The number of people who aspire to live in the spotlight is astronomical. Kids are moving to New York and Los Angeles to chase their dreams of making it big every single day of the year, and I don't think that's ever going to stop.
But fame can be a funny thing, and it certainly isn't for everyone. It isn't always what it's cracked up to be, and once some folks get there, they realize that it's not for them.
Many of the biggest stars in Hollywood history fall into this category. Some of them led an extensive career, only to retire later in life to follow different passions or lead a more private life, while others realized right off the bat that the whole shebang wasn't really for them in the first place.
With some of these stars, I didn't even know they quit acting! Yet, their faces and their work will forever be engrained in Hollywood history.
Do you ever wonder what kinds of films might have been made if these actors hadn't stepped down from the spotlight? Did we miss any stars from our list? Let us know in the comments.
And please SHARE this iconic list with your family and friends on Facebook!
1. Cary Grant
Grant's star quality is absolutely undeniable, but he left the business for good in 1965 in order to become a father.
2. Greta Garbo
Throughout her career, she received three Oscar nominations. Yet, the negative reviews ultimately pushed her to retire and live a life of leisure, as she felt her long resume had been completed.
3. Sean Connery
Having played James Bond, among many other iconic roles, Connery called it quits in 2006 after he got a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.
4. Rick Moranis
After starring in some truly hilarious films in the '80s, such as Ghostbusters and Spaceballs, Moranis took an indefinite hiatus from film acting in 1997 to raise his kids after his wife died from breast cancer. He hasn't shut out the idea for future roles entirely, but he's being incredibly picky, having even turned down a cameo in the recent Ghostbusters reboot.
5. Shirley Temple
Temple did try to revive her career a few times, but with not much success. However, she became the American Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia after her retiring from show-business in 1950, so it would be extremely far-fetched to call her anything close to a failure.
6. Peter Ostrum
Ostrum's one and only role in the film industry was Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He's now a veterinarian, but he'll always be able to say that he worked with the great Gene Wilder back in the day.
7. Gene Hackman
After a multidecade-long career, Hackman's career in the film industry came to an end. While he was working on his third book in 2008, he confirmed for sure that he had left Hollywood.
8. Grace Kelly
After becoming the Princess of Monaco, the highly-praised leading lady could no longer portray the type of characters that Hollywood needed her for. She went on to find many charities and organizations, and never returned to the biz.
9. Doris Day
Day's film career spanned 20 years, from 1948 to 1968. After that, she focused on music, dabbled a tiny bit in TV, and ultimately focused on her adopted animals and a mostly private life.
Did any of these stars play a part in one of your favorite movies? Did we forget anyone from our list? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook.
