1. Daniel Day-Lewis
The method acting legend, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, announced his retirement in 2017 following his final film, Phantom Thread. Day-Lewis was already the first and only person to win three Best Actor Academy Awards, securing his final statue for Lincoln in 2013, solidifying his stature at the peak of his craft. He made the decision due to a genuine need to step away, stating that he felt a “sense of duty” to stop and that he didn’t want to get pulled back in. He explained that a profound sadness came over him while making Phantom Thread, and he felt he could no longer live with the public aspects of his work. His decision cemented his place in cinematic history, leaving a flawless filmography for future generations to admire.
2. Cameron Diaz
After a run of massive box-office hits, including The Other Woman and Annie in 2014, actress Cameron Diaz quietly walked away from her highly successful film career. She revealed that after two decades in the spotlight, she found peace in stepping back, explaining that the demands of her career left her feeling incomplete and disconnected from herself. Diaz said she wanted to simplify her life and prioritize her personal well-being, health, and relationship with her family. Her final roles came during a period where she was still one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses, yet she chose to leave the industry and focus on launching a wellness brand and writing books.
3. Dave Chappelle
Comedian Dave Chappelle shocked the industry in 2005 when he abruptly walked away from the wildly popular Chappelle’s Show during the production of its highly-anticipated third season. The show was a massive hit for Comedy Central, and Chappelle was offered a staggering $50 million contract to continue. However, he left due to creative fatigue, stress, and discomfort with the direction his material was being interpreted by some of the audience. Chappelle famously relocated to South Africa for a time, prioritizing his mental health and creative control over the immense financial and cultural pressure of the TV deal, only returning years later on his own terms.
4. Rick Moranis
Known for iconic roles in films like Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and Little Shop of Horrors, Rick Moranis effectively retired from live-action acting in the mid-1990s. His decision was rooted in the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Ann Belsky, to breast cancer in 1991. Choosing to become a full-time single father to his two young children, he found the intense demands and travel required for film work were incompatible with his family priorities. Although he occasionally did voice acting, Moranis walked away from the peak of his comedic stardom to focus completely on his personal life, a choice he later stated he never regretted.
5. Gisele Bündchen
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, who has been credited with pioneering the “Brazilian bombshell” look and ending the “heroin chic” era of modeling, officially retired from the runway in 2015. At the time, she was still the world’s highest-paid model, having held the top spot on Forbes’ list for years. She chose to make her final runway walk in her native country, citing her body telling her it was time to step down after two decades. While she continued with select print campaigns, her public retirement from the constant travel and demands of the catwalk marked her choice to prioritize family and her work as a global environmental activist.
6. Sean Connery
The legendary Scottish actor, best known for originating the James Bond role, quietly retired from acting after his final live-action film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, in 2003. By that time, Connery had an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and countless accolades, with many critics still praising his talent even in his later roles. He later confirmed his retirement, saying he was “fed up with the idiots now in Hollywood.” He was ready to live a private life away from the spotlight, only returning briefly in 2012 to voice a character for an animated film he helped produce, standing firm on his decision to step back from the film industry entirely.
7. Sandra Oh
Actress Sandra Oh left her pivotal role as Dr. Cristina Yang on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy in 2014, a character that had earned her five Emmy nominations and a massive global fanbase over ten seasons. She chose to leave when the show was still a cultural phenomenon, explaining that she felt she had given all she could to the character creatively and was ready to move on to new challenges. Her exit was entirely her choice, driven by a desire to explore other roles and stories, a move that led her to star in the successful spy thriller series Killing Eve years later.
8. Pete Sampras
One of the greatest tennis players of all time, Pete Sampras retired in 2003, nearly a year after winning his final Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2002. This victory, against his rival Andre Agassi, was his 14th major title, a world record at the time. Sampras felt he had reached the perfect ending to his career and, rather than try to chase another win and risk a decline, he decided to walk away while still the reigning champion of a major tournament. His retirement was fueled by a desire to leave the game at his absolute best, having achieved every major accolade.
9. Björn Borg
Swedish tennis prodigy Björn Borg shocked the sports world by retiring from the professional tour in 1983 at the remarkably young age of 26. In the preceding years, Borg had dominated the sport, winning 11 Grand Slam singles titles and captivating fans with his “Ice Man” demeanor. His decision was a result of early burnout, stating he lost the motivation and passion required to compete at the highest level. He decided to leave on his own terms rather than continue a relentless schedule that had taken a significant toll on his personal life, preferring a quiet life away from the immense pressure of international competition.
10. Joe DiMaggio
New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, known as “Joltin’ Joe,” retired from baseball in 1951, a decision that surprised many sports fans. While his batting average in his final season was the lowest of his career, he had just helped lead the Yankees to a World Series victory, ensuring he left on a high note with a championship ring. DiMaggio was 37 at the time and felt he could no longer perform at the level his team and fans deserved, stating, “I’ve played my last game of ball.” His choice reflected a commitment to excellence, walking away before his physical abilities substantially diminished.
11. Cary Grant
The quintessential leading man of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Cary Grant retired from acting in 1966 after his final film, Walk, Don’t Run. Although still a major box-office draw and critical favorite, the 62-year-old actor chose to step away from his illustrious career following the birth of his only child, daughter Jennifer. Grant openly stated that he wanted to dedicate himself fully to fatherhood and felt he could not be both a committed father and a major movie star. He turned down all subsequent movie offers, prioritizing his personal life over the ongoing demands of his celebrated profession.
12. Adele
In 2024, at the end of her European tour and before her final Las Vegas residency shows, globally acclaimed singer Adele announced she would be stepping away from performing “for an incredibly long time.” Coming off massive success with her album 30 and her lucrative residency, she was at the top of the music world. She shared with her fans that she had spent years building a new life for herself and simply wanted to “live it now,” indicating a strong desire to rest and focus on her family. While not a permanent retirement from all music, her indefinite step back from touring and live shows represents a voluntary pause at a career peak.
13. Frank Ocean
After releasing the critically acclaimed and highly influential albums Blonde and Endless in 2016, Frank Ocean has largely retreated from the public-facing music industry. Despite achieving massive critical success, selling out shows, and creating some of the most lauded music of the decade, he has chosen a path of extreme anonymity. While he occasionally releases a single or hosts a radio show, his sustained absence from the traditional album cycle and touring model is a deliberate choice to operate outside the conventional demands of a top-tier pop star, prioritizing his privacy and creative process.
14. Gene Hackman
Two-time Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman had a final, significant role in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport before quietly retiring from the screen. Although he had enjoyed a decades-long career of critical and commercial success, Hackman’s choice was primarily motivated by health concerns, including a heart condition, which prompted him to reduce stress and prioritize his well-being. He also mentioned that the quality of scripts he was being offered no longer interested him. Hackman fully embraced a new career as a novelist, a creative pursuit he enjoyed without the pressures of Hollywood.
15. Macaulay Culkin
One of the most famous child actors in history, Macaulay Culkin, walked away from the relentless spotlight after a series of blockbuster hits, most notably the Home Alone films, in the early 1990s. Despite earning immense wealth and fame at a very young age, he chose to take a substantial and deliberate hiatus from acting at age 14 to pursue a quieter, more normal life and education away from the intense scrutiny of the media. This choice was a direct attempt to regain control of his personal life and escape the pressures of being a global child star, a break that lasted nearly a decade.
It’s truly fascinating to see how these individuals, each at the pinnacle of their respective careers, chose to redefine their own version of a happy ending. Their stories remind us that the greatest measure of success is often knowing when, and how, to walk away and prioritize personal peace over public adoration.
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This story 15 Stars Who Walked Away at the Top (On Purpose) was first published on Daily FETCH
