McBeal.” Following the show's wrap-up, she switched over to the family drama “Brothers and Sisters.” After the show was taken off the air, Flockhart pursued a more low-key acting path. She held a central role as Cat Grant on "Supergirl" until the show's filming location was switched to Vancouver from Los Angeles and she made occasional guest appearances.
Seeing as though she is now married to Harrison Ford, we assume she prefers to spend her time with him and their son, Liam. I mean, come on, we would too.
A Wild Thing
The German-British actor Dominic Monaghan's claim to fame was in the "Lord of the Rings" franchise which ran from 2001 to 2003 and "Lost," which ran from the mid to late aughts. He hasn't had a major acting role since "Lost" went off the air in 2010, except for “The Hobbit” in 2014.
An avid nature lover, the former actor is currently hosting the nature program Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan. His documentary series is still ongoing today and has received a few nominations, including an Emmy nomination, but it’s a far cry from his earlier work. But hey, at least he is doing what he loves!
A Tough Act to Follow
The “Hill Street Blues” and “NYPD Blue” actor Dennis Franz seems to have retired from acting following when NYPD Blue went off the air in 2005. Well, the actor did garner an impressive Golden Globe award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. That seems like a tough act to follow.
Furthermore, he also did start his acting career in his late teens so perhaps he had had enough when he reached his sixties. Nowadays, It appears that the actor is focusing on his private life and enjoying retiring, spending time with his wife in their lake home in northern Idaho.
Goodbye, Ali
Ali MacGraw first gained attention after acting in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus as Brenda Patimkin. She won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her performance. She received worldwide fame in the 1970 film Love Story and won another Golden Globe Award for her performance and an Academy Award nomination.
In fact, she won her third Golden Globe award in 1972, so that means she has a total of three of these accolades under her belt. In 1972, she was voted as the top female box office star in the world. She has retired from acting since 1997 and these days, she can be found in New Mexico doing yoga, designing clothes, and fighting for animal welfare causes.
A Handsome Werewolf
As soon as " The Twilight Saga" came out in theatres, girls everywhere were divided into two groups: those who favored the mysterious vampire played by Robert Pattinson and those who dreamed about the handsome werewolf Taylor Lautner.
Regrettably, in contrast to his "Twilight" costars, Taylor never managed to succeed in the world of cinema: with most of his films having been left unnoticed. Apparently, the star took a break from the acting scene in 2016, but he recently resurfaced with a role in Netflix’s 2022 comedy “Home Team.” Lautner is still pretty young and we think he has a lot to offer the showbiz scene if he does decide to make a big comeback. Let’s see!
Hasn't Left the Matrix
"The Matrix" was released back in 1999, more than twenty years ago, and it immediately became a cult movie, and the Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss, who played Trinity, rising instantly to fame. Later, Carrie-Anne Moss took part in 2 sequels of "The Matrix" and several Marvel movies, but Trinity remains her most memorable and successful role.
She has had several big roles since then including “Memento” in 2000, “Disturbia” in 2007, and most recently “Chocolate Lizards” in 2023, but of course, nothing has come close to her time in “The Matrix.” In between the acting the star has founded Annapurna Living which is a lifestyle brand that’s designed to empower women through meditation, mindfulness and devotion.
When The Hangover is Over
The comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis first starred in "The Hangover" in the late aughts. The movie shortly became a box office hit, listing as one of the best movies from 2009. The sequel “The Hangover Part II” came out in 2013 and proved to be even more successful and made over $500 million. Thanks to this film, Galifianakis became a star, and since then, Galifianakis has lost quite a lot of weight!
In 2014 the star acted alongside big names like Michael Keaton and Edward Norton in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” The movie went on to win a whopping four Oscars. Since that performance he has had some minor roles but nothing too remarkable.
Mad About Helen
Helen Hunt has won 4 Emmy Awards and 3 Golden Globe Awards due to her role in the "Mad About You" TV series. The series ran over 174 episodes from 1992 to 1999. Then, Helen was asked to star in "As Good as It Gets," a rom-com that took Helen to the Oscars.
According to critics, this long list of awards should have helped the actress build an incredible career, but Helen Hunt's more recent work wasn't as brilliant. Her only recent notable work was her part in "The Sessions," released in 2012. Most recently she starred in the series “Blindspotting” which ran from 2021 to 2023, but unfortunately none of her recent roles were as award-worthy as her early work.
No More Biel
Jessica Biel's career began with the series "7th Heaven," where she played the oldest daughter of a priest from California. Her most successful role was in "The Illusionist," as Eisenheim's beloved. She hasn't managed to conquer Hollywood just yet, and even now, she only lands insignificant roles.
She is more successful when it comes to TV series. "The Sinner" was released in 2017, and the actress was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 2007 her love story with Justin Timberlake started and the pair are still going strong after all these years. They tied the knot in 2012 and share two sons together. Perhaps she decided to give family a chance.
Forever Known as Frodo
Elijah Wood isn't famous because of one role: he's been part of many different projects, like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Lord of the Rings" and "Green Street Hooligans." He's also appeared in TV series like "Wilfred and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency."
Not all is lost. Most recently the star appeared in the award-winning series “Yellowjackets” in 2023 and the movie “The Toxic Avenger” in the same year. In 2005 the star founded his own production company called SpectreVision, and he also got into the world of music since he started his very own music label Simian Records.
A Fox
Megan Fox is perpetually on the list of the most attractive women in Hollywood. But she isn't that successful when it comes to her career. The most well-known of Megan's films are "Transformers" and its sequel. Once the 2nd film was released, Megan quit the project.
No one knows exactly why, but it's said that it happened because of harsh criticism from Michael Bay, the film's director. Anyway, since then, the actress doesn't work much currently. At least not on big projects like “Transformers.” She did however land herself roles in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise in 2014 and 2016, and let’s not forget “Jennifer’s Body” in 2009.
Still Stuck in Sin City
Her part in James Cameron's Dark Angel proved to be a breakthrough role for Jessica Alba, and the role of an exotic dancer in Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City" became her most famous work.
Later, Jessica played in some romantic comedies, the action film "Machete," and the thriller "The Killer Inside Me," which received many positive reviews but still wasn't as good as "Sin City." Some sources say that the star took a step back from acting due to health concerns, but it should also be noted that she started her own line of personal care products. In 2012 Alba launched The Honest Company which is valued at around $500 million today.
No Longer in the Middle
Since Malcolm in the Middle wrapped up after seven seasons in 2006, Frank Muniz decided to step away from acting to focus on being a full-time race car driver. But in 2009, Muniz suffered terrible head injuries from a crash and had to stop racing. Muniz also became a drummer for the band Kingsoil for two years between 2012 to 2014.
He even toured all over the world with his bandmates. Muniz is now married to his long-time partner Paige Price. The star has dabbled in acting in recent years like in “The Black String” in 2018, and other minor roles in series but nothing compares to the award-winning “Malcolm in the Middle.”
Out of Shape
Fraser was once a Hollywood A-Lister, first, he appeared in a few small roles, but it wasn't until his role in "George of the Jungle" in 1997 that Fraser had his first big box office success. Unfortunately, his action movie roles' placed such severe physical demands on him.
They led to injuries that forced Fraser to undergo many different surgical procedures, including a partial knee replacement. The star did make a beautiful comeback in 2022 with his role in “The Whale.” He even earned himself his first Oscar for his performance in this flick. Who knows what other tricks the star may have up his sleeve?