The lifestyles of the rich and famous may seem appealing to many of us that watch from the sidelines, but many of those who had the chance at an insider experience tell a different story.
While the Hollywood dream has translated into reality for many stars, not everyone is cut out for being a celebrity and believe it or not, some very famous stars have called it quits.
It's true that some decided to step out of the spotlight because they couldn't book jobs, but many left because the pressure wasn't worth it.
Here are 10 celebrities who quit being famous to pursue other careers:
1. Peter Ostrum - Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Despite his memorable performance as one of the five kids who won a "golden ticket" in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, the role of Charlie Bucket is the only acting credit Peter Ostrum has under his belt. Ostrum realized soon after the release of his first and only movie that acting wasn't for him so he decided to stick to school instead.
Ostrum now runs a veterinarian practice in Lowville, New York and has no regrets about his decision to quit acting.
"People always ask me why I didn't continue in film-making, and why I became a veterinarian." Ostrum says. "I worked with horses when I was a youngster and felt that was my calling. Acting wasn't something I saw doing as a career," said the former child star.
He did however make a return to the silver screen in a guest spot on a chocolate factory-themed episode of Top Chefs: Just Desserts, alongside his Willy Wonka costars.
2. Nikki Blonsky - Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray
The sweet-voiced Nikki Blonsky stole America's heart when she played the lead role in the 2007 remake of the musical Hairspray. Blonsky starred alongside celebrated Hollywood stars Michelle Pfeiffer, John Travolta, James Marsden, Zac Efron and Christopher Walken, but it seems like that wasn't enough to salvage her acting career.
The actress appeared in a few movie and TV shows since her 2007 big screen debut, but none of them turned her into a household name. In 2011, she received a cosmetology license which fueled speculation about her most recent job. She sent out a tweet to address the rumors:
"Its true I'm workin@ Superstar Salon as a makeup artist & more, I'm proud 2 b workin & helpin pay bills BUT I'll NEVER loose sight of my dreams."
Blonsky is reportedly still auditioning for roles so there's still hope that she might return to the big or small screen someday.
3. Mara Wilson - Matilda
Mara Wilson is best known for playing the ever so charming Matilda in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel of the same name. She appeared in a handful of movies and TV shows including Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street and Melrose Place before finding another calling.
The former child actress attended New York's coveted Tisch School of Arts and is pursuing a career in writing. As of 2013, she also works with Publicolor, a NYC-based nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged and high-risk youth with design-based programs that "mentor them for success in college, career, and life."
Click on the next page for more celebrities who are no longer interested in a Hollywood career including Freddie Prinze Jr.
4. Danny Lloyd - Danny Torrance in The Shining
Lloyd was only 5 years old when Stanley Kubrick casted him in one of the scariest and most iconic horror films, The Shining. Even after delivery a buzz-worthy performance as little Danny Torrance, the child actor couldn't find success in the industry. He only appeared in one more film, Will:The Autobiography of G. Gordon Liddy, before leaving Hollywood to chase another dream.
"I lead a pretty normal life now," Lloyd told the NY Daily News. "People don't recognize me when I got out in public."
Lloyd now works as a pig farmer while simultaneously teaching biology at a community college a few miles from Louisville.
"A Hollywood life probably wouldn't have been for me, anyway," he added. "I'm proud to come from the Midwest and that's where I'm comfortable at."
5. Freddie Prinze Jr. - She's All That
Heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr. seemed like he cemented his place in hollywood being a child of an actor and starring in his own blockbusters like She's All That, I Know What You DId Last Summer and Scooby-Doo, but things took unexpected turn somewhere along the way.
After a slew of moderately successful movies and guest star spots on TV, Prinze Jr., worked as a director and producer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) between 2008 and 2009. He made a few more appearances on the small screen in shows like 24 and Bones before switching up careers.
The actor released his first cookbook in 2016 titled "Back To The Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real recipes (and true stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor."
6. Kevin Jonas - The Jonas Brothers
While his brothers capitalized on their boy band fame to become successful artists, Kevin retreated from the spotlight after the band split up in 2012.
The oldest Jonas Brother is now a married dad of two and starred in his own E! reality series Married to Jonas a few years back. In 2014, the he launched Yood, a location-based search app for food similar to Yelp.
Continue onto the next page for more celebrities who decided to step away from the limelight.
7. Jeff Cohen - Chunk in The Goonies
Cohen may have delivered an unforgettable performance in the 1985 cult film, The Goonies, but it wasn't enough to earn him bigger roles in other productions.
Unlike his co-stars Corey Feldman and Josh Brolin, Cohen decided to follow a very different path as a lawyer. He is a founding partner of Cohen & Gardner LLP. in Beverly Hills, California. He also periodically "writes about business, legal and political matters for The Huffington Post and CNBC" and was named one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Next Generation: Hollywood's Top 35 Executives 35 and Under."
8. Phoebe Cates - Linda Barrett in Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Cates wooed fans with what Rolling Stone described as "the most memorable bikini-drop in cinema history" in the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High. The brunette bombshell later starred in Gremlins and landed roles in a variety of TV shows up until 2001 when she decided step away from Hollywood.
Cates along with her husband actor Kevin Kline and their two children moved to New York City where they still reside. In 2005, the actress opened her own boutique on Madison Avenue called Blue Tree.
9. Kirk Cameron - Mike Seaver in Growing Pains
Kirk Cameron's role as the mischievous Mike Seaver in the sitcom Growing Pains made him every 80s girl's crush, but his popularity went straight to his head and he only realized this when he went to church and found God.
After the show ended in 1992, Cameron decided to turn away from Hollywood and be "a follower of Jesus Christ" instead. Unlike his famous sister, Full House's Candace Cameron Bure, Cameron no longer acts in mainstream productions. He founded an evangelistic ministry called The Way of the Master, which now has a television show of the same name co-hosted by the actor himself.
10. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - Full House
Arguably the most famous twins to grace the big and small screen, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen found success at a very young age playing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Throughout the 1990s, the fraternal twins starred in plenty of TV shows and movies but their love for fashion seemed to win over acting.
In the early 2000s, the Olsens designed a clothing line for young girls which was exclusively made for WalMart. They then became the faces for fashion line Badgley Mischka and soon after started their own upscale couture label, The Row. In 2007, they launched the popular and successful Elizabeth & James brand, a contemporary collection inspired by their unique personal tastes.
Which one of these celebrities do you miss seeing on TV? Let us know in the comments!
