For some, the strident call of fame keeps people in the public eye for as long as possible. Others prefer a normal life. These celebrities threw show biz success and drama, and moved on to a more normal life.
Freddie Prinze Jr. Became a Wrestling Producer
Since 1996 for 10 years, Freddie Prinze Jr. set the small screen ablaze with roles in the hit movies She’s All That and I Know What You Did Last Summer, even having his own show which was cancelled after a season. Then he suddenly stopped acting and joined WWE. Prinze was always a wrestling fan, contributing to WWE’s message boards. When contemplating a career change, he was asked to write, direct and produce, WWE.
Kris Humphries Turned Restaurateur
Kris Humphries, the Minneapolis-born athlete played for nine top professional basketball teams, but never for hometown team, Minnesota Timberwolves. But Kim Kardashian changed everything after their marriage. With the spotlight shifting to him, he regularly was tabloid-material, dealing with weird specific on-court heckles, and publicly harassed. After 72 days, they filed for divorce. After Humphries retired from NBA, he returned home and franchised fast-casual restaurants.
Shaquille O’Neal Was Once a Police Officer
He may not be the greatest at free throws, but apart from NBA star Shaquille O’Neal’s on-court career, he has made hip-hop tracks, movies, and as a fashionable TNT basketball commentator. However, O’Neal loves cops and decided to become one in multiple cities. He joined Los Angeles’ sheriff’s academy to become a reserve officer, busting a hate crime in Miami. He became honorary sheriff’s deputies in Virginia and Georgia, participating in cases.
Gene Hackman Became an Author
The movie Welcome to Mooseport was a gentle comedy and an opportunity for serious actor Gene Hackman to register laughs, starring opposite Ray Romano. Instead, Hackman was inspired to retire from acting. Your dad loved many of Hackman’s film roles and will like the books he’s writing. Hackman is now a published author of historical fiction like Escape from Andersonville, a story about prison escape during the Civil War.
Kevin Jonas Turned Entrepreneur
Just back in 2019, the Jonas Brothers were finally back together after a 6-year gap and the world’s prayers were answered. Nick and Joe began more successful solo music projects, while Kevin Jonas gave up the guitar, for business plans as entrepreneur, setting up JonasWerner, a construction company for custom-built homes and renovations; The BluMarket helps influencers partner with companies; and Yood is a phone-based app that orders food easily.
Kal Penn was a Government Employee
In 2004, actor Kal Penn went to the White Castle and in 2009, he went to the White House. Despite funny onscreen performances in the Harold & Kumar movie franchise, Penn was the Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement. Kalpen Modi worked with the Obama government fostering effective communication with under-represented communities. However, after serving for two years, Penn returned to show biz.
Jon Gosselin Turned to Exotic Dancing
You know you messed up a relationship when your partner changes the name of her TV show. Jon Gosselin was married to Kate Gosselin and had eight kids and their hectic life was documented until Jon started wandering. After a scandal-filled divorce, Kate retained the newly dubbed Kate Plus 8 show. Jon kept away from the limelight, worked a series of odd jobs, installing solar panels, serving at restaurants, as DJ, as cook, and even stripping.
