Hollywood'S Starlets Who Chose The Road Less Traveled

From Fame to Fulfilling Careers

While the glitz of Hollywood might seem like a never-ending dream, it turns out that some celebrities find the allure fading over time. A select group of former A-listers have traded in their red carpet moments for more grounded, day-to-day lives, following passions that lead them far from the Hollywood hills.

Jennifer Stone – From Wizards to Wards

Jennifer Stone, who soared to fame as Harper in "Wizards of Waverly Place," pivoted from acting after a 2013 diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Embracing her new reality, she became an ER nurse, stepping up as a healthcare hero during the pandemic. "I wanted to be somebody that was like, 'Look, I've been where you've been, and it gets better,'" she shared with People.

Phoebe Cates – Boutique Boss

Phoebe Cates, the iconic beauty from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," retired from Hollywood to focus on family life with Kevin Kline. Today, she runs the stylish Blue Tree boutique in Manhattan, showcasing her flair as a savvy businesswoman.

Kevin Jonas – Building New Bridges

Kevin Jonas didn’t let the hiatus from his brothers' band slow him down. Instead, he co-founded the residential development company JonasWerner and launched the food app Yood, all while juggling the role of co-CEO at The Blu Market.

Peter Ostrum – Vets and Vets Only

Peter Ostrum, remembered as Charlie Bucket in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," left acting behind to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. For over 30 years, he served as a vet, still enjoying a trickle of royalties from his iconic film role.

Freddie Prinze Jr. – Wrestling With Words

Freddie Prinze Jr. continues to entertain but in a different ring – that of professional wrestling. After his wrestling blog caught WWE’s eye, he became a scriptwriter and producer for the organization, even pulling his wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar, into the fold with his love for the sport.

Cameron Diaz – Entrepreneurial Angel

Though she’s back on set with a new Netflix comedy, Cameron Diaz spent a decade exploring diverse ventures, from biotech investments to launching her own wine brand, Avaline. Her anticipated return to acting aligns with her family’s timing and sees her reprising her role in "Shrek 5."

Frankie Muniz – Life in the Fast Lane

"Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz pursued a new adrenaline rush as a professional race car driver. After recovering from a wrist injury, he's set to return to NASCAR in 2026 and reprise his role in a Disney+ reboot of his iconic show.

Bridget Mendler – Shooting for the Stars

Former Disney darling Bridget Mendler left her screen career to dive into academia, eventually becoming CEO of Northwood Space, a startup with a sky-high valuation. Her transition from "Good Luck Charlie" to CEO marks a star-studded journey into the tech world.