[00:00] Here's Johnny! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most noteworthy actors who stepped out of the limelight, either intentionally or not. But mostly, I just want to be inspired.
[00:14] Number 10, Mira Sorvino. An Academy Award win usually signals the beginning of a major Hollywood career. But seriously, you want to know why I like you right from the start? Why? Because I'm always attracted to losers.
[00:26] Instead, Mira Sorvino's star unexpectedly dimmed during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Years later, allegations emerged that producer Harvey Weinstein had worked behind the scenes to damage opportunities for actresses who rejected his advances.
[00:40] Among the victims was, you guessed it, Sorvino. At the time it happened, I told everyone I knew, and a lot of people will tell you that. While she has continued acting, the momentum she enjoyed during her breakthrough years has yet to fully return.
[00:52] Even with the Oscar, these days, Sylvia remains one of Hollywood's most striking what-if stories. Have a rodeo with your day. That was a good one. Thanks. Number 9, Orlando Bloom. It's not every day you get to headline a billion-dollar franchise, let alone two in the span of a few years.
[01:09] As both Will Turner and Legolas, Orlando Bloom spent the 2000s as the quintessential heartthrob. Unfortunately, when he wasn't sailing a ship or holding a bow, audiences weren't as keen on him.
[01:27] I'm not used to going to find you. That's because I'm one of a kind. You don't have to make a joke. So rather than burning out on green screens, he shifted pursuing smaller, character-driven independent projects,
[01:39] some of which saw greater success than others. You ready to start again? Yeah, I'm ready. While Blume occasionally pops up on stage or in legacy sequels, he seems perfectly content leaving his poster boy status in the past. Get in the chopper, let us get a few shots.
[01:53] Number 8, Taylor Lautner. At one point in time, you couldn't talk to any tween girl without hearing all about a certain brooding werewolf. Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out!
[02:05] Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out! Go out! was another layer to this curse, though, that of typecasting. Despite Taylor Lautner's rapid fanbase casting directors pigeonholed him into underwritten leading men roles looking at you Abduction 9 what your emergency My parents were just murdered and I think the people who did it are after me too Following a few critically panned flops Lautner took the hint and gracefully bowed out of
[02:32] the spotlight altogether. Maybe I'll just have to turn you in, or maybe I'll just have to kill you. Nowadays, he's embraced a much quieter lifestyle. You're more likely to see him next to his wife than in a blockbuster, but for what it's worth, he seems perfectly content with that.
[02:45] Who is the bigger drama queen? The amazing. Number 7, Mary Kane and Ashley Olsen. After raising an entire generation with childhood antics and directed video releases, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen decided they wanted their own lives back.
[02:58] But that's where we started! This is not worth it. So despite the golden ticket to a lifelong career in Hollywood, the twins completely retired from acting in 2012. Creating privacy and creative freedom, the two pivoted to high-end fashion,
[03:13] where they soon established a massively successful clothing brand. This goes out to everyone that is in this industry. the horror industry and really loved the effect of it.
[03:25] To this day, they remain off the grid. They avoid all kinds of tabloid drama and even passed on a lucrative offer to appear in the Full House reboot. Message is loud and clear. These two are coming back to acting.
[03:38] Number 6. Sarah Michelle Gellar. As much as we hate to see her go, playing vampires and solving mysteries is enough to tucker anyone out. I'm a black belt now. I transformed Formed my body into a dangerous weapon.
[03:50] Especially when you're trying to start a family. Despite the fact Sarah Michelle Gellar literally owned the 90s and early 2000s, she happily bowed out to raise her kids. I was about to say she sat on her hands, though. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.
[04:04] She successfully pivoted into entrepreneurship, launching a beloved organic baking company, and took on a good amount of voiceover work, too. Why can't we just not cooperate? Why do you control me to a such pain?
[04:17] It's taken many years, but Gellar is just now starting to dip her toe back into consistent on-screen work. Hopefully a major comeback is in the works. There's only one thing on this earth more powerful than evil.
[04:29] And that's us. Number five, Jim Carrey. Ace Ventura, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber. Jim Carrey's legacy knows no bounds. What's this, Mr. Gellar? It's the soup of the day.
[04:42] That sounds good. I'll have that. So the whole comedy world felt it when he announced he was done with celebrity culture He didn want to be beholden to the rigid Hollywood structure anymore and became notoriously selective with his roles I want to generate my own material
[04:58] As a result, Cary's output has slowed to a crawl in the last several years. Unless you're a Sonic fan, you probably haven't seen him on screen in a while. Set up defense! Damn you, Arnold Correct!
[05:11] But considering how many classics Cary's given us, We think he's earned the right to do whatever he wants. In case I don't see ya. Good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
[05:24] Number four, Renee Zellweger. It's always strange to see a celebrity vanish at the top of their game. It's even stranger when it's their choice. But that's what happened with Renee Zellweger. Just shut up.
[05:37] You had me ask hello. After becoming synonymous with quality female-driven t-shirts, she decided she wanted some time to herself. I'm gonna be a celebrity, that means somebody everyone knows.
[05:51] In practice, that turned into a multi-year hiatus away from any shred of publicity. Zellweger later returned to Oscar-winning success with 2019's Judy. But even still, she's yet to match the high pay she had in her earlier years.
[06:03] Based on her history, something tells us that's an intentional choice. Happy New Year. Happy New Year. Number 3, Michael J. Fox. With charm, heart, and undeniable swagger,
[06:15] Marty McFly made Michael J. Fox an overnight sensation. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doc. Doc? Are you telling me you built a time machine? What, a DeLorean?
[06:27] He may have stayed there, too, if it weren't for his Parkinson's disease. And people were telling me, you know, how could you keep that a secret? And I thought, I didn't really think of it as a secret, you know? It's like two among us goes, you know, high on va-vay and gout.
[06:39] As Fox battled his chronic illness, He took an understandable step back from performing, going from blockbusters to recurring roles and television guest spots. Nowadays, his time is split between the occasional on-screen appearance and devoting his time to groundbreaking research for Parkinson's.
[06:54] There's a chance that by the time he's done, he'll be remembered more for his work behind the camera than in front of it. Number 2, Cameron Diaz.
[07:07] Remember Cameron Diaz? Of course you do. She was basically everywhere once upon a time I want a guy who plays 36 holes still have enough energy to take me and Warren to a ball game and eat hot dogs I talking sausage hot dogs Deer Not right deer but deer
[07:22] That's my act. Bring it up. Chick flicks, action films, even animated features. If you wanted a name, you wanted Diaz. But I don't understand. I'm supposed to be beautiful. Beautiful.
[07:36] But you are beautiful. But after realizing she'd worked herself into a creative rut, the highly bankable actress cashed in her earnings and split. Hey, you can't talk to me like that.
[07:48] I know things about you. Diaz began exclusively focusing on her family and other less public-facing endeavors. Since then, you barely heard a word from her. Netflix coasted her back to screens with a feature in 2005,
[08:00] but otherwise, Diaz seems to be living it up on her own terms. Call me later? Of course. Before we continue, be sure to check out WatchMojo's 24-hour livestream.
[08:12] All of your favorite videos in one place, 24-7. Always on, always live. Are you ready to drive? Number one, Jack Nicholson. For decades upon decades, it felt like there was no Hollywood without Jack Nicholson.
[08:27] What is it that you think you're doing? Being direct with you as I know how. I thought you might appreciate it. From once a little bit of The Cuckoo's Nest and The Shining to Batman and The Departed,
[08:40] the multi-time Oscar winner built one of the most acclaimed careers in movie history. Who thinks they can do what you do better than you? The only one who can do what I do is me.
[08:52] Then almost without fanfare, he bid it all adieu. Nicholson's last film role came in 2010's How Do You Know, and he's largely avoided acting ever since. I didn't think that it would ever touch you. And I wish that I could somehow express how what is happening to you is the most wrenching experience of my life.
[09:12] While rumors of retirement have circulated for years, Nicholson's never made an official announcement. Instead, he's explained that he's simply less driven to put himself out there. All things considered, he deserves the break. Would you like to rest today or would you like to join the group?
[09:26] Oh, I'd love to join the group. Which of these performers deserves a comeback the most? Let us know in the comments below.