Alex Carson
Stardom
Most people dream of becoming stars. While most won’t, there are many who do. We look at these people and think about how lucky they are. They have fame and fortune, things that we would all love to have. This is why we find it so strange when a celebrity gives it all up to work a regular job or have a normal life. Here are a few stars that have done just that.
Kirk Cameron
Kirk Cameron was famous for playing Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. During his time on the show, he became a born-again Christian. His beliefs caused him to disagree with the script at times, and he asked that they were changed to be more appropriate. Shortly after, he gave up Hollywood for good. Today, he is a religious activist and an author. He has also been working on Christian documentaries.
Josh Saviano
Josh Saviano is famous for playing Paul Pfeiffer in the Wonder Years. When the show ended, he decided that his education was more important than landing leading roles. He attended Yale University and majored in political science. Today, he is a corporate lawyer. In 2016, he decided to step back into acting just for a moment, and he appeared as a guest on Law & Order.
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo stepped away from Hollywood when she was in her prime. She started her career in silent films before getting a speaking role in Anna Christie in 1930. During her career, she won three Academy Awards. When she was 35-years-old, she retired for good. After retiring, she started an art collection that was worth millions when she died.
Peter Ostrum
When Peter Ostrum was a little boy, he played Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He was a huge hit in the film, but it would be his first and last. Instead of seeking fame and fortune, he wanted to care for animals. He went to veterinary school and is now a vet specializing in large animals, and he lives in New York state.
Danny Lloyd
You may remember Danny Lloyd as the little boy from The Shining. When he was starring in the film, he had no idea that it was a horror film. Two years after the film was released, he retired from acting. Today, he is a biology professor in Kentucky.
MC Hammer
MC Hammer was a huge star in the 80s and 90s. Although he found incredible success in the music industry, he didn’t manage his finances properly. He ended up needing to file for bankruptcy. After figuring out his finances, he found work officiating weddings, lecturing at Ivy League schools, and working on developing apps for iPads. Recently, he has been planning for a 90s nostalgia tour.
Jeff Cohen
Jeff Cohen is best known for his role as Chunk in The Goonies. After The Goonies, he decided that acting was not for him. He attended the University Of California, Berkeley, and went on to become a lawyer. He founded the law firm, Cohen & Gardner in 2002, and he practices entertainment law in Los Angeles.
Gary Coleman
Gary Colemen was a household name in the 70s and 80s thanks to his roll in the hit show, Different Strokes. Although millions adored him, his fortune didn’t last. After leaving Hollywood, he started working as a security guard. Sadly, he died in 2010.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas got his big break when he was cast as Randy in Home Improvement. He became a household name when he landed the role of young Simba in The Lion King. In 1998, he decided to leave Home Improvement and acting behind. After leaving the show, he attended Harvard University, where he earned a degree.
Carrie Henn
Carrie Henn got her big break in Hollywood when she was 10-years-old. She starred in the movie, Alien, alongside Sigourney Weaver. This was the only role she had. Despite the rave reviews she received for her performance, she left Hollywood behind. Today, she is a teacher at a school in Atwater, California.
Lark Voorhies
Lark played Lisa Turtle on Saved By the Bell, which made her a household name. When the show came to an end, she worked on a couple of movies before disappearing from the limelight. Since leaving acting, she has become an accomplished author, and there are rumors of mental illness that have not been confirmed.
Rick Moranis
Rick Moranis had a pretty great career. He starred in Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids. In 1991, Rick’s wife passed away. He decided to retire from acting so that he could focus on raising his two children. Now that his children are older, he has been taking voice acting roles.
Brittany Ashton Holmes
Brittany played Darla in the film, The Little Rascals. Two years after playing Darla, she retired from acting. Today, she is living in Los Angeles and works at Starbucks. He is also working toward a degree in political science. She’s in iconic movies & now works a regular 9-5.
Angus T. Jones
Angus played Jake in Two and a Half Men. He played on the show for 10-years before decided that acting was not for him. He became a member of the Seventh-day Adventists Church. Today, he is part of a management team for an event production called Tonite.
