Amber Heard embraces her theater era post-Johnny Depp trial, sharing rehearsal moments as she prepares for a new role.
Amber Heard is returning to the stage in her first acting role since the widely-publicized Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial. Heard’s new performance in Jeremy O. Harris’ play Spirit of the People, set to premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in July, marks her comeback after years spent focusing on family and rebuilding her life outside the courtroom spotlight.
Heard’s Theatrical Comeback After the Legal Battle
Amber Heard is set to co-star with Brandon Flynn in Spirit of the People, under the direction of Jeremy O. Harris. The rehearsal process offered her a chance to reconnect with acting, launching a new chapter following her tumultuous legal history with Johnny Depp. She commemorated this milestone by posting a rehearsal photo with Harris on Instagram, captioned, “In my theatre era.”
This return comes three years after Heard and Depp faced each other in court, culminating in her being found liable for defamation. In the aftermath, Heard chose to step back from the limelight and concentrated on her daughter Oonagh Paige and, most recently, her newborn twins Ocean and Agnes.
Motherhood and a Fresh Perspective
Following the exhaustion and scrutiny of the trial, Amber Heard prioritized being a mother, distancing herself from legal battles and public controversy. In June 2022, she told Today’s Savannah Guthrie,
Image of: Johnny Depp
“I get to be a mom full time,”
—Amber Heard, Actress
and described how life changed once legal discussions were no longer central, adding,
“where I’m not having to juggle calls with lawyers.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Reflecting on the impact of the courtroomepisode on her children’s future understanding, she said,
“I think no matter what, it will mean something,”
—Amber Heard, Actress
and affirmed her sense of self-assurance in her decisions, stating,
“I did the right thing. I did everything I could to stand up for myself and the truth.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Johnny Depp, in turn, shared his regret over their relationship, revealing he felt like a “sucker” for falling in love with Heard in light of his upbringing.
Building a New Life Away From America
Leaving behind the controversy in the United States, Heard relocated to Madrid with her daughter Oonagh, aiming for a more peaceful environment. Expressing her affection for her new home, Heard said in Spanish during a TikTok appearance in May 2023,
“I hope so. Yes, I love living here.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Heard has since expanded her family, recently welcoming twins Agnes and Ocean. She celebrated this new chapter on social media, sharing her pride and joy,
“Mother’s Day 2025 will be one I’ll never forget,”
—Amber Heard, Actress
and continued,
“This year I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I’ve strived to build for years. Today I officially share the news that I welcomed twins into the Heard gang. My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Heard reminisced about her first experiences as a parent, recalling,
“When I had my first baby girl Oonagh four years ago, my world changed forever,”
—Amber Heard, Actress
She noted how her happiness has multiplied, saying,
“I thought I couldn’t possibly burst with more joy. Well, now I am bursting times three!!! Becoming a mother by myself and on my own terms despite my own fertility challenges has been the most humbling experience of my life.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Opening up about the challenges of public attention on her personal life, Heard explained her internal struggle,
“A part of me wants to uphold that my private life is none of anyone’s business,”
—Amber Heard, Actress
and acknowledged,
“I also get that the nature of my job compels me to take control of this.”
—Amber Heard, Actress
Hollywood Stars Seeking Quieter Lives
Much like Amber Heard, several other celebrities have chosen to step away from the Hollywood spotlight, seeking tranquility or fulfillment in other parts of the world or new careers. Their decisions often stemmed from personal circumstances, evolving priorities, or the search for well-being beyond fame.
Ellen DeGeneres Finds New Beginnings Abroad
Ellen DeGeneres concluded her remarkable run on daytime television in 2022, ending The Ellen DeGeneres Show after 19 seasons following internal investigations and executive changes prompted by allegations regarding workplace environment. Ahead of her final standup special, For Your Approval on Netflix in September 2024, she informed audiences,
“This is the last time you’re going to see me,”
—Ellen DeGeneres, Host
and declared,
“After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
—Ellen DeGeneres, Host
Ellen and Portia de Rossi later moved to England, with reports suggesting the decision was influenced by the 2024 U.S. election outcome, even though the couple has not publicly commented on the matter.
Tyra Banks’ Business-Driven Journey to Australia
Tyra Banks, the famed host of America’s Next Top Model, chose a new home in Australia to expand her ice cream company SMiZE and Dream. On Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, she shared,
“So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream,”
—Tyra Banks, Model and Entrepreneur
explaining her frequent visits due to business operations in Australia. She added,
“But we’ve been more what we call B2B, like on an airplane and on cruises. I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in a big facility doing our recipes. And I just fell in love with it every time I went back and went back.”
—Tyra Banks, Model and Entrepreneur
Highlighting local affinity for ice cream, Tyra listed,
“The three countries that eat the most ice cream?”
—Tyra Banks, Model and Entrepreneur
as America, New Zealand, and Australia. She moved to Australia with her son York, noting,
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.”
—Tyra Banks, Model and Entrepreneur
Eva Longoria Embraces Life in Mexico and Spain
Eva Longoria, previously synonymous with Los Angeles, now divides her time between Mexico and Spain with her family. In November 2024, Longoria described her experience,
“I had my whole adult life here,”
—Eva Longoria, Actress
but observed that changes in the city and the COVID-19 pandemic influenced her decision. She said,
“But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether it’s the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s–t on California—it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.”
—Eva Longoria, Actress
The move was not motivated by politics, as Longoria explained on The View: Behind the Table podcast,
“I didn’t leave because of the political environment,”
—Eva Longoria, Actress
She credited her busy acting and directing career, including work on the series Land of Women and Searching for Mexico, as reasons for settling abroad.
Richard Gere Finds Happiness in Spain
Richard Gere moved from Chicago to Spain to honor his wife Alejandra Silva’s roots in Galicia. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024, Gere recounted,
“My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here,”
—Richard Gere, Actor
and added,
“And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.”
—Richard Gere, Actor
His children, Alexander and James, have benefited from the experience, with Gere reflecting,
“so they’re going to flourish there.”
—Richard Gere, Actor
According to a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere expressed,
“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum,”
—Richard Gere, Actor
and said, “We are happier than ever.”
Christina Milian’s Parisian Adventure
Christina Milian’s family relocated to Paris for personal and educational reasons. On The Jennifer Hudson Show in November 2024, she explained,
“My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years,”
—Christina Milian, Singer
and described their transition to Europe,
“And for the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.”
—Christina Milian, Singer
Milian’s children, including Violet, Isaiah, and Kenna, are now enrolled in school in Paris. She stated,
“They’re all going to school in Paris,”
—Christina Milian, Singer
Recognizing the benefits, she shared with E! in December 2024,
“They know French. We go to the park. I have an active lifestyle that’s really nice during the day. Then at night time, I do my work because I work hours ahead. It’s a nice, healthy balance for me.”
—Christina Milian, Singer
Lindsay Lohan Leaves U.S. Limelight for Dubai
Lindsay Lohan addressed rumors surrounding her move from Los Angeles, recalling the challenges of her early fame. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she said,
“I feel like some of [my work] got overshadowed by paparazzi and all that kind of stuff when I was younger, and that’s kind of annoying,”
—Lindsay Lohan, Actress
and continued,
“I wish that part didn’t happen. I feel like that kind of took on a life of its own. So that’s why I wanted to disappear. I was like, ‘Unless there’s no story here, they’re not going to focus on just my work.’”
—Lindsay Lohan, Actress
Lohan’s travels brought her to London and Dubai, where she found personal stability and eventually love with Bader Shammas. Their marriage in 2022 and the birth of their son Luai marked the start of a new period, though Lohan continues to work internationally, appearing in multiple film projects.
Josh Hartnett Finds Fulfillment in England’s Countryside
Josh Hartnett decided to leave Hollywood after realizing he wanted a more diverse life. In July 2024, Hartnett told People,
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind,”
—Josh Hartnett, Actor
preferring environments less focused on the movie industry. He described his desire to grow,
“I’ve always wanted to be around … people generally doing lots of other things that would bring my mind off of my work and force me to grow in different directions,”
—Josh Hartnett, Actor
With wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, Hartnett found meaning in a quieter daily life in Hampshire. He told The Guardian in July 2024,
“With four children, you have so much to do. In a way, less is happening. But more of the important stuff is happening.”
—Josh Hartnett, Actor
Jesse Eisenberg Chooses the Midwest Over Hollywood
Jesse Eisenberg, star of A Real Pain, has lived in Indiana on and off for a decade, away from Los Angeles. He explained to CBS News Sunday Morning in February 2025,
“I’ve lived in Indiana for the last decade on-and-off,”
—Jesse Eisenberg, Actor
valuing stability over industry pressure. Eisenberg leads a low-key life with wife Anna Strout and their son. He observed,
“I’m not on social media, and I’m not a person who’s on the phone with industry people all the time,”
—Jesse Eisenberg, Actor
adding,
“So, my life feels pretty separate. My wife is a teacher. My kid doesn’t really even watch movies. So, I’m not like knee-deep in the world of constantly trying to assess my own status in an industry.”
—Jesse Eisenberg, Actor
Eliza Dushku Palandjian Pursues a Therapeutic Path
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku Palandjian shifted careers to become certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy. In September 2024, she told Boston Magazine,
“I had the means to shift directions and choose a course in my life that focused on healing myself so that I could help heal others,”
—Eliza Dushku Palandjian, Mental Health Professional
expressing devotion to her practice,
“I would be remiss if I didn’t now share the transformation and the peace and the passion that I have. This is just absolutely so clearly my real calling, my real purpose.”
—Eliza Dushku Palandjian, Mental Health Professional
Rosie O’Donnell Builds a New Home in Ireland
Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her youngest child, Clay. Citing political developments as a reason for her move, O’Donnell nonetheless remains connected to the United States. She shared in a TikTok video,
“I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in in this beautiful country. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
—Rosie O’Donnell, Comedian and Actress
Evangeline Lilly Prioritizes Fulfillment Over Fame
Evangeline Lilly, star of Ant-Man and the Wasp, announced an indefinite break from acting after two decades. In June 2024 via Instagram, Lilly said,
“I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision,”
—Evangeline Lilly, Actress
and shared gratitude for living her new purpose,
“I feel so grateful for my blessings. 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.”
—Evangeline Lilly, Actress
She left open the possibility of returning, stating,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
—Evangeline Lilly, Actress
Ian Somerhalder’s Environmental Focus
Former Vampire Diaries actor Ian Somerhalder redirected his efforts into environmental activism and family life. Speaking to E! News in November 2023, Somerhalder shared,
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched,”
—Ian Somerhalder, Actor and Entrepreneur
referring to his work on documentaries about regenerative farming. Looking ahead, he predicted,
“I will be a rancher and building legacy brands, whether it’s my bourbon or my health and wellness company, and the regenerative agriculture and healthy soil management practices that I live by and our family lives by. That’s where my life was going. So when people say ‘Why do you care?’ That’s why I care. Because that’s who I am, that’s what I’m going to become.”
—Ian Somerhalder, Actor and Entrepreneur
Jennette McCurdy’s Creative Redirection
Jennette McCurdy, known for her time on iCarly, stopped acting several years ago and now focuses on writing and podcasting. On the podcast Empty Inside in February 2021, she revealed,
“My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past,”
—Jennette McCurdy, Writer
and expressed mixed emotions about her acting career,
“I resent my career in a lot of ways. I feel so unfulfilled by the roles that I played and felt like it was the most cheesy, embarrassing. I did the shows that I was on from like 13 to 21, and by 15, I was already embarrassed. My friends at 15, they’re not like, ‘Oh, cool, you’re on this Nickelodeon show.’ It was embarrassing.”
—Jennette McCurdy, Writer
However, McCurdy has not closed the door on returning to acting, telling E! News in October 2022,
“I do feel like only through writing the book have I gotten to a place where I think there might be a way of exploring acting that doesn’t carry that baggage that I carried with me for so long,”
—Jennette McCurdy, Writer
and envisioned,
“Maybe if I write something for myself. I think that’d really be maybe one of the only ways I could kind of try exploring it again.”
—Jennette McCurdy, Writer
Meghan Markle Steps Into Philanthropy and Media
Meghan Markle, following the footsteps of Grace Kelly, left behind her acting career and home in Toronto after marrying Prince Harry. She now devotes herself to philanthropy and media, producing shows for Netflix, launching her own brand As Ever, and releasing the lifestyle show With Love, Meghan in 2025. Transitioning from life on Suits and The Firm, Meghan and Prince Harry now live in Montecito, balancing public commitments with a more private family life.
Cameron Diaz Reconsiders Retirement for a New Project
After an impressive filmography including The Mask and Annie, Cameron Diaz retired from acting to focus on her personal well-being and family. Speaking to Gwyneth Paltrow, she explained her reasons,
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life,”
—Cameron Diaz, Actress
and shed light on the demanding nature of film sets,
“I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind. When you’re making a movie—it’s a perfect excuse—they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else.”
—Cameron Diaz, Actress
Although she found fulfillment in writing and family, Jamie Foxx convinced her to join the cast of Netflix’s Back in Action, revealing,
“We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again,’”
—Jamie Foxx, Actor
and cheered her return:
“We love her, we’ve been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic.”
—Jamie Foxx, Actor
Terrence Howard Makes Another Exit From Acting
Terrence Howard, after completing his role in Empire, publicly declared his intention to retire. When interviewed by Extra in 2019, he said,
“Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
—Terrence Howard, Actor
In 2022, Howard repeated his retirement announcement, telling ET,
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor,”
—Terrence Howard, Actor
and emphasized,
“Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.”
—Terrence Howard, Actor
Despite these statements, he continues to appear in new projects, including Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley.
Jack Gleeson Takes a Break Then Returns to Acting
Jack Gleeson, famous for his performance as King Joffrey on Game of Thrones, stepped back from acting after the show. Gleeson told Entertainment Weekly,
“I’ve been acting since age 8,”
—Jack Gleeson, Actor
and shared his reasons,
“I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.”
—Jack Gleeson, Actor
He reflected on the transition to acting as a full-time profession,
“Now there’s the prospect of doing it for a living, whereas up until now it was always something I did for recreation with my friends, or in the summer for some fun,”
—Jack Gleeson, Actor
and concluded,
“I enjoyed it. When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.”
—Jack Gleeson, Actor
After several years away, Gleeson returned in 2020 for BBC’s Out of Her Mind and has since taken on additional TV and film roles.
Phoebe Cates Emphasizes Family Over Hollywood
Phoebe Cates left mainstream acting to focus on raising her children and supporting her husband Kevin Kline’s career. Kline, in an interview with Playboy, described their arrangement,
“agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time,”
—Kevin Kline, Actor
He added,
“whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
—Kevin Kline, Actor
Cates has also embraced life as a business owner, running her boutique Blue Tree in New York City and making only rare cameo appearances in film.
Rick Moranis Plans His Return to Movies
Rick Moranis, beloved for Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, exited the film industry in the early 1990s after his wife passed away, to raise their children. Although he declined to cameo in later reboots, Moranis is returning to the screen in Disney’s upcoming Shrunk alongside Josh Gad, delighting longtime fans.
Leelee Sobieski Chooses Family and Art Over Hollywood
Leelee Sobieski explained to Vogue her reasons for stepping back,
“Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that,”
—Leelee Sobieski, Actress
and delved into her personal boundaries and family focus after marriage and motherhood, telling Us Weekly,
“I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider,”
—Leelee Sobieski, Actress
and added,
“I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.”
—Leelee Sobieski, Actress
Portia de Rossi Pursues Business Over Acting
Portia de Rossi reevaluated her career path after roles in projects like Ally McBeal and Arrested Development. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, she shared,
“I was approaching 45 and I just kind of…was wondering is there something that I could tackle now that I’ve never done before that would be really challenging and different,”
—Portia de Rossi, Entrepreneur
She reflected on her future and desire for new challenges,
“I kind of knew what acting would look like for me for the next 10, 20 years, so I decided to quit and start a business.”
—Portia de Rossi, Entrepreneur
She continued her collaboration with Arrested Development’s creator, explaining,
“I called Mitch Hurwitz, who’s the creator of Arrested Development and I said, ‘If there is a season 5, I won’t be doing it because I quit acting. And he seemed really understanding and he totally got it. We had a great conversation, and then he wrote me into five episodes.”
—Portia de Rossi, Entrepreneur
Daniel Day-Lewis Announces Retirement, Then Returns to Film
After earning a record three Academy Awards, Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement following Phantom Thread in 2017. A statement from his representative read,
“will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”
—Representative for Daniel Day-Lewis
Surprisingly, Day-Lewis is set to return, starring and co-writing the film Anemone with his son Ronan Day-Lewis, marking a new chapter in his storied career.
Bridgit Mendler Transitions to Science and Leadership
Bridgit Mendler, former star of Good Luck Charlie, shifted her focus from entertainment to academics, earning advanced degrees from MIT and Harvard Law School. She later became CEO of her company, Northwood Space, which is dedicated to advancing satellite communication technology. Mendler’s journey illustrates the growing trend of former stars making notable contributions in fields beyond entertainment.
Impact of Celebrity Life Changes on American Pop Culture
The shift of public figures like Amber Heard, Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, Richard Gere, and others toward quieter, purpose-driven lives reflects evolving attitudes toward fame, personal well-being, and societal contribution. As actors and entertainers redefine their careers and personal journeys—often seeking peace, family balance, or entirely new professional paths—their stories offer insight into the effects of public scrutiny, the lasting echoes of events like the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial update, and the complex relationship between celebrity and identity. With each new announcement of a high-profile life change, audiences are reminded that behind the screen personas are individuals striving for meaning in powerful, often overwhelming, ways that resonate far beyond Hollywood.
