These Once-Famous Stars Are Now Living Totally Regular Lives
Being famous can be thrilling, but for some, it’s just a chapter, and not the whole story. These personalities once graced magazine covers and movie posters. Now, you might pass them in the grocery store without even knowing it. Here’s where they ended up.
Peter Ostrum
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
After starring as Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Ostrum decided one movie was enough. Instead of chasing more roles, he became a veterinarian in upstate New York. He’s also known for speaking to schoolkids—mostly about cows, not chocolate factories.
Jeff Cohen
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The Goonies made Chunk a household name, but Jeff Cohen outgrew the spotlight fast. He studied law and currently works as an entertainment attorney. Ironically, he represents the kinds of actors he once starred beside. It’s not every day a child star ends up negotiating Hollywood contracts instead of signing them.
Carrie Henn
Credit: Instagram
She screamed her way through Aliens as Newt, then never returned to the big screen. Carrie Henn swapped acting for education and started working as a middle school teacher in California. Fans occasionally spot her at sci-fi conventions, but otherwise, she lives a quiet life far removed from xenomorphs.
John Deacon
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While Queen lives on through world tours and rock tributes, bassist John Deacon took a final bow decades ago. After Freddie Mercury’s passing, he stepped back from music entirely. He lives a private life in London, avoids public appearances, and leaves the spotlight to the rest of the band.
Jennifer Stone
Credit: Instagram
Jennifer Stone, known as Harper in Wizards of Waverly Place, traded spells for scrubs. She became a registered nurse and worked on the frontlines during the pandemic. She’s talked openly about how her diabetes diagnosis inspired her to pursue medicine. It’s a path she seems genuinely passionate about.
Mara Wilson
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In the ’90s, Mara Wilson was everywhere—on Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Miracle on 34th Street. Then she quit acting to focus on writing and advocacy. She’s published books and essays about mental health and growing up in the public eye. You’re more likely to read her Substack than see her on screen.
Hayden Christensen
Credit: Instagram
After playing Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen intentionally disappeared for a while. He bought a farm outside Toronto and focused on family and home life. Though he recently returned to Star Wars in Obi-Wan Kenobi, he’s still pretty private. You won’t see him chasing red carpets anytime soon.
Phoebe Cates
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Phoebe Cates became an ’80s icon thanks to Fast Times at Ridgemont High and left acting in the mid-’90s. She has been married to actor Kevin Kline since 1989 and has focused on raising their children. She also runs a boutique called Blue Tree in New York City.
Rick Moranis
Credit: Youtube
Fame took a backseat after tragedy struck. Rick Moranis, beloved for roles in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Ghostbusters, stepped away in the ‘90s to raise his kids after his wife bid goodbye. He’s done occasional voice work since, but for the most part, he’s stayed out of the limelight.
Danny Lloyd
Credit: Wikipedia
In The Shining, he played the boy with “the shining,” but Danny Lloyd left acting behind and became a biology professor in Kentucky. He stayed anonymous for years and didn’t even tell students about his film past. He’s since made peace with the spotlight, but only on his own terms.
Erik Estrada
Credit: Instagram
He played Officer “Ponch” on CHiPs, but Erik Estrada didn’t stop pretending. He eventually became a real-life officer in Idaho, working in community outreach and cyber issues. It’s not quite Hollywood, but for Estrada, law enforcement became a real career.
Enya
Credit: Reddit
She’s sold millions of albums and built a massive global fan base, yet Enya lives a private life in a castle in Ireland. Although she gifted the world with hits such as Only Time, she now rarely performs live, avoids interviews, and spends most of her time quietly making music.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Credit: Instagram
The face of every ‘90s teen magazine took an early exit from the spotlight. After Home Improvement, Jonathan Taylor Thomas went to college and shifted behind the scenes to writing and directing. He pops up now and then, but celebrity life is no longer his thing.
Jennie Garth
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Beverly Hills, 90210 fans knew her as Kelly Taylor, but Jennie Garth has kept things low-key in recent years. She’s focused on home design, parenting, and health advocacy. Though she still occasionally appears on screen, most of her life now centers on raising her kids and enjoying suburban life.
Taran Noah Smith
Credit: Facebook
Best known as the youngest son on Home Improvement, Taran Noah Smith left acting after the series ended. He later opened a vegan food company and has worked in disaster relief and environmental tech. Hollywood never pulled him back—he’s said he never really wanted to act in the first place.