Actors Who Left The USA

Many well known male actors have chosen to base their lives outside the United States for family, work, or lifestyle reasons. Some moved in childhood and built careers abroad, while others relocated after years in Hollywood. Their choices often reflect creative partnerships, privacy, or long standing ties to other countries. Here are notable examples and the places they settled, along with the projects that kept them active around the world.

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin left the United States in 1952 and settled in Corsier sur Vevey in Switzerland. He continued to oversee his film catalog from there and managed his business affairs in Europe. His estate later became a museum that preserves his archives and personal history. Audiences still revisit his work in films like ‘City Lights’ and ‘Modern Times’.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp established a primary base in the English countryside after years of living in France and the United States. He keeps residences in Europe and spends extended stretches in the United Kingdom. Outside acting, he tours with his music projects across European venues. His film work ranges from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ to ‘Finding Neverland’.

John Malkovich

John Malkovich has lived in Europe for many years and is currently based in Lisbon in Portugal. He first moved to France in the late twentieth century and later maintained homes in several countries. His stage collaborations in European theaters have been frequent. Screen audiences know him from ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Con Air’.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe resides in Rome in Italy where he has long standing ties to the local film community. He collaborates regularly with European directors and divides time between American and European shoots. His residence supports his ongoing art and performance projects. His notable films include ‘The Florida Project’ and ‘At Eternity’s Gate’.

George Clooney

George Clooney spends much of the year at his longtime home on Lake Como in Italy. He also works from a base in the United Kingdom for producing and directing commitments. His European residences host charity events and industry gatherings. Viewers know his work from ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Up in the Air’.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was born in New York and moved with his family to Australia during his youth. He trained and launched his screen career there before returning frequently to American productions. He has continued to keep deep personal and professional roots in Australia. His films include ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen has made his home in Madrid in Spain after living in several countries during his childhood. He works in multiple languages and publishes poetry and photography with European presses. His base in Spain aligns with his frequent shoots across the continent. Notable roles include ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Green Book’.

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal relocated to Russia and has spent extended periods living in Moscow after receiving citizenship there. He has also maintained close ties with Serbia while working on projects in Eastern Europe. His activities have included cultural and industry appearances in the region. His action films include ‘Under Siege’ and ‘Above the Law’.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando owned the atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia and lived there for long stretches away from the United States. He developed the property and maintained a retreat focused on conservation. The location remained closely associated with his legacy after his passing. His classic films include ‘The Godfather’ and ‘On the Waterfront’.

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey moved to the United Kingdom to lead the Old Vic Theatre and continued to live in London afterward. He worked on stage productions and film projects across Europe during that time. His residence supported a focus on theater administration and performance. His screen work includes ‘American Beauty’ and ‘L.A. Confidential’.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth left Los Angeles and settled with his family in Byron Bay in Australia. The move supported a home base near extended family and frequent shoots in the region. He continues to travel for global productions while keeping Australia as his primary residence. Audiences know him from ‘Thor’ and ‘Rush’.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron spent more than a year living in Australia during the global pandemic period. He worked on local productions and maintained a residence near Byron Bay while abroad. Afterward he continued to return for projects that film in the region. His films include ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Baywatch’.

Randy Quaid

Randy Quaid left the United States in 2010 and lived in Canada for a period while dealing with legal disputes. He spent time in Vancouver and sought to resolve immigration matters during his stay. His movements became a regular subject of news coverage in both countries. Viewers know him from ‘Independence Day’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’.

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield was born in Los Angeles and moved to the United Kingdom as a child where he grew up and trained. He began his career on British stages and television before leading major studio films. He continues to maintain a home base in the UK while working internationally. His films include ‘The Social Network’ and ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel has long kept a residence in the Dominican Republic and spends extended periods there. His ties to the country include cultural and promotional work alongside film preparation. He continues to split time between the Caribbean and international sets. Audiences know him from ‘Fast and Furious’ and ‘xXx’.

Orson Welles

Orson Welles spent much of his later life working from Europe after departing the United States. He based himself for long stretches in Spain and France while self financing films and television projects. He often edited and recorded voice work from makeshift studios overseas. Viewers still revisit his performances in ‘Chimes at Midnight’ and ‘The Trial’.

Sam Wanamaker

Sam Wanamaker left the United States during the blacklist era and settled in London. He worked across British theater and television while advocating for cultural projects. His campaign to reconstruct Shakespeare’s Globe became a defining achievement in the UK. Audiences know his screen roles from ‘The Spy Who Came In from the Cold’ and ‘Private Benjamin’.

Sterling Hayden

Sterling Hayden stepped away from Hollywood and lived for years in Europe after extensive ocean passages. He kept a home on a barge in Paris and wrote about his seafaring life. During this period he accepted select roles that filmed abroad. His notable films include ‘Dr. Strangelove’ and ‘The Asphalt Jungle’.

Hayden Christensen

Hayden Christensen left a Hollywood base and moved to a farm in rural Ontario in Canada. He focused on family and small scale agricultural projects while taking selective roles. The move allowed him to work from Toronto and travel for international shoots as needed. His filmography includes ‘Shattered Glass’ and ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’.

Andrew Lincoln

Andrew Lincoln returned to the United Kingdom after long stretches filming in the United States. He based himself near London while continuing to appear in projects on both sides of the Atlantic. The relocation aligned with stage commitments and family life. Viewers know him from ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Afterlife’.

Sam Neill

Sam Neill makes his home in New Zealand where he manages a vineyard alongside acting work. He travels frequently for international productions while keeping his base in the South Island. The location supports his writing and documentary projects. His screen credits include ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.

Rick Moranis

Rick Moranis stepped away from Hollywood and remained in Toronto in Canada for many years. He focused on voice work and music projects while living outside the United States. Occasional appearances brought him back to sets without changing his home base. Fans remember him from ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’.

Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam left the United States in the late twentieth century and settled in the United Kingdom. He later obtained British citizenship and worked mainly from London. His career spans directing, writing, and acting across film and television. Audiences know him from ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ and ‘Brazil’.

David Niven

David Niven moved away from the Hollywood studio circuit and established a home in Switzerland by Lake Geneva. He continued to act in European and international productions while writing bestselling memoirs. The Swiss base kept him near film festivals and continental shoots. His popular films include ‘The Pink Panther’ and ‘A Matter of Life and Death’.

Omar Sy

Omar Sy relocated to Los Angeles for several years before moving back to France. He now lives near Paris and balances French language work with international projects. His schedule regularly takes him between European sets and global premieres. Viewers know him from ‘Lupin’ and ‘The Intouchables’.

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland spent extended periods living in Europe while maintaining a global acting career. He kept bases in the United Kingdom and Italy for long stretches away from the United States. His residence choices aligned with frequent European shoots and festival circuits. His films include ‘Don’t Look Now’ and ‘MAS*H’.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland has kept a home base in Toronto in Canada while working internationally. He also spends time in the United Kingdom during tours with his music projects and television commitments. The arrangement allows him to accept roles that film across Europe. Audiences know him from ’24’ and ‘Designated Survivor’.

Gael García Bernal

Gael García Bernal is based in Mexico City and works across Latin America and Europe. He co founded production companies that develop Spanish language films and series. International roles take him abroad without changing his home base. His notable films include ‘Amores Perros’ and ‘Y tu mamá también’.

Diego Luna

Diego Luna lives in Mexico City and leads multiple production initiatives in the region. He alternates between Spanish language projects and global franchises while staying rooted in Mexico. His base supports theater work and documentary efforts alongside acting. Audiences know him from ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and ‘Andor’.

Ken Watanabe

Ken Watanabe is based in Japan and works frequently with both Japanese and international productions. He divides time between Tokyo and regional projects while traveling to the United States for select roles. His stage work in Japan complements regular film appearances. Viewers know him from ‘The Last Samurai’ and ‘Inception’.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis resides primarily in Ireland, where he keeps a low profile while remaining active in arts and craftsmanship. He has also spent extended periods in Italy connected to family and training in traditional shoemaking. His relocation keeps him near European collaborators for select projects and appearances. Audiences widely rediscover his roles in ‘There Will Be Blood’ and ‘Lincoln’.

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender maintains homes in Ireland and Portugal and bases much of his life in Europe. He races professionally in motorsport while choosing film work that shoots across the continent. The arrangement supports bilingual projects and festival circuits. Viewers know him from ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘X-Men: First Class’.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy lives in Ireland and works regularly with Irish and British production teams. He prefers a base near Dublin while traveling for international films and press. The location supports recurring theater collaborations and voice recordings. His standout work includes ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas is based in Málaga in Spain, where he founded and runs a local theater company. He develops stage productions and hosts cultural events alongside his film schedule. The European base keeps him close to Spanish language projects and regional festivals. His films include ‘Desperado’ and ‘Pain and Glory’.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem lives in Spain and alternates between Spanish cinema and global productions. He often records dialogue and prepares roles in Madrid before moving to location shoots. His base supports long term collaborations with European directors. Audiences recognize him from ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘Biutiful’.

Daniel Brühl

Daniel Brühl splits his time between Berlin and Barcelona and works in German, Spanish, and English language productions. He co owns a tapas bar in Berlin and participates in regional film initiatives. The setup allows quick access to European sets and festivals. His notable credits include ‘Good Bye Lenin!’ and ‘Rush’.

Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen lives in Denmark and continues to film extensively across Scandinavia and mainland Europe. He balances European auteur projects with international franchise roles. His home base supports frequent stage and commercial work in Copenhagen. Viewers know him from ‘Another Round’ and ‘Hannibal’.

Jean Reno

Jean Reno is based in France and regularly shoots in Europe while taking selected international roles. He maintains ties to the French film industry through recurring collaborations and television work. His residence keeps him close to regional co productions and dubbing studios. His films include ‘Leon: The Professional’ and ‘Ronin’.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen resides mainly in the United Kingdom and develops projects from London. He produces long form television and film work with European crews while traveling for field segments. The location supports writing rooms and post production facilities he uses repeatedly. Audiences know him from ‘Borat’ and ‘The Dictator’.

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson lives in the United Kingdom and manages personal automotive and stage interests alongside screen work. He develops comedic projects with British production teams and tours select theater pieces. The UK base keeps him near studios used for recurring series and specials. His best known titles include ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘Johnny English’.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill is based in the United Kingdom and trains for action roles from facilities near London. He moves between British stages, European locations, and global sets without adopting a US home base. The arrangement supports voice recording and game related projects produced in Europe. Audiences recognize him from ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘The Witcher’.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham keeps his primary base in the United Kingdom while filming action features around the world. He prepares stunt sequences and rehearsals with UK teams before traveling to location shoots. Post production and promotion often bring him back to London facilities. His films include ‘The Transporter’ and ‘The Meg’.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch lives in London and anchors much of his work in British television and film studios. He records radio dramas and narration projects locally between larger shoots. The home base supports recurring collaborations with UK directors and theater venues. Viewers know him from ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Doctor Strange’.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig maintains a residence in the United Kingdom and coordinates projects with British and European producers. He prepares for stage runs and film roles from London while traveling for international shoots. The setup enables fast access to Pinewood and other nearby facilities. His credits include ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Knives Out’.

Karl Urban

Karl Urban lives in New Zealand and works with local crews when not on international sets. He participates in regional film events and maintains ties to Wellington’s production community. The New Zealand base supports voice work and post production between seasons of television. Audiences know him from ‘The Boys’ and ‘Dredd’.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which other male actors you think truly left the United States behind.