Many actors and musicians rose to fame in the 2000s, but then gradually stepped out of the spotlight. Some pursued different careers or worked behind the camera, while others prioritized family, health, or a more private life. Here’s a look at twenty well-known figures from that time and what they’ve been doing since their peak popularity.
Amanda Bynes
Known for her work on Nickelodeon, she also appeared in films like ‘Hairspray’ and ‘She’s the Man’. After achieving success in acting, she decided to take a break and study fashion. She faced personal and health issues that kept her from working on big projects for a while. Recently, she’s kept a private life, only occasionally sharing news about her personal life and studies.
Josh Hartnett
He starred in popular early-2000s movies like ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’. However, he chose to prioritize his personal life over a constant stream of big-budget films, turning down opportunities with major franchises to focus on smaller, independent projects. He also spent significant time living outside of Los Angeles, which kept him out of the public eye. While he occasionally takes on interesting roles, he generally stays away from typical Hollywood promotion.
Leelee Sobieski
The actress, recognized for her roles in films like ‘Deep Impact’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, continued working consistently until the early 2000s, when she decided to take a break. She then turned her attention to painting and design. After that, she rarely appeared in public, prioritizing her family. She’s made it clear in interviews that leaving acting was a thoughtful, permanent decision.
Bridget Fonda
I always loved her work in films like ‘Singles’ and ‘Jackie Brown’ – she was fantastic! She kept acting steadily for a while after that, well into the early 2000s. But then, after she had kids, she just… stepped away. She didn’t seem interested in seeking out new roles, and she completely avoided social media and the spotlight. It’s honestly pretty remarkable; she’s one of the few stars from that era who’s truly disappeared from public view. You rarely ever hear about her, and it feels like a really complete break from the industry.
Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton first became famous on the TV show ‘The O.C.’, which also led to a lot of attention from the tabloids. After leaving the show, she worked on smaller, independent films and TV projects, but didn’t have consistent roles. She later appeared on reality and competition shows, but generally stayed out of the spotlight. Currently, she chooses projects carefully and doesn’t appear in big-budget blockbuster films.
Mary-Kate Olsen
Along with her twin sister, Mary-Kate Olsen created a successful entertainment business in the 1990s and 2000s, known for movies like ‘New York Minute’. She later shifted her focus from acting to high-end fashion, co-creating the brands The Row and Elizabeth and James. Now, her public presence revolves around her work as a designer, and she generally avoids interviews, preferring to appear at fashion events.
Ashley Olsen
Similar to her sister, Ashley also left acting and started The Row, a fashion company. She focused on the creative side, including design, fabrics, and expanding the brand. This new career meant she was more often seen at fashion events than movie premieres. She also intentionally stays off social media, keeping a relatively private life.
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz is most famous for his role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and movies like ‘Agent Cody Banks,’ but he stepped away from acting to explore other passions. He became involved in professional racing and later started his own businesses. While he occasionally appears in guest roles on TV or reunites with former co-stars, he now mostly shares updates about his racing and business ventures.
Duffy
The Welsh singer burst onto the scene with her hit song ‘Mercy’ and a number one album. However, after achieving early success, she stepped away from music because of difficult personal experiences she later shared. She began to rarely release new music or perform, choosing instead to focus on her privacy and healing. Since then, she’s mostly stayed out of the public eye, with only occasional statements and a few studio appearances.
Daniel Bedingfield
He had popular songs like ‘Gotta Get Thru This’ and ‘If You’re Not the One’ in the early 2000s. After touring extensively, he chose to release music less frequently, focusing instead on writing songs for other artists and performing occasionally, often independently. This led to longer periods between his own projects, keeping him out of the public eye for stretches of time.
Vanessa Carlton
The artist first gained recognition with her hit song ‘A Thousand Miles’ and a series of early releases. Instead of striving for mainstream popularity, she chose to work with independent record labels and perform in smaller, more personal venues. Her later albums prioritized artistic quality over creating catchy singles. She intentionally kept a low public profile, focusing instead on her music, songwriting, and family life.
Meg White
Meg White, drummer for the band The White Stripes, was a key part of the rock sound of the 2000s, known for her powerful and minimalist style. After the band broke up, she intentionally stepped away from the spotlight, rarely giving interviews or making public appearances. This privacy actually enhanced the unique and lasting impact of The White Stripes.
Shannon Elizabeth
She first became famous for her role in ‘American Pie’ and then appeared in a variety of comedies and thrillers. By the 2010s, she started acting less and dedicated more time to charitable work and protecting the environment. She increasingly spent time away from Hollywood, even working on wildlife conservation projects around the world. Since then, she’s only taken on acting roles sporadically and generally avoids high-profile projects.
Shannyn Sossamon
Known for films like ‘A Knight’s Tale’ and ’40 Days and 40 Nights,’ she successfully combined acting with raising a family and pursuing music. She preferred smaller, independent films and shorter roles on TV over big studio productions. Taking time off between projects and focusing on other creative interests meant she wasn’t always in the public eye for her acting work.
Eliza Dushku
Known for memorable roles in shows like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Dollhouse’, she was a frequent face in science fiction and fantasy projects. Later, she chose to focus on family and community involvement, moving away from the demands of Los Angeles. She’s spoken openly about her experiences in the entertainment industry and what matters most to her personally. Since then, she’s appeared on screen much less often than she did earlier in her career.
Alex Pettyfer
He directed films such as ‘Alex Rider: Stormbreaker,’ followed by ‘Beastly’ and ‘I Am Number Four.’ Though he initially received positive attention, reports of difficulties during production seemed to coincide with a decline in high-profile acting opportunities. He continued to work on smaller films and streaming projects, but these received little publicity, which kept him from being widely discussed in the media.
Taylor Momsen
Following her roles in ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas,’ Taylor Momsen transitioned away from acting. She formed the rock band The Pretty Reckless and dedicated herself to making music and performing live. This change moved her focus from television promotion to the world of music. When she’s not promoting an album, she carefully chooses which interviews to do, keeping them focused and controlled.
Devon Aoki
After appearing in films like ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ and ‘Sin City’, she shifted her focus away from regular acting. She prioritized family and began working with fashion brands, appearing in occasional cameos and ad campaigns instead of consistently making movies. Now, she’s seen less often on screen and more frequently in fashion-related projects.
Ashlee Simpson
She first became well-known through reality television and catchy pop songs like ‘Pieces of Me’. After releasing several albums and appearing in stage productions, she stepped back from making music and touring extensively. She then prioritized her family, occasionally taking on projects in television or fashion. Since then, her music career has been on and off, and she hasn’t been a frequent topic in the news.
Jessica Simpson
Once a popular singer and reality TV personality, she’s now focused on building a successful retail business. Her clothing and accessories lines have become her main focus, and she’s doing less singing and acting. These days, you’re more likely to hear about her business ventures than her entertainment projects.
I’m curious to hear who you all remember fading out of the spotlight in the 2000s! Let’s share our picks in the comments and speculate about what they might be up to now – where do you think they ended up?
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2025-11-12 08:48