LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Quit Hollywood to Pursue Other Interests

Stepping away from the spotlight isn’t always about fading out—it’s often about moving toward something new. These LGBTQ+ actresses left Hollywood or on-camera work to build second acts in business, writing, activism, and teaching. Here’s how they redirected their energy and what they’ve been doing since, in case you’re curious where their talents took them next.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi publicly announced in 2018 that she was retiring from acting to focus on entrepreneurship. She co-founded General Public, an art-tech company that develops textured, 3D-printed editions of artists’ works and partners with retailers to bring them to wider audiences. Before stepping back, she was known for projects like ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Ally McBeal’. Since then, her efforts have centered on running the company and advocating for broader access to contemporary art.

Mara Wilson

After early fame in ‘Matilda’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, Mara Wilson left on-camera acting as a young adult and shifted to writing and voice work. She has published essays and the memoir ‘Where Am I Now?’, discussing child stardom, mental health, and life beyond film sets. Wilson has contributed to podcasts and animation, lending her voice to several projects rather than returning to live-action roles. She has described her path as a deliberate move toward creative control and a healthier working life.

Kelly McGillis

Best known for ‘Top Gun’, Kelly McGillis stepped away from mainstream Hollywood in the 2000s. She focused on teaching acting and worked with organizations supporting people in recovery, keeping a lower profile outside major studio productions. McGillis continued to take occasional stage and screen roles while prioritizing her life in North Carolina. She did not return for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, underscoring her long-standing decision to remain outside the blockbuster circuit.

Greta Garbo

A marquee star of MGM’s golden era, Greta Garbo retired from film in the early 1940s after ‘Two-Faced Woman’. She chose a private life, splitting time between Europe and New York, and became an avid art collector. Garbo’s withdrawal from Hollywood was definitive—she never made a comeback despite periodic offers. Her post-screen life emphasized privacy, travel, and the stewardship of a significant modern art collection.

Brigitte Bardot

International icon Brigitte Bardot retired from acting in the early 1970s to focus on animal rights. She later founded the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, which funds rescue operations, veterinary programs, and legislative campaigns around animal welfare. Bardot redirected her celebrity toward activism, using media appearances and open letters to push for policy changes. Her life after film has been defined by advocacy work rather than studio sets.

What other stories of reinvention did we miss—share your thoughts in the comments!