Being one of the most famous people in the world has its pros and cons.
Bryan Cranston recently revealed plans are in motion to leave Hollywood behind for a quieter life in France, and Marvel star Tom Holland “disappeared” after filming his latest show.
And Chris Hemsworth stepped back from his superhero life on screen to focus on family after a shocking diagnosis.
The powerhouse actors join a growing list of stars opting out of the bright lights of Hollywood in lieu of a little peace, quiet and anonymity.
Cranston, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley of southern California, told British GQ that he has a three-year exit strategy to remove himself from the business.
To begin, he’ll shut down his production company, then sell his half-ownership of the mezcal brand Dos Hombres, which he started with former co-star Aaron Paul. Finally, he’ll set up shop in a new country – hopefully France – with his wife.
Bryan Cranston wants to devote more time with his wife, Robin, and less time to work. (Taylor Hill)
Cranston and Dearden want to learn new languages, cook, read and grow a garden together.
The idea of slowing down gave him joy.
“I want to have that experience. I want to go for day trips and have the fire in the fireplace and drink wine with new friends and not read scripts,” he said. “It’s not going to be like, ‘Oh, I’ll read and see what I’m going to do.’ No, it’s a pause. It’s a stop. I won’t be thinking about [work]. I’m not going to be taking phone calls.”
Bryan and Robin have been married for 34 years. (Gisela Schober)
Cranston and “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul co-own the mezcal company Dos Hombres. (Kevin Winter)
He later clarified on Instagram that he’s not retiring after his 70th birthday (in three years), but he wants to “hit the pause button” on his career to find clarity.
He reiterated that there are “several films” coming out and “a few stories for TV” that he is producing before possibly devoting attention to Broadway.
“I never take my good fortune for granted,” Cranston wrote. “I am blessed, and man, do I know it.”
Chris Hemsworth
The Marvel Cinematic Universe star put his mind and body to the test for the National Geographic and Disney+ docuseries, “Limitless.”
Chris Hemsworth took a step back from acting after finding out about his genetic makeup. (Getty Images)
“It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off,” he said. “And since we finished the show, I’ve been completing the things I was already contracted to do. Now, when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home, and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify – be with the kids, be with my wife.”
Hemsworth is set to star in “Furiosa” with Anya Taylor-Joy, a sci-fi flick in post-production and slated for a 2024 release. He’s also the only actor billed in the as-yet untitled Hulk Hogan biopic and will portray the wrestling legend whose full name is Terry Bollea.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been married since 2010. (Brendon Thorne)
He added, “I realized how restorative and replenishing that time can be, but I also realized how much I need an outlet, too. I need to be building something, creating something.”
“As fun as sitting around on the beach all day sounds initially, it very quickly becomes … I don’t want to say mundane, but too familiar.”
Tom Holland
Tom Holland made his first appearance as Spider-Man in the 2016 Marvel flick, “Captain America: Civil War.” He earned his own stand-alone film the following year and has appeared in six movies – three of his own – as the crime-fighting hero.
Though he’s “no stranger to hard work,” Holland explained that the production took a toll on him and his personal life.
“I’ve lived by the idea that hard work is good work. Then again, the show did break me,” he said. “There did come a time where I needed a break and disappeared and went to Mexico for a week and had time on a beach and laid low.”
“I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was.”
“If the angels bring some sort of script that’s written in gold ink, that says to me that it’s going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road,” he told “Access Hollywood.”
“But I’m taking a break.”
Jim Carrey remained true to his word and has not worked since his film “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.” (Getty Images)
Carrey found joy in art and his paintings, and he explained that his life outside the spotlight brings him joy.
Four years later, Cameron Diaz earned a Golden Globe award for her role in “There’s Something About Mary,” and she went on to star in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” with Julia Roberts, which was followed by “Charlie’s Angels” with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu.
Diaz became one of Hollywood’s most coveted actresses, also doing voiceover work for her role as Princess Fiona in Disney’s “Shrek” franchise.
Jamie Foxx helped Cameron Diaz come out of retirement with her first starring role in five years. (Dave J. Hogan)
Her Miss Hannigan portrayal in the film adaptation of the classic musical “Annie” in 2014 became her last on-screen movie role until she officially announced her retirement in 2018.
“There’s a lot of energy coming at you at all times when you’re really visible as an actor and doing press and putting yourself out there.”
Diaz has 60 acting credits to her name with almost a dozen voice-over roles. (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
The “Vanilla Sky” actress welcomed daughter Raddix with husband Benji Madden in December 2019 and kept her focus on family and motherhood.
“Being a wife and a mother has been the most … fulfilling part of my life so far,” she told Bruce Bozzi on his Sirius XM show in 2021. “I waited for this … so I didn’t have any distractions. Like, I can’t imagine [working now]. As a mother with my child, to have to be on a movie set that takes 14 hours, 16 hours of my time away from her, I just couldn’t.”
