Actors Who Quietly Left Hollywood to Work Normal 9-to-5 Jobs

Many actors dream of long-lasting Hollywood careers, but some choose different paths after finding fame. Some willingly left to continue their education, while others wanted the security of a regular job. They’ve moved into all sorts of fields – from law and medicine to skilled trades and teaching – proving that life after being a star can be both satisfying and down-to-earth.

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum is best known for playing Charlie Bucket in the beloved 1971 film ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. Despite the film’s success, he chose to step away from acting and return to his family in Ohio. He later earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Cornell University and spent over three decades as a large animal veterinarian in upstate New York. Ostrum retired from his practice in 2023, preferring a private life outside of Hollywood.

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen is most famous for playing Chunk in the 1985 movie ‘The Goonies’. After acting as a kid, he decided to concentrate on school. He went to the University of California, Berkeley, and then earned a law degree from UCLA. Today, he’s a successful entertainment lawyer and co-founder of the firm Cohen & Gardner, having moved from being a performer to working behind the scenes in the legal world.

Josh Saviano

Josh Saviano, best known for playing Paul Pfeiffer in ‘The Wonder Years’, chose to focus on his education after the show ended, attending Yale University. He later became a lawyer and started his own business specializing in brand management. Saviano now runs a company that helps artists and social media personalities develop and manage their brands, and he finds his work in law and business more rewarding than his time as an actor.

Danny Lloyd

Danny Lloyd is best known for his role as Danny Torrance in the classic 1980 horror film, ‘The Shining’. After that, he chose to leave acting, appearing in just one other TV movie. He went on to become a biology professor and currently teaches at a community college in Kentucky. Lloyd prefers a private life and the security of teaching over the demands of a Hollywood career.

Charlie Korsmo

Charlie Korsmo was a child actor in popular movies like ‘Hook’ and ‘Dick Tracy’ in the early 1990s. He later left acting to pursue education, earning degrees from MIT and Yale Law School. After practicing law privately and with the government, he became a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, where he now specializes in corporate law and finance – a far cry from his acting days.

Ross Malinger

Ross Malinger is best known for his role as Jonah Baldwin in the movie ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. He acted in several films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, but later retired from acting. He then changed careers, moving into the automotive world and business management. He worked as a general manager for a car dealership near Los Angeles, switching his focus from performing to running the business.

Omri Katz

Omri Katz became well-known for his roles in movies like ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Matinee,’ and he also appeared on the TV show ‘Dallas.’ After leaving acting in the early 2000s, he started working in the cannabis industry. He created his own brand, The Mary Danksters, and also became a hairdresser. While he still enjoys meeting fans at conventions, he continues to work in business.

Taran Noah Smith

You know, I always remember Taran Noah Smith as Mark Taylor from ‘Home Improvement’ – he was such a cute kid! But what a lot of people don’t realize is that he intentionally stepped away from acting after the show ended in ’99. He wasn’t interested in a lifelong career in Hollywood, and honestly, good for him! He started his own vegan food company, Playfood, and even became a carpenter. Eventually, he put those building skills to incredible use, volunteering with disaster relief organizations. It’s just really cool to see someone use their talents to make a real difference, you know?

Michael C. Maronna

Michael Maronna is famous for playing Big Pete in the TV show ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’ and for his role as Jeff McCallister in the movie ‘Home Alone’. Later, he transitioned from acting to work as a professional electrician. Now, he works as a gaffer – a lighting technician – on many film and television projects, including some well-known productions. He’s still involved in the entertainment industry, but now focuses on the technical side of things rather than performing.

Nate Richert

Nate Richert is best known for playing Harvey Kinkle in the TV show ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. After the series ended, he struggled to find steady acting roles. He turned to music and also worked various jobs – including maintenance, cleaning, and carpentry – to make a living. While he still pursues music, Richert now lives a quieter life outside of mainstream Hollywood.

Chris Owen

You might remember me as The Sherminator from the ‘American Pie’ movies! It’s funny, even with a few sequels under my belt, Hollywood can be tough, and I definitely had times where acting work dried up. To make ends meet, I actually worked as a waiter at a sushi place in Santa Monica for a while. I also really got into photography and started doing that professionally to bring in some extra money. I still take on the occasional acting role, but I’ve kept working in the service industry to stay busy.

Cameron Bright

Cameron Bright, known for roles in films like ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ and the ‘Twilight’ series, took a step back from acting as he got older. He moved back to Canada and now works in the mining industry, also doing various types of manual labor. He’s intentionally lived a more private life, focusing on work and personal matters outside of the entertainment industry.

Barret Oliver

You know, I always remember Barret Oliver from classics like ‘The NeverEnding Story’ and ‘Cocoon’ – he was a really talented kid actor! But what a lot of people don’t know is that he stepped away from acting in the late 80s. He totally reinvented himself, becoming a seriously respected photographer. He’s become a real expert in old-school photography techniques, especially those from the 19th century. He’s even written a book about it and now teaches workshops. So, instead of seeing him on screen, you’re more likely to find his work in galleries or being studied in universities – it’s a pretty amazing career shift, honestly.

Ross Bagley

Ross Bagley is best known for his acting roles in popular shows like ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and the movie ‘Independence Day’. After growing up, he decided to leave acting and focus on business. Although he studied cinema and television in college, he ultimately pursued a career in real estate. Today, he’s a successful real estate agent in Los Angeles and also runs a consulting firm, all while focusing on his family and staying out of the spotlight.

Reed Alexander

Reed Alexander, best known for his role as the mischievous Nevel Papperman on ‘iCarly’, has transitioned into a career in journalism. He studied at New York University and now works as a financial reporter for publications like Business Insider. Instead of acting, he now focuses on covering topics like the stock market, company profits, and the latest news from Wall Street, reporting on the world’s economies each day.

Benji Gregory

Benji Gregory, known as Brian Tanner on the 1980s sitcom ‘ALF’, left acting as a teenager. He later joined the U.S. Navy in 2003, serving as an aerographer’s mate before receiving an honorable medical discharge in 2005. He lived privately in Arizona until he passed away in 2024.

Brandon Call

Brandon Call was a familiar face on TV in the 1990s, best known for his role on ‘Step by Step’. He also had early appearances in shows like ‘Baywatch’ and the movie ‘Blind Fury’. Once ‘Step by Step’ finished, he left acting for good. He then began working at his family’s gas station and car wash, and has lived a private life out of the spotlight for over twenty years.

Bradley Pierce

I was so surprised to learn that Bradley Pierce, the voice of Chip from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and the kid from ‘Jumanji,’ eventually moved away from acting! While he kept doing some voice work, he wanted something more stable, so he got into the hospitality business. Now, he’s a professional bartender and even started his own company, Pierce & Luna, where they help bars and restaurants create amazing drink menus and train their staff. It’s really cool to see how he’s used his creativity in a new way!

Andrew Shue

Andrew Shue was a popular actor on the 1990s TV show ‘Melrose Place,’ but he always had a passion for starting businesses. He co-founded CafeMom, a successful social networking site, and also helped create DoSomething, a non-profit that supports young people taking action on issues they care about. Now, he’s mostly stepped away from acting to concentrate on his work as an entrepreneur and someone who donates to charitable causes.

Kevin Jonas

I remember when the Jonas Brothers first hit it big – Kevin was a huge part of that, and I loved him in ‘Camp Rock’! But when the band took a break, it was so interesting to see what he did next. He really dove into tech and real estate, even starting his own construction company, Jonas Werner, and actually working as a contractor. He also created this cool app called Yood to help you find great restaurants. For a while, he stepped away from music and was fully focused on building these businesses – a real 9-to-5 job for him!

Daniel Tay

Daniel Tay is known for his roles as Michael Hobbs in the movie ‘Elf’ and as the voice of the main character in ‘Doogal’. He later left acting to focus on his education, graduating from Yale University and becoming an SAT tutor. He now works with tutoring companies to help students succeed academically.

Jacob Smith

Jacob Smith, known for his roles in movies like ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and ‘Troy,’ stepped away from acting in the mid-2000s. He then dedicated his career to human services and social work, focusing on supporting people in need and improving community health. He’s said he finds this work more fulfilling than acting.

Austin St. John

Austin St. John, best known as the first Red Ranger in ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,’ left the show due to a contract disagreement and later stepped away from acting. For more than ten years, he worked as a paramedic and emergency medical technician, even providing medical care to military personnel overseas. Though he still makes appearances at fan events, his main career has been dedicated to emergency medicine.

Blake McIver Ewing

Blake McIver Ewing, known for playing Derek on ‘Full House’ and Waldo in ‘The Little Rascals’, faced difficulties finding adult acting roles as he got older. He decided to study psychology and now works as a family therapist, helping people and families with their mental health. Throughout his career changes, he’s also continued to work as a musician and performer.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman is best remembered for his role as Arnold Jackson on the TV show ‘Diff’rent Strokes.’ After the series ended, he faced difficulties with money and finding consistent work as an actor. In a surprising move, he took a job as a security guard at a mall in the late 1990s, which received a lot of attention from the media. He continued to work regular jobs while occasionally making small appearances in other projects.

Erik Estrada

Erik Estrada is best known for his role as Officer Frank Poncherello on the TV show ‘CHiPs’. This experience sparked a lasting passion for law enforcement, and he later became a reserve police officer in Muncie, Indiana. He also contributed to the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and spent much of his life dedicated to serving the public and making communities safer.

Steven Anthony Lawrence

Steven Anthony Lawrence is best known for his role as Beans in the Disney Channel’s ‘Even Stevens’. After the show ended, he intentionally stepped away from fame. In a surprising move, he was once seen working as an elf at a mall’s Santa’s workshop. Lawrence now focuses on teaching acting to others and dedicates his time to community and educational work, preferring a quiet life.

Brian Bonsall

I remember Brian Bonsall – he was Andrew Keaton on ‘Family Ties’ and was great in ‘Blank Check’! It was surprising to learn he stepped away from acting back in 1995, wanting a more normal life. He moved out to Colorado and did all sorts of work, like landscaping and manual labor. But he didn’t stop being creative – he actually became a musician, playing in several punk rock bands! He’s said he really values the freedom and independence he’s found by living outside of the Hollywood scene, and honestly, that sounds really good to me.

Share your thoughts on these surprising career changes in the comments.

2026-02-24 02:47