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Mara Wilson, 'Matilda' (1996) -

Child star Mara Wilson was one of the most prolific young actresses of the '90s. She appeared in 'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993), 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994), and 'Matilda' in 1996. Unfortunately, nine-year-old Wilson had one of the worst experiences of her life while filming 'Matilda.'

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Mara Wilson, 'Matilda' (1996) -

Wilson's mother passed away from breast cancer while 'Matilda' was in production, and the movie was dedicated to her memory. This was such a difficult time for Wilson that she struggled with acting for a few years after that, and eventually retired in 2000. She worked on writing for several years, and dipped her toe into the world of acting again in 2012.

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Cameron Diaz, 'Annie' (2014) -

In 2014, Cameron Diaz starred as Ms. Hannigan in the remake of 'Annie.' The film received terrible reviews and Diaz announced her intention to take a break from acting shortly afterwards.

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Cameron Diaz, 'Annie' (2014) -

Diaz didn't cite an issue with this specific film, but did say that she was tired of performing and public life in general. “I’ve given more than half of my life to the public. I feel it’s OK for me to take time for myself now." 'Annie' was her last film. She announced that she was coming out of retirement in 2022 to work on the movie 'Back in Action' with Jamie Foxx, but reportedly decided to go back to retirement after it wraps. 

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Daniel Day-Lewis, 'Phantom Thread' (2017) -

Daniel Day-Lewis has always been meticulously selective about which projects he takes on, and when he chooses one, he gives it everything. He's one of the best method actors out there, but sadly he's now retired. His last film was 'Phantom Thread' in 2017.

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Daniel Day-Lewis, 'Phantom Thread' (2017) -

Day-Lewis is an artist and a perfectionist. He said a profound sadness came over him as he was making 'Phantom Thread' and that he had no desire to see the finished film. The sadness never left him and he made his decision to quit acting. He wasn't satisfied with his performance, but said “it’s not why the sadness came to stay. That happened during the telling of the story, and I don’t really know why.”

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Shelley Duvall, 'The Shining' (1980) -

Shelley Duvall was a budding young actress when she landed the role of a lifetime in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining.' Unfortunately, that role would be her last for quite a while. Kubrick was a brilliant director, but also infamous for his obsessiveness and extreme methods.

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Shelley Duvall, 'The Shining' (1980) -

Duvall had a notoriously difficult time working with Kubrick on 'The Shining.' Her character was a woman unraveling under immense pressure, terror, and exhaustion. Kubrick attempted to extract genuine desperation and hysteria from Duvall by pushing her to repeat the same scene more than a hundred times. Duvall was emotionally and physically drained after the grueling production and retired from acting for several years. The late actress never made a full comeback. 

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Sean Connery, 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' (2003) -

The late Sean Connery officially retired from acting in 2003, 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' being his last film. There was a great deal of tension on set between Connery and the director, Stephen Norrington. He was irritated by excessive production delays and had serious artistic differences with Norrington. He was not a fan of Norrington's quirky and experimental style.

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Sean Connery, 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' (2003) -

Connery confirmed his retirement when receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2006. He cited his reason for retiring as the "idiots now making films in Hollywood."

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Greta Garbo, 'The Two-Faced Woman' (1941) - Greta Garbo was one of Hollywood's biggest stars back in the 1930s, but she was never happy with her Hollywood life. She spent a lot of time alone in a state of melancholy. Garbo was cast in the 1941 comedy 'The Two-Faced Woman.' She wasn't satisfied with the script but was too apathetic to do much about it. "Since I would rather go walking in the country than fight for stories, it will have turned out like it has," she wrote in a letter.

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Greta Garbo, 'The Two-Faced Woman' (1941) -

The movie was a critical flop and Garbo, at the age of 36, retired from acting permanently. She had appeared in 27 movies and won three Academy Awards. After 1941, she withdrew from public life completely and lived as a recluse until her death in 1990.

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Hayden Christensen, 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)' (2005) -

Hayden Christensen was 19 years old when George Lucas cast him as Anakin Skywalker in the 'Star Wars' prequels. It was a huge opportunity for the young Canadian actor, and he felt like he'd won the acting lottery. 

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Hayden Christensen, 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)' (2005) -

However, his performance in the series was harshly criticized, which left him feeling like a fraud. He felt everything had come to him too easily and he hadn't earned it. He quit acting and abandoned the celebrity life to live on a farm. He stayed out of the limelight for several years before starting to take on a few more acting roles.

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Jaye Davidson, 'The Crying Game' (1992) -

Jaye Davidson tried out for his role in 'The Crying Game' without any real expectation of getting anywhere. He was shocked when he got the part and actually tried to back out! He ended up going through with the film, and even received an Oscar nomination for his performance.

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Jaye Davidson, 'The Crying Game' (1992) -

He may have been talented, but Davidson never had any intention of becoming an actor. He hated his taste of fame, which only solidified his decision to stay away!

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Gene Hackman, 'Welcome to Mooseport' (2004) - Gene Hackman was an acting icon, but he disappeared from our screens in the early 2000s. He was known for playing tough, serious characters, as well as for being a tough character behind the scenes too.

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Gene Hackman, 'Welcome to Mooseport' (2004) - He took a role in the 2004 comedy 'Welcome to Mooseport,' which absolutely bombed. Hackman was so disinterested in the movie that he didn't bother going to the premiere. Instead, he went straight into retirement.

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Omar Sharif, 'The 13th Warrior' (1999) -

Omar Sharif was an actor known for appearing in epics. He did everything from 'Dr. Zhivago' (1965) to 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962). He was a well-respected actor, but he lost respect for himself after appearing in 'The 13th Warrior.'

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Omar Sharif, 'The 13th Warrior' (2003) -

'The 13th Warrior' bombed and Sharif said that he deeply regretted taking part. He seemed to have a deep sense of shame, stating that even his grandchildren laughed at him for appearing in that movie. He started turning down roles after that and let his career fizzle out.

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Jake Lloyd, 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I)' (1999) -

Before there was Hayden Christensen, there was Jake Lloyd. He played a young Anakin Skywalker in the earlier 'Star Wars' prequel movie, which appears to be a cursed role. Lloyd was less than 10 years old when he was working on the movie and he was instantly shot to superstardom.

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Jake Lloyd, 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I)' (1999) -

Lloyd said he was constantly being photographed, and at times did up to 60 interviews a day. At the same time, he was being relentlessly bullied by his schoolmates. The whole experience was a nightmare and he had no desire to pursue an acting career.

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Heather Donahue, 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999) -

Heather Donahue was the star of the terrifying horror classic 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999). She actually did want to continue acting after completing the film, but simply couldn't land any roles.

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Heather Donahue, 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999) -

Donahue tried to work as an actor for the next 10 years, but finally gave in and accepted that 'The Blair Witch Project' was her one big success. She said she took all of her "stuff into the desert relating to [her] acting career and burned it all."

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Carrie Henn, 'Aliens' (1986) -

Carrie Henn was nine years old when she was cast in 'Aliens' by James Cameron. He thought she would be perfect for the role of Newt, even though she had no prior acting credits.

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Carrie Henn, 'Aliens' (1986) -

She gave a good performance alongside Sigourney Weaver, but hated being away from her family. She chose not to pursue a career in acting after that.

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Peter Ostrum, 'Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory' (1971) -

Peter Ostrum was 12 years old when he scored the incredible role of Charlie in 'Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.' He was discovered by casting agents, but found that acting wasn't something he really enjoyed.

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Peter Ostrum,  'Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory' (1971) -

Ostrum chose not to accept any other roles after 'Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.' Instead, he stayed in school and ended up becoming a veterinarian. 

Sources: (TheThings) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Variety)

See also: Actors who almost quit right before their big break

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