More than a decade after relocating to Dubai, Lindsay Lohan shares the reasons behind her decision to leave the Hollywood spotlight for the privacy and normalcy she enjoys in the United Arab Emirates. She and her husband, Bader Shammas, along with their two-year-old son, Luai, have built a life far from the intrusions she faced during her early career in Los Angeles.
On a July 29 episode of Live With Kelly and Mark, Lindsay explained,
“It’s just far away from Hollywood, and I live a very normal life. There’s no worry of like, ‘I can’t go eat at this place ‘cause someone’s gonna take a picture of my son.’ I feel very safe.”
The 39-year-old emphasized how Dubai’s strict privacy regulations contribute to her comfort and security. She noted that, unlike in the U.S.,
“You can’t take a picture of someone else if you’re in a restaurant. You have to ask the person, which is a big difference from here.”
For Lindsay, “Privacy is key.”
A Glimpse into Lindsay’s Family Life and Parenting Moments
Lindsay Lohan has found balance between her personal and professional life while raising her young son in Dubai. Despite the peaceful environment, she still experiences the typical challenges of parenting. Speaking with E! News earlier in the month, she recounted a humorous moment with Luai:
“I have this thing, where I’m like, ‘Luai, don’t do that,’ and this morning before I was going to say it, he’s like, ‘Don’t do that, Luai,’ and looked at me and I was like, ‘Oh my god, he’s mocking me.’”
Her toddler’s energy keeps her active as well. Lindsay added,
“He runs! Fast, out of that house. He’s like, ‘Outside!’ Gone.”
Although she stars alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in the upcoming Freaky Friday sequel, she noted that her son isn’t at the stage to want to switch places with her:
“I’m not in that position with my son yet. He’s still a toddler.”
Since marrying Bader Shammas in 2022, Lindsay has continued to engage with film projects, including Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday, while maintaining a life that prioritizes privacy and family outside Hollywood’s glare.
Other Stars Leaving Hollywood for New Beginnings
Ellen DeGeneres’s Transition from Hollywood to England
After ending The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022 amid controversy surrounding the workplace atmosphere, Ellen returned to the spotlight with her Netflix standup special For Your Approval. During the tour leading up to its September 2024 release, she announced she planned to depart from Hollywood for good. Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to England in November 2024, motivated in part by political events following Donald Trump’s reelection. The talk show host expressed this decision during an interview with Richard Bacon in July 2025.
Tyra Banks Settles in Australia for Business and Family
Tyra Banks decided to move to Australia to support her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream. On an April 2025 episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, she explained that much of the ice cream production takes place in Australia, along with a strong market presence there and in New Zealand.
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family,”
Tyra remarked, reflecting on life with her son York, her boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, and ongoing business ventures.
Eva Longoria Divides Time Between Mexico and Spain After Leaving Los Angeles
Eva Longoria has distanced herself from Los Angeles after witnessing changes in the city’s environment, including rising homelessness and tax concerns. She told Marie Claire in November 2024,
“But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge.”
Together with her husband José Bastón and son Santiago, Eva splits her life between Mexico and Spain, as her work has taken her across those regions. Despite speculation, she clarified on The View’s Behind the Table podcast that her move was not politically motivated but rather professional. “I’m privileged,” she emphasized, recognizing the ability to relocate while others remain constrained. She continues with roles in projects such as Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.
Richard Gere Embraces Life in Spain with Family
Richard Gere relocated his family from Chicago to Spain, where his wife Alejandra Silva hails from Galicia. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024, he shared that they planned to spend several years in Madrid to support their young sons Alexander and James, who are bilingual. Gere expressed happiness with the move, stating, “We are happier than ever,” in an Elle España interview from January 2025, highlighting the positive impact the transition has had on his family.
Christina Milian’s Family Life Flourishes in Paris
Christina Milian chose to reside in Paris with her husband Matt Pokora to ensure their children receive French education. On The Jennifer Hudson Show in November 2024, she described commuting between the U.S. and France for years before fully settling.
“They’re all going to school in Paris,”
she said, appreciating the opportunity. Life in Paris provides a healthy balance between an active daytime lifestyle and night work obligations, which she finds fulfilling, as shared with E! later that year.
Josh Hartnett’s Move to the English Countryside for Family Focus
Josh Hartnett prioritized his family’s well-being by leaving Hollywood to settle in Hampshire, England. During a July 2024 interview with People, he explained,
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind. If you’re around people who are constantly talking about the movie business, your life is going to be pretty much one note.”
Hartnett, his wife Tamsin Egerton, and their four children embrace a lifestyle centered on diverse experiences beyond acting.
“To me, that’s the spice of life,”
he said, emphasizing the importance of growth outside the industry.
Jesse Eisenberg Finds Comfort Away from Hollywood Spotlight in Indiana
Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg has spent much of the last decade living in Indiana with his family. In a CBS News Sunday Morning interview from February 2025, he reflected on the unsettled nature of the industry and his preference for a quieter existence. Eisenberg noted that his wife, Anna Strout, works as a teacher and their son Banner has limited interest in films, underscoring his decision to separate his family life from Hollywood’s demands.
Eliza Dushku Palandjian’s Journey from Acting to Mental Health Healing
Former actress Eliza Dushku Palandjian disclosed her pivot towards psychedelic-assisted therapy certification and mental health work 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.”
She described this new path as a true calling filled with transformation and passion.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Relocation to Ireland Amid Political Concerns
In early 2025, Rosie O’Donnell moved to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay, while pursuing Irish citizenship due to her heritage. Though she misses her family and friends in the U.S., she voiced her hope for equal rights to be established in America before considering a return.
“I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country,”
she shared in a TikTok video.
Evangeline Lilly Takes a Break from Acting to Pursue Fulfillment
After 20 years in the industry, Evangeline Lilly announced an indefinite hiatus from acting in June 2024 via Instagram.
“I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision,”
she wrote, adding that stepping away from fame replaced fear with fulfillment. While uncertain about her permanent future in Hollywood, she said,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
Ian Somerhalder Focuses on Environmental and Family Priorities
Ian Somerhalder has shifted his focus away from acting to environmental advocacy and family life. He detailed launching regenerative agriculture projects and wellness businesses in a November 2023 interview with E! News.
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched,”
he said. Somerhalder envisions a future as a rancher and legacy brand creator, emphasizing soil health as central to his personal and professional mission.
Jennette McCurdy Pursues Writing and Directing Beyond Acting
Former actress Jennette McCurdy revealed in 2021 she had stepped away from acting to concentrate on writing, directing, and podcasting. Sharing her experience on Empty Inside and discussing her memoir, she admitted feeling regret and embarrassment over her past roles. Nevertheless, she cautiously expressed an openness to acting again if it aligns with her creative vision.
“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,”
she told E! News in October 2022.
Meghan Markle’s Shift from Hollywood to Royalty and Back
Meghan Markle transitioned from her acting career in Toronto to life as a member of the British royal family through marriage to Prince Harry. Following their step back from senior royal duties, the couple settled in Montecito, California, but Meghan has gradually resumed involvement in entertainment. Their multi-year Netflix deal has produced the docuseries Harry & Meghan and the lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, along with podcasts and a branded line called As Ever, blending philanthropy and media.
Cameron Diaz’s Break and Potential Return to Acting
After an intense career spanning more than 40 films, Cameron Diaz stepped back from acting following 2014’s Annie to focus on wellness, family, and authorship. She described the demanding nature of filmmaking in an InStyle interview as a reason for her break. Despite previously stating she didn’t miss performing, Jamie Foxx revealed to E! News in 2025 that Diaz agreed to star in the upcoming Netflix film Back in Action, much to fans’ delight.
Terrence Howard’s Announcement and Return to Screen
Terrence Howard initially declared he was finished with acting after completing his five-year role on Empire. He reaffirmed this stance in 2022 while promoting The Best Man: The Final Chapters, stating,
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor.”
Despite this, he has since taken roles in several projects, including Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley, with additional work forthcoming.
Jack Gleeson’s Sabbatical from Acting and Subsequent Return
After years playing King Joffrey in Game of Thrones, Jack Gleeson stepped away from acting in 2014, citing a loss of enjoyment and changes in his relationship to the profession. He described acting becoming work rather than a hobby, which altered his passion for it. However, in 2020, he returned to television with the BBC series Out of Her Mind and has since appeared in multiple film and TV projects.
Phoebe Cates Balances Family Life and Boutique Ownership
Phoebe Cates has largely stepped back from acting since marrying Kevin Kline and focusing on raising their children. They agreed early on to alternate careers to support their family. Cates devotes most of her time to running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City, with rare cameos, such as in 2001’s The Anniversary Party, while prioritizing parenting.
Rick Moranis’s Hiatus After Family Tragedy and Forthcoming Return
Following the death of his wife in 1991, Rick Moranis withdrew from acting to raise his children. Though he avoided film roles for decades, opting out even of cameos, he remains a beloved cultural figure. Fans were delighted to learn of his return alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot Shrunk, marking his first feature role since the late 1990s.
Leelee Sobieski’s Shift to Family and Artistic Pursuits
Leelee Sobieski stepped away from acting after marrying designer Adam Kimmel and raising their children. She expressed discomfort with the frequent intimate scenes in acting roles and chose to prioritize motherhood and art. She described herself as “totally an outsider” focused on her family and personal passions rather than the film industry.
Portia de Rossi’s Departure from Acting and Launch of New Ventures
Portia de Rossi moved away from acting after roles in Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, and Arrested Development, seeking new creative challenges. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, she said,
“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.”
She has since launched a consumer-art company, General Public, while maintaining occasional acting appearances.
Daniel Day-Lewis’s Retirement and Unexpected Return to Film
After winning three Academy Awards, Daniel Day-Lewis retired following his performance in Phantom Thread (2017), announcing he would no longer act. However, in October 2024, it was revealed he would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son Ronan Day-Lewis, marking a significant return to acting after a private hiatus.
Bridgit Mendler’s Academic Focus and Space Industry Ambitions
Former actress Bridgit Mendler stepped back from Hollywood in 2018 to pursue higher education, including a master’s and PhD from MIT and Harvard Law School. She also launched Northwood Space, a startup building satellite ground stations, becoming CEO in 2023. Mendler’s shift highlights a dedication to scientific innovation and leadership beyond entertainment.
