LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Disappeared from Hollywood After Coming Out

Some actresses who came out later stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight, whether to focus on family life, new careers, or creative work outside the studio system. Their stories vary a lot, from formal retirement to a quiet shift into producing or directing. What they share is a noticeable drop in high profile screen roles after publicly identifying as LGBTQ+. Here are a few whose paths took them away from the center of mainstream film and television.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi publicly came out in 2005 and soon shifted her attention toward business and philanthropy. After returning for the revival of ‘Arrested Development’, she announced in 2018 that she was retiring from acting to focus on her art company. She has made only limited on screen appearances since that announcement. Her public work has centered on entrepreneurial projects and advocacy rather than film sets.

Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis came out in 2009 and later moved into teaching and stage work outside the Hollywood circuit. She continued to act occasionally in independent projects and television but at a far lower frequency than in her earlier career. She did not participate in ‘Top Gun’ sequel promotions and interviews focused on her choice to keep a lower profile. Her professional life has emphasized theater, community work, and privacy.

Kristy McNichol

Kristy McNichol revealed in 2012 that she is a lesbian, long after stepping away from on camera roles. She had already retired from acting in 2001 and dedicated her time to teaching and personal pursuits. Her public statement highlighted happiness and the desire to support others by being open. Since then she has remained largely out of the industry spotlight.

Heather Matarazzo

Heather Matarazzo came out in 2004 and has spoken about the challenges of finding steady roles afterward. She continued to work in independent films and occasional television guest spots while also writing and directing. Her mainstream studio appearances became less frequent compared with the early 2000s. Much of her creative energy has shifted to smaller projects and behind the scenes work.

Shelley Morrison

Shelley Morrison was openly lesbian and retired from acting in 2003 following a long career in television and film. She made a brief return as a voice cameo connected to ‘Will and Grace’ but did not resume on screen roles. Her retirement coincided with a desire to spend more time on family and community projects. She maintained a very low public profile in the years that followed.

Alexandra Hedison

Alexandra Hedison worked as an actress in television before coming out and later transitioned primarily to photography and directing. Her gallery exhibitions and visual art projects became her main professional focus. She largely left acting and pursued creative work behind the camera. Public attention has centered on her art career rather than Hollywood roles.

Patricia Velásquez

Patricia Velásquez came out in 2012 and gradually shifted toward advocacy, modeling, and producing. While she continued to appear on screen from time to time, her Hollywood presence became less constant than during her breakout years. She invested time in philanthropic work and cultural projects connected to her heritage. Her career since has blended occasional acting with broader creative and humanitarian efforts.

Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson publicly identified as bisexual as an adult and had already moved away from child stardom years earlier. She redirected her career toward writing, theater, and voice work rather than mainstream film sets. Her published essays and stage projects became the core of her creative output. On screen roles in Hollywood remained rare as she focused on authorship and independent performance.

Amanda Bearse

Amanda Bearse came out publicly in the 1990s and gradually moved from acting to directing and producing. She helmed episodes of network comedies and worked behind the camera for much of the 2000s. Her on screen roles became infrequent compared with her sitcom years. Most of her industry involvement centered on directing assignments and occasional stage projects.

Kristanna Loken

Kristanna Loken has identified as bisexual and shifted away from major studio releases after her early 2000s breakout. She appeared in independent features and television guest roles while pursuing work outside the Hollywood spotlight. Her projects increasingly focused on smaller productions and international shoots. The frequency of high profile appearances declined as she explored varied creative paths.

Clementine Ford

Clementine Ford came out publicly and later stepped back from steady on camera work. She focused on family life and selective appearances while maintaining ties to creative projects. Her television roles became occasional rather than continuous. She has kept a relatively low profile compared to her earlier career period.

Meredith Baxter

Meredith Baxter came out in 2009 after decades of television success and subsequently reduced her acting schedule. She continued to appear in select TV movies and special projects while prioritizing advocacy and speaking engagements. Her Hollywood presence became more occasional than ongoing. Much of her public work shifted toward memoir and outreach.

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky came out as LGBTQ+ and gradually moved toward theater, education, and digital content. She continued acting intermittently in independent projects. Her mainstream film and network television visibility decreased over time. She devoted attention to community work and personal ventures outside studio productions.

Michelle Paradise

Michelle Paradise has long identified as LGBTQ+ and transitioned from acting to writing and producing. She built a career in writers rooms and later took on producing responsibilities for television. On camera roles largely gave way to behind the scenes leadership. Her creative output has centered on scripted development and showrunning duties.

Daniel Sea

Daniel Sea is an out actor whose visibility peaked with ‘The L Word’ and later shifted toward art, activism, and music. Film and television appearances continued on a limited basis. She devoted time to global projects and community initiatives. Her creative focus broadened beyond Hollywood casting cycles.

Guinevere Turner

Guinevere Turner, an openly queer actress and writer, concentrated increasingly on screenwriting and independent filmmaking. Her acting roles became selective while her writing credits expanded. She collaborated on projects that emphasized LGBTQ+ storytelling. The bulk of her work moved off camera and into development and script duties.

Amber Benson

Amber Benson came out as bisexual and focused more on writing and directing than on screen acting. She published novels, developed scripts, and made microbudget projects. Her Hollywood acting presence was less frequent compared with her early television years. Creative work shifted toward authorship and independent production.

Ingrid Jungermann

Ingrid Jungermann is an openly queer filmmaker who began with acting in web series before centering on writing and directing. She developed indie features and festival projects that kept her largely outside the studio system. Acting took a secondary role to crafting original content. Her career emphasized creator driven work over Hollywood casting.

Erin Kelly

Erin Kelly, known for roles in LGBTQ+ themed cinema, stepped away from mainstream visibility after early indie success. She pursued work and interests outside of major film and television pipelines. Subsequent appearances have been sporadic and small scale. Her professional path favored privacy and selective participation.

Jill Bennett

Jill Bennett is an out actress who found an audience through web series and niche projects and then reduced on camera activity. She pivoted to producing and digital platforms with limited mainstream roles. Her work targeted independent distribution rather than studio releases. Public appearances centered on community events and online initiatives.

Tammy Lynn Michaels

Tammy Lynn Michaels publicly identified as lesbian and later left regular television roles. She devoted time to writing and personal projects while keeping a low profile in Hollywood. Screen credits became fewer over the years. Most professional activity took place away from major studio productions.

Kim Stolz

Kim Stolz, who has been openly lesbian, appeared in acting roles before moving into media and finance. She transitioned to a corporate career and published writing while stepping out of the entertainment spotlight. Acting credits tapered off as her professional focus changed. Industry appearances have been occasional and non promotional.

Michelle Hendley

Michelle Hendley, a transgender actress, rose to prominence through an indie feature and then worked intermittently on smaller projects. She balanced creative pursuits with a low key public profile. Mainstream casting remained limited after her breakout. Her career path favored independent and community oriented work.

Heather Peace

Heather Peace, an openly lesbian actress and musician, focused much of her energy on music, activism, and UK based television. She took extended stretches away from high visibility roles in Hollywood. Appearances have been concentrated in regional or limited run projects. Her professional efforts span touring, advocacy, and selective screen work.

Jessica Clark

Jessica Clark is an out actress and model who shifted attention to fashion, presenting, and selective screen appearances. Her acting work became sporadic after early television exposure. She balanced creative projects across multiple industries. Hollywood features and series roles have been occasional rather than continuous.

Maria Schneider

Maria Schneider, a French actress who spoke openly about relationships with women, withdrew from mainstream filmmaking for long periods. She favored European art house and personal projects over studio films. Her later career featured sparse screen appearances. Much of her public life remained private and away from Hollywood.

Clea DuVall

Clea DuVall came out publicly and gradually concentrated on writing and directing. She developed and directed features and television while appearing less frequently on screen. Her creative output shifted to leadership roles behind the camera. Acting continued on a limited basis as she prioritized producing and direction.

Share other names you think belong here in the comments and tell us why their stories resonated with you.