George Clooney, renowned actor and director, has made a significant shift in his career to prioritize his family, underscoring his decision with the focus keyword George Clooney career change. Since welcoming twins Alexander and Ella with Amal Clooney, George has chosen to step away from large studio films, opting for more personal and creatively fulfilling projects while embracing a quieter life in France.
George Clooney’s New Approach to Work and Family
In recent interviews, George Clooney made it clear that his priorities have changed since becoming a father. He emphasized that he’s stepping back from big-budget film projects to spend more time with his children, noting that future work will only be justified if it offers substantial creative satisfaction.
“I’m not going to be doing a whole lot of major studio kinds of films,”
George told Variety, further sharing,
“The films that I’m going to be working on for the most part are going to be smaller. If I’m going to go off and do something and be away from my kids, there has to be a real creative reason for it.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Financial concerns are no longer a driving factor in his choices, as Clooney plainly stated,
“Money isn’t an issue for me anymore.”
— George Clooney, actor. Instead, he feels grateful for being able to select roles that interest him, reflecting,
“Most of my successes were middle-of-the-road hits,”
George said,
“That’s lucky, because I was never typecast. I could do all kinds of things. I could do movies that were very serious, like Michael Clayton, and then do something wild like Burn After Reading.”
— George Clooney, actor. He added,
“It meant that once I couldn’t kiss the girl anymore, I could still have a career.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Settling in the French Countryside
Part of George Clooney’s career change involved relocating his family to rural France, away from Hollywood’s bustle. He shared insights about their new lifestyle:
“We live on a farm in France,”
he told Esquire.
“A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in.”
— George Clooney, actor. This environment offers a stark contrast to Los Angeles, which he worried would be a challenging place to raise children amid the Hollywood culture.
“They have a much better life,”
George explained.
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Relocation also protected the Clooney twins from the pressures of growing up in the spotlight.
“France—they kind of don’t give a s–t about fame,”
he remarked with a laugh.
“I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”
— George Clooney, actor. This sense of normalcy seems to be a primary motivation for choosing family and a peaceful home life over further Hollywood pursuits.
Other Celebrities Embracing Major Life Changes Outside Hollywood
George Clooney is far from alone in choosing a path led by personal fulfillment and family needs. Across the industry, numerous celebrities have stepped away from Hollywood prominence, either temporarily or permanently, redefining success and well-being in the process. The following are detailed accounts of other well-known figures making similar moves.
Ellen DeGeneres Leaves Show Business and Finds Peace in the English Countryside
Ellen DeGeneres, previously the face of daytime television, concluded her iconic talk show in 2022 after 19 seasons. Facing controversy over allegations of a toxic work environment and ensuing investigations, DeGeneres made her final standup special For Your Approval for Netflix in September 2024. During her last comedy tour, she told an audience,
“This is the last time you’re going to see me,”
and declared,
“After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
— Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host, comedian.
DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi relocated to the Cotswolds in the UK as of November 2024, a move motivated partly by the re-election of Donald Trump. The allure of rural English life resonated with Ellen, who expressed,
“Everything here is just better—the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here. We moved here in November, which was not the ideal time, but I saw snow for the first time in my life. We love it here. Portia flew her horses here, and I have chickens, and we had sheep for about two weeks.”
— Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host, comedian.
Tyra Banks Relocates to Australia for Business and Quality of Life
Tyra Banks, the well-known supermodel and America‘s Next Top Model host, shifted her focus to her Irish cream brand, SMiZE and Dream, resulting in significant time spent in Australia.
“So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream,”
Tyra explained,
“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, supermodel, entrepreneur. She added,
“The three countries that eat the most ice cream?”
she continued. America, New Zealand and Australia. With significant business opportunities and a welcoming culture, Banks settled in Australia with son York and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, stating,
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.”
— Tyra Banks, supermodel, entrepreneur.
Eva Longoria Divides Time Between Spain and Mexico
After years working in Los Angeles, Eva Longoria found the city’s atmosphere less appealing over time, intensified by the pandemic.
“I had my whole adult life here,”
Eva told Marie Claire,
“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, director. Longoria and her family now split their residency between Mexico and Spain, guided by new work commitments. She emphasized her privilege in having options and clarified,
“I didn’t leave because of the political environment,”
and instead explained her moves were dictated by professional projects in various locations.
Richard Gere Embraces Family Life in Madrid
Actor Richard Gere moved with his Spanish wife Alejandra Silva and their sons to Spain after years in the United States. He credited his wife’s patience and expressed excitement about the cultural benefits for their children.
“My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here,”
Richard said,
“And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.”
— Richard Gere, actor. With bilingual children and the added joy the family has discovered, Gere shared,
“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum,”
and described this period as the happiest time for them all. — Richard Gere, actor.
Christina Milian’s Parisian Move for Family and Education
Singer and actress Christina Milian left the United States for Paris, motivated by her husband Matt Pokora’s French roots and her desire for her children to experience education in France.
“My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years,”
Christina said.
“And for the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.”
— Christina Milian, singer, actress. Ultimately, the family settled permanently in France.
“They’re all going to school in Paris,”
she added.
“I was like, ‘What better than an opportunity than that?”
— Christina Milian, singer, actress. She reported her children are thriving, maintaining an active and balanced lifestyle while she works remotely.
Lindsay Lohan’s Life Abroad and Return to Work
Lindsay Lohan, once a constant figure in the tabloids during her time in Los Angeles, moved to both London and Dubai, partially to escape media scrutiny and rediscover peace.
“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 told Bustle.
“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 later married Bader Shammas and welcomed a son, continuing to work in film while living largely away from the Hollywood limelight.
Josh Hartnett Finds Value Beyond Hollywood in England
Josh Hartnett chose to leave Hollywood for England‘s Hampshire countryside, a decision driven by self-reflection and a desire for a more diverse life.
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind,”
Hartnett explained.
“If you’re around people who are constantly talking about the movie business, your life is going to be pretty much one note. And I’ve never wanted that.”
— Josh Hartnett, actor. He sought out new experiences to foster personal growth, noting,
“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. Raising a family has deepened this appreciation for the slower, meaningful pace of country living.
Jesse Eisenberg’s Low-Key Lifestyle in Indiana
Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg has lived part-time in Indiana for a decade, finding comfort far from Los Angeles.
“I’ve lived in Indiana for the last decade on-and-off,”
Jesse said.
“That’s where I feel the most comfortable. I’m not somebody who wants to surround myself in an industry that just feels kind of unstable to me.”
— Jesse Eisenberg, actor. Eisenberg relishes normalcy, a phone free of industry chatter, and a family life not centered on Hollywood, saying,
“I’m not on social media, and I’m not a person who’s on the phone with industry people all the time. 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’s Transition from Acting to Therapy
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bring It On actress Eliza Dushku Palandjian left Hollywood to pursue a new career path in mental health. By 2024, she had become certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“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,”
Dushku told Boston Magazine.
“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, therapist, former actress.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Move to Ireland for Safety and Reflection
Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland in early 2025 with her youngest child, Clay, motivated in part by the country’s ties to her heritage and recent political changes in the US. While adapting, she expressed missing her family and friends in America.
“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, actress.
Evangeline Lilly’s Indefinite Acting Hiatus
Ant-Man and the Wasp star Evangeline Lilly recently announced her decision to take an indefinite break from acting after a two-decade career.
“I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision,”
she posted.
“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 also left the door open for a possible return, noting,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
— Evangeline Lilly, actress.
Ian Somerhalder’s Climate Mission and Ranching Aspirations
After starring in Netflix’s V-Wars, Ian Somerhalder stepped away from acting to focus on climate change and regenerative farming.
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched,”
explained Ian.
“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, entrepreneur, environmentalist.
Jennette McCurdy’s Honest Break from Acting
Jennette McCurdy, best known for iCarly, openly discussed her complicated relationship with her past acting roles, stating she now prioritizes writing and directing.
“My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past,”
McCurdy revealed.
“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, podcaster, writer. Reflecting on her memoir’s healing impact, she said,
“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… 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, podcaster, writer.
Meghan Markle’s Royal Exit and New Creative Pursuits
Following in Grace Kelly’s footsteps, Meghan Markle transitioned from acting—leaving her Suits role and home in Toronto—to her royal partnership with Prince Harry. Even after stepping back from official royal duties and moving to Montecito, California, Markle has steadily returned to creative work, producing content for Netflix and developing her own podcasts and brand.
Cameron Diaz’s Break and Return to Film
After a prolific two-decade career with over 40 movies, Cameron Diaz took a break from acting following 2014’s Annie, citing a desire for personal growth and time away from the grind of filmmaking.
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life,”
Diaz told Gwyneth Paltrow.
“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, entrepreneur. She found renewed interest in wellness and family, but was eventually convinced by Jamie Foxx to return to the screen for the Netflix film Back in Action.
“We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again,’”
Jamie Foxx told E! News.
“We love her, we’ve been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic.”
— Jamie Foxx, actor.
Terrence Howard’s Ongoing Struggle with Retirement
Terrence Howard has repeatedly stated his intention to retire from acting, first after Empire and again while promoting The Best Man: The Final Chapters.
“Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
— Terrence Howard, actor. He felt fulfilled by his contributions to acting, saying,
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor… 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 declarations, Howard continues to work, illustrating the pull of creative work even amidst intentions to exit the spotlight.
Jack Gleeson’s Temporary Exit and Return to Acting
Jack Gleeson exited acting at age 21 after concluding his role as Joffrey in Game of Thrones, explaining,
“I’ve been acting since age 8,”
he said.
“I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.”
— Jack Gleeson, actor.
“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 continued.
“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. He returned after a six-year break, demonstrating that time away can reignite creative interest.
Phoebe Cates Prioritizes Family Over Fame
Phoebe Cates reduced her acting workload after she and fellow actor Kevin Kline decided to alternate working schedules to care for their children.
“We agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time,”
Kline revealed to Playboy.
“Whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
— Kevin Kline, actor. Cates now mostly devotes her time to running the Blue Tree boutique in New York City.
Rick Moranis’s Long Hiatus and Surprise Comeback
Rick Moranis famously stepped away from acting in the 1990s to raise his children alone following his wife’s passing. He maintained a low profile, even turning down a cameo in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot. Fans were recently delighted by news that he would return to the screen alongside Josh Gad in Disney’s Shrunk.
Leelee Sobieski’s Focus on Family and Art
Actress Leelee Sobieski—after becoming a mother—chose to leave acting, voicing discomfort with many film roles and a preference for home life.
“Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that,”
Sobieski told Vogue.
“It’s such a strange fire to play with, and our relationship is surely strong enough to handle it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there has to be something incredible on the other side.”
— Leelee Sobieski, former actress. She later emphasized,
“I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider,”
continuing,
“I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.”
— Leelee Sobieski, former actress.
Portia de Rossi Leaves Acting for Business Ventures
After a long acting career, Portia de Rossi sought new challenges in business, founding General Public, a consumer-art company.
“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,”
she explained on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“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, former actress.
Daniel Day-Lewis’s Retirement and Unexpected Return
After securing three Academy Awards, Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement in 2017. His representatives stated that he would no longer work as an actor and that neither he nor his agents would comment further. Fans were surprised when Focus Features revealed in October 2024 that Daniel would return for Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son Ronan Day-Lewis.
Bridgit Mendler’s Journey from Disney to Space Industry CEO
Bridgit Mendler took a break from acting after Good Luck Charlie to pursue higher education at MIT and Harvard Law School. She later became CEO of Northwood Space, a startup aiming to innovate satellite ground stations, demonstrating that some stars find satisfaction in entirely new fields, far from the Hollywood spotlight.
The Broader Impact of Celebrity Relocations and Career Shifts
The stories of George Clooney, Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria, and others illustrate a growing trend among celebrities to prioritize family, personal fulfillment, and privacy over traditional career trajectories. As society’s definitions of success evolve, these choices reflect changing attitudes toward fame, work-life balance, and the desire for authentic lives beyond public attention. George Clooney’s career change, motivated by devotion to his family and a need for creative satisfaction, is emblematic of this cultural shift. These moves are likely to inspire both industry peers and the wider public to rethink what truly matters, signaling an ongoing transformation in the entertainment world and beyond.
