1. Jon Gries
Most people remember Jon Gries as the lovable yet quirky Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite, but long before that, he was a sitcom regular on Martin and The Pretender. Despite his steady work, Gries never seemed caught up in the Hollywood machine. After his cult fame surged in the 2000s, he quietly pulled back from the spotlight to pursue independent projects on his own terms.
Today, Gries keeps a low profile, occasionally taking character roles that interest him but mostly enjoying a quieter life. He’s become known for his photography and occasional directing work rather than chasing lead roles. While fans still recognize him for his unforgettable “back in ’82” line, Gries seems content staying out of the constant churn of Hollywood fame.
2. Andrea Barber
Andrea Barber will always be Kimmy Gibbler from Full House, the eccentric best friend who could make anyone cringe and laugh in the same breath. After the show ended in 1995, Barber made a surprising choice: she quit acting altogether. She went back to college, earned degrees in English and Women’s Studies, and focused on raising her family.
When Netflix revived Fuller House decades later, Barber returned briefly, but her perspective had shifted. She’s been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, sharing her story to help others rather than chasing stardom. Today, Barber lives a grounded life focused on her kids, her writing, and mental health advocacy.
3. Josh Saviano
Josh Saviano was Kevin’s nerdy but lovable best friend Paul on The Wonder Years, a role that made him instantly recognizable to millions. When the show ended, fans assumed he’d continue acting—but he did the exact opposite. Saviano attended Yale, earned a law degree, and became a successful attorney in New York City.
For years, rumors floated around that he had become Marilyn Manson (a myth he laughed off repeatedly), but Saviano stayed out of the limelight. These days, he runs his own legal and consulting firm, mentoring creative professionals rather than playing them on TV. His shift from child actor to lawyer is one of the few Hollywood stories with a refreshingly happy ending.
4. Danica McKellar
As Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years, Danica McKellar was every teen’s dream crush in the late ’80s and early ’90s. But instead of chasing more roles, she found her true calling in mathematics. McKellar graduated from UCLA with a degree in math and even wrote several bestselling books that encourage young girls to explore STEM fields.
Though she’s occasionally appeared in Hallmark movies, McKellar has said that she values education and family over fame. She now lives in Tennessee and homeschools her son, spending her time writing, teaching, and inspiring kids. Her path proves that brilliance can shine brighter than celebrity.
5. Michael Schoeffling
Every ’80s teen knew Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles, the quiet dreamboat every girl wanted to date. After that movie, he seemed destined for superstardom—but instead, he walked away from Hollywood entirely. Disillusioned with the industry, he moved to Pennsylvania and started a custom furniture business.
Today, Schoeffling lives a private life, far removed from flashing cameras and red carpets. Fans occasionally track down photos of his handcrafted furniture and marvel at how the once-iconic teen idol chose woodworking over celebrity. His decision to trade scripts for sawdust made him even more of a legend among nostalgic fans.
6. Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes was one of the brightest young stars of the late ’90s and early 2000s, shining in The Amanda Show and What I Like About You. But after years in the spotlight, the pressures of fame took a toll. Bynes stepped away from acting in 2010 to focus on her mental health and personal growth.
She later attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, channeling her creativity into fashion rather than acting. Despite public struggles, Bynes has made significant progress in recent years, living quietly and privately. She’s been candid about her journey, preferring peace to paparazzi.
7. Taran Noah Smith
Taran Noah Smith grew up on TV as the youngest Taylor son, Mark, on Home Improvement. Like many child actors, he faced identity challenges when the show ended in 1999. Instead of trying to stay in Hollywood, he stepped away entirely at just 17 years old.
Smith eventually started a vegan food company and later focused on sustainable building and environmental work. He’s spent much of his adult life supporting nonprofit causes and avoiding fame altogether. While fans might not recognize him now, he’s built a career rooted in real-world impact rather than ratings.
8. Tina Yothers
Tina Yothers grew up playing Jennifer Keaton on Family Ties, the sarcastic little sister to Michael J. Fox’s Alex. When the show wrapped in 1989, she was only a teenager but had already spent half her life in front of cameras. Instead of chasing more roles, she stepped away from Hollywood to explore other creative paths.
In the years that followed, Yothers dabbled in music with her band Jaded and later focused on raising her family. She’s made occasional TV appearances, usually for nostalgic reunions, but she’s stayed out of the fame cycle. These days, she lives a normal, grounded life and often talks about how grateful she is to have found peace away from the spotlight.
9. Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson was one of the most beloved child stars of the ’90s, thanks to Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Miracle on 34th Street. But after her mother’s death and growing discomfort with fame, she quit acting at 13. She later studied writing at NYU and found her voice as an author and storyteller.
Today, Wilson lives in New York, working in theater and writing essays and books about fame, childhood, and mental health. She’s also an advocate for other former child actors navigating the same challenges she once faced. While she occasionally lends her voice to projects, her passion now lies in telling her own stories—on her own terms.
10. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, or “JTT,” was the teen heartthrob of the ’90s, best known for Home Improvement and voicing Simba in The Lion King. At the height of his fame, he walked away, saying he wanted to live a normal life and focus on education. He attended Harvard and Columbia, studying philosophy and history.
Though he made a few low-profile appearances in the 2010s, Thomas has largely remained out of the public eye. He’s kept his private life private, choosing personal fulfillment over Hollywood fame. Fans still hope for a comeback, but it seems JTT has found happiness far from the spotlight.
11. Angus T. Jones
Angus T. Jones grew up before our eyes as Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men, becoming one of the highest-paid child actors on TV. But fame came with its challenges. As he grew older, he became uncomfortable with the show’s content and walked away in 2013.
Jones later focused on education and spiritual exploration, attending college and joining a faith-based organization. Though he briefly returned for the show’s finale, he’s made it clear he values privacy over celebrity. Today, he leads a low-profile life, far removed from Hollywood glitz.
12. Lark Voorhies
Lark Voorhies became a household name as Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell, but after the show ended, her career slowed and her personal struggles grew. She faced mental health challenges and often found herself misunderstood by the media. In time, Voorhies chose to step back from public life.
These days, she lives quietly in California, occasionally reconnecting with fans through social media. She’s expressed gratitude for her Saved by the Bell days but values her peace above fame. Her journey reflects resilience and the power of stepping away to protect one’s well-being.
13. Kirk Cameron
In the ’80s, Kirk Cameron was one of TV’s biggest teen idols thanks to his role as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. With his charming grin and mischievous personality, he seemed destined for a long career in Hollywood. But as the show went on, Cameron’s personal beliefs began to shift, and he eventually turned away from the entertainment industry’s typical path.
After Growing Pains ended, he dedicated himself to his Christian faith and became an outspoken advocate for family-oriented media. He’s produced and starred in faith-based films and runs a ministry focused on marriage and parenting. These days, Cameron lives a quieter life centered around his family and church rather than network TV.
14. Susan Olsen
Susan Olsen captured hearts as the youngest Brady, Cindy, on The Brady Bunch. After growing up in one of the most famous families on television, she found herself yearning for something more normal. Once the show ended, Olsen tried her hand at voice acting and radio but eventually shifted to a different kind of creativity.
She later became an artist, working with clay and textiles and even showing her pieces in galleries. Olsen has said she prefers the calm and fulfillment of her art studio to the chaos of Hollywood. Though she occasionally appears at nostalgic fan events, she’s built a peaceful and private life focused on her own passions.
15. Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond shot to fame as the nerdy yet lovable Screech on Saved by the Bell, but the years after the show were rocky. Struggling to find roles that weren’t tied to his sitcom past, Diamond eventually turned his back on Hollywood altogether. The glare of fame, especially for a child star, was more than he wanted to handle as an adult.
He spent his later years doing stand-up comedy, writing, and keeping a low profile away from major productions. Before his death in 2021, he had started to reconnect with some former castmates and expressed a desire for peace and normalcy. His story remains a reminder of how challenging early fame can be.
16. Tracey Gold
Tracey Gold was another Growing Pains alum, playing responsible middle child Carol Seaver. While she continued to act for a while after the show ended, she soon decided to step away from Hollywood to focus on her family and her health. Gold had been open about her struggles with anorexia during the show’s run and later used her experience to help others.
She became an advocate for eating disorder awareness and mental health education, speaking at schools and on television. These days, Gold leads a balanced life raising her children and occasionally working behind the scenes. Her shift from sitcom fame to advocacy gave her a new kind of purpose.
17. Jodie Sweetin
As middle child Stephanie Tanner on Full House, Jodie Sweetin was adored by millions for her sass and charm. But the transition from child stardom to adulthood wasn’t easy. After years of personal struggles and time away from acting, Sweetin found peace in education and motherhood.
While she did return for Fuller House, she’s said in interviews that her focus now is on balance rather than fame. She earned a college degree, became a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, and speaks openly about recovery and resilience. Sweetin has found strength in helping others—something far more lasting than celebrity.
18. Mackenzie Phillips
Mackenzie Phillips grew up on-screen as Julie Cooper on One Day at a Time, but fame came with heavy personal costs. After years in the spotlight and public struggles with addiction, she made a conscious decision to rebuild her life away from Hollywood chaos. She stepped back from acting for long stretches to focus on healing and self-discovery.
Phillips eventually became a substance abuse counselor, using her hard-earned experience to guide others through recovery. While she occasionally returns to acting, her primary mission is helping people reclaim their lives. Today, she’s a respected advocate in the recovery community, living proof that walking away from fame can lead to true peace.