At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 5, Michael Douglas revealed he has no plans to return to acting. The 80-year-old star intentionally stopped working in 2022 after nearly six decades in the industry. Douglas said he didn’t want to be “one of those people who dropped dead on the set,” emphasizing his desire to step away on his own terms and enjoy retirement.
From Bruce Willis to Jack Nicholson, many actors have chosen to take a bow and exit stage left. Whether it’s their health ringing the final curtain call or the satisfaction of seeing their last performance receive a standing ovation, they’ve chosen to retire.
Some love the grand finale and make headlines with their farewell speech, others prefer an unscripted exit where they quietly retire. But whether it’s a blockbuster goodbye or a quiet final scene, their cinematic masterpieces continue to earn rave reviews from global audiences.
Check out this gallery of actors who may never act again. Simply click on.