There are two types of people -- those who want fame and those who avoid it. The following people had a taste and added up the positives and negatives before coming to the conclusion that they could take it or leave it. But why? Here are a few theories, but they surely aren't the only ones that exist.
Brendan Fraser
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, brendan fraser]()
The man who once delighted audiences with "Airheads," "The Mummy" and even "Bedazzled" is nowhere to be seen. After 2010's "Furry Vengeance" (which received a stellar eight percent on Rotten Tomatoes), it seems things have gone sour. The last Fraser sighting was a stint on History Channel's "Texas Rising," which only lasted five episodes and ceased in June 2015.
Renee Zellweger
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, renee zellweger]()
In 2010, Renee Zellweger finished "My Own Love Song" and then abruptly vanished from the planet. In 2014 she reappeared, sporting a brand new look which many speculated was due to plastic surgery. She took plenty of heat from fans on the matter, but she's not finished yet. The pouty-faced, squinty-eyed star famous for Bridget Jones and various roles in critically acclaimed films such as "Jerry Maguire" is making a comeback. "Bridget Jones's Baby" is wrapping production and is set to come out this year. Don't let the haters get you down, boo.
Meg Ryan
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, meg ryan]()
You can guess where this one's going. Once the sweetest face in Hollywood -- pouty pink lips, glowing blue eyes, and a smile that could make Tom Hanks' heart melt -- her look has now forever changed. In the late '80s and '90s, Ryan was the archetypical rom-com love interest, starring in "You've Got Mail," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally..." Since 2009, she's only been in a handful of low-level TV series. But according to an interview with Porter Magazine, it appears she's over the tidal waves of criticism handed to her choice to undergo plastic surgery: "I love my age. I love my life right now. I love what I know about. I love the person I've become, the one I've evolved into. In my life I've been scrappy as hell, but I feel easy with things now. I think that comes with age."
Katherine Heigl
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, katherine heigl]()
When it comes to the biz, you have to pretend. That's acting, after all. If your reputation holds up as someone people want to work with again, you're safe. Katherine Heigl's didn't. It was a straight shot to superstardom after "Knocked Up" and "27 Dresses," but after "The Ugly Truth," the real ugly truth that she was a difficult diva came out. As an example, after "Knocked Up" in 2007, she claimed the movie was "a little bit sexist." This prompted Seth Rogen to trash her on "The Howard Stern Show." Heigl's publicist fired her -- which normally happens the other way around -- and she's been MIA in the blockbuster scene ever since.
Zach Braff
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, zach braff]()
It may only seem like Zach Braff has disappeared off the radar because of "Scrubs" ending in 2010. Roles of a lifetime come and go, and ever since, he's mostly made brief periodic appearances in small series here and there. If the directorial and written talent showcased in "Garden State" and his more recent "Wish I Was Here" is any indication, however, Mr. Braff's career is far from over; just dormant.
Mike Myers
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, mike myers]()
There is a simple explanation for Myers' lack of appearances as of late: 1) He got dat Shrek money, and 2) He became a father. Telling Jimmy Kimmel about fatherhood, "It's the happiest time in my life. I always wanted to have kids. I always thought I'd like it, of course, I didn't know I was going to love it." If there's any reason to escape the clutches of Hollywood, it's to focus your talents for family life. However, rumor has it "Austin Powers 4" is currently in the works. The question is, do we even want it?
Rick Moranis
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, rick moranis]()
If you're wondering why Rick Moranis left your television, it's best not to get into it. In 1991, his wife died of breast cancer and he chose to withdraw from the strenuous movie-making life to focus on rearing his two kids. He hasn't been in a live action role since 1997. Truth is, every millennial and Gen-Xer holds Rick Moranis dear to their heart. Having been in "Ghostbusters," "Spaceballs," "Little Giants" and a slew of other '90s staples, it's a shame. But alas, Moranis chose the noble route and we can't fault him for that.
Gene Hackman
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, gene hackman]()
There should be a mandatory rule that national treasures can't disappear from the public eye without an explanation. It's just too heartbreaking. Hackman's last movie was "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004. He has since entered retirement.
Joe Pesci
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, joe pesci]()
Joe Pesci is just too talented. He retired from acting in 1999, coincidentally the same year the greatest running back ever, Barry Sanders, quit the NFL. Just a theory, but Sanders claimed he became uninterested in football; he lost his passion. The same could be said for Pesci, who played the iconic psychopath in "Goodfellas," the iconic brother in "Raging Bull" and the iconic burglar in "Home Alone." Like Sanders, it was just too easy for him. So he retired and got into his other passion: music. Listen to the recording and tell me that his voice isn't pitch-perfect and golden -- just like his acting.
Caitlyn Jenner
![where did these celebrities go, celebrities who disappeared from spotlight, caitlyn jenner]()
In 2015, it was the news of the century. As Bill Burr described it, you had "baby seals washing up on the beach" due to Caitlyn's coming-out party. In less than a year, the hype seems to have faded. But "I Am Cait" was announced for a second season, so the limelight hasn't exactly dimmed yet, either.
Brendan Fraser
The man who once delighted audiences with "Airheads," "The Mummy" and even "Bedazzled" is nowhere to be seen. After 2010's "Furry Vengeance" (which received a stellar eight percent on Rotten Tomatoes), it seems things have gone sour. The last Fraser sighting was a stint on History Channel's "Texas Rising," which only lasted five episodes and ceased in June 2015.
Renee Zellweger
In 2010, Renee Zellweger finished "My Own Love Song" and then abruptly vanished from the planet. In 2014 she reappeared, sporting a brand new look which many speculated was due to plastic surgery. She took plenty of heat from fans on the matter, but she's not finished yet. The pouty-faced, squinty-eyed star famous for Bridget Jones and various roles in critically acclaimed films such as "Jerry Maguire" is making a comeback. "Bridget Jones's Baby" is wrapping production and is set to come out this year. Don't let the haters get you down, boo.
Meg Ryan
You can guess where this one's going. Once the sweetest face in Hollywood -- pouty pink lips, glowing blue eyes, and a smile that could make Tom Hanks' heart melt -- her look has now forever changed. In the late '80s and '90s, Ryan was the archetypical rom-com love interest, starring in "You've Got Mail," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally..." Since 2009, she's only been in a handful of low-level TV series. But according to an interview with Porter Magazine, it appears she's over the tidal waves of criticism handed to her choice to undergo plastic surgery: "I love my age. I love my life right now. I love what I know about. I love the person I've become, the one I've evolved into. In my life I've been scrappy as hell, but I feel easy with things now. I think that comes with age."
Katherine Heigl
When it comes to the biz, you have to pretend. That's acting, after all. If your reputation holds up as someone people want to work with again, you're safe. Katherine Heigl's didn't. It was a straight shot to superstardom after "Knocked Up" and "27 Dresses," but after "The Ugly Truth," the real ugly truth that she was a difficult diva came out. As an example, after "Knocked Up" in 2007, she claimed the movie was "a little bit sexist." This prompted Seth Rogen to trash her on "The Howard Stern Show." Heigl's publicist fired her -- which normally happens the other way around -- and she's been MIA in the blockbuster scene ever since.
Zach Braff
It may only seem like Zach Braff has disappeared off the radar because of "Scrubs" ending in 2010. Roles of a lifetime come and go, and ever since, he's mostly made brief periodic appearances in small series here and there. If the directorial and written talent showcased in "Garden State" and his more recent "Wish I Was Here" is any indication, however, Mr. Braff's career is far from over; just dormant.
Mike Myers
There is a simple explanation for Myers' lack of appearances as of late: 1) He got dat Shrek money, and 2) He became a father. Telling Jimmy Kimmel about fatherhood, "It's the happiest time in my life. I always wanted to have kids. I always thought I'd like it, of course, I didn't know I was going to love it." If there's any reason to escape the clutches of Hollywood, it's to focus your talents for family life. However, rumor has it "Austin Powers 4" is currently in the works. The question is, do we even want it?
Rick Moranis
If you're wondering why Rick Moranis left your television, it's best not to get into it. In 1991, his wife died of breast cancer and he chose to withdraw from the strenuous movie-making life to focus on rearing his two kids. He hasn't been in a live action role since 1997. Truth is, every millennial and Gen-Xer holds Rick Moranis dear to their heart. Having been in "Ghostbusters," "Spaceballs," "Little Giants" and a slew of other '90s staples, it's a shame. But alas, Moranis chose the noble route and we can't fault him for that.
Gene Hackman
There should be a mandatory rule that national treasures can't disappear from the public eye without an explanation. It's just too heartbreaking. Hackman's last movie was "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004. He has since entered retirement.
Joe Pesci
Joe Pesci is just too talented. He retired from acting in 1999, coincidentally the same year the greatest running back ever, Barry Sanders, quit the NFL. Just a theory, but Sanders claimed he became uninterested in football; he lost his passion. The same could be said for Pesci, who played the iconic psychopath in "Goodfellas," the iconic brother in "Raging Bull" and the iconic burglar in "Home Alone." Like Sanders, it was just too easy for him. So he retired and got into his other passion: music. Listen to the recording and tell me that his voice isn't pitch-perfect and golden -- just like his acting.
Caitlyn Jenner
In 2015, it was the news of the century. As Bill Burr described it, you had "baby seals washing up on the beach" due to Caitlyn's coming-out party. In less than a year, the hype seems to have faded. But "I Am Cait" was announced for a second season, so the limelight hasn't exactly dimmed yet, either.