Stars you didn't realize may never act again

The 'Lost' star revealed her decision in an emotional Instagram post on June 5, 2024, writing, "Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment. I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong. A new season has arrived, and I AM READY...and I AM HAPPY." The post was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes video from the set of 'Lost' taken more than a decade earlier. Lilly is asked where she sees herself in 10 years, and she answers, "I’d like to be a retired actress and I would like to have a family… and potentially… influencing people’s lives in a more humanitarian way.” Lilly has ticked all those boxes, and wrote, “I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision.” Lilly has been with her partner Norman Kali since 2010 and they share two children. She's the author of a series of children's books and works with multiple NGOs and charities.

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Eva Mendes -

Eva Mendes has not appeared in any project after the film 'Lost River' (2014). However, in 2020, she disclosed the motive behind this unexpected hiatus.

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Eva Mendes -

On Hola, she told a fan, "as a mother now, there are many roles I won't do. There are many subject matters that I don't want to be involved with, so it limits my choices and I'm fine with that."

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Jack Nicholson -

Jack Nicholson had a successful acting career that lasted over 50 years. It is understandable that he wants to retire.

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Jack Nicholson -

Unlike his role as Warren Schmidt in the film 'About Schmidt' (2002), the actor has not officially announced his retirement. Most fans are unaware that they may never see him in a movie again.

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Amanda Bynes -

Amanda Bynes, a former Nickelodeon star, announced her retirement at a very young age, but she had already had a successful career in TV and film by that time.

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Amanda Bynes -

Bynes announced her retirement from the industry on Twitter after working with Emma Stone in 'Easy A' (2010). In 2018 she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and she has been struggling with mental health issues.

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Daniel Day-Lewis -

Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in 'Phantom Thread' (2017) will likely be his last, or so his team told Variety that same year.

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Daniel Day-Lewis -

According to a statement, Daniel Day-Lewis decided to retire from acting. He expressed gratitude towards his collaborators and the public for their support over the years.

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Bruce Willis -

In March 2022, the actor's family announced that Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia and would subsequently retire from acting. Aphasia is a rare condition that affects the ability to process language, speak, and understand others. This came as a huge shock to all those who have enjoyed Willis' work for decades.

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Bruce Willis -

On February 16, 2023, the actor's family provided an additional update regarding his health, revealing that Willis had received a new diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

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Robert Redford -

Despite some recent voice work, Robert Redford officially retired in 2018 after starring in 'The Old Man & the Gun.'

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Robert Redford -

At that time, Redford told Entertainment Weekly, "Never say never, but I pretty well concluded that this would be it for me in terms of acting, and [I'll] move towards retirement."

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Steve Martin -

Steve Martin has a career spanning decades and is enjoying new success as one of the stars of the hit series 'Only Murders in the Building.' However, he also revealed that he's thinking about hanging up his hat for good after this role. "When this television show is done, I’m not going to seek others. I’m not going to seek other movies. I don’t want to do cameos," he told the Hollywood Reporter.

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Steve Martin -

Martin has expressed his will to retire several times, however, a certain someone has noticed a pattern. “My wife keeps saying, 'You always say you’re going to retire and then you always come up with something',”Will the industry allow him to slip away this time?

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David Caruso -

Best known for his role as Horatio Caine on 'CSI: Miami,' David Caruso has been out of the acting scene since 2012 without any official statement.

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David Caruso -

Caruso appears to maintain a low profile these days, but it's known that he opened an art gallery in California after he retired from acting.

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Lisa Bonet -

Lisa Bonet started her career as a child actor and made it big thanks to her role as Denise Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show.' However, it has been a while since she last appeared on screen.

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Lisa Bonet -

Bonet has not made a formal announcement regarding her retirement from acting, yet she has been away from the screen since the short film 'Jellywolf' was released in 2017.

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Selma Blair -

The actress, who became known for such films as 'Cruel Intentions' (1999) and 'Legally Blonde' (2001), expressed her decision to retire from acting in her 2021 documentary 'Introducing, Selma Blair.'

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Selma Blair -

In 'Introducing Selma Blair,' she talked about her experience with multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, she also mentioned that she would consider returning to acting if a suitable opportunity arose.

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Matthew Fox -

The actor, who became famous for his roles on the popular TV shows 'Party of Five' and 'Lost,' has been retired since 'Lost' ended in 2010. He moved to Oregon to enjoy time flying his personal plane.

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Matthew Fox -

However, he did appear in a few movies from 2012 to 2015, and in 2022 he made a comeback to star in the miniseries 'Last Light.'

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Michael Caine -

The legend of cinema decided to call it quits at the age of 90 and announced his retirement on BBC Radio 4’s 'Best of Today' podcast on October 14, 2023. It seems he’s hung up his acting boots for good this time.

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Michael Caine -

The original 'Alfie' (1966) has cried wolf about retirement quite a few times, but he assures fans that this time it is not a rehearsal. The final act is indeed here for the nonagenarian.

Sources: (Best Life) (Variety) (WhatCulture)

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Cate Blanchett -

Blanchett added that she has a lot of things she wants to do with her life, underscoring her intent to step away from the spotlight.

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Evangeline Lilly -

Getty Images

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Eva Mendes -

Eva Mendes has not appeared in any project after the film 'Lost River' (2014). However, in 2020, she disclosed the motive behind this unexpected hiatus.

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Eva Mendes -

On Hola, she told a fan, "as a mother now, there are many roles I won't do. There are many subject matters that I don't want to be involved with, so it limits my choices and I'm fine with that."

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Jack Nicholson -

Jack Nicholson had a successful acting career that lasted over 50 years. It is understandable that he wants to retire.

Getty Images

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Jack Nicholson -

Unlike his role as Warren Schmidt in the film 'About Schmidt' (2002), the actor has not officially announced his retirement. Most fans are unaware that they may never see him in a movie again.

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Amanda Bynes -

Amanda Bynes, a former Nickelodeon star, announced her retirement at a very young age, but she had already had a successful career in TV and film by that time.

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Amanda Bynes -

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Daniel Day-Lewis -

Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in 'Phantom Thread' (2017) will likely be his last, or so his team told Variety that same year.

NL Beeld

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Daniel Day-Lewis -

According to a statement, Daniel Day-Lewis decided to retire from acting. He expressed gratitude towards his collaborators and the public for their support over the years.

Getty Images

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Bruce Willis -

Getty Images

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Bruce Willis -

On February 16, 2023, the actor's family provided an additional update regarding his health, revealing that Willis had received a new diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

Getty Images

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Robert Redford -

Despite some recent voice work, Robert Redford officially retired in 2018 after starring in 'The Old Man & the Gun.'

NL Beeld

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Robert Redford -

At that time, Redford told Entertainment Weekly, "Never say never, but I pretty well concluded that this would be it for me in terms of acting, and [I'll] move towards retirement."

NL Beeld

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Steve Martin -

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Steve Martin -

Getty Images

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David Caruso -

Best known for his role as Horatio Caine on 'CSI: Miami,' David Caruso has been out of the acting scene since 2012 without any official statement.

Getty Images

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David Caruso -

Caruso appears to maintain a low profile these days, but it's known that he opened an art gallery in California after he retired from acting.

Getty Images

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Lisa Bonet -

Lisa Bonet started her career as a child actor and made it big thanks to her role as Denise Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show.' However, it has been a while since she last appeared on screen.

Getty Images

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Lisa Bonet -

Bonet has not made a formal announcement regarding her retirement from acting, yet she has been away from the screen since the short film 'Jellywolf' was released in 2017.

Getty Images

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Selma Blair -

The actress, who became known for such films as 'Cruel Intentions' (1999) and 'Legally Blonde' (2001), expressed her decision to retire from acting in her 2021 documentary 'Introducing, Selma Blair.'

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Selma Blair -

In 'Introducing Selma Blair,' she talked about her experience with multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, she also mentioned that she would consider returning to acting if a suitable opportunity arose.

Getty Images

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Matthew Fox -

The actor, who became famous for his roles on the popular TV shows 'Party of Five' and 'Lost,' has been retired since 'Lost' ended in 2010. He moved to Oregon to enjoy time flying his personal plane.

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Matthew Fox -

However, he did appear in a few movies from 2012 to 2015, and in 2022 he made a comeback to star in the miniseries 'Last Light.'

Getty Images

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Michael Caine -

Getty Images

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Michael Caine -

The original 'Alfie' (1966) has cried wolf about retirement quite a few times, but he assures fans that this time it is not a rehearsal. The final act is indeed here for the nonagenarian.

Sources: (Best Life) (Variety) (WhatCulture)

Getty Images

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