Actresses who achieved massive, global ‘It Girl’ status before completely vanishing from Hollywood

Bridget Fonda was born for the spotlight as part of Hollywood’s famous showbiz dynasty. She starred in hits throughout the ’80s and ’90s, including features like Scandal, Single White Female and The Godfather Part III.

She classily stepped back from the big screen after Snow Queen in 2002. Over twenty years later, in 2023, a reporter asked if she would consider returning to acting, the star replying: “I don’t think so, it’s too nice being a civilian”.

Phoebe Cates defined the early ’80s teen idol in hits like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins, but decided to walk away from acting after her 1994 role in Princess Caraboo – but made a very brief cameo in 2001’s The Anniversary Party as a favor to her best friend, Jennifer Jason Leigh. 

The mother-of-two welcomed son Owen and daughter Greta with actor Kevin Kline, known for A Fish Called Wanda. She chose to focus on raising her two children and seems perfectly content with a life out of the spotlight.

Not many stars reach the heights of fame that lead to a classic cocktail bearing their name, but even the star of Curly Top and Heidi grew fed-up with her legacy of childhood fame.

Shirley Temple decided to leave acting behind at just 22 years old, opting instead for a family focus and later, a powerful political career. The former actress served as US Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia, as well as Chief of Protocol.

Daryl Hannah was one of the biggest names in Hollywood during the ’80s and ’90s but was forced back from the limelight after rejecting advances from Harvey Weinstein. 

Fortunately, the Wall Street star, who was one of the prominent actresses to speak up during the MeToo movement, has since returned to mainstream hits and forged a career behind the screen as well as in front of the camera. 

Late ’90s and early ’00s rom-coms would be nothing without Cameron Diaz. From My Best Friend’s Wedding to The Holiday and There’s Something About Mary, she defined on-screen charm.

It took many fans by surprise, however, when she decided to step away from the spotlight to focus on her family, spending a decade in retirement and enjoying life where her only role was ‘mum’. Luckily for us, she’s back on screens now, co-starring with Jamie Foxx in the action-comedy Back in Action (2025). Fans will be thrilled to know her return is permanent, she is set to star alongside Keanu Reeves in Outcome and is reprising her iconic role as Princess Fiona in next month’s highly anticipated Shrek 5.

Swedish star Greta Garbo provided inspirational Golden Age glamour in every one of her roles. But in 1941, at 36 years old, she announced she would be taking a temporary break from acting. A temporary break that turned into a permanent one.

Rather than building on her existing fame with guest appearances at premieres, the Camille star was always keen to keep her time off-screen private. She lived in New York until her death in 1990, at the age of 84.