TV Shows & Movies
15 Shows You Didn't Need to Watch to Know They Were Terrible
25. Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall made a significant impact as both an actor and producer, leaving a lasting impression through her varied roles. After her final film role in 2002, Shelley Duvall retired under mysterious circumstances, leaving fans intrigued by the enigmatic pause in her once dynamic career. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
24. Peter Ostrum
Peter Ostrum played one of the most iconic roles in Hollywood history as Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka, but then quit the business entirely and chose a different path to pursue his passion for animal care, becoming a dedicated veterinarian. | © Paramount Pictures
23. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who captivated audiences as a young star, grew increasingly critical of pressure from Hollywood while still in high school. His candid reflections resonated with fans and underscored his decision to step away from the bubble of celebrity life. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
22. Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba made a splash in Hollywood with her captivating performances, but once she launched The Honest Company, her focus shifted from acting to entrepreneurship. While she hasn't completely disappeared from the public eye, her career has taken a back seat. | © Marvel Studios
21. Rick Moranis
Rick Moranis charmed audiences with his distinctive humour in beloved films. After the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Ann Belsky, in 1991, he made the heartfelt decision to step away from acting and focus on raising their two children. | © Universal Pictures
20. Leelee Sobieski
Leelee Sobieski captivated audiences on the big screen before choosing to step away from Hollywood to focus on raising her two children. As she told in the interview, "I don't do movie stuff anymore. I... am just a mom and an outsider". | © Slamdance
19. Alison Lohman
Alison Lohman made a notable mark in Hollywood before she met her future husband, Mark Neveldine on the set of the 2009 film Gamer, and chose to step away from acting. | © Lionsgate Films
18. Michael Biehn
Michael Biehn made one of the most iconic entrances into Hollywood with roles in blockbusters like Terminator, Aliens, The Seventh Sign and Navy Seals. However, personal challenges, battling alcoholism, and experiencing a heart attack steered Biehn from the big screen and into low-profile projects. | © Momentum Pictures
17. Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone left Hollywood to leave a positive impact on the world, focusing on bettering the world for children, the earth, and animals. She explained that her passion for meaningful change took precedence over her acting career, causing the shift toward life driven by a big purpose. | © Dark Sky Films
16. Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood before he was even a teenager. Even though he has been acting occasionally since the '90s, he's far from the limelight now, choosing to live in Paris and accepting his star only with occasional appearances on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. | © 20th Century Studios
15. Neve Campbell
Neve Campbell revealed that she was frequently offered roles in horror films or mediocre romantic comedies. Determined to pursue projects that truly resonated with her creative vision, she has since adopted a more discerning approach to her career. | © The Weinstein Company
14. Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz earned critical acclaim and award nominations for performances in famous movies like Big Fat Liar, the show Malcolm in the Middle, and Agent Cody Banks. After pausing his acting career in 2008 to pursue open-wheel racing, he returned to the track with stock car racing, finishing 4th in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023. | © Universal Pictures
13. Taylor Momsen
Taylor Momsen had numerous successful performances like Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. In 2008, she embraced her passion for music by leaving acting to become the lead vocalist for the rock band The Pretty Reckless. | © Warner Bros. Television
12. Sandra Bullock
While recently Sandra Bullock starred in the rom-com The Lost City, she revealed that she felt burnt out and needed a break from acting to recharge and make healthier, smarter decisions. This only adds to her enduring appeal as one of the most beloved stars in Hollywood. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
11. Daniel Day-Lewis
Throughout his career, Daniel Day-Lewis delivered fantastic performances in movies such as There Will Be Blood and My Left Foot. In 2017, he announced his decision to step away from acting – his agent later revealed that it was a "private decision". | © Paramount Pictures
10. Robert Redford
With a career that spans decades, Robert Redford left an incredible mark on Hollywood through classics like Ordinary People and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In 2018, he chose to gracefully step away from acting, confirming his retirement at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. | © 20th Century Studios
9. Emma Watson
Recently, Emma Watson revealed that she wasn't very happy while acting in the Harry Potter series - the rest is history. Nonetheless, she remains optimistic and eager to return when the perfect project inspires her, leaving fans excited about the possibility of her future work. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
8. Bryan Cranston
While not technically retired, Bryan Cranston never reached the heights of his Emmy-winning portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad. Recently, Cranston shared his plans to take a well-deserved six-month break in 2026, shutting down his production company and moving abroad. | © Sony Pictures Television
7. Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy was one of the most famous stars for a generation of kids with her role in the Nickelodeon series iCarly. McCurdy has since transitioned to writing – in 2022, she released her best-selling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, where she shared experiences as a child actor. | © Nickelodeon
6. Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire rose to fame with an iconic portrayal of Spider-Man. However, the very role that catapulted him to fame also became a double-edged sword and made it challenging for him to land more mature roles, eventually contributing to his gradual disappearance from Hollywood. | © Marvel Studios
5. Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates rose to fame with iconic roles in 1980s classics like Gremlins and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In 1994, she stepped away from acting to focus on raising her children, making only a brief return in 2001, before completely transitioning into entrepreneurship by opening a boutique in New York. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
4. Ashley Olsen
Ashley Olsen, alongside her sister Mary-Kate, captured audiences from a very young age with charming performances. After achieving immense success in the entertainment world, the two disappeared from Hollywood and shifted their focus towards something completely different: high fashion. | © Ashley Olsen
3. Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis’ charm and action-packed performances have made him a beloved figure in Hollywood, captivating audiences for decades with roles in classics like Die Hard and Pulp Fiction. Sadly, the actor stepped away from his career in 2022 due to mounting health challenges. The following year, his family shared the heartbreaking news that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. | © Disney
2. Michael Caine
Michael Caine is a British acting legend whose career spanned over six decades, enchanting audiences with iconic roles in the Dark Knight trilogy and a series of other movies. In 2023, at the age of 90, Caine chose to retire on a high note, expressing that he had already achieved the pinnacle of his art and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire film lovers around the world. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
1. Gene Hackman
Through his career, Gene Hackman immersed himself in a wide range of unforgettable characters, leaving an indelible mark on the golden era of Hollywood. In 2009, after a stress test in New York led his doctor to advise that his heart needed a break from the pressures of the industry, he gracefully stepped away from acting. | © 20th Century Studios
