Where did they go?
You won’t believe what Matt LeBlanc is doing today: 12 vanished stars
Image: Gugu Curado
It happens more often than you might think: stars who once lit up the big screen seem to disappear overnight. Yes, some make surprise returns—but others don’t. From Bridget Fonda’s graceful retreat to Rick Moranis’s heartfelt hiatus, let’s look at 12 once-famous stars who traded red carpets for real life.
1
Rick Moranis
Image: Erik Mclean
Rick Moranis, one of the biggest comedy stars of the ’80s and ’90s, left Hollywood to focus on raising his children after his wife passed away.
His decision to leave the spotlight has been widely discussed—a rare choice in an industry where few walk away at the peak of their careers. He has since done a few voice roles, and fans are thrilled about reports of his long-awaited return in Spaceballs II.
2
Macaulay Culkin
Image: Kira Cherkavskaya
Macaulay Culkin rose to global fame as a child star, but the pressure and family troubles made that success a heavy burden. Since the ’90s, he has acted occasionally but has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
In recent years, he’s also performed with a pizza-themed Velvet Underground parody band called The Pizza Underground .
3
Emilio Estevez
Image: Taylor Brandon
While his brother, Charlie Sheen, has often been in the limelight—for better or worse—Emilio Estevez has largely stepped away from it. A core member of the Brat Pack in the ’80s, he’s best known for playing Billy the Kid in Young Guns .
In the last few years, Emilio has focused more on directing and independent projects.
4
Lou Ferrigno
Image: Limor Zellermayer
Lou Ferrigno rose to fame in the late ’70s and ’80s as the Hulk, bringing the comic book character to life with his massive frame.
Despite his TV success, he never achieved the same big-screen fame as his bodybuilding rival, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Born with significant hearing loss —**about 80%**—Ferrigno faced challenges in both acting and studio opportunities, though he remained active in bodybuilding, guest appearances, and voice work.
5
Mara Wilson
Image: Lia Den
Mara Wilson, known for ’90s classics like Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire , was a familiar face throughout her childhood. In 2012, she explained her decision to leave acting , calling it "no longer fun," the fame "ridiculous," and auditions "brutal and dehumanizing.
And you can read about her experiences in her book Where Am I Now?
6
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Image: Igam Ogam
Sarah Michelle Gellar rose to fame in ’90s teen hits and earned a devoted fan base with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After starring in Scooby-Doo and marrying her co-star Freddie Prinze Jr., she gradually stepped back from acting , taking on fewer roles over the years.
But those loyal fans will be happy to know she’s set to slay a few more vampires soon with the return of Buffy .
7
Neve Campbell
Image: Jakob Owens
Neve Campbell was a major star in the ’90s and early 2000s, thanks to Party of Five and the Scream films. Her face quickly became instantly recognizable.
Despite her success, she chose a different path. After four Scream movies, she stepped away from the franchise in 2022, citing a salary dispute. But fear not, Scream VII will have her back.
8
Mike Myers
Image: Илья Мельниченко
Mike Myers hasn’t officially retired, but he has slowed his Hollywood career considerably. He rose to fame with Wayne’s World and became iconic for playing multiple roles in the Austin Powers films. Since The Love Guru , he’s kept a lower profile , making only occasional appearances in movies like Inglourious Basterds and Bohemian Rhapsody.
9
Meg Ryan
Image: The Paris Photographer
Meg Ryan ruled ’90s romantic comedies with hits like When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail before gradually stepping back from the spotlight . Media scrutiny of her personal life played a major role in her retreat.
She hasn’t left the industry entirely—Ryan has shifted to directing and now takes on only select roles, focusing on indie projects that genuinely interest her.
10
Matt LeBlanc
Image: Mahrous Houses
Matt LeBlanc will always be remembered as Joey Tribbiani —a role that’s been hard to shake despite his later efforts. He earned critical praise for his performance in Episodes, but hasn’t reached the same level of post- Friends success as his co-star Jennifer Aniston.
These days, he stays far away from the limelight and has decided to take it easy for as long as he wants to.
11
Liv Tyler
Image: D A V I D S O N L U N A
Liv Tyler shone as Arwen in The Lord of the Rings , proving she was much more than just Steven Tyler’s daughter. While she didn’t achieve the same level of critical acclaim as some of her co-stars, she has maintained a steady career, including a standout role in the Emmy-nominated series The Leftovers .
12
Bridget Fonda
Image: René Ranisch
Bridget Fonda, part of the legendary Fonda family, began acting at a young age, appearing in Easy Rider at just five years old.
After graduating from NYU, she quickly built a successful film career and seemed destined for Hollywood longevity. But in 2002, she retired unexpectedly and has remained off-screen ever since.
