Evangeline Lilly, known for her roles in "Ant-Man" and "Lost," revealed in a recent interview that she stepped away from Hollywood six years ago. The actress cited a lifelong discomfort with fame, health issues, and a desire to pursue a more meaningful life guided by her Christian faith as reasons for her departure.
"I've always hated being famous," Lilly told CBN News. "I never made any secrets about that. I've always said being famous is the cost of the wealth that you can get as an actor."
Despite achieving significant success and wealth, Lilly acknowledged experiencing moments of fear when consciously letting go of the power, influence, and affirmation that came with her acting career. However, she stated that her faith ultimately provided a sense of liberation and trust in a greater purpose beyond the entertainment industry.
"It's just been incredibly liberating and beautiful to step into a total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life," Lilly said. "That that plan doesn't necessarily need to – it doesn't have to be about fame and money and wealth and power. It can be about more important things and that all of it works together."
Film critic Christian Toto of Hollywood in Toto noted that it is rare for established actors to leave their careers, especially those who have achieved success in major franchises. Toto suggested that the intense public scrutiny, amplified by social media, contributes to the drawbacks of fame. He also pointed out that Hollywood can be particularly challenging for women over 40, which may influence decisions to leave the industry.
Lilly clarified that she had considered herself retired since 2020, with her departure gaining wider attention in 2024 following a retrospective social media post. In June 2024, she shared a video from 2006 expressing her wish to retire from acting, raise a family, and engage in humanitarian work.
Beyond the psychological toll of fame, Lilly also stated that leaving Hollywood significantly improved her physical well-being, noting a reduction in chronic health issues that she associated with the demands of her career. "My health has dramatically improved. I had massive chronic health issues by the time I retired," she said.