Acting can be a very crazy profession. Often some of the best actors in the field prefer not to continue with this as they find interest in some other profession. Child actors are the ones who do this the most as they experience the idea of stardom at an early and they prefer not to continue with that experience. While some of them become successful in other fields, others simply tend to hang on somehow. Often it’s just because these actors aren’t able to achieve the success that they had seen after one of their projects. Let’s take a look at some familiar actors who left acting and ended up pursuing work in some other field. Here’s a list of 30 such actors:
Jeff Cohen
If you remember Chunk and his truffle shuffle from The Goonies, you will be surprised to know he is now an American attorney.
Karyn Parsons
She appeared as Hilary Banks for six years in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. She is now the founder of a non-government and non-for-profit organization called Sweet Blackberry, which is aimed at teaching children about black history.
Rick Moranis
Funnyman Rick Moranis took a break from acting following the death of his wife in 1991. He decided to take care of his two children instead.
Peter Ostrum
Charlie from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is now a certified dairy veterinarian in New York.
Danny Lloyd
The kid who played Danny Torrance in The Shining is now a biology professor at Elizabeth Community and Technical College in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Kal Penn
Kal Penn joined the White House Office of Public Engagement as the Associate Director after leaving acting.
Mara Wilson
She stole our hearts as a child in Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda. Now she is a prominent writer.
Mike Vitar
The kid from The Sandlot who used to steal bases is now a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department since 2002.
Andrew Shue
After being known for Melrose Place, he is now an online publisher and co-founder of Cafemom.
Nikki Blonsky
Nikki Blonsky stole our hearts with her portrayal of the lead actor in Hairspray and now works as a Makeup Artist at Superstar Salon in New York.
Brittany Ashton Holmes
She had a very short-lived career as an actress and is most known for her portrayal of Cheeky Darla in the 1994 film The Little Rascals. Leaving acting behind she is now a Barista and is enjoying her pace of life.
Lark Voorhies
Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in Saved By The Bell and is now a writer.
Maia Brewton
She appeared in the 1987 movie Adventures in Babysitting and is currently a practicing lawyer.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Randy Taylor from Home Improvement is now a writer.
Danielle Fishel
She played Topanga in Boy Meets World and is now a Journalist.
Taran Noah Smith
The kid who played Mark Taylor in Home Improvement is now a carpenter.
Bridgit Mendler
Teddy Duncan from Good Luck Charlie is currently pursuing her degree at Harvard Law School.
Angus T. Jones
The adorable kid we all saw growing up in the Two and a Half Men series ditched acting and work on the Management side of Tonite, a production company.
Michael Schoeffling
The kid who appeared in movies like Sixteen Candles and Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken is now a carpenter and runs his own woodworking shop.
Jerry Mathers
Remember the kid who played Beaver Cleaver on Leave It To Beaver later became a Seargent in the Air Force Reserve.
Ali Mcgraw
Ali Mcgraw gained popularity for her work in Love Story is now following her true ambition and rallying for Animal Rights and is also a Yoga instructor.
Tommy Rettig
Tommy Rettig was the kid who played the sidekick to Lassie. He later found work as a computer software engineer.
Freddie Prinze, Jr.
He was a 90s heartthrob for his various roles in different teenage movies and now he works as a Chef and a cookbook author.
Charlie Korsmo
Jackie from Hook teaches law at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Josh Savino
Paul from The Wonder Years now practices law in his native state of New York.
Ariana Richards
Ariana Richards is the early 90s actress who was prominently known for her role in Jurassic Park and is now a full-time painter after Graduating from college.
Frankie Muniz
Agent Cody Banks is now all grown up and has become an authorized professional racer. He even earned an award for sportsmanship from his peers.
Erik Estrada
He played officer Francis Llewellyn “Ponch” Poncherello on Chips and is now a reserve police officer for the Muncie Police Department in Indiana. He is a reserve officer in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Jennifer Stone
Harper Finkle from the Wizards of Waverly Place is now a Registered Nurse.
Lucas Babin
A major twist as the guy Joan Cusak thirsted on in School of Rock is now a District Attorney of the Tyler County, in the state of Texas.
So these are the familiar actors who left acting after starring in great roles in the past.
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