For most celebrities, rising all the way to the top is the only way to go after making it to the big leagues. There’s no place in Hollywood for shyness – or, at least, that’s what most tabloids would have us think. The reality is that many incredibly talented performers have chosen to spend their lives as far from the spotlights as humanly possible, as these 8 iconic actors can confirm.
8. Shia LaBeouf
He might have starred in one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, but Shia LaBeouf has declared himself an enemy of Hollywood’s excesses. He has written several pieces on how he frequently avoids notoriety, and even wore a bag on his head that said “I’m not famous anymore” at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival.
7. Kristen Stewart
The star of the Twilight saga never embraced her huge popularity with the gleeful abandon expected from one of Hollywood’s top talents. Stewart avoids red carpets like the plague, and prefers to lead a more private life away from press scrutiny.
6. Hugh Grant
The British charmer is an outspoken critic of the celebrity culture surrounding the entertainment industry. Following his meteoric rise to stardom in the 90s as a charming heartthrob, Grant decided to step away for a bit, especially after tabloids began reporting on his “grumpy” interviews.
5. Joaquin Phoenix
With a reputation for being one of Hollywood’s most elusive high-profile actors, interviews with Joaquin Phoenix are few and far between. He openly despises the excessive attention from the media and is noticeably awkward during press conferences.
4. Rick Moranis
Back in the 80s, Rick Moranis was at the top of the world, appearing in some of the highest-grossing comedies of the decade. After Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Moranis retired from acting and the public eye, following his wife’s death, to become a single parent in NYC. The legendary comedian will make his triumphant return with 2027’s Spaceballs 2.
3. Daniel Day-Lewis
Every decade or so, Daniel Day-Lewis reappears to deliver one of the best performances in the business, only to disappear as quietly as he emerged. Day-Lewis leads a very private life, and is well-known for his many retirements. His latest retirement took place in 2017 – and he has just returned to acting with Anemone, a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.
2. Bill Murray
One thing that still baffles many Hollywood regulars about Murray is how he manages to secure his amazing roles without needing an agent. In fact, it seems as if the iconic performer evades most of the clichés about life in Hollywood. Murray would rather play spontaneous golf games with fans than engage with Hollywood’s promotional machine, which would explain why he remains many fans’ favorite Ghostbuster.
1. Greta Garbo
While most entries in our list come from modern-day Hollywood, Garbo comes from the true golden age of legendary celebrities. While her contemporaries danced under Hollywood’s dazzling spell, Garbo proudly proclaimed “I want to be alone”, as she retired to a solitary life in a New York Apartment until she passed away, five decades later.
