Actors Who Quit Acting To Work Normal Jobs

Many actors find great success at a young age or during a specific period in their lives before deciding to walk away from Hollywood. Whether they were child stars or seasoned veterans these individuals chose to transition into traditional careers ranging from medicine and law to manual labor. This shift allows them to lead more private lives while contributing to society in different ways. The following list highlights male actors who traded the spotlight for the stability of a normal job.

Peter Ostrum

He played Charlie in ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ in 1971. After his iconic role he decided not to pursue a career in Hollywood. He eventually went to school to become a doctor of veterinary medicine. He spent his adult life working as a veterinarian for large animals in rural New York.

Danny Lloyd

He is best known for his role as Danny Torrance in ‘The Shining’ during the late 1970s. After appearing in a television film a few years later he left the industry entirely. He eventually became a biology professor at a community college in Kentucky. He prefers to keep his personal life private and away from the limelight of his childhood fame.

Jeff Cohen

He famously played Chunk in the 1985 classic film ‘The Goonies’. Although he was a beloved child star he decided to focus on his education rather than acting. He attended law school and established a successful career as an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles. He now helps other people in the industry navigate their legal contracts.

Michael Schoeffling

He gained immense popularity for playing Jake Ryan in the movie ‘Sixteen Candles’ in 1984. Despite being a teen heartthrob he found it difficult to secure consistent work and retired from acting in the early 1990s. He moved to Pennsylvania to open a woodworking shop where he handcrafted fine furniture. He has remained out of the public eye for several decades.

Charlie Korsmo

He appeared in several major films including ‘Hook’ and ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ during his youth. He eventually left the profession to pursue academic interests in physics and law. He earned a degree from Yale Law School and became a law professor. He also served as a political appointee for the federal government.

Josh Saviano

He played the nerdy best friend Paul Pfeiffer on the television show ‘The Wonder Years’. After the series ended he chose to pursue a career in law instead of staying in show business. He graduated from Yale University and became a corporate lawyer. He later founded his own brand consultancy firm to help artists and influencers.

Ross Malinger

He played the young son in the romantic comedy ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ alongside Tom Hanks. After several more roles in the late 1990s he decided to exit the entertainment industry. He transitioned into the automotive world and began working in management at a car dealership. He has maintained a quiet life far removed from his time as a child actor.

Taran Noah Smith

He played the youngest son Mark Taylor on the hit sitcom ‘Home Improvement’ for eight seasons. Once the show concluded he decided that he did not want to be an actor for the rest of his life. He became an entrepreneur and started a company that produced vegan cheese. He also spent time working as an installation artist and a pilot.

Barret Oliver

He was the lead star in fantasy films like ‘The NeverEnding Story’ and ‘D.A.R.Y.L.’ in the 1980s. He stepped away from the film industry shortly after his early success to study photography. He became an accomplished photographer and a scholar of nineteenth century printing processes. He even authored a book about the history of the Woodburytype process.

Andrew Shue

He was a major star on the television drama ‘Melrose Place’ throughout the 1990s. After his time on the show he shifted his focus toward business and social networking. He co founded the popular website CafeMom which became a massive online community for parents. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts and entrepreneurial ventures.

Erik Estrada

He became a household name playing Officer Frank Poncherello on the television series ‘CHiPs’. While he occasionally takes small roles or makes appearances his primary focus shifted to law enforcement. He became a reserve police officer in Indiana and worked on task forces to protect children from online predators. He used his celebrity status to bring attention to important safety causes.

Brandon Call

He was a familiar face on television playing J.T. Lambert on the sitcom ‘Step by Step’. After the series ended he disappeared from the public eye and did not take any further acting jobs. Reports indicate that he began working at a gas station and car wash owned by his family in California. He has shown no interest in returning to the world of entertainment.

Brian Bonsall

He played the young Andy Keaton on the long running series ‘Family Ties’. After leaving the show he pursued a career in music and played in several punk rock bands. He also worked in the construction industry and did various manual labor jobs. He has stayed away from mainstream acting for several decades to focus on his personal interests.

Omri Katz

He is best remembered for his roles in ‘Hocus Pocus’ and the television show ‘Eerie, Indiana’. He retired from acting in the early 2000s to pursue a different career path. He moved into the cannabis industry and started his own business focused on cultivation. He often interacts with fans at conventions but does not seek new acting roles.

Ross Bagley

He played Nicky Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and appeared in ‘Independence Day’. As he grew older he shifted away from the screen to focus on his education and a new career. He became a licensed real estate agent and worked in the property market in Los Angeles. He also spent time working as a consulting firm executive.

Lee Aaker

He was a child star in the 1950s known for his role in the series ‘The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin’. After his popularity waned he found it difficult to transition into adult roles. He left Hollywood and worked for many years as a carpenter and a ski instructor. He lived a modest life away from the fame he experienced as a young boy.

Steven Anthony Lawrence

He is fondly remembered for playing the character Beans on the Disney Channel show ‘Even Stevens’. Although he appeared in several commercials and films he eventually moved into teaching. He has spent time working at a shopping mall and teaching acting classes to aspiring students. He is often spotted by fans who recognize him from his comedic childhood role.

Gene Hackman

He is one of the most celebrated actors in history with two Academy Awards and numerous classic films. He officially retired from acting in 2004 to pursue a second career as a novelist. He has written several historical fiction books and thrillers during his retirement years. He lives a quiet life in New Mexico and has refused all offers to return to the screen.

Bradley Pierce

He provided the voice for Chip in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and starred in the original ‘Jumanji’ film. He continued to work in voice acting for some time but transitioned into the hospitality industry. He became a professional bartender and co founded a company that provides bar services and consulting. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of cocktails and spirits with others.

Noah Hathaway

He became famous for his portrayal of Atreyu in the movie ‘The NeverEnding Story’. He left the acting world for long periods to pursue interests in martial arts and motorcycle racing. He eventually found a career as a tattoo artist and worked in various shops around the country. He occasionally returns for fan conventions but maintains his primary career outside of Hollywood.

Chris Owen

He is best known for playing the character known as the Sherminator in the ‘American Pie’ film series. Despite the success of the franchise he faced periods where he struggled to find consistent acting work. He gained media attention when he was spotted working as a waiter at a restaurant in Santa Monica. He has continued to take small roles while maintaining a regular work life.

Wayne Rogers

He rose to fame playing Trapper John McIntyre on the iconic television show ‘MAS*H’. He eventually decided to leave the show and the industry to focus on finance and investment. He became a highly successful money manager and a regular contributor to financial news programs. He built a second career that was just as lucrative as his time in entertainment.

Lucas Babin

He had a career as a model and actor appearing in the film ‘School of Rock’ as Spider. He eventually left the glamor of show business to study law and return to his roots in Texas. He was elected as the District Attorney for Tyler County and serves his community in the legal field. His career shift represents a significant move from Hollywood to public service.

Ken Weatherwax

He played the young Pugsley Addams on the original ‘The Addams Family’ television series. After the show ended he struggled to find other acting roles due to being typecast. He eventually found a steady career working behind the scenes as a movie set builder and grip. He spent many years working for various studios in a technical capacity.

Butch Patrick

He was a famous child actor who played Eddie Munster on the classic show ‘The Munsters’. Once the series ended he found it challenging to maintain his acting career as an adult. He worked several normal jobs including being a limo driver and working at a car dealership. He continues to appear at horror conventions but has not pursued a full time acting career in years.

Corey Carrier

He played the young version of the title character in ‘The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles’. After his time as a child star he decided to prioritize his education over a Hollywood career. He attended prestigious universities and pursued a career in academia and research. He has not appeared on screen for many years and prefers a life of intellectual pursuits.

Austin O’Brien

He starred in several major films in the 1990s including ‘Last Action Hero’ and ‘My Girl 2’. He eventually transitioned away from acting and began a career in the visual arts. He established himself as a professional photographer and started his own photography business. He focuses on capturing weddings and portraits rather than being the subject of the camera.

Benji Gregory

He was the young star Brian Tanner on the popular 1980s sitcom ‘ALF’. He decided to leave the acting world behind shortly after the show ended its run. He joined the United States Navy and worked as a weather specialist for several years. After his honorable discharge he lived a private life outside of the media spotlight.

Marc Price

He played the character Skippy Handelman on the long running sitcom ‘Family Ties’. While he has remained active in comedy and producing he spent a significant amount of time working as a writer and pollster. He transitioned into creating content for the web and working in the digital media space. He remains active in the creative world but operates mostly behind the scenes.

Tommy Rettig

He was the original child star of the ‘Lassie’ television series in the 1950s. After his time as a child actor he struggled to find adult roles and left the industry. He became a pioneer in the computer software world as a database programmer and author. He was well respected in the tech community long before he passed away.

Michael Fishman

He played D.J. Conner on the hit series ‘Roseanne’ for many years. Between the original run of the show and its recent revival he worked in various fields including construction and set design. He also dedicated time to coaching baseball and supporting community programs. He prioritized building a stable life for his family outside of television.

Jeremy Miller

He played Ben Seaver on the popular show ‘Growing Pains’ throughout the 1980s. He later transitioned into the culinary world and became a professional caterer. He founded his own catering company and worked as a private chef for various clients. He has shared his story of finding a new passion in the food industry after leaving acting.

Mike Lookinland

He is best remembered for playing Bobby Brady on the iconic show ‘The Brady Bunch’. He eventually left show business to pursue a career in the construction industry. He started a business that specializes in manufacturing decorative concrete in Utah. He has found fulfillment in manual labor and entrepreneurship away from the camera.

Jerry Mathers

He played the title character in the legendary sitcom ‘Leave It to Beaver’. After his early success he served in the Air Force Reserve and later graduated from college. He spent many years working in the banking and real estate industries. Although he occasionally makes appearances he spent a large portion of his life in the corporate world.

Michael Conner Humphreys

He played the young version of the main character in the movie ‘Forrest Gump’. Instead of pursuing a long term acting career he chose to join the United States Army. He served several years including a deployment to Iraq before returning to civilian life. He eventually went back to school and worked in various regular positions.

Rick Moranis

He was a major comedic star in films like ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’. After the death of his wife he took a long break from acting to raise his children as a stay at home father. While he has done voice work and music he largely stepped away from the big screen for decades. He prioritized his family responsibilities over his lucrative film career.

Share your thoughts on these career changes or any other actors who left the industry in the comments.