Mila Ross
10 Celebrities Who Made a Fortune Only After Quitting Hollywood
Leaving Hollywood doesn’t always mean leaving success behind.
Some celebrities walked away from the spotlight and found even greater wealth in unexpected places.
From tech startups to fashion empires, these stars proved that life after acting can be more profitable than anyone imagined.
1. Jami Gertz
Jami Gertz is widely considered the world’s richest actor, though her fortune didn’t come from box office hits.
You might remember her from The Lost Boys or the sitcom Still Standing, but her real wealth came after she stepped back from regular acting roles.
Alongside her husband, billionaire investor Tony Ressler, Gertz built an empire through smart business moves.
They became principal owners of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, turning sports ownership into a massive revenue stream.
Their investment portfolio extends far beyond basketball, including stakes in major financial ventures.
Gertz’s story shows that sometimes the best career move is knowing when to pivot from performing to investing.
2. Jeff Cohen
Remember Chunk doing the truffle shuffle in The Goonies?
Jeff Cohen left that childhood fame behind to build something even more impressive.
After his acting days ended, he focused on education and earned a law degree from UCLA.
Cohen co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP, an entertainment law firm that represents major talent.
His experience as a former child star gave him insider knowledge that few lawyers possess, making him uniquely valuable to clients navigating the industry.
Today, his legal practice generates far more income than his acting career ever did.
Cohen’s transformation from beloved movie kid to respected attorney proves that education can open doors acting never could.
3. Phoebe Cates
Fast Times at Ridgemont High made Phoebe Cates an ’80s legend, but she chose family over fame in the mid-1990s.
Rather than chasing more movie roles, she retired from acting to raise her children and explore new passions.
Cates opened Blue Tree, a boutique in New York City that became a beloved shopping destination.
The store featured carefully curated gifts, clothing, and unique items that reflected her creative vision and sophisticated taste.
Blue Tree’s success demonstrated that her talents extended far beyond the silver screen.
Running a thriving retail business in Manhattan proved more fulfilling and financially rewarding than returning to Hollywood ever would have been.
4. Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba starred in blockbusters like Fantastic Four and Sin City, but her biggest success came after shifting focus.
In 2011, she co-founded The Honest Company, selling eco-friendly baby products and household goods that prioritized safety over chemicals.
The company exploded in popularity as parents embraced the non-toxic mission.
Alba’s brand grew into a multi-billion-dollar empire, eventually going public in 2021 and making her far wealthier than her acting career ever had.
Her business acumen surprised skeptics who thought she was just another celebrity slapping her name on products.
Instead, Alba built a legitimate company that changed consumer expectations and proved Hollywood wasn’t her only path to success.
5. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Full House made the Olsen twins household names, and their entertainment empire dominated the ’90s and early 2000s.
But they shocked fans by completely abandoning acting to pursue high fashion, a risky move that paid off spectacularly.
In 2006, they launched The Row, a luxury fashion brand celebrated for minimalist design and impeccable craftsmanship.
The brand commands premium prices and earned critical acclaim, including prestigious fashion industry awards.
Their fashion empire now generates far more revenue than their acting careers ever did.
The Olsens proved they were serious businesswomen, not just former child stars playing dress-up in an industry that initially doubted them.
6. Kevin Jonas
While his brothers stayed in the spotlight, Kevin Jonas took a different path during the Jonas Brothers’ hiatus.
He stepped back from entertainment to explore entrepreneurship, co-founding Jonas Werner Homes, a construction and development company that built custom properties.
Kevin also became co-CEO of a marketing and app development startup, proving his business instincts extended beyond music.
His ventures generated substantial income independent of his boy band fame, giving him financial security on his own terms.
When the Jonas Brothers reunited, Kevin returned as a businessman first and performer second.
His story shows that fame doesn’t have to define your entire career, and smart investments can outpace entertainment earnings.
7. Bridgit Mendler
Good Luck Charlie made Bridgit Mendler a Disney Channel favorite, but she had bigger ambitions than Hollywood.
She walked away from acting to pursue higher education, earning degrees from MIT and Harvard Law School, an extraordinary academic journey.
In 2024, Mendler stunned everyone by announcing she co-founded Northwood Space, a satellite ground station startup.
As CEO, she’s working on technology that could revolutionize space communications, a far cry from sitcom scripts.
Her transformation from teen actress to tech entrepreneur is one of the most dramatic pivots in entertainment history.
Mendler’s success proves that intelligence and ambition can take you anywhere, even beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
8. Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, commanding millions per film for hits like Charlie’s Angels and There’s Something About Mary.
But in the mid-2010s, she shocked fans by walking away from acting entirely, seeking a more fulfilling life outside the spotlight.
Diaz co-founded Avaline, a clean organic wine brand that quickly gained popularity among health-conscious consumers.
She also made strategic investments in wellness and lifestyle startups, building a diverse business portfolio.
Her post-Hollywood career became both profitable and personally satisfying in ways acting never was.
Diaz’s story reminds us that success isn’t just about money—it’s about finding work that aligns with your values.
9. Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher remains famous for acting, but his greatest financial wins came from venture capital.
He co-founded A-Grade Investments, backing early-stage tech companies that seemed risky at the time but became massive successes.
His portfolio includes early investments in Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify—companies now worth billions.
Kutcher’s tech instincts proved remarkably sharp, positioning him as one of Hollywood’s most financially savvy former stars.
While he occasionally returns to acting, his investment firm generates far more wealth than any movie paycheck.
Kutcher’s story shows that recognizing opportunity outside your industry can be the smartest career move you’ll ever make.
10. Dylan Sprouse
Dylan Sprouse was a Disney Channel megastar on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, but he intentionally stepped away from mainstream acting.
After finishing his education, he pursued a passion project that had nothing to do with Hollywood fame.
Sprouse founded All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn, a craft beverage company inspired by historical brewing traditions.
The business produces mead—an ancient honey-based alcohol—and has built a loyal following among craft drink enthusiasts.
His meadery’s success proved that his biggest wins came after leaving Hollywood behind.
Sprouse chose authenticity and craftsmanship over celebrity, building a business that reflects his genuine interests rather than chasing fame.
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