1. Kirk Cameron
In the ‘80s, Kirk Cameron was a household name as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. His charm, comedic timing, and teen idol looks made him one of the biggest stars of the decade. But after the show ended, Cameron’s career path took a very different turn. He became outspoken about his faith and distanced himself from Hollywood projects that didn’t align with his beliefs.
Instead of pursuing the next big sitcom or movie, he began focusing on faith-based films like Left Behind. While those projects found a niche audience, he never returned to the mainstream spotlight. Today, Cameron spends most of his time hosting Christian events and speaking engagements. His decision to walk away from Hollywood was his own choice, and he seems perfectly content with it.
2. Shelley Long
Shelley Long was beloved as Diane Chambers on Cheers, and for years it seemed like she’d be an unstoppable force in Hollywood. Her departure from the hit sitcom was one of the most talked-about decisions of the time, and many expected her movie career to soar. She did star in films like Troop Beverly Hills, but none of them turned her into the box office powerhouse people predicted.
After her big-screen projects fizzled, Long slowly drifted away from the limelight. She had guest spots here and there, but nothing that put her back on the same pedestal. In recent years, she’s kept a very low profile and has rarely made headlines. It’s a quiet exit for someone who once had audiences hanging on every witty line.
3. Danny Cooksey
Danny Cooksey was the kid with the mullet everyone remembered from Diff’rent Strokes and later as Budnick on Salute Your Shorts. He was that rare child actor who seemed to have endless potential, and fans figured he’d make a smooth transition into adult roles. But once his teen years passed, Hollywood opportunities began to dry up.
Cooksey eventually moved into voice acting, which kept him in the industry but out of sight. He provided voices for animated shows and video games, which most fans never realized. Outside of that, he’s lived a fairly private life away from the cameras. For someone who grew up on-screen, he seems much happier out of Hollywood’s glare.
4. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol was once one of the most popular young stars on television, with roles on Family and Empty Nest. She had a huge fan following and was considered one of the best actresses of her generation. But the pressures of fame took their toll, and by the early ‘90s, she decided to step away from acting altogether.
McNichol later revealed she had struggled with mental health issues and wanted a life away from the spotlight. She officially retired from acting in 2001 and turned her focus to teaching and living quietly. These days, she enjoys a much more peaceful existence. Fans may miss her presence on-screen, but it’s clear she made the choice that was right for her.
5. Josh Saviano
Josh Saviano was known as Paul Pfeiffer, Kevin Arnold’s best friend on The Wonder Years. For a while, many thought he would go on to a bigger acting career after the show wrapped. But instead, Saviano shocked fans by leaving Hollywood behind. He chose to attend Yale and eventually became a lawyer.
Although he’s popped up in a couple of small acting roles since, his main focus has been his legal career. He even started his own law practice, proving his decision to step away from acting was permanent. While fans still love reminiscing about Paul’s nerdy charm, Saviano himself is just fine keeping his Hollywood days in the past.
6. Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes was once considered one of the brightest young sitcom stars, with her own sketch comedy series, The Amanda Show, followed by a hit run on What I Like About You. She had a magnetic screen presence and was often compared to comedy legends. But after years of success, she suddenly disappeared from Hollywood.
Her struggles with mental health and personal issues made headlines, and she eventually stepped away from acting completely. In recent years, Bynes has focused on her health and exploring fashion design. She hasn’t made a return to Hollywood and seems unlikely to do so. Fans who grew up watching her still hope she’s finding peace away from the industry.
7. Tina Yothers
Tina Yothers grew up in front of audiences as Jennifer Keaton on Family Ties. While Michael J. Fox skyrocketed to superstardom, Yothers’ career didn’t follow the same trajectory. Once the sitcom ended, she had trouble landing roles that fit her. Hollywood didn’t know what to do with her as she transitioned into adulthood.
Rather than chase roles, Yothers shifted her focus to music and family life. She fronted a band for a time and later appeared on a few reality TV projects, but acting wasn’t her priority anymore. Today, she leads a life far removed from the spotlight. For fans of Family Ties, she remains frozen in time as the spunky youngest Keaton.
8. Angus T. Jones
As Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men, Angus T. Jones was once the highest-paid child actor on TV. His goofy charm made him a fan favorite, but as he grew older, his relationship with the show soured. In a surprising move, he spoke out against the series and its content, calling it inappropriate.
After leaving the show, Jones decided to walk away from acting altogether. He pursued his education and explored different personal interests. Occasionally, he’s been spotted at events, but he’s no longer involved in Hollywood. For someone who once seemed destined for a lifelong career in sitcoms, his exit was sudden and final.
9. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, or “JTT” as fans lovingly called him, was the heartthrob of the ‘90s thanks to his role on Home Improvement. He was also the voice of young Simba in The Lion King, which made him a star in both TV and film. But in his late teens, he made the surprising choice to step away from acting.
He pursued higher education at prestigious schools, including Harvard, and only returned sporadically for small roles. Ultimately, Thomas chose to live a private life away from Hollywood. Fans still remember the posters, interviews, and teen magazine covers he dominated in the ‘90s. But for him, those days are firmly in the past.
10. Danica McKellar
Danica McKellar won hearts as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years. While many child stars struggle, McKellar took an unexpected path that surprised everyone. She studied mathematics and went on to author several books encouraging girls to pursue math and science.
Though she’s made occasional appearances on TV, her main focus hasn’t been Hollywood for years. She’s built a respected career as both an author and educator. Fans who still see her as Winnie might be surprised to know she’s equally famous in the math world. It’s a career shift that worked out well for her.
11. Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond became iconic as Screech on Saved by the Bell. His quirky character was a fixture of Saturday morning TV and beloved by fans. But once the show ended, his career struggled. He was often typecast and found it hard to land roles outside of Screech.
In later years, he faced personal challenges and controversies that kept him in the headlines for the wrong reasons. By the time of his passing in 2021, he hadn’t been part of mainstream Hollywood for a long time. His story is a reminder of how quickly fame can fade. For fans, though, Screech remains unforgettable.
12. Jaleel White
Jaleel White shot to fame as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, a role that went from side character to full-blown cultural phenomenon. His catchphrases, suspenders, and nerdy charm made him one of the most recognizable sitcom stars of the ‘90s. For a while, it seemed like he’d have endless opportunities after the show ended. But Hollywood didn’t know what to do with him once Urkel was in the rearview mirror.
White took on guest roles here and there, but he never recaptured that same success. He tried to distance himself from the character, even taking on more serious work, but audiences couldn’t shake the image of Urkel. Over time, he quietly faded from mainstream Hollywood, focusing more on voice work and smaller projects. Fans still remember him fondly, but his days as a sitcom superstar feel like a time capsule from the ‘90s.
13. Michael Schoeffling
Michael Schoeffling is best remembered as Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, but he also appeared on the sitcom The Hitchhiker. He had the perfect teen idol look, and fans assumed he’d be a star for decades. Instead, after a handful of roles in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, he vanished from Hollywood.
Schoeffling decided acting wasn’t for him and shifted into a career as a furniture maker. He’s lived a private life in Pennsylvania, far away from the industry. His decision to walk away has only added to the mystique surrounding him. Fans still swoon over Jake Ryan, but Schoeffling himself is content living out of the spotlight.