Child Actors Who Quit Hollywood After Their Hit Show

Growing up on camera can launch a career that lasts for decades—but it can also be a springboard to something entirely different. Plenty of child stars stepped away once the spotlight from their hit show dimmed, choosing school, new careers, or a totally different creative path. Their exits weren’t always dramatic; sometimes they were quiet pivots that happened after one last episode, a finale cameo, or a contract ending.

Here’s a look at child actors who left Hollywood after becoming household names on popular series. You’ll find what they became known for on TV, why they stepped away, and what they’ve focused on since—whether that’s building companies, writing and directing, or chasing long-standing passions outside entertainment.

Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy became widely known as Sam Puckett on ‘iCarly’, then continued the role in the spinoff ‘Sam & Cat’. After years working on those shows and other kid-to-teen projects, she publicly explained that she no longer intended to act and began turning down screen offers, including a revival connected to her breakout role.

Stepping away from Hollywood, McCurdy shifted to writing, directing, and podcasting. She has developed personal storytelling projects, staged a one-woman show, and continued creating work behind the camera rather than in front of it, framing her career around authorship and creative control.

Angus T. Jones

Angus T. Jones played Jake Harper on ‘Two and a Half Men’, becoming one of TV’s most recognizable young sitcom stars. Midway through the show’s long run he reduced his on-screen presence and then departed, making only a brief return for the series finale.

After leaving the show, Jones focused on education and life outside the industry. He has kept a low profile, explored work away from sets, and largely avoided a traditional Hollywood trajectory while occasionally surfacing for one-off appearances connected to past work.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Jonathan Taylor Thomas rose to fame as Randy Taylor on ‘Home Improvement’, where his quick wit and teen-idol status became part of the show’s identity. While still young, he chose to step back from regular acting duties and later from Hollywood altogether.

He redirected his time toward higher education and selective creative work. Over the years he made infrequent, short guest appearances and did some directing, but his primary focus shifted to academics and projects that didn’t require a full return to on-camera acting.

Taran Noah Smith

Taran Noah Smith, who played Mark Taylor on ‘Home Improvement’, finished the series and then opted out of pursuing more screen roles. Rather than parlaying his TV fame into additional acting jobs, he moved on from Hollywood soon after the show ended.

Smith invested his energy in ventures outside entertainment, including a plant-based food business and later hands-on technical and community projects. His post-TV path has included entrepreneurial work and specialized technical roles far removed from studio sets.

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen became global child stars as Michelle Tanner on ‘Full House’, then expanded into a vast slate of kid-to-teen projects. After building a media brand from their on-screen popularity, they stepped away from acting as adults.

The twins pivoted to fashion, co-founding luxury label The Row and contemporary brand Elizabeth and James. They declined on-screen revivals tied to their early fame and concentrated on design, production, and retail—establishing reputations in the fashion industry rather than returning to scripted TV.

Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen broke out as Jenny Humphrey on ‘Gossip Girl’, gaining wide recognition in teen television. During the series, she gradually scaled back her appearances and then exited, choosing to leave acting behind.

Momsen redirected her career to music as the frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless. She has toured, released albums, and focused full-time on recording and performance, keeping her professional life centered on the band rather than returning to regular acting roles.

Josh Saviano

Josh Saviano is remembered for playing Paul Pfeiffer on ‘The Wonder Years’. When the show wrapped, he stepped away from acting rather than pursuing additional TV work.

He shifted to academics and law, earning his degree and becoming a practicing attorney and later a business advisor. Saviano has taken the occasional legal-themed guest spot on television, but his day-to-day career moved firmly into the legal and advisory world outside Hollywood.

Frankie Muniz

Frankie Muniz headlined ‘Malcolm in the Middle’, one of the most acclaimed family comedies of its era. After the show concluded, he chose not to chase nonstop screen roles and instead explored long-held interests away from acting.

Muniz pursued professional auto racing, competing in open-wheel and stock-car series, and spent time playing music with touring bands. He has also managed small businesses and community ventures, appearing on screen only sporadically without returning to a full-time Hollywood schedule.

Alexa Nikolas

Alexa Nikolas is best known for playing Nicole Bristow on ‘Zoey 101’. She left the series during its run and later stepped away from acting altogether after a handful of additional roles.

Beyond Hollywood, Nikolas has devoted time to advocacy and organizing work, speaking publicly about industry experiences and helping spearhead grassroots campaigns. Her post-TV efforts have centered on activism and community engagement rather than pursuing new screen credits.

Share your picks in the comments: which former child star who left after their hit show did we miss, and what are they doing now?