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

While many dream of a permanent career under the bright lights of Hollywood, these actors chose a different path after achieving fame. Some left by choice to pursue higher education, while others sought the stability of a traditional workplace. From law and medicine to manual labor and teaching, these individuals transitioned into diverse professional fields. Their stories highlight the reality that life after stardom can be both fulfilling and grounded in the everyday world.

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum played Charlie Bucket in the 1971 classic ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. After the film became a success, he declined a multi-film contract to return to his family’s life in Ohio. He eventually pursued a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Cornell University. Ostrum spent over thirty years working as a veterinarian for large animals in upstate New York. He retired from his practice in 2023, having maintained a quiet life far from the entertainment industry.

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen is best remembered for his role as Chunk in the 1985 adventure film ‘The Goonies’. He stepped away from acting as a teenager and focused on his academic career. Cohen attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a law degree from UCLA. He co-founded the firm Cohen & Gardner, where he works as a prominent entertainment lawyer. His career shift transitioned him from the front of the camera to the legal side of the business.

Josh Saviano

Josh Saviano gained fame as Paul Pfeiffer on the television series ‘The Wonder Years’. Once the show concluded, he prioritized his education and attended Yale University. He eventually became a corporate lawyer and an entrepreneur in the brand management sector. Saviano co-founded a firm that helps artists and influencers build their commercial identities. He maintains that his professional life as an attorney is more fulfilling than his early career in television.

Danny Lloyd

Danny Lloyd starred as Danny Torrance in the 1980 horror masterpiece ‘The Shining’. He largely left the industry after his debut, appearing in only one other television film. Lloyd pursued a career in academia and became a professor of biology. He currently teaches at a community college in Kentucky and avoids the Hollywood spotlight. He has stated that he values his privacy and the stability of a teaching career over fame.

Charlie Korsmo

Charlie Korsmo appeared in several high-profile films during the early 1990s, including ‘Hook’ and ‘Dick Tracy’. He stepped back from the industry to focus on his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After earning a law degree from Yale, he worked in private practice and for the federal government. Korsmo is now a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. His scholarly work focuses on corporate law and finance rather than the performing arts.

Ross Malinger

Ross Malinger is widely recognized for playing Jonah Baldwin in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. He continued acting through the 1990s and early 2000s before retiring from the screen. Malinger transitioned into the automotive industry and administrative management. He worked as a general manager at a car dealership in the Los Angeles area. His daily responsibilities shifted from reciting scripts to overseeing business operations.

Omri Katz

Omri Katz rose to prominence starring in films such as ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Matinee’. He also had a recurring role on the long-running television drama ‘Dallas’. After retiring from acting in the early 2000s, he pursued a career in the cannabis industry. Katz founded a brand called The Mary Danksters and has also worked as a hairdresser. He frequently engages with fans at conventions but maintains a regular business career.

Taran Noah Smith

Taran Noah Smith played the youngest son, Mark Taylor, on the sitcom ‘Home Improvement’. He left the industry after the show ended in 1999 to explore other interests. Smith founded a vegan food company called Playfood and worked as a carpenter. He eventually utilized his technical skills as a volunteer for disaster relief organizations. He has expressed that he never intended to spend his entire adult life as an actor.

Michael C. Maronna

Michael Maronna is best known for his role as Big Pete in ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’. He also appeared in the holiday classic ‘Home Alone’ as Jeff McCallister. Maronna eventually moved behind the scenes to work as a professional electrician. He serves as a gaffer on various film and television sets, including high-profile productions. While still in the industry, his daily work is technical and hands-on rather than performance-based.

Nate Richert

Nate Richert portrayed Harvey Kinkle on the popular series ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. Following the show’s conclusion, he found it difficult to secure consistent acting work. He shifted his focus to music and took on various manual labor jobs to support himself. Richert has worked in maintenance, janitorial services, and carpentry over the years. He remains active in the music scene but lives a life away from major Hollywood studios.

Chris Owen

Chris Owen gained fame as The Sherminator in the ‘American Pie’ film franchise. Despite appearing in several sequels, he faced periods of unemployment in the industry. During those gaps, he worked as a waiter at a sushi restaurant in Santa Monica. He also developed a professional career in photography to supplement his income. Owen has continued to take small roles but maintains a steady presence in the service sector.

Cameron Bright

Cameron Bright appeared in major films like ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ and the ‘Twilight’ saga. His career slowed down significantly as he reached adulthood. He returned to his native Canada and began working in the mining industry. Bright has also been involved in manual labor and various trades outside of entertainment. He has largely stepped back from the public eye to focus on his personal life and regular employment.

Barret Oliver

Barret Oliver starred in ‘The NeverEnding Story’ and the 1985 film ‘Cocoon’. He chose to leave the acting profession in the late 1980s. Oliver became a highly respected photographer and an expert in 19th-century printing processes. He has written a book on historical photography and teaches workshops on the subject. His work is now found in galleries and academic circles rather than on the big screen.

Ross Bagley

Ross Bagley is famous for his roles in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and ‘Independence Day’. As an adult, he moved away from professional acting to pursue business interests. He earned a degree in cinema and television arts but chose a different career path. Bagley currently works as a successful real estate agent in the Los Angeles area. He also manages a consulting firm while raising his family away from the cameras.

Reed Alexander

Reed Alexander became well-known for playing the villainous Nevel Papperman on ‘iCarly’. He shifted his focus toward journalism and attended New York University. Alexander became a financial reporter and has worked for major outlets like Business Insider. He covers stories involving the stock market, corporate earnings, and wall street news. His daily routine involves reporting on global economics rather than filming sitcoms.

Benji Gregory

Benji Gregory was the child star who played Brian Tanner on the 1980s show ‘ALF’. He retired from acting completely by the time he reached his late teens. In 2003, Gregory enlisted in the United States Navy and became an aerographer’s mate. He received an honorable medical discharge in 2005 after completing his service. He lived a private life in Arizona until his passing in 2024.

Brandon Call

Brandon Call was a staple of 1990s television, most notably in the series ‘Step by Step’. He also appeared in early episodes of ‘Baywatch’ and the film ‘Blind Fury’. After ‘Step by Step’ ended, he permanently retired from the entertainment industry. He reportedly transitioned to working at his family’s gas station and car wash business. Call has completely avoided the public eye for over two decades.

Bradley Pierce

Bradley Pierce provided the voice for Chip in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and starred in ‘Jumanji’. He continued working in voice-over roles but sought stability outside of performing. Pierce became involved in the hospitality industry and works as a professional bartender. He also co-founded a company called Pierce & Luna that focuses on cocktail consulting. His work involves training staff and creating beverage programs for high-end venues.

Andrew Shue

Andrew Shue was a major star in the 1990s soap opera ‘Melrose Place’. While he acted for several years, he was always interested in entrepreneurship. He co-founded the social networking website CafeMom, which became a significant platform. Shue also co-founded the non-profit organization DoSomething to encourage youth activism. He has largely retired from acting to focus on his roles as a businessman and philanthropist.

Kevin Jonas

Kevin Jonas gained international stardom as a member of the Jonas Brothers and starred in ‘Camp Rock’. During the band’s hiatus, he explored his interests in technology and real estate. He founded a construction company called Jonas Werner and worked as a contractor. Jonas also developed an app called Yood that helps users find restaurant recommendations. Although he later returned to music, he spent years focused on these 9-to-5 business ventures.

Daniel Tay

Daniel Tay is best remembered for playing Michael Hobbs in the holiday film ‘Elf’. He also provided the voice for the title character in ‘Doogal’. Tay withdrew from the acting world to prioritize his academic studies. He graduated from Yale University and became an SAT instructor. He has worked for professional tutoring services, helping students achieve their academic goals.

Jacob Smith

Jacob Smith appeared in ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and the 2004 film ‘Troy’. He left the industry in the mid-2000s after a string of successful roles. Smith transitioned into the field of human services and social work. He has worked with organizations that support vulnerable populations and community health. He has expressed a preference for the meaningful impact of his current professional life.

Austin St. John

Austin St. John was the original Red Ranger in the ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ series. He left the show after a contract dispute and eventually exited Hollywood. St. John spent over a decade working as a paramedic and emergency medical technician. He also served as a healthcare provider for the military in overseas locations. While he occasionally appears at conventions, his primary career has been in emergency medicine.

Blake McIver Ewing

Blake McIver Ewing played Derek on ‘Full House’ and Waldo in ‘The Little Rascals’. As he grew up, he found the transition to adult roles challenging. He pursued an education in psychology and became a family therapist. Ewing worked in clinical settings to help individuals and families navigate mental health. He has also worked as a professional musician and performer during his career shifts.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman became an icon as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. After the show ended, he struggled with financial issues and finding new roles. He took a job as a security guard at a shopping mall in the late 1990s. This career move became a subject of intense media scrutiny at the time. Coleman continued to work various normal jobs while occasionally appearing in cameos.

Erik Estrada

Erik Estrada became a television star playing Officer Frank Poncherello on ‘CHiPs’. His role on the show inspired a lifelong interest in real-life law enforcement. He eventually became a reserve police officer in Muncie, Indiana. Estrada also served as a member of the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He dedicated much of his later life to public service and community safety.

Steven Anthony Lawrence

Steven Anthony Lawrence is well-known for playing Beans on the Disney Channel series ‘Even Stevens’. After his time on the show, he took a step back from the spotlight. He was famously spotted working as a helper at a shopping mall’s Santa’s workshop. Lawrence also transitioned into teaching acting workshops for aspiring performers. He maintains a low-profile life while focusing on educational and community-based projects.

Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall played Andrew Keaton on ‘Family Ties’ and starred in ‘Blank Check’. He retired from acting in 1995 to focus on a more traditional upbringing. Bonsall moved to Colorado and worked in various manual labor and landscaping jobs. He also developed a career as a musician in several punk rock bands. He has stated that he enjoys the independence found in his life outside of Hollywood.

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