From talk show hosts to supermodels, 2024 saw some big names step away from the limelight. Join us as we explore the surprising exits of beloved celebrities who chose to pursue new paths, retire, or simply take a break from the glitz and glamour of showbiz. Who will you miss the most?
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00:00Well, the time has come to say goodbye.
00:02Welcome to WatchMojo.
00:04And today we're looking at celebrities who chose 2024 as the year to step back from fame,
00:09whether by outright retiring or embracing a new path away from the limelight.
00:12Happy, healthy people build happy,
00:14healthy societies by making happy, healthy choices.
00:19Number 10, Bella Hadid.
00:24In 2024, Bella Hadid, one of the most prominent figures in the fashion industry,
00:29made the surprising decision to step away from the glamour of modelling and move to Texas.
00:33After a decade in the spotlight, she revealed to Allure magazine
00:37that the profession no longer fulfilled her, saying,
00:40I realized I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that,
00:43in the long run, wasn't necessarily giving it back to me.
00:46In her late 20s, Hadid has shifted her energy toward launching her own fragrance line,
00:51titled Orabella, which became available to the public in the spring.
00:55Number 9, Eliza Dushku.
00:57Fan-favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku announced in 2024 that she has
01:02left Hollywood behind to pursue a completely different path.
01:05Dushku, also known for her role in films like Bring It On,
01:08is now certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
01:11She's also working on a master's degree in counseling and clinical mental health.
01:16Together with her husband, Dushku is funding innovative research and clinical trials
01:20Dushku had also accused her Bull co-star Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment.
01:25Number 8, Pat Sajak's.
01:282024 saw Pat Sajak's, a true television legend,
01:31retire from his hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune after an extraordinary 41 seasons.
01:36He was also the first male actor to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in a Film.
01:41In the early 2000s, Sajak's career began to take off.
01:44He was the first male actor to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in a Film.
01:48After an extraordinary 41 seasons,
01:50citing a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue long-delayed hobbies,
01:54Sajak's bid farewell to the show that made him a household name with an emotional final episode.
01:59It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes
02:04night after night, year after year, decade after decade.
02:07Fans and critics expressed bittersweet emotions over Sajak's departure,
02:11while also welcoming Ryan Seacrest as his replacement.
02:14Now enjoying retirement, Pat says he has more time for his passions,
02:18including cheering on his favorite sports teams.
02:20The veteran showman is also set to headline a murder mystery play in Hawaii
02:23with his longtime buddy Joe Moore.
02:35Best known for his role as James Bond in the 1969 film Honor, Majesty, Secret Service,
02:40George Lazenby officially announced his retirement from acting and public life in 2024
02:46at the age of 85. Revealing his decision on social media,
02:49Lazenby shared that after over five decades in film and television,
02:53he wants to spend more time with his family. In a statement, he confirmed he would no longer act,
02:58give interviews, make public appearances, or sign autographs.
03:04Of course, Lazenby's brief but iconic portrayal of 007
03:07marked a significant moment in the Bond franchise
03:10following Sean Connery's initial run as the legendary spy.
03:13You gave a very accurate description.
03:15Number six, Pamela Hayden.
03:17While you might not know her name, you definitely know her voice.
03:20You got that right.
03:21Pamela Hayden, the voice behind Milhouse on The Simpsons,
03:24announced her retirement in 2024 after 35 years on the show and nearly 700 episodes.
03:30Hayden also voiced characters like Rod and Todd Flanders and Jimbo Jones.
03:35You let me down, man. Now I don't believe in nothing no more. I'm going to law school.
03:44However, Milhouse, Bart Simpson's nerdy yet resilient red spectacle best friend,
03:48became her most beloved role.
03:50I hate these flood pants.
03:55Hey, they're working. My feet are soaked, but my cuffs are bone dry.
04:01Everything's coming up Milhouse.
04:03Hayden praised the character, calling him a wonderful analogy for life.
04:07He's always getting knocked down, but he keeps getting up.
04:10I'm never giving up.
04:13Meanwhile, series creator Matt Groening celebrated Hayden for making Milhouse both hilarious
04:18and heartfelt.
04:19Milhouse fans can rest easy, though, as producers plan to recast the role.
04:23Number five, Judi Dench.
04:25While not in official retirement, 2024 saw Dame Judi Dench announce her decision to step back
04:31from acting due to her declining eyesight.
04:33Caused by age-related macular degeneration, the Oscar-winning actress and cornerstone
04:38of British cinema shared her struggles with reading scripts and navigating film sets.
04:42She further confirmed that she had no further projects planned, humorously adding,
04:46I can't even see.
04:48Although fans are saddened by this news, they continue to celebrate her extraordinary career
04:52and contributions to film and theater.
04:55I've just been reviewing Bond's tests. Seems you've passed by the skin of your teeth.
05:01You're back on active service.
05:02Dench remains committed to supporting charitable causes, however,
05:05ensuring her legacy extends far beyond her iconic performances.
05:09What do you love so much?
05:11Your Majesty.
05:12Speak up, girl. I know who I am.
05:14Number four, Scooter Braun.
05:16Scooter Braun, the renowned music manager behind stars like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande,
05:21and Demi Lovato, announced his leave from artist management after 23 years.
05:25There's gonna be one less lonely girl.
05:29In an Instagram statement, the 42-year-old expressed his desire to prioritize his role
05:34and focus on his position as CEO of Hive America,
05:38which will keep him tied to the entertainment industry.
05:40Reflecting on his career,
05:41Braun shared memories of managing his first artist at 19
05:44and acknowledged the incredible journey he's had.
05:46His career wasn't without controversy, however.
05:49Notably, his feud with Taylor Swift over the acquisition and sale of her music masters.
05:53After I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright,
05:57my entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings in a deal that I'm told was funded
06:03by the Soros family, 23 Capital, and the Carlyle Group.
06:07Number three, Evangeline Lilly.
06:09Best known for her roles as Kate on Lost and Hope Van Dyne in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,
06:14Evangeline Lilly announced she's taking an indefinite hiatus from acting.
06:18My God.
06:18Look, I get her. I've got needs, too.
06:20Oh, my God!
06:22In a social media post, Lilly expressed joy and fulfillment with her Hollywood career,
06:26stating that while leaving behind wealth and fame can feel daunting,
06:30it has brought her a deeper sense of purpose.
06:32Reflecting on a 2006 video from the set of Lost,
06:34where she had hoped to retire from acting within 10 years to pursue a more humanitarian path,
06:39Lilly revealed that nearly two decades later, she has achieved that goal.
06:43Potentially, you know, maybe influencing people's lives in a more humanitarian way,
06:49as almost everybody in the world now knows was my intention before I started this show.
06:53Number two, Ian Somerhalder.
06:56I know this is probably the last thing you want to do right now,
06:58but we should talk about what happened tonight.
07:00Ian Somerhalder rose to fame through his role as Damon Salvatore on the popular TV show
07:05The Vampire Diaries, among other notable projects.
07:10It's cool not growing old. I like being the eternal stud.
07:13However, the desired performer surprised fans in 2024 by announcing his retirement from acting.
07:18He explained that he wanted to dedicate himself fully to environmental activism
07:22and make a positive impact on the world outside of Hollywood.
07:25He expressed gratitude for his long career, telling E! News,
07:28I love making films. I just did it for so long. We had an amazing run.
07:32Somerhalder also shared that one of his greatest joys is connecting with nature
07:36alongside his children, emphasizing his commitment to both family and the environment.
07:40Happy, healthy people build happy, healthy societies by making happy, healthy choices.
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08:02Number 1. Ellen DeGeneres
08:04Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business.
08:06Ellen is calling it quits. Yep, the longstanding comedian who became a popular talk show host
08:11through The Ellen DeGeneres Show announced her retirement in 2024. During her Farewell Comedy
08:16Tour, Ellen's last stand, Up, she told audiences, After this, I'm done. The announcement comes
08:22nearly four years after WarnerMedia investigated Ellen's defunct talk show for a toxic work
08:27environment, following a 2020 BuzzFeed exposé. So when Ellen says she's not aware of this
08:33environment, you don't think that rings true? It's a lie. For all intents and purposes,
08:37her Farewell Tour appears to be a true goodbye to showbiz. In fact, when asked about her future
08:42roles by a reporter, she responded, I'm going bye-bye. Remember? Had I ended my show by saying
08:47go f*** yourselves, people would have been pleasantly surprised.
08:52Which celebrity's exit from the spotlight in 2024 surprised you the most?
08:56Let's chat in the comments.
08:58Thank God for the money.
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