Celebrities Who Left Hollywood To Live A Simpler Life In A Small Town – Stars Who Kissed Hollywood Goodbye
Fame has its ups and downs. With all of its rewards, it comes with some serious pressure too, and it can be exhausting. Most celebrities who live in Hollywood or any big city grow tiresome of the busy lifestyle.
Instead, they've decided to pack up their things and live closer to their families. Be sure to find out where they are now because you never know who could be in your hometown.
Debra Winger Moved To Westchester County, New York
At the height of her career, the Terms of Endearment actress left Hollywood. From there, Debra Winger moved on up to Westchester County, New York. Winger even admitted that she wanted to leave stardom for quite some time.
But, it wasn't until 1995 that she went through with moving away to the countryside. Winger told Best Life that the overall reason she chose to move to the country was that, "the idea of the limelight upsets me."
Daniel Day-Lewis Moved To Roxbury, Connecticut
The town is so small that not even 3,000 people live there. Its claim to fame came when Marilyn Monroe and her husband, playwright Arthur Miller moved there. However, Daniel Day-Lewis would follow in their footsteps.
The three-time Oscar winner decided to retire to his house in Roxbury after wrapping up his acting career. He's lived there for 19 years now, and it doesn't seem like he plans on leaving anytime soon!
Eric Clapton Moved To Columbus Area, Ohio
The Englishman found a home in Ohio. Out of all places in the world, it's strange Eric Clapton settled for Dublin, a city nearby Columbus. But, the town does remind him of home back in England.
When he's not on tour, his family enjoys themselves in the blue-collar town and much to the locals' enjoyment, Clapton sometimes makes surprise appearances at local concerts. Now in his 70's Clapton says his hearing is fading but he's still enjoying making music and doing gigs.
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds Moved To Bedford, New York
A-list couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds may star in a lot of films, but when they're not on set, they'd prefer to keep their lives quiet, along with their daughters'.
Well, I can't say I'm surprised that the Hollywood power-couple chose to settle down somewhere other than Hollywood. The Westchester suburb seems ideal for any celebrity who's looking to avoid the glitz and glamor of Tinseltown. And, to be fair, it's pretty close to the New York film world too.
Steve Martin Moved To Brevard, North Carolina
With his comedy and bluegrass music, the legendary Steve Martin packed up to move out to the countryside. He fronts the band The Steep Canyon Rangers with Edie Brickell, and all the members are from nearby Asheville, North Carolina.
Originally from Texas, the comedian-musician loved his new location so much that he wrote a song about it — "When You Get To Asheville." Did you know he won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2009?
John Mayer Moved To Paradise Valley, Montana
While on vocal rest after surgery, musician John Mayer decided to travel the country. He declined to give any interviews during his time off, but the musician fell in love with a particular area: Paradise Valley, Montana.
With plenty of open space and gorgeous mountain ranges, it seems to be a sanctuary that he's been looking for. Truly inspired by the setting, Mayer even named an album Paradise Valley after moving there.
Jeff Daniels Moved To Chelsea, Michigan
Unlike most stars, Daniels didn't just move back to his home state. Instead, he moved back to his hometown. After trying to launch his acting career in Los Angeles, Daniels felt that he wasn't going to have any luck. The Dumb & Dumber star moved back to his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, because he didn't think his career would go anywhere.
Although in later interviews, it seemed that he also wanted to return to Michigan to raise his family with his wife-childhood sweetheart. It's very fortunate that he was wrong about his luck, however, because Daniels went on to have a successful career.
Zach Galifianakis Moved To Alleghany County, North Carolina
Did you know that Zach Galifianakis is originally from North Carolina? Thanks to all of the money he made from The Hangover franchise, he bought a 60-acre farm in Alleghany County, near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It may seem pretty strange for someone like Galifianakis to be such a family man in real life, especially considering the characters he plays in movies. But he and his wife, Quinn Lundberg have chosen a quiet life in North Carolina for their two children.
Jon Bon Jovi Moved To Middletown, New Jersey
Jon Bon Jovi might be a legendary rockstar but he still remembers his roots. The musician has an unnatural love for his home state of New Jersey. Not only did he grow up there, but he decided to stay there despite the success he achieved.
He's lived in Middletown since 1999 with his wife and four children. He even married his high school sweetheart. And just like John Mayer, he paid homage to his favorite part of the planet by naming an album after it.
Julia Roberts Moved To Taos, New Mexico
Julia Roberts and her husband Danny Moder own a home in Taos, New Mexico, where they spend a good portion of their time. They moved to this specific area after tying the knot in 2002. Both of them were in relationships with other people when they first met, but fell in love instantly.
Together, they raise their three children in this picturesque town that is a far cry from Los Angeles!
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart Moved To Jackson, Wyoming
Whenever Hans Solo isn't acting, he's spending his time on his ranch in Jackson, Wyoming. That's where he keeps his aircraft too (although he's often spotted flying in California) and if local authorities need a hand, Ford is happy to help out.
He and his third wife, Calista Flockhart, have spent time in Jackson since their marriage in 2010. The couple bought an 800-acre ranch in Jackson and donated half as a nature reserve.
Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Moved To Leipers Fork, Tennessee
This tiny village in Tennessee is the home of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Surprising? This neck of the woods is only 45 minutes away from Nashville but gives the couple plenty of privacy and space to live their lives out of the limelight.
With Kidman hailing from Australia, and Urban coming from New Zeland, it makes sense that the couple would want to settle where there is plenty of open land instead of a concrete jungle.
Bruce Willis Moved To Bedford, New York
The star of Die Hard isn't new to small-town life. He raised three daughters with actress Demi Moore in Hailey, Idaho. Willis' father was a military-figure, and he comes from a long line of blue-collar workers. He must have felt the need to stay true to his upbringing by living in a quiet place.
There are only around 17,000 people in Bedford, and we're sure every single one of them knows that Bruce Willis lives in their town!
Bill Murray Moved To Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is much quieter than New York City and funny man Billy Murray would have to agree. The Saturday Night Live alumnus takes pride in this little town, co-owning a local restaurant called Harold's Cabin.
He's become infamous for his encounters with the locals, making Murray a tourist attraction for anyone lucky enough to live there. This is just another reason to make the trip to Charleston. While you're visiting, you can watch a baseball game. Murray is a part owner of the Charleston RiverDogs.
Taylor Swift Moved To Westerly, Rhode Island
The global pop star grew up in a small town. It may explain why she bought property in Westerly, Rhode Island. She's attempted to rebrand herself as a New Yorker, but even Swift needs a break from the city life.
Considering her career started with nothing but country songs, it's pretty amazing to see where she's gone.
Tom Hanks Cast Away To Ketchum, Idaho
Tom Hanks is one of the few notable celebrities to live near Ketchum, Idaho. The other notable star is Ernest Hemingway. Several other rich-and-famous guests have visited the area, from Clint Eastwood to Bill Gates.
Based on the surrounding area and the community itself, it's good enough for any A-lister. Don't think that Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson are living modestly, though. Their Ketchum, Idaho abode cost $10 million.
Dave Chapelle Moved To Yellow Springs, Ohio
Dave Chapelle surprisingly moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio after The Chapelle Show wrapped up. Interestingly enough, his father was a professor at Antioch College, and he would visit him while growing up. From his perspective of living in a small town, he said, "You don't need $50 million to live around these parts."
The comedian made it known that he needed to get away from the public eye after an intense schedule working in the entertainment industry. He's since made his comeback with his Netflix special, "Equanimity."
Prince Moved Up To Chanhassen, Minnesota
Prince was so fond of his home state of Minnesota that he coined his brand of music the "Minneapolis sound." His recording studio complex in Paisley Park is just south of Minneapolis in Chanhassen.
Interestingly enough, he wrote a song about being raised in the state, which appears on Around the World in a Day. The people of Minnesota couldn't have been more proud to have the legend be a resident of their state and paid a proper tribute to him once he passed away.
Nelly Moved To Missouri
While his mansion in Wildwood, Missouri, is famously left uninhibited and pretty much falling apart, the rapper, Nelly, once had dreams of revamping not only the gigantic home but also the property around it.
As of 2023, the mansion isn't even worth $1 million! According to realtor.com, Nelly put the property on the market for $599,000! Not bad for a 1,000-sqm mansion.
Meryl Streep Moved To Salisbury, Connecticut
The beloved actress never enjoyed the limelight. Instead, iconic actress Meryl Streep spends her time in Salisbury, Connecticut. With plenty of farmer's markets and friendly locals, it's the ideal small town for anyone looking to escape Hollywood.
One reason that might explain why she settled in Salisbury is that the Oscar-winning actress studied acting at Yale University. Streep and her husband bought a $1.8 million private estate in Connecticut in 1985, sold it, moved back to Los Angeles. It wasn't long before they regretted their decision and ended up moving back to Connecticut!
David Letterman Moved To North Salem, New York
David Letterman's career has spanned nearly five decades, beginning in 1970. After wrapping up The Late Show in 2015, the talk show host spent some time with his family in North Salem, New York, where he purchased an estate on 108 acres.
Living 60 miles outside of the Big Apple helps him go under the radar. But, his other home is near Choteau, Montana, about as far from any city as you can get.
