Gay Actors Who Quit Hollywood

Hollywood is often the dream for actors, but for some, the fame and pressure become too much, or the industry makes it difficult to stay. Many talented gay actors have chosen to leave the spotlight to find a more peaceful life, follow a new passion, or overcome obstacles within the industry. From classic movie stars of the 1930s to popular actors of the 90s and today’s television stars, these men have swapped premieres and red carpets for everyday jobs and new experiences. Here’s a look at 20 gay male actors who decided to leave Hollywood behind.

Chad Allen

Chad Allen was a popular actor in the 1980s and 90s, best known for his roles in shows like ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ and ‘My Two Dads’. After coming out publicly in the mid-90s, he continued acting for some time, but eventually decided to leave the entertainment industry. In 2015, he retired from acting to pursue a new career in clinical psychology. He completed his education and now works as a psychologist, dedicating his time to helping people.

Mitchell Anderson

Mitchell Anderson was known for his TV roles, including a gay teacher on ‘Party of Five’ and Dr. Jack McGuire on ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ Feeling limited by acting opportunities, he moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta and followed his love of cooking. He now owns and works as the executive chef at MetroFresh restaurant. While he’s mostly stepped away from acting, he still occasionally performs on stage for projects he’s passionate about.

Thom Bierdz

I always loved Thom Bierdz as Phillip Chancellor on ‘The Young and the Restless,’ and I was surprised when he left! I later learned it wasn’t just about finding new roles – he went through something incredibly difficult. His mother was tragically murdered by his brother, and understandably, he needed to step away from acting to heal and find peace. He actually turned to painting, and he’s become a really accomplished artist! His work is in galleries and he’s even won awards. He’s popped back on the show a few times, which was fun, but it seems like being an artist is his main passion now, and I’m so happy for him.

Jaye Davidson

Jaye Davidson quickly gained recognition for his first film role as Dil in ‘The Crying Game’ (1992), and even received an Academy Award nomination. Although he appeared in the popular movie ‘Stargate’ (1994), he wasn’t comfortable with the attention that came with being a Hollywood star. He famously chose to leave acting and return to the fashion world, where he felt more fulfilled. Since then, he’s worked as a stylist and model in Paris and London, largely avoiding the spotlight.

William Haines

William Haines was a major movie star during the silent film days, famous for playing charming and funny romantic leads. In 1933, MGM studio told him he had to pretend to marry a woman or lose his job, because of his openly gay relationship with Jimmie Shields. Haines chose to be with Shields and left acting, but he found great success as an interior designer. He became the preferred decorator for Hollywood’s biggest stars, like Joan Crawford and Ronald Reagan, and is remembered more for his design work than his films.

Tommy Kirk

Tommy Kirk was a popular actor in classic Disney films like ‘Old Yeller’ (1957) and ‘The Shaggy Dog’ (1959). However, his career at Disney ended when Walt Disney found out he was gay and fired him. After that, Kirk had difficulty finding good roles and left acting in the 1970s to deal with addiction and seek a more peaceful life. He then started a carpet cleaning business in Los Angeles and ran it successfully for many years until his passing in 2021.

David Yost

As a longtime fan, it’s always been a little bittersweet thinking about David Yost, the original Blue Ranger from ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.’ While he was a huge part of my childhood, he sadly left the show back in 1996. It was really heartbreaking to learn later that he’d been subjected to constant homophobic harassment on set, which ultimately led to his decision. He stepped away from acting for a long time, working behind the scenes on other shows, and though he eventually came back to the ‘Power Rangers’ world in a different capacity – doing conventions and even producing – it’s clear that leaving the role really changed the course of his career.

Danny Pintauro

Danny Pintauro became famous as a child actor, playing Jonathan Bower on the popular TV show ‘Who’s the Boss?’ which ran from 1984 to 1992. After the show ended, he went to Stanford University and decided to leave acting. More recently, he’s worked at an animal shelter in Austin, Texas, as both a vet technician and a pharmacy technician. He’s also become an advocate for HIV awareness, openly sharing his own diagnosis to help fight stigma.

Randy Harrison

Randy Harrison became well-known for playing Justin Taylor on the popular show ‘Queer as Folk’ which aired from 2000 to 2005. After the show ended, he continued acting on stage, but eventually decided to move away from television and film. In 2024, it was revealed that Harrison had retrained as a therapist, putting his psychology degree to use. He now works as a mental health counselor, shifting his focus away from the entertainment world.

Lucas Cruikshank

Lucas Cruikshank became famous by creating the popular online character “Fred,” which led to movies and a Nickelodeon show. However, he eventually felt limited by the demands of the entertainment industry and the role that made him well-known. He decided to leave mainstream acting and return to YouTube, where he has complete freedom over his creative work. Now, he makes commentary videos and vlogs, and has successfully built a career independent of traditional studios.

Freddie Smith

Freddie Smith received a Daytime Emmy Award for his role as Sonny Kiriakis on ‘Days of Our Lives,’ including being part of the show’s first same-sex wedding. In 2020, he and his husband left Los Angeles and acting behind to start a new life in Florida. Smith now works as a real estate agent and uses his social media to share information about the housing market instead of promoting his acting work.

Sebastian Ligarde

Sebastián Ligarde is a well-known Mexican actor who spent many years playing memorable villains in TV dramas and movies. After publicly coming out, he decided to focus on teaching instead of acting. He retired from performing and opened an acting school in Miami, where he now shares the Meisner technique with aspiring actors. He’s now dedicated to mentoring students, rather than appearing on screen.

Blake McIver Ewing

Blake Ewing started acting as a child, appearing in shows like ‘Full House’ and the movie ‘The Little Rascals’ (1994). As he grew older, he struggled to find adult roles and eventually stopped acting regularly. He tried different jobs, including performing as a go-go dancer and hosting ‘The People’s Couch’ on Bravo. Now, Blake focuses on music and directing stage plays, having moved away from film acting.

Adamo Ruggiero

Adamo Ruggiero is most famous for playing Marco Del Rossi on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’. His character’s coming-out story was particularly memorable and had a significant impact on popular culture. After ‘Degrassi’ and a period hosting ‘The Next Star’, Ruggiero stepped away from acting. He now works in digital production and media, contributing to the entertainment industry behind the scenes. While he still connects with fans, he’s largely retired from acting as a profession.

James Ross (Tyra Sanchez)

James Ross became well-known as the drag queen Tyra Sanchez, winning season two of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’. After several years of performing and touring, he decided to retire the Tyra Sanchez persona and leave drag altogether. Feeling frustrated with both fans and the entertainment industry, Ross sought a more normal life. He now works in logistics at Amazon and has completely stepped away from reality TV and performing.

Peter Paige

Peter Paige gained recognition for his role as Emmett Honeycutt in ‘Queer as Folk’. However, he decided to move away from acting and pursue a career as a writer and director. He found success as a showrunner, co-creating popular shows such as ‘The Fosters’ and ‘Good Trouble’, and has become a leading creative figure working behind the scenes in television.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller rose to international fame playing Michael Scofield in the popular show ‘Prison Break’. More recently, he publicly shared that he would no longer take on roles as heterosexual characters, explaining he wanted to be true to himself. Since then, he’s taken a break from acting, choosing to concentrate on writing and prioritizing his well-being. Miller has confirmed he’s finished with the ‘Prison Break’ series and now prefers to stay out of the public eye.

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey was once a highly respected actor in Hollywood, but his career largely ended after accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced in 2017. He was immediately fired from his lead role in ‘House of Cards’ and removed from several finished films, leading to a widespread industry boycott. Although he’s tried to continue working on smaller projects in Europe, he’s been effectively shut out of mainstream Hollywood. While his exit wasn’t his choice, he remains a well-known example of someone removed from the industry.

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett quickly became famous for his role on the TV show ‘Empire,’ but his career was severely damaged by a very public legal case. He was accused of faking a hate crime, which led to legal fights, his removal from ‘Empire,’ and a stop to his growing success. Since then, he’s largely disappeared from major Hollywood films and TV shows. He’s now focused on directing independent films, marking a shift away from being a well-known television actor.

Share your thoughts on these career changes in the comments.

2025-12-18 17:17