Walking away from Hollywood is often seen as a risk, but for a select group of celebrities, it opened the door to even greater success. These individuals traded film sets and red carpets for business ventures, investments, and entirely new industries, building impressive fortunes far beyond their entertainment careers. Here, we take a look at seven stars who walked away from Hollywood and built remarkable fortunes on their own terms.
Jami Gertz
Source: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for STARZ
Jami Gertz is the world’s richest actor, a fortune she amassed largely after stepping away from acting. Known for her roles in films like “The Lost Boys” and the sitcom “Still Standing,” Gertz and her husband, businessman Tony Ressler, became the principal owners of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, a venture that has supplemented their already substantial wealth.
Jeff Cohen
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Jeff Cohen stole hearts as the clumsy but lovable Chunk in the 1985 classic “The Goonies.” However, his acting career came to a halt at a young age, and instead of pursuing more roles, he turned his attention to academia. He earned a law degree from UCLA and went on to co-found the entertainment law firm Cohen Gardner LLP. His unique perspective as a former child star has given him an invaluable edge, allowing him to represent clients in the very industry he once left behind.
Phoebe Cates
Source: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize
Phoebe Cates was an iconic figure of the 1980s, starring in hits like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Gremlins.” In the mid-1990s, she retired from acting to focus on raising her children. She then found a new creative outlet by opening a successful New York City boutique called Blue Tree. The store, which sells a variety of unique goods, has become a destination in its own right, proving her ability to connect with an audience extends beyond the big screen.
Jessica Alba
Source: Angela Papuga/Getty Images
Known for her roles in films like “Fantastic Four” and “Sin City,” Jessica Alba was a successful actress for over a decade. However, she began to find her true calling as an entrepreneur. In 2011, she co-founded The Honest Company, a consumer goods brand specializing in baby, personal, and household products. The company’s focus on non-toxic, eco-friendly goods resonated with consumers, and it grew into a multi-billion dollar business that went public in 2021. While she has had a few acting jobs since, her primary focus and the source of her wealth is her business empire.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
The Olsen twins became a global phenomenon as toddlers on “Full House” and built a massive child-acting empire with a series of movies, videos, and merchandise. They eventually retired from acting to focus on fashion, founding the luxury brand The Row in 2006. The brand, known for its minimalist and high-quality designs, has received critical acclaim and has become a financial juggernaut, cementing their status as fashion moguls.
Kevin Jonas
Source: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Live Nation
While he found fame as one-third of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas embarked on a different path during the band’s hiatus. Stepping away from the music and acting scene, he began building his own businesses. He co-founded a construction and development company, Jonas Werner Homes, and also became the co-CEO of a marketing and app development startup. His entrepreneurial ventures, which capitalize on his business savvy, have proven to be a new and lucrative source of income.
Bridgit Mendler
Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Save The Children
Once a Disney Channel star known for her lead role in “Good Luck Charlie,” Bridgit Mendler has taken one of the most remarkable and successful career detours on this list. She stepped away from acting to pursue higher education, earning degrees from MIT and Harvard Law School. In 2024, she made headlines when she announced she had co-founded and was the CEO of Northwood Space, a startup focused on building a ground station network for satellites.
