These Celebrities Now Work Regular 9 To 5 Jobs

Celebrities come and go, with some making their entire careers in front of the cameras. What about when things start to dry up? How about having enough of the attention and fame and wanting something different in life?

The celebrities who now work nine-to-five jobs have decided to leave the life of flashing lights and cameras in their past as they completely changed their lives. Still, just because some stars have opted to change everything doesn’t mean they have struggled to get their new careers off the ground.

Frankie Muniz swapped his career in the limelight for a racing career

For years, it was tough to turn anywhere without seeing Frankie Muniz and his latest project. The actor rose to fame as the leading face in the sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ and it wasn’t long before he was one of the most bankable teens in Hollywood. Muniz’s string of successful movies certainly helped his case.

However, in 2008 that all changed as Muniz decided it was time to make a new career for himself. This time, it was behind the wheel of a car as an open-wheel racer. Over the years, Muniz has competed in the likes of the Atlantic Championship and the ARCA Menards Series, showing he certainly knew how to make the switch.

Jeff Cohen put his “Truffle Shuffle” days behind him to open his own law firm

Plenty of actors make a huge impact on Hollywood from a young age. That was certainly the case for Jeff Cohen, who was one of the leading faces in Steven Spielberg’s adventure comedy movie ‘The Goonies.’ Here, Jeff was the one to bring Chunk to life, aka the one we have to thank for the “Truffle Shuffle.”

While things could have only grown bigger for Jeff - and seen him follow in his co-stars’ footsteps - he decided to quit acting at a young age and spend his time working on his legal degree instead. After graduating from the UCLA School of Law, Jeff went on to work as a lawyer before founding the law firm Cohen & Gardner.

Jennifer Stone no longer acts as her diagnosis inspired her to become an ER nurse

The sitcom ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ was the very show that helped Selena Gomez become the household name she is today. However, she wasn’t the only star, with Jennifer Stone cast as Harper Finkle throughout the show’s run. For years, we saw Jennifer put her acting skills to the test, but that all changed after one specific diagnosis.

Jennifer learned she was living with Type 1 diabetes and decided to become a nurse. The former actress told Beyond Type 1 that he “found a balance” and now wants to “inspire other people” and “help make this world a more receptive place” for diabetes. Thankfully, Jennifer’s wish came true in 2019 when she graduated with a nursing degree.

Karyn Parsons launched her own non-profit to teach children about African American history

There are sitcoms, and then there’s ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ The show dominated much of the ‘90s and saw the leading cast become overnight stars. That was the case for Karyn Parsons, who brought Hilary Banks to life throughout the show. Although she continued to act, Karyn’s non-profit - Sweet Blackberry - saw a change of career.

The company aims to teach youngsters about inspiring African Americans, with Karyn launching the organization after learning about Henry Brown from her mother. Having not known about his incredible story, Karyn wrote a children’s book about it all, and it quickly launched a storytelling career Karyn never saw coming but has thrived in ever since.

Angus T. Jones was outspoken about leaving Hollywood before teaming up with P. Diddy’s son

Although the sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men’ helped to launch Angus T. Jones’ acting career, he later hit the headlines once more when he spoke out against the show - including his harsh thoughts on it all. He later backpedaled, but it seems Angus used it as a chance to entirely change his career once and for all.

All it took was teaming up with P. Diddy’s son - Justin Combs - and Angus had everything he wanted. Apparently, the former actor graduated from UCLA with a business degree and several ideas. When Justin decided to team up with Kene Ojioke to launch a multimedia and event production company, Angus was immediately onboard and a vital part of Tonite.

Taran Noah Smith knew he didn’t want to act but had no idea he would join SpaceX

Several people made their way through the sitcom ‘Home Improvement’ over the years, but if there was one family who was there to stay, it was the Taylors. Mark Taylor was one of the many, with the character brought to life by Taran Noah Smith, who joined the cast when he was just seven years old.

Sadly, Taran later admitted the show meant he never had a chance to decide what he wanted to do with his life. All Taran knew was he didn’t want to act, so he created a non-dairy cheese restaurant and manufacturer, Playfood. As well as teaching people how to pilot submarines, Taran even joined SpaceX as an integration technician in 2022.

Andrea Barber left acting for years to help her with her former high school’s international programs

Even though she had a major role in the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives,’ it wasn’t until Andrea Barber landed the part of Kimmy Gibbler in the sitcom ‘Full House’ that her acting career really started to take off. Initially, Andrea was meant to have a recurring role, but she was soon a part of the main cast.

She was a child when on the show, with Andrea deciding she wanted to do more with life when ‘Full House’ ended. That’s where she earned her English degree and started working with her former high school as the assistant to the director of its Office of International Programs. Of course, Andrea made her Hollywood return with ‘Fuller House.’

Erik von Detten found another opportunity with a finance company when his acting slowed down

Have you ever thought about the voice behind Sid in the animated movie ‘Toy Story’? That title goes to none other than former Hollywood heartthrob Erik von Detten. This was far from his only role, with Erik also landing parts in the likes of the comedy ‘The Princess Diaries’ and the fantasy adventure ‘Escape to Witch Mountain.’

Right now, Erik’s final acting credit is from 2010, but apparently, that wasn’t by chance. The former actor told E! News that his acting career was starting to “slow down” around the same time he was offered another opportunity. Erik took the role at 25 years old and has been with “a company working in finance” ever since.

Clayton Snyder was happy to leave acting behind for a career in real estate

Plenty of people might have to do a double-take if they saw Ethan Craft trying to sell them a house. That’s not some fever dream - it might just be a reality. For years, Clayton Snyder was the one to bring Lizzie McGuire’s ultimate crush to life, but the show just wasn’t what dreams were made of for the actor.

Clayton admitted to E! News that he was glad when the sitcom ended as he was entering high school and wanted to focus on water polo. His time as an athlete wasn’t to last, but Clayton has since found success working in real estate across Los Angeles. Apparently, his former career does come up, but thankfully, doesn’t affect Clayton’s career.

Tiffany does still dabble in music but is more focused on running her new clothing boutique

Plenty of musicians have made a name for themselves without even bothering with a surname. Tiffany is certainly one on the list, with the singer really hitting the big time in the 1980s with her song ‘I Think We’re Alone Now.’ Still, Tiffany has opted to pick back up on her surname - now going by Tiffany Darwish.

Why? It was the perfect change when creating her vintage clothes store, Tiffany’s Boutique. The former musician admitted to the New York Daily News that she was inspired to open her Nashville store after years of being a “shopaholic as a teenager.” Although she still dabbles in the music industry, Tiffany is now more focused on her new dream.

Carrie Henn started and finished her acting career with Aliens before moving on to her dream job

James Cameron has brought a host of incredible movies to life throughout his career, including the sci-fi hit ‘Aliens.’ Carrie Henn was just 12 years old when she was cast as Newt in the movie, but it was enough to see her acting career develop overnight. After all, the young actress soon has a host of awards to her name.

Amazingly, ‘Aliens’ marked the beginning and end of her acting career. Instead, Carre decided to move back to the US and work on her career in education. Apparently, she had always dreamed of being a teacher and later admitted she would miss the classroom if she returned to acting. Thankfully, Carrie was at the movie’s 30th anniversary at Comic Con.

Kal Penn had to pause his acting career when he went into politics

Everyone knows Kal Penn through various aspects of his career. While some recognize the actor through his time in the medical drama ‘House,’ others know Kal from his time as Kumar Patel in the comedy ‘Harold & Kumar’ film franchise or as Seth Wright in the political drama show ‘Designated Survivor.’ Then, there are the ones who know his later career.

Kal Penn decided to break away from Hollywood around 2009 as he joined the White House, working for former President of the United States Barack Obama. Here, Kal got to build quite the political career for himself, but that wasn’t the end. It turns out the actor has also returned to our screens a handful of times since.

Maia Brewton got all her acting out the way for a life as an attorney

Few stars can say they have appeared in as many big-name hits at a young age as Maia Brewston. The star earned plenty of fame in the late-’80s and early-’90s with roles in the likes of the sci-fi action movie ‘Back to the Future,’ the comedy movie ‘Adventures in Babysitting,’ and the sitcom ‘Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.’

Apparently, appearing in so many big hits at a young age was enough to see Maia look for a new career in her teenage years. Amazingly, she was accepted into Yale University, where she was a part of various societies and groups. After graduating with her new degree, Maia has been working as an attorney ever since.

Ross Bagley decided to swap his life as a child actor for one in real estate

It takes a lot for child actors to stand out from the crowd, but it didn’t take long for Ross Bagley to do just that. Thankfully, the star got to learn from the best when he brought Nicky Banks to life in the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ before appearing in the comedy short films ‘The Little Rascals.’

Amazingly, Ross even teamed back up with his former co-star Will Smith when they worked on the sci-fi action movie ‘Independence Day,’ but the actor’s time in the limelight wasn’t to last. That doesn’t mean things have been a struggle in the years since. Instead, Ross has been working on his real estate career in recent years.

Rick Moranis had to take a break from working to raise his children after losing his wife

The 1980s and ‘90s would be nothing without Rick Moranis. The actor was in some of the biggest movies of the decades, including the supernatural comedy ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise, the horror comedy ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ the sci-fi comedy ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,’ and even the comedy ‘The Flintstones.’ Sadly, that all changed in 1997.

Rick had been married to Ann since 1986, but she tragically lost her life to cancer in 1991. The actor tried to continue working but ultimately admitted he needed to take a step back to work as a single parent. The break got longer, with Rick admitting he didn’t miss it, but thankfully, he made his big return in 2020.

Lucas Babin thought acting was too uncertain and settled on a life in law instead

The early ‘00s were an amazing time to be alive when it came to movies. After all, it was 2003 that gave us the comedy movie ‘School of Rock,’ a role that many argue is Jack Black’s greatest of all time. Of course, the nature of the film meant there were plenty of other characters, including the shirtless Spider.

Lucas Babin was the one behind the character, but he’s since swapped it all for law. Working as a Criminal District Attorney in Texas is one thing, but Lucas was once bringing home over $7,000 a day as a model. He eventually decided to give acting a go before realizing it was too uncertain and turning to law.

Kevin Jonas used his break from the Jonas Brothers to work on his contractor business

Okay, he might not have entirely left Hollywood, but there was a time that Kevin Jonas took a break from the limelight to work on his other business ventures. Fans across the world were left heartbroken in 2013 when news broke that the Jonas Brothers had split up. While Nick and Joe worked on other music, Kevin switched things up.

During the band’s break, Kevin decided to find work as a contractor, telling the New York Daily News that he always “looked at everything I do as a business.” Apparently, the musician loves “to get my hands dirty” and decided to start JonasWerner Homes. The business specializes in “custom built homes” before Kevin and his brothers reformed the Jonas Brothers.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas always knew he wanted to step away from acting to be more private

Plenty of ‘Home Improvement’ stars were just children when they got their big break in the sitcom. It was certainly enough for Jonathan Taylor Thomas - who played Randy Taylor in the show - to become an overnight star and child heartthrob throughout the ‘90s, but he was always open about how it would end at some point.

Jonathan spoke about how he always felt like he was trying to please everyone and was worried about how other child stars ended up. Instead, after a successful acting career, Jonathan stepped away to work on his studies, learn about filmmaking, and be more private. It wasn’t until the sitcom ‘Last Man Standing’ that we saw Jonathan again in 2013.

Teddy Dunn ultimately decided the field of law was more his vibe than acting

Believe it or not, but it was his time acting in school that inspired Teddy Dune to pursue a career in Hollywood. The star quickly landed a handful of roles, such as his part as Duncan Kane in the first season of the mystery drama show ‘Veronica Mars.’ From there, Teddy continued to act in a handful of guest appearances.

Teddy’s final acting credit came in 2009, but it was then he decided to focus on a new career. The former actor graduated with his law degree in 2013 and has been working in the field ever since. For two years, Teddy worked in NYC as a law clerk and landed a role as an assistant US attorney in 2020.

Danny Lloyd had no idea what he was acting in before he became a biology professor

For years, director Stanley Kubrick was the one to watch as the Hollywood director brought a host of memorable movies to life. Perhaps the most famous of them all was the horror ‘The Shining,’ with Danny Lloyd landing a part in it all when he was just six years old. Apparently, Danny didn’t even know it was a horror.

Instead, the former actor revealed he thought they were making a drama movie all about a family living in a hotel, with it now being his only major acting role. In 2004, everything changed when Danny landed a role as an associate biology professor at a college in Kentucky, a career he appears to have enjoyed ever since.

Mara Wilson realized acting made her become too much of a perfectionist

The comedy-drama ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ was enough to shoot Mara Wilson to fame, but appearing as the lead in the fantasy comedy ‘Matilda’ three years later really saw her become a household name. So where did she go? Apparently, being a child star led Mara to become “more of a perfectionist,” according to her interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Instead of continuing her rise into Hollywood, Mara opted for a complete career change after being diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and panic disorder at 12 years old. Now, Mara mainly works as a writer, but she has made a handful of appearances on nostalgic shows and in voiceover roles and released a book titled ‘Where Am I Now?’

Angelina Pivarnick gave up her reality TV show fame for a career as an EMT

Love them or hate them, reality shows are bigger than ever before and have seen plenty of people rise to incredible levels of fame. Angelina Pivarnick was one of the original members of ‘Jersey Shore’ before returning to the franchise years later in ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.’ The franchise wasn't her only brush with fame.

Angelina also appeared in the reality show ‘Couples Therapy,’ but it was after leaving ‘Jersey Shore’ that she looked for another career. Angelina worked as a registered emergency medical technician with the fire department in Staten Island. However, in 2020, Angelina settled in a lawsuit with a former lieutenant after accusing them of inappropriate behavior.

Lark Voorhies dabbled in writing after rising to fame as a teen actress

Did you know that Lark Voorhies and many of her co-stars actually got their start in the Disney teen sitcom ‘Good Morning, Miss Bliss’? That’s right; the network was behind the show before it was dropped and picked up by NBC, eventually becoming the ‘Saved By The Bell’ that so many of us know and love.

Here, lark was the one behind Lisa Marie Turtle, a role that she played until 1993. Although she continued to act, Lark eventually turned to music. After appearing in several music videos, the star joined a group called X-Girls - later renamed Geneva - before switching things up once again and becoming a self-published author of three different novels.

Jon Gosselin left the world of reality TV behind him after divorcing his wife

The reality show ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8’ certainly got plenty of people talking as the parents welcomed sextuplets and twins, leading to quite the hectic household. However, Jon Gosselin eventually walked away from the show when he and Kate divorced, with the star preferring a quieter life to his ex-wife, who continued the show as ‘Kate Plus 8.’

While working as a DJ, Jon also worked as a chef at T.G.I. Fridays, admitting to ET, it was because “I like to cook.” Sadly, Jon had to allegedly quit when someone sold a photo of him working to TMZ. In the years since, the former star has worked as an exotic dancer, in IT, and with Amazon.

Peter Ostrum quit acting after one incredible role to become a vet

What happens when you star in one of the most recognized and beloved movies of all time? That was the case for Peter Ostrum when he appeared in 1971’s fantasy musical ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.’ However, no one expected Peter’s breakout role to be his last. In fact, he turned down a three-movie contract when filming was done.

Apparently, Peter was just 12 years old when he signed up for the film and instantly fell in love with the family’s horses when he returned home, especially the veterinarian who cared for them. Peter decided this was what he needed to do, eventually earning his own veterinarian degree in 1984 and has been working in the field ever since.

Jerry Mathers appeared in every episode of his show but wanted to focus on his school not acting

You might have to cast your mind back several decades to remember what made Jerry Mathers so famous. The star began his acting career when he was a mere two years old, but it was landing a leading role in the sitcom ‘Leave It to Beaver’ that really made Jerry a household name. After all, he played Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver.

Apparently, Jerry got the role when he told the producers he would rather be at his Cub Scout meeting than the audition, something they loved. Jerry appeared in all 234 episodes but retired from acting as a teenager to focus on school. From there, he joined the US Military, eventually working in real estate and as a radio DJ.

Kay Panabaker heard a comment she hated, so swapped acting for a life as a zookeeper

Often acting alongside her sister meant Kay Panabaker always had someone by her side. It didn’t take long for the star to get her big break in 2009 when she appeared in the reboot of the musical drama movie ‘Fame.’ Away from this, Kay also acted in the drama series ‘Summerland’ and the sci-fi comedy ‘Phil of the Future.’

Sadly, it was one comment in particular that saw Kay walk away from Hollywood. The former actress admitted a producer told the youngster she needed to lose weight as her character was about to get a love interest - and she was done. Eventually, Kay earned her zoology degree and has been working as a zoo keeper - and loving it - since.

Brittany Ashton Holmes was more than ready to leave her acting career in the past

The name Brittany Ashton Holmes might not ring any bells immediately. However, the 1994 comedy movie ‘The Little Rascals’ just might. The film was a huge hit and saw plenty of youngsters get their chance to shine in the limelight. Here, Brittany was one of the stars, bringing Darla - Alfalfa’s girlfriend - to life, but what happened?

While she could have followed in the footsteps of several other child stars, it seems Brittany opted for a life away from Hollywood instead. Brittany once posted on social media that it’s “really embarrassing to watch” and that she “[doesn’t] want to act anymore.” In fact, she was apparently the hardest to convince to appear for the movie’s 20th anniversary.

Chris Owen allegedly has to work at a sushi restaurant while his acting career is slow

There's a good chance people most recognize Chris Owens from his time in the comedy 'American Pie' franchise. Here, the actor played Chuck Sherman, aka The Sherminator, throughout the franchise, with Chris eventually being the only actor from the movies to appear in the direct-to-video spin-off 'American Pie Presents.' However, the actor's work has since slowed down.

Although he still acts, Chris allegedly waits tables at a high-end sushi restaurant in Los Angeles to pay the bills. The star told the New York Daily News, "Life doesn't always go the way you planned," but he does "get recognized a lot." Things could soon change, though, as talks of 'American Pie 5' have been buzzing around for years.

Charlie Korsmo wanted friends his own age, so he left acting behind for his degree

Most stars would have jumped at the chance to work alongside the legend that was Robin Williams, and that’s precisely what happened when young Charlie Korsmo was offered the opportunity to appear as the actor’s son in the 1991 fantasy movie ‘Hook.’ However, Charlie later left Hollywood behind as a teenager. Apparently, it was all to get his life back.

Charlie admitted to the New York Daily News he realized “I didn’t have any friends my own age,” so he quit acting to earn his degree. After working for the Department of Homeland Security as an advisor, Charlie became a lawyer after graduating from Yale Law and eventually found work as a professor, stating his acting helps with his nerves.

Bridgit Mendler has since slowed down her acting to work on her studies

Like many other child stars before her, Bridgit Mendler got her breakthrough into Hollywood thanks to Disney. That was thanks to her time in the sitcom ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ but it was far from Bridgit’s final dabble in acting. Throughout the years, the actress has appeared in a host of movies and TV shows.

In fact, Bridgit has even enjoyed a music career, but things changed when the star returned to her studies in 2017. Since then, Bridgit has been a researcher and student at the MIT Media Lab, but that’s not all. It turns out the star is also working on her Ph.D. at Harvard Law School.

Mike Vitar retired from acting at 19 years old to become a firefighter

Apparently, Mike Vitar was in line at a school carnival when he was spotted by a casting manager at just 12 years old - and the rest is history. It wasn’t long before the actor was cast as Benny the Jet in the sports comedy ‘The Sandlot’ and even appeared in two movies from the sports comedy-drama franchise ‘The Mighty Ducks.’

However, it was all over by 1997 when 19-year-old Mike retired. According to Variety, the actor eventually became a firefighter in Los Angeles. In 2015, he ran into legal trouble when Mike and two others were accused of assaulting Samuel Chang. After a controversial plea deal, Mike was given three years probation and returned to work after six months.

Andrew Shue went from acting to a sporting career to life as an entrepreneur

Did you know there was a time when actor Andrew Shue once played professional soccer? That's right; it seems this star has been through plenty of career changes over the years. It all started when he became a household name after seven years in the soap opera 'Melrose Place.' Here, Andrew was the one to bring Billy Campbell to life.

After walking away from the role, Andrew worked on his sporting career for several years. However, that changed once again when he co-founded the nonprofit organization DoSomething, a company that aims to inspire young people to do great things. In all of this, Andrew was also the one to co-found the mothers' social networking site CafeMom in 2006.

Al Green’s musical career changed significantly when he was attacked in the ‘70s

What happens when you have millions of record sales under your bet, are a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have 14 Grammys to your name? If you’re anything like Al Green, you become a household name around the world and have a career to keep you fed for the rest of your life.

So where’s he been? Although Al has always been religious, he threw himself even more into his faith after he was attacked by an angry lover in 1974. She later took her own life in Al’s home, with the musician becoming a Baptist preacher for over 40 years. Thankfully, Al does still perform, but he prefers working with his religion.

Rebecca Ritters was determined to make acting her career until journalism called her name

Being just eight years old when she signed up for the soap opera ‘Neighbours’ meant Rebecca Ritters was instantly thrown into the limelight. In fact, this is somewhere she would stay, as Rebecca was a part of the soap for another seven years, where she brought Hannah Martin and her gripping storylines to life for years.

While she did reappear for the soap’s 20th anniversary, Rebecca seemingly decided after a few more roles and after throwing herself into a prestigious acting college that acting wasn’t for her. Instead, Rebecce re-enrolled in college in 2011 and finally started work as a journalist in Berlin in 2015, a role she has seemingly kept since.

Reed Alexander started to fall out of love with acting and more in love with journalism

It’s not just Disney that’s given plenty of stars their chance to shine, with Nickelodeon also bringing a host of young names to the world’s attention. The teen sitcom ‘iCarly’ was one of the biggest shows the network ever brought to life, with Reed Alexander getting to be a part of it all as Carly’s nemesis Nevel Papperman.

Sadly, Reed’s passion for acting started to fade, with the star telling the Miami New Times it “wasn’t enjoyable anymore.” Instead, Reed found work as a journalist, working with the likes of Dow Jones, CNN, the BBC, HuffPost, and even Business Insider. However, things changed for Reed in 2021 when he returned as a guest for the ‘iCarly’ reboot.

Ariana Richards chose to leave acting and follow in her family’s artistic footsteps

Steven Spielberg is the one to thank for so many incredible movies in the world. One of the many on the list is the sci-fi action ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise. In fact, it was so popular that it spawned several sequels and even the new ‘Jurassic World’ franchise. Still, the original holds a special place in many people’s hearts.

Ariana Richards was lucky enough to play the character of Lex Murphy in the original film, earning several Young Artist Awards for her role. While she went on to land a handful of acting parts, Ariana eventually left Hollywood behind her. Instead, the former actress followed in her family’s footsteps and has been working as an artist ever since.

Michael Maronna still works in the entertainment industry but as an electrician and not an actor

What started the life of a commercial actor turned around when Micahel Maronna landed a leading role in the sitcom ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete.’ Here, the actor played Big Pete, but that wasn’t all. Michael even broke onto the big screen when he was cast as Jeff McAllister in the first two holiday comedy ‘Home Alone’ movies.

It wasn’t long before Michael returned to his career of acting in commercials, but he left the entire world of acting behind in 2013. Ever since, the former actor has worked as an electrician. However, he hasn’t entirely left the world of Hollywood behind, as Michael often works on TV shows and movies in New York.

Sarah Michelle Gellar was worried about launching her own baking kit company as a star

The supernatural show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ really set the bar high for all series of its kind to come. Thankfully, it also paved the way to stardom for the star of it all, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Welcoming a family was enough to see Sarah take a look at her career, with the actress ultimately launching Foodstirs in 2015.

The company is a non-GMO, organic baking mix line, with Sarah admitting to People magazine that her children thought getting “my hair and makeup done” was “a job” after years of seeing her get ready for roles. Sarah did confess to CNBC that she was worried about launching her brand as a celebrity, but thankfully, things have paid off.

Josh Saviano wanted to focus on his time as a lawyer to the stars instead of being one

Throughout the late-’80s and early-’90s, it was tough to find someone who didn’t watch the comedy-drama show ‘The Wonder Years.’ The series was enough to propel plenty of youngsters to stardom, with Josh Saviano one who was along for the ride. Here, Josh played Paul Pfeiffer, Kevin Arnold’s best friend, throughout its run, but it didn’t last.

Josh continued to land a handful of roles but ultimately focused on his studies. Eventually, the former actor enrolled at Yale University and majored in political science, with Josh since being admitted to the bar in New York. Although he briefly returned to acting in the crime drama ‘Law & Order,’ Josh mainly focuses on his career in law.

Geoffrey Owens had to take work at Trader Joe's when acting no longer paid the bills

Acting at school was enough to give Geoffrey Owens a real taste for acting. What better way to break into the industry than landing a role on one of the biggest shows at the time? The sitcom 'The Cosby Show' was incredibly popular throughout the '80s and '90s, with Geoffrey bringing the part of Elvin Tibideaux to life.

For 44 episodes, Geoffrey put his acting talents to good use, with the star appearing in a host of smaller roles ever since. However, Geoffrey is best known for his teaching and those 2018 photos. Georrfrey was pictured working as a Trader Joe's cashier, with the actor accusing people of "job shaming" after admitting he needed to pay his bills.

Tommy Rettig was desperate to get away from acting and be a normal teenager

You might better recognize Tommy Rettig when he’s alongside his sidekick - the famous pooch Lassie. That’s because the actor was the one to bring Jeff Miller to life in the first three seasons of the adventure TV show ‘Lassie.’ From there, Jeff moved on to work on the soap opera ‘Never Too Young’ and even dabbled in music.

Apparently, Jeff always longed for a normal life, especially when he was a teenager, and was eventually able to get out of his contract with ‘Lassie.’ The star was finally able to focus on his school work - even though he allegedly never received residual payments from his role - and finished his life as a computer software engineer and author.

Cary Grant worked behind the camera after the birth of his daughter to offer more stability

It’s tough to find a man who is as well-known and beloved as Cary Grant. The actor was known for his light-hearted approach, comedic timing, and debonair demeanor, making him one of Hollywood's leading men. For years, Grant appeared in a host of movies, mostly crime dramas and comedies, including ‘Blonde Venus’ and Penny Serenade.’

Everything changed for the star in 1966 when Grant retired from acting at 62 to focus on raising his new daughter, Jennifer Grant. He wanted to provide more stability for his family, so Grant began taking behind-the-scenes roles with Western Airlines, The Academy of Magical Arts, and MGM, stating the passing of his friends left him exhausted.

Terry Crews  worked several jobs while transitioning from the NFL to his acting career

Being an NFL star could have set Terry Crews up for life, but the athlete has been open about always trying to be humble and down-to-Earth. In fact, the star was quick to jump to Geoffrey Owens’ defense when photos of him working at Trader Joe’s were released, with Terry stating he “swept floors AFTER” his time in the NFL.

Although Terry has gone on to enjoy several successful acting roles, the athlete didn’t immediately go from the field to the studio. Instead, Terry liked to use his art as an income, working as a courtroom sketch artist and co-founding a furniture design company. According to Terry, “humility gets you far,” and he doesn’t want to lose that.

Dylan Sprouse continues to act while he works on his brewery company

Being one-half of one of the most famous sets of twins in the industry has certainly paved the way for a successful career for Dylan Sprouse. He and his brother, Cole, have acted together in several shows and movies, but they appear to have taken different career paths in recent years. However, Dylan once had to defend himself.

Photos of the actor working as a host at a restaurant in NYC emerged online in 2013, with Dylan admitting he took the job “as a way to primarily feed my over bountiful video game addiction.” Apparently, he wanted something to help him feel grounded, with Dylan since funding another of his passions: launching a drinks brewery company.

Willa Ford eventually learned she loved interior design just like she did creating songs

The early 2000s were filled with pop divas trying to make a name for themselves in the industry. While the likes of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears went all the way, things didn’t entirely work out for Willa Ford. There was a time it looked like she could be just as big, especially with Willa’s song ‘I Wanna Be Bad.’

However, Willa later admitted to Billboard that she “took a step back” because music didn’t feel like what she “was supposed to be doing at the time.” After a stint as an actor, Willa ultimately found her true calling as an interior designer. Willa told Glamour she felt “fulfilled” and that “Acting didn’t do that for me.”

Ali MacGraw left her acting career behind to focus on her passions for yoga and animals

Not everyone is lucky enough to become an overnight star, but that’s precisely what happened to Ali MacGraw in 1970 when she became an international name thanks to her role in the romantic drama movie ‘Love Story.’ Ali quickly became named as the world’s leading box office star, and everyone wanted to work with the actress.

However, Ali only ever appeared in a handful more films, ultimately turning her attention to her other passions in life. Ali first fell for Hatha yoga in her 50s and quickly released her own yoga video. The former actress has also been open about her love of animals, working with multiple charities and organizations throughout the years.

Nate Richert felt he didn’t have security as an actor and has since worked several different jobs

The sitcom ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ was just one of many notches on Melissa Joan Hart’s belt. However, she wasn’t the only star, with Nate Richert being the one to play her best friend and ultimate love interest, Harvey Kinkle. Still, Nate has been noticeably missing in recent years, with the actor admitting where he’d been in 2018.

Nate admitted on social media he was working as “a maintenance man, a janitor, a carpenter,” and “whatever random jobs I can get to pay the bills.” According to the actor, many actors don’t have security or constant work, with fame meaning “maybe more work someday” to Nate. Thankfully, his acting return came in 2020 after 14 years away.

Chris Rankin realized he didn’t like acting after trying to get a role on the West End

There are franchises, and then there’s ‘Harry Potter.’ The fantasy movie series saw a host of people get shot to unprecedented fame, with Chris Rankin being one of the many who got to enjoy it all. Here, Chris brought Percy Weasley - Ron’s older brother - to life, but gave up acting in 2008 after auditioning for a part in ‘Wicked.’

Chris admitted people in film and TV production are usually nice, but the West End role ended with “next,” and he realized, “I don’t enjoy this anymore.” Chris ultimately left acting behind but apparently studied media production and directing at college. Now, he has worked behind the scenes on a host of big names, including the period drama ‘Downton Abbey.’

Phoebe Cates Kline swapped her career as an actress for one running her own boutique

Being born into a family of Broadway production insiders meant it was almost written in the stars that Phoebe Cates Kline would follow in the family’s footsteps. However, instead of working behind the scenes, Phoebe opted for one in front of the cameras. Her most famous role came in the comedy movie ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High.’

Still, with further roles in films such as the comedy horror ‘Gremlins’ and historical comedy-drama ‘Princess Cariboo,’ it wasn’t long before Phoebe had everything she needed for great success. By the time 2005 rolled around, Phoebe seemingly had enough of acting as she turned her focus on her New York Madison Avenue boutique, Blue Tree.

Danielle Fishel paid her way through college as a gift wrapper instead of acting

After years of working on the stage, things really turned around for Danielle Fishel when she started working in front of the camera. Her biggest role came as Topanga Lawrence on the teen sitcom ‘Boy Meets World,’ with Danielle quickly learning the world was her oyster. Modeling jobs, directing, and acting parts were suddenly all on the cards.

Still, Danielle also wanted to focus on her education and ultimately worked at Bloomingdale’s as a gift wrapper in 2009 to help pay her way through college. During her podcast, ‘Pod Meets World,’ Danielle admitted, “I liked to wrap presents” and would sometimes be recognized. However, she has since returned to acting in the ‘Girl Meets World’ revival.

Michael Schoeffling suddenly quit Hollywood without warning to become a woodworker

It might have been John Hughes’ directorial debut, but the coming-of-age comedy movie ‘Sixteen Candles’ ultimately became one of the star’s most famous. As well as launching Molly Ringwald to fame, it gave Micahel Shoeffling a chance to bring the heartthrob that was Jake Ryan to life. Just like Ringwald, Michael went on to appear in a host of movies.

Little did anyone know that 1991’s drama film ‘Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken’ would be the final time we would see Michael on the big screen. The former actor quit Hollywood without warning, with Us Weekly later reporting it was to start his own woodworking business. Now, Michael’s daughter, Scarlett, is following in his footsteps as an actress.

Brian Dunkleman left Hollywood behind to be there for his son whenever he needed him

The reality competition show ‘American Idol’ has seen the dawn of some incredible music careers throughout the years. The show wouldn’t be anything without host Ryan Seacrest, but fans of the series might remember he wasn’t always alone. That’s because Ryan was joined by co-host Brian Dunkleman in season one. However, the comedian immediately disappeared.

It wasn’t until TMZ ran a report on Brian’s divorce that we got a glimpse into what he’s been doing all this time. According to reports, Brian has been working as an Uber driver, making between $800 and $1,000 a week. According to the comedian, he stepped out of the limelight to focus on being there for his son.

MC Hammer turned to investing when his millions of dollars dried up

What happens when you become one of the biggest rappers on the planet? If you know how to play your cards right, you could be set for the rest of your life. However, if you’re anything like MC Hammer, you might just lose everything. The once-millionaire stepped back from the entertainment industry when everything went down the drain.

In 2011, Billboard reported the rapper was working as a savvy tech guru and investor, being one of the first to invest in Flipboard and Square. Amazingly, MC Hammer also showed interest in YouTube and Pandora before they took over the world. Thankfully, MC Hammer’s finances are back on the up - and he hasn’t ruled out a return to music.

Amanda Bynes has publicly struggled with her mental health but is now focused on fashion

Nickelodeon paved the way for a long and successful career for Amanda Bynes. The actress was just a child when she started acting, quickly landing roles in the sketch comedy shows ‘All That’ and ‘The Amanda Show.’ She became a huge name, with Amanda soon earning plenty of spots on the big screen, too, in a host of comedy movies.

Things started to take a turn in 2012 when Amanda was arrested for driving under the influence. Throughout the years, the former actress has struggled with substance abuse and her mental health, but things appear to be on the up. After years of being interested in fashion, Amanda graduated with her associate’s of art degree in 2018.

Noah Schnapp hasn’t disappeared from Hollywood, but he wants to remain grounded

Have you even been near the internet if you haven’t at least heard of the supernatural show ‘Stranger Things’? Sure, the series might be coming to an end, but that hasn’t stopped the young stars of the show from beginning incredible careers, with many knowing they have years of enjoyment left to come. Noah Schnapp is undoubtedly one.

Instead of letting the fame go to his head, the teenager told Flaunt magazine he’s always had “a normal life and normal friends,” which is why he worked as a lifeguard when he was 17. Now, Noah appears to be slowing down a little as he’s currently enrolled at college in Pennsylvania, where he’s majoring in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were the most famous teenage actors until they turned to fashion

It’s common for siblings to work with one another, but what about when twins both get an equal chance to shine? That’s long been the case for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. They initially gained worldwide recognition by sharing the part of Michelle Tanner on the sitcom ‘Full House.’ It wasn’t long before the Olsen twins were just about everywhere.

From their own TV shows and movies to a never-ending list of brand deals and merchandise, the twins were everywhere we looked. However, when the mid-2000s rolled around, Mary-Kate and Ashley started working in the fashion industry. The siblings founded their own label - The Row - in 2006 and have won several awards for their designs and works ever since.

Nikki Blonsky felt she was written into plus-sized roles, so she found work elsewhere

From time on Broadway to its chance to shine on the big screen, ‘Hairspray’ truly is one of the classics. The musical got its time to shine in Hollywood in 2007, with Nikki Blonsky playing the lead Tracy Turnblad in it all. It was Nikki’s first big screen role, with the opportunity leading to the drama show ‘Huge.’

Sadly, Nikki was open about the fact she was constantly being written into roles for plus-sized women. The actress opened up to Oprah about comments of losing some weight to get better parts. Rather than solely relying on her acting career, Nikki now works as a cosmetologist and at a high-end shoe store in Long Island.

Freddie Prinze Jr. was studying to be a chef when he landed his first acting role

There was a time throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s when people everywhere wanted a part of Freddie Prinze Jr. - both on and off the screen. The actor was in a string of successful movies, including the slasher ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and the fantasy comedy ‘Scooby-Doo’ franchise as Fred, where he met his wife, Sarah Michelle Geller.

Although he has far from disappeared from Hollywood, Freddie has mostly spent the last few years working as a chef. Apparently, he got his first acting job six months into culinary school and has since returned to his true passion in life. Freddie’s first cookbook, ‘Back to the Kitchen,’ was released in 2016, with Freddie also being a stay-at-home dad.

Erik Estrada always wanted to be a police officer before playing one on TV

They say life imitates art, but that might be truer for Erik Estrada than most others. The star continues to act today, with his most known role coming in the crime drama show ‘CHiPs.’ Erik was tasked with playing Officer Frank Poncherello and quickly fell in love with the career so much that he became an officer in real life.

In 2019, Erik admitted to Antenna TC that he wanted to be a police officer since he was four years old until he “got bit by the acting bug.” It’s believed Erik first started working as an officer in 2008 before becoming a full-time deputy sheriff the following year. In 2016, he was sworn in as a reserve police officer.