Actresses Who Left The USA

Some actresses stepped away from life in the United States and built home bases abroad, whether for family, work, or a change of pace. Their moves span decades and destinations, from Europe to Canada and the Middle East, and often shaped the projects they took on afterward. Many still travel back for roles, but their day-to-day lives settled elsewhere. Here are notable examples and where they chose to live when they left the USA.

Amber Heard

After legal battles in 2022, Amber Heard relocated with her daughter to Spain. She first spent time in Mallorca before settling in Madrid and committing to learning Spanish. She has continued auditioning and working while keeping a lower public profile. The move gave her distance from Los Angeles and a fresh start.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan moved to Dubai in 2014 and made it her long-term home. She built a private life there while pursuing acting and business ventures. She later married financier Bader Shammas and welcomed a son in the UAE. She still returns to the States for select projects and press.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson shifted her base to London after the height of ‘The X-Files’. She raised her family there and built a strong slate of UK television and theater work. Roles in ‘The Fall’ and ‘Sex Education’ reinforced that UK presence. She travels frequently for film and prestige series but keeps London as home.

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall left New York and settled on Vancouver Island in 2019. The move put her closer to family roots in Canada and offered a quieter pace. She continues to work on television and limited series while commuting to sets. Her Canadian base remains her primary residence.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson returned to her hometown area on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She restored her family property in Ladysmith and filmed ‘Pamela, a Love Story’ while based there. The move emphasized privacy and time with family. She still appears in fashion and advocacy events abroad as needed.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan left the U.S. and moved first to Mexico, then to Italy in 2020. She lived in Florence while writing and making art. The change followed years of activism and intense media attention. She keeps a European base and travels for projects and talks.

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly departed the United States in 1956 to marry Prince Rainier III and live in Monaco. She ended her Hollywood career and took on official duties as Princess Grace. Her home and charitable work centered in the principality. She remained a cultural icon long after leaving the American film industry.

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland moved to Paris in 1953 and stayed for the rest of her life. She continued acting while living in France and became a fixture in Parisian cultural circles. The city remained her base through her later years and public appearances. She passed away there at the age of 104.

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner left Hollywood for Madrid in the late 1950s. She embraced Spanish culture and maintained friendships with local artists and writers. Spain became her refuge from American press scrutiny. She later lived in London while continuing select film work.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor lived for extended periods outside the U.S., including Gstaad, Switzerland. She also kept homes in London and spent long stretches in Europe. Her international base aligned with her global philanthropy and high-profile travels. She returned to the States for medical care and major appearances.

Mia Farrow

Mia Farrow moved to County Wicklow, Ireland, for much of the 1980s. She raised children there and maintained a quieter family life away from U.S. media. Ireland gave her space while she continued acting in films like ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’. She later returned to the U.S. but kept strong ties to Ireland.

Jean Seberg

Jean Seberg relocated to France after early Hollywood roles. Her breakout in ‘Breathless’ tied her to the French New Wave and solidified a Paris base. She worked frequently in European cinema while limiting U.S. projects. Paris remained central to her career and personal life.

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker left the United States in the 1920s and made France her home. She became a French citizen and performed on major European stages. Her film work and tours were anchored from Paris. She also engaged in humanitarian causes while living abroad.

Anna May Wong

Anna May Wong moved to Europe in the late 1920s seeking roles Hollywood denied her. She worked in London and Berlin stage and film productions. The European move expanded her range and visibility. She later returned for American projects while keeping an international profile.

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt left the United States after her 1968 White House luncheon remarks led to public backlash. She lived and worked in Europe for years, including stints in the Netherlands and the UK. The move allowed her to continue performing with fewer restrictions. She eventually returned to the American stage and television.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda spent much of the early 1960s living in Paris. Her marriage to Roger Vadim connected her to the French film world. She worked between France and other European locations during that period. She later re-established her career primarily in the United States.

Claudette Colbert

Claudette Colbert moved away from Hollywood and kept homes in Europe and the Caribbean. She spent significant time in Barbados and also maintained a residence in France. Her later life centered on these quieter locales. She appeared only occasionally on stage and television afterward.

Meg Tilly

Meg Tilly stepped back from Hollywood and settled in British Columbia, Canada. She focused on family life and writing while living there. After years away, she returned to acting with select roles. Canada remained her long-term base outside the U.S.

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler relocated from New York to London in the mid-2010s. The move aligned with family life and work in UK-based productions. She continued appearing in series like ‘Harlots’ while living there. London served as her primary residence for several years.

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller, born in New York but raised in England, moved back to London after extended time in the U.S. She focused on theater and UK film projects during that period. London provided proximity to family and creative collaborators. She still travels to the States for major roles.

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci has long kept homes in Paris and Rome and built her career primarily from Europe. After extended periods working in the U.S., she returned regularly to her European bases. Her film choices often shoot in Italy and France. She travels to American sets only as needed.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz maintains her home life in Madrid with frequent work in Spain. After high-profile American projects such as ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, she continued to prioritize European productions. Madrid provides proximity to long-time collaborators. She moves between Spain and global film locations for shoots.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett relocated from the U.S. back to the UK in the late 2010s while keeping ties to Australia. She and her family based themselves in East Sussex and later near London. Work at European festivals and theaters fit that move. She continues international film work including ‘TÁR’ and ‘The New Boy’.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton lives in the Scottish Highlands and works largely from the UK and Europe. After extensive U.S. projects, she kept her personal base far from Los Angeles. Scotland anchors her artistic collaborations and family life. She travels for films like ‘Doctor Strange’ while remaining rooted abroad.

Share your thoughts below on which other actresses you’ve seen make a life outside the States.