These Stars Retired From Acting, But They're Still Living Large

To us mere mortals, leaving the fame and fortune of celebrity stardom seems absolutely insane. However, for some former actors, the business became too much due to a lack of privacy, meaningful roles, or simply a desire to try something new and more in-line with their interests. According to Chron, some of the careers that former actors choose to pursue include producing and directing, so they can be behind the big screen rather than on it; entrepreneurs, so they can use their influence to sell their own products; and writers, so they can use their creative voices in other ways.

Hollywood has its fair share of stars who have left the business but judging by these amazing homes that they live in, they're still doing alright. Many continue to live in million-dollar mansions without the constant stream of paparazzi banging on their doors. Here's where your favorite former actors from the past have lived.

Eva Mendes was long a stunner of Hollywood, bringing her Latin flair to films such as "Hitch," "Ghost Rider," and "Lost River." But per E! News, Mendes decided to refocus her energy on being a mom of two daughters after completing "Lost River." So, she hasn't been in a film since then, but she's never felt like she's missing anything. She was so sure of her decision that in late 2021, she left Los Angeles — maybe for good. Mendes and husband Ryan Gosling sold their Los Feliz home for $4.9 million, said Dirt. Mendes and Gosling are so private that they never even put the Mediterranean Revival-style home on the market — it sold in an off-market deal, unfortunately for us nosy real estate fans.

However, what we do know is that the estate they lived in dated back nearly a century and was hidden behind lots of manicured landscaping. It included the main house as well as a separate building, possibly for visitors, as well as a three-vehicle garage. Mendes had owned the four-bedroom, nearly 4,000 square foot place for 14 years, buying it shortly before she and Gosling tied the knot. Since the two moved, it's been rumored that they've been staying at their Santa Barbara County home, which they previously used as a vacation spot.

Times have changed for former actor Kal Penn. The same actor who starred in comedies like "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle," "Epic Movie," and "National Lampoon's Family Vacation" went on to become a White House staff member in the Barack Obama administration. It's possible he didn't take too much of a pay cut, judging from his $1.5 million Hollywood Hills home that he put up for sale in 2018. Realtor said that Penn bought it in 2007 when he joined the cast of "House," and owned it for over a decade. 

The home included three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a flowing floorplan, lots of modern updates, and enormous windows for checking out the views of Upper Nichols Canyon. Even though it was built in 1950, it had a super-modern exterior — very Los Angeles — with clean lines and an architecturally interesting gray façade. Inside, though, lots of natural light, wood beams, and other wood details warmed up the space. The kitchen included tons of stainless steel, including a unique stainless steel island with a few black stools. It was set at the end of a cul-de-sac atop nearly 5,000 square feet of property, including a big deck for sunning, a spa area attached to the primary bedroom, and a space for storing wine at the perfect temperature.

For many years, Gene Hackman graced the big screens with hits like "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Enemy of the State," and "The Firm." But according to Empire, it all took a turn in 2004, when Hackman was 74 years old. A doctor told him that his heart wasn't doing well, and he had to do what he could to refrain from stress. His acting career abruptly ended, and we haven't heard much from Hackman since. However, long before Hackman retired, he was already settled in his forever home in Montecito, California, still away from the wandering eyes of Hollywood.

Hackman's home, designed in a Mediterranean style with a white façade and red-orange roof atop 25 acres, dates back more than a century from its beginnings as a vacation home, said Architectural Digest. But that wasn't his only impressive property. He also owned an enormous beachfront property within walking distance of downtown Carmel, which he sold for $27 million in 2015 (via The Mercury News). Hackman owned it back in the early 1990s and sold it in 1993. No doubt it wasn't quite as expensive back then, but the man clearly has an eye for appreciating properties.

Andrew Shue enjoyed huge popularity while he was on "Melrose Place" from 1992 to 1999, but acting wasn't his true passion. According to Major League Soccer, Shue was a star soccer player before being cast on the show, and he continued to be one afterwards. He actually didn't want his teammates to know that he had been on the show. After "Melrose Place" ended, Shue stopped pursuing acting, except for a stint in "Gracie" in 2007. But he's still done more than well. He married "Good Morning America" star Amy Robach, and the pair and their kids live in Manhattan.

Shue and Robach's home seems quite normal and homey despite their celebrity status. Their kitchen features an exposed brick wall, counters constructed of quartz, and lots of colorful knickknacks lining the shelves, per Hello!. It also has sliding barn doors to keep storage tucked away in the space-strapped city and a living room with lots of fun touches. The walls have been painted jet-black for a modern aesthetic, while the room is warmed up with wood floors, plush rugs, a pink couch, and a raw wood coffee table. Colossal windows bring sunlight to the space.

Jennie Garth was a star of "Beverly Hills, 90210," but since the show ended in 2000, her acting gigs have been few and far between. However, she hasn't totally given up on Hollywood. Per E! News, Garth lives not too far away in Pasadena, a city about 30 minutes away from Tinseltown. She paid $3.3 million for a luxe ranch here, where she lives with her husband and her three children. The home dates back about 70 years, but you would never know by looking at it, thanks to its modern revamps. The 3,360 square foot space also has killer views — Garth can see the many mountains of California here, making this pad the best of both worlds.

Inside, Garth's home includes a gourmet kitchen, a primary bedroom with a closet fit for a fashion queen, a bathroom that doubles as a private spa, and even a wet bar, ideal for entertaining. To make it perfect for a family, the home has many pops of pastel colors and softening features, like wicker chairs and plush rugs. Outside, Garth has set up quite the entertaining space thanks to her pool, outdoor dining set, and plenty of lounge chairs.

It's hard to remember that the Duchess of Sussex is also a former actress, having appeared in "Suits," "90210," and "Horrible Bosses." Meghan Markle retired from acting when she married Prince Harry so she could focus on her royal duties, which quickly ended as she and Harry stepped away from the throne. But they may be doing even better than they would be across the pond.

According to Love Property, Markle and Harry bought a simply stunning $14.7 million mansion in Montecito in 2020. Surrounded by ivy rolling up the walls, manicured landscaping, and tons of florals, it looks like a European palace from the outside. There's also a playground-sized area for Markle and Harry's two kids, and a rectangular pool surrounded by olive trees. Inside, the celebrity-worthy pad has lots of other luxe, European-style touches. The living room has built-in bookcases lined with Markle and Harry's favorites, as well as exposed wood beams and regal chandeliers. Nine bedrooms, several with their own fireplaces and patios, fill the enormous space adorned with beige and yellow tones. And so the couple doesn't have to leave too often to face the crazed paparazzi, the home also includes a library, fitness center, private theater, entertainment room, and spa.

For years, kids followed Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen through their TV and movie adventures, including "Full House," "New York Minute," and "Passport to Paris." However, once the twins grew up, acting was no longer on their priority list — fashion was. The pair became fashion designers, and, as such, money continued to follow them. New York Post said that in late 2021, Mary-Kate Olsen decided to offload her New York City townhouse for an amazing $11.5 million. Unfortunately, the price would be at a loss — Olsen bought the pad with her then-husband seven years prior for $13.5 million.

Despite the loss, it's still an amazing property. The townhouse has 8,700 square feet, a colossal amount of area for space-strapped New York City. It includes five stories, towering ceilings, several fireplaces, tons of skylights, and dark wood for a formal feel. Outside, there's also a lush garden for a bit of nature within the industrial city. The house dates all the way back to 1921, so it has modern amenities as well as historic charm. It features touches like herringbone floors, ornate finishings, and a long history of celebrity residents.