It’s really not surprising that some actors have an extremely difficult time dealing with the pressures and frustrations of being in Hollywood. When this happens, many actors will pursue other avenues to make money. Keep scrolling to check up on 25 actors and what they’re doing with their lives today!
With his role in Malcolm in the Middle, Frankie Muniz was one of the most popular teen actors in the early 2000’s. But this childhood actor decided to give up on the Oscars and turned to car racing and playing drums for You Hang Up and Kingsfoil. Recently, though, he hung up his drumsticks to become a band manager for Astro Lasso.
Vanilla Ice once took over the world with his infamous song Ice, Ice, Baby. But now, Vanilla Ice is building himself up in a completely different way. At this time, he hosts The Vanilla Ice Project, which has been on the DIY Network for seven seasons. Not only is he buying and flipping houses, but now he’s opened up a real estate advice website, as well!
After Jack Gleeson became famous for playing the snobby young king on HBO’s Game of Thrones series, he quickly grew tired of the acting lifestyle. So in 2014, he turned his back on acting and became the artistic director of Collapsing Horse Theatre Company. In 2016, his talent hit New York City with the debut of his puppet show, Bears in Space.
You probably recognize this child star from his role as Paul Joshua Pfeiffer in the hit TV show, The Wonder Years. In 2000, Josh Saviano graduated from the Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and he has been working as a lawyer in New York ever since. Even though most of his work is done in an actual courtroom, he did return to acting in 2014 to play a lawyer on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
This actor is best known for his role playing the vulgar teenager, Chuck Sherman, in the American Pie franchise. In 2014, this former teenage star started working as a waiter in a local sushi restaurant to make a little bit of money while he looked for more acting opportunities.
If you grew up in the ’90s, then you most likely recognize this face from the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains it all. While his role as Ferguson Darling came to an end in 1994, Jason retired from acting and became a full-time software designer for HBO.
This adorable little girl made her acting debut on the TV show 7th Heaven. And while she was on the show, she became an advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In fact, her late step-sister Katelyn Salmont even appeared on two different episodes of the show to help bring awareness to the devastating disorder. Today, Rosman is the chairman of Curefinders, an organization that helps raise money for cystic fibrosis research.
When Rick lost his wife Ann Belsky to cancer in 1991, this well-known actor took a long break from acting in order to take care of his children. In 2005, he decided to return to making music with The Agoraphobic Cowboy. He also writes editorials for The New York Times.
When Angus left the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men, he decided to leave the acting world altogether. Now, Angus has joined Puff Daddy’s son Justin to create the event production company called Tonite!
You probably recognize Erik Per Sullivan from the role he played as the youngest brother, Dewey, on the show Malcolm in the Middle. After the show ended in 2006, Sullivan had a difficult time finding other acting jobs. Today, Sullivan works as a waiter in his dad’s restaurant.
The world-renowned actor, Gene Hackman, announced that he was retiring from acting in 2004. Since then, he has given his full attention to writing novels, with his first book, Justice for None, being released the same year as his retirement. Hackman continued his dedication to writing and his latest novel was a crime thriller called Pursuit.
Nikki Blonsky received an incredible amount of praise for her portrayal of Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 hit remake of Hairspray. Unfortunately, after the movie came out, Nikki found it harder and harder to find new acting roles. So, Nikki decided to get her cosmetology license and she began to work at a local hair salon to pay her bills.
Tiffany ruled the pop music industry in the 1980s with hits like “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “I Saw Him Standing There.” Sadly, like so many others, Tiffany’s singing career sort of fizzled out. In 2012, this former pop singer opened Tiffany’s Boutique in Nashville, Tennessee. Apparently, some of her fans have even popped in to say hello!
When Shue left Melrose Place he knew that he wanted to do something that would make a difference in the lives of other people. With his friend Michael Sanchez by his side, Shue co-founded Do Something, which aides millions of youth around the United States. He also co-founded CafeMom, which gives advice to mothers all over the world.
Boys all over the world had a major crush on Phoebe Cates in the 1980s. And they were sorely disappointed when she married actor Kevin Kline in 1989 in a New York wedding. The couple has 3 children. Phoebe made her own dreams come true when she opened a boutique in New York City on Madison Avenue called Blue Tree.
At one point, it looked like Ariana Richards was going to be the next big thing in Hollywood, especially with her roles in Tremors and Jurassic Park. Sadly, she put acting off to receive a Fine Art and Drama degree from Skidmore College. Now that she’s a professional artist, Richards has won several awards, including the Art of the West’s Award of Excellence in 2006.
You probably recognize this woman from when she played the adorable child parts in Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, and Miracle on 34th Street. In 2000, Mara decided to quit acting to pursue a career in writing. Since then, she has released two books: 2013’s Sheeple and 2016’s Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame.
Andrea Barber, who’s best known for her roles in Days of Our Lives and Full House, retired from acting to earn degrees in English and Women’s Studies. While she has been working as an assistant at Whittier College’s Office of International Programs, she’s also returned to television in the spin-off of Full House, Fuller House.
As a member of the world famous boy band, the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas spent years touring all over the world. After the group broke up, Kevin decided to jump into app world with Yood. Kevin’s app helps users find the best restaurants in the area and even allows them to order food from certain places!
If you’re a fan of horror, then you probably recognize this adorable little boy as Danny Torrance from the movie The Shining. While his name is actually Danny Lloyd, he retired from acting as soon as the movie was finished filming. After pursuing a career in education, Lloyd became a biology professor at a community college, while he takes care of the pigs on his pig farm, as well.
With his twin brother Cole by his side, Dylan Sprouse and his brother were one of Disney’s highest-paid actors on the show The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Now that he’s turned his back on acting, Dylan was spotted working as a waiter in NYC. Apparently, he also worked as a commentator for several Super Smash Bros. tournaments online.
After Kirk Cameron left the set of Growing Pains, he turned away from Hollywood and became a minister. In 2002, Cameron co-founded the ministry The Way of the Master. With his wife and former co-star on Growing Pains, Chelsea Noble, Cameron founded The Firefly Foundation, which gives one week of free vacation to families with terminally ill children.
Once Home Improvement ended in 1999, Taran Noah Smith decided to say goodbye to acting to work on a farm. Then, in 2007, Smith and his ex-wife co-founded Playfood, which was a vegan restaurant/farm based in California.
With his infamous role as Chunk in the movie The Goonies, Jeff Cohen became an instant child start. After he played some minor roles in Family Ties and She’s The Sheriff, Cohen decided to retire from acting. Ever since 2002, Cohen has been an entertainment lawyer for his own law firm, Cohen and Gardner.
Peter Ostrum is well-known for his iconic role as Charlie Bucket in the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Sadly, Peter’s acting career kicked the bucket with Charlier. Since his acting career came to an abrupt end, Peter decided to become a veterinarian. Today, in between taking care of sick animals, Peter occasionally makes appearances to speak about his one and only acting role.
