Actors Who Now Have Regular Jobs

Many actors who find fame early in life or through hit series eventually choose to leave the spotlight for more traditional careers. Whether driven by a desire for privacy, a new passion, or the need for a stable income, these individuals have transitioned into roles ranging from law to manual labor. This shift often provides a sense of normalcy that the entertainment industry cannot offer after years of public scrutiny. These career changes highlight the diverse paths available to former child stars and veteran performers alike.

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen rose to fame as the character Chunk in the 1985 adventure film ‘The Goonies’. Despite the success of the movie, he decided to leave the acting profession to focus on his education. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. Cohen is now a successful entertainment lawyer and a founding partner of the firm Cohen Gardner LLP. He also contributes articles on legal and political matters to various major publications.

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum is best known for his portrayal of Charlie Bucket in the 1971 classic ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. This was his only film role, as he declined a three-movie contract to return to his studies and help his family with their horses. He developed an interest in equine medicine and pursued a career in veterinary science. Ostrum earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. He currently practices as a veterinarian specializing in large animals in Lowville, New York.

Danny Lloyd

Danny Lloyd gained worldwide recognition for his role as Danny Torrance in the 1980 horror film ‘The Shining’. Following a small role in a television film, he retired from the industry entirely to live a private life in the Midwest. He eventually pursued a career in academia after studying biology and science. Lloyd is now a biology professor at a community college in Kentucky. He maintains a quiet life with his family while occasionally appearing at horror conventions to meet fans.

Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling became a teenage heartthrob for his role as Jake Ryan in the 1984 film ‘Sixteen Candles’. He appeared in several other movies, including ‘Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken’, before leaving Hollywood in the early 1990s. Schoeffling cited a lack of consistent work and the desire to support his family as reasons for his departure. He transitioned into a career as a craftsman, opening a woodworking shop in Pennsylvania. He currently creates handcrafted furniture for clients in his local community.

Charlie Korsmo

Charlie Korsmo was a prominent child actor in the 1990s, appearing in films like ‘Hook’, ‘Dick Tracy’, and ‘What About Bob?’. After starring in the teen comedy ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’, he pivoted to a career in law and higher education. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later Yale Law School. Korsmo now serves as a professor of corporate law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He has also worked as a lawyer for various government committees and private firms.

Josh Saviano

Josh Saviano played the character Paul Pfeiffer, the best friend of Kevin Arnold, in the television series ‘The Wonder Years’. Once the show concluded in 1993, Saviano chose to focus on his academic pursuits rather than professional acting. He graduated from Yale University and went on to earn a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He practiced law for several years at a major New York firm. Today, he runs a brand consultancy and talent representation agency for other professionals.

Barret Oliver

Barret Oliver starred in several high-profile 1980s films, most notably ‘The NeverEnding Story’ and ‘Cocoon’. He stepped away from the spotlight in the late 1980s to explore his burgeoning interest in the history of photography. Oliver became a specialist in 19th-century photographic processes, such as the Woodburytype. He has authored books on the history of photography and has had his work exhibited in various galleries. He currently works as a professional photographer and academic historian in Los Angeles.

Ross Malinger

Ross Malinger is widely remembered for playing Jonah Baldwin in the 1993 romantic comedy ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. He continued to act throughout the 1990s in shows like ‘Recess’ and ‘Party of Five’ before retiring from the screen. Eventually, Malinger left the entertainment industry to pursue a career in business and automotive management. He transitioned into the car industry, working in several administrative and managerial roles. He most recently served as a manager at a luxury car dealership in the Malibu area.

Steven Anthony Lawrence

Steven Anthony Lawrence is best known for his role as Bernard “Beans” Aranguren on the Disney Channel series ‘Even Stevens’. After his time as a child star, he continued to take minor roles but eventually moved toward the field of education. He has been spotted working various regular jobs, including a seasonal stint as a helper in a shopping mall Santaland. Lawrence now focuses on teaching acting to children and young adults in California. He frequently hosts seminars and workshops to share his industry knowledge with new talent.

Reed Alexander

Reed Alexander played the recurring antagonist Nevel Papperman on the popular Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly’. While he reprised the role in recent years for the revival, his primary career is in the field of journalism. He attended New York University and Columbia University to study journalism and public health. Alexander is now a financial journalist, having worked for major outlets like Business Insider. He frequently reports on the intersection of technology, finance, and the creator economy.

Taran Noah Smith

Taran Noah Smith spent his childhood playing Mark Taylor on the hit sitcom ‘Home Improvement’. When the show ended, he decided that he did not want to pursue acting as an adult. He spent time as an entrepreneur, launching a vegan cheese brand called Playfood. Smith eventually shifted his focus to technical and environmental restoration work. He now works as a technical installation manager for a company that focuses on sustainable living and disaster relief efforts.

Omri Katz

Omri Katz is beloved by fans for his roles in the Halloween classic ‘Hocus Pocus’ and the series ‘Eerie, Indiana’. He retired from the acting world in the early 2000s after appearing in a few television guest spots. Katz decided to pursue a career in the cannabis industry after living in Israel and Los Angeles. He founded a cannabis-themed apparel and lifestyle brand called The Mary Danksters. He remains active in the business world while occasionally attending fan conventions to celebrate his past work.

Andrew Shue

Andrew Shue was a major star in the 1990s, playing Billy Campbell on the soap opera ‘Melrose Place’. While his sister Elisabeth Shue continued acting, Andrew turned his attention to entrepreneurship and social activism. He co-founded the organization DoSomething, which encourages youth involvement in social change. Later, he co-founded the popular parenting website CafeMom. He currently serves as a board member and executive for various tech and media companies.

Mike Vitar

Mike Vitar is iconic for his role as Benjamin Franklin “Benny the Jet” Rodriguez in the 1993 film ‘The Sandlot’. He also appeared in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ sequels before retiring from acting in 1997. Vitar decided to serve his community by joining the fire department. He has been a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department since 2002. He maintains a very private life outside of his duties as a first responder.

Michael C. Maronna

Michael Maronna played the older Pete Wrigley in the Nickelodeon series ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’. He also appeared as Big Red in the 1990 Christmas comedy ‘Home Alone’. While he stayed in the film industry, he moved behind the camera into a technical role. Maronna is a professional electrician and rigger for film and television sets. He is a member of the IATSE Local 52 union and has worked on numerous major productions in New York.

Lucas Babin

Lucas Babin appeared in the 2003 film ‘School of Rock’ as the character Spider, a member of the rival band. He also had a successful career as a fashion model for brands like Gucci and Versace. However, he eventually left the entertainment industry to pursue a career in law. He returned to his home state of Texas and earned a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Babin is currently serving as the District Attorney for Tyler County, Texas.

Nate Richert

Nate Richert is best known for his role as Harvey Kinkle, the love interest of Sabrina Spellman, on ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. After the series ended, he found it difficult to secure steady work in the acting field. He pursued a career in music, releasing several albums as a singer-songwriter. To supplement his income, Richert has worked various manual labor jobs, including carpentry, maintenance, and janitorial work. He has been vocal on social media about the realities of life for former actors in the workforce.

Brandon Call

Brandon Call played J.T. Lambert on the long-running family sitcom ‘Step by Step’. He was a prolific child actor, also appearing in the first season of ‘Baywatch’ and ‘The Adventures of Ford Fairlane’. Following an incident where he was shot in both arms during a traffic dispute, he retired from the public eye. Call eventually moved into the service industry to help manage his family’s business. He reportedly works at his family’s gas station and car wash in California.

Erik Estrada

Erik Estrada became an international star playing Officer Francis “Ponch” Poncherello on the police drama ‘CHiPs’. While he continued to appear in reality television and independent films, he eventually fulfilled a real-life dream of law enforcement. In 2006, he became a reserve police officer in Muncie, Indiana. He later served as a deputy sheriff in Bedford County, Virginia. Currently, Estrada works as a reserve officer for the St. Anthony Police Department in Idaho, focusing on protecting children from online predators.

Lee Aaker

Lee Aaker was a famous child star in the 1950s, best known for his role as Rusty on the television series ‘The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin’. When his acting career slowed down in his early twenties, he transitioned into a completely different field. He spent several decades working as a carpenter and a ski instructor. Aaker lived a modest life away from the Hollywood spotlight for the remainder of his years. He passed away in 2021, having spent the majority of his adult life in regular employment.

Kevin Jonas

Kevin Jonas rose to global fame as a member of the Jonas Brothers and starred in the Disney Channel movie ‘Camp Rock’. During the band’s hiatus starting in 2013, he pivoted to the business and technology sectors. He founded a construction company called Jonas Werner Fine Custom Homes and served as a project manager. He also developed a food-searching app called Yood. While he has since returned to music, he spent years working as a contractor and entrepreneur outside of the music industry.

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