Singer Gladys Knight has announced she is stepping back from performing to focus on her family and transition into a new phase of her life.
The 82-year-old frontwoman of Gladys Knight & the Pips shared the decision in an August 27 Instagram post, explaining that she will be winding down her touring schedule after three quarters of a century in music.
"After much soul searching," Knight wrote, "I've decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward."
Knight, who has been married to William McDowell since 2001, explained that she plans to spend more time on projects with her husband and visit with her grandchildren as she looks forward to this new era.
The seven-time Grammy winner is mother to Kenya Newman, 63, whom she shares with ex-husband James Newton, and Shanga Hankerson, 50, whom she shares with ex-husband Barry Hankerson. Her son James "Jimmy" Newman III died in 1999 at the age of 36. According to Parade, Knight also has 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Expressing her gratitude to her supporters, the "Midnight Train to Georgia" singer thanked her fans for making a little girl's dream come true over the past 75 years and sent her eternal love back to them.
She finished by sharing her hope that she gets to see her fans more in the future.
"I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and on the road," she said. "God bless all of you and hope to see you soon."
Fans and celebrity friends commented on the post to support her decision. Kelly Rowland wrote, "You have given us your ALL. Thank You a million times over! I love you Ms.Gladys." Andy Cohen commented, "You have given us so much!" Singer Kim Wayans added, "The Wayans Family loves you Gladys. You (and the Pips) are a huge part of the soundtrack of our lives. Thank you for all the amazing and soulful music you have given to the world. Whatever you decide to do Legend, we're with you."
Actors leaving Hollywood for theater and family
Knight joins a broad group of performers who have chosen to step back from Hollywood in recent years. After suffering a near-fatal heart attack in 2019, The Mask of Zorro actor Antonio Banderas moved back to his native Malaga, Spain, to focus on theater.
The Tony nominee told The Times in March 2026 that faced with death, he realized he was a theater actor. He now owns a theater venue and is involved in his local community while taking on occasional screen projects, telling the publication he has never been happier.
The Girl Next Door actress Elisha Cuthbert took a four-year break from acting to raise her two children with husband Dion Phaneuf before landing a role in Prime Video's Every Year After. Speaking on Today in June 2026, the 24 and Happy Endings star confessed that working through her first child's early years was hard, leading her to stay home when her second child was born.
Actress Diane Farr, known for Fire Country, Numb3rs, and Rescue Me, revealed on Instagram in July 2026 that she sold her Los Angeles home after 30 years. She described leaving the city where she raised her children to begin a third chapter somewhere far away from Hollywood.
Relocations across Europe and Britain
Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres left Hollywood after The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following a 19-season run amid toxic work environment allegations, executive firings, and an internal investigation. During her final Netflix standup special tour for For Your Approval, per SFGate, she told a crowd that she was done after the special.
DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi relocated to the Cotswolds in November 2024 following Donald Trump's reelection. Speaking to Richard Bacon at the Everyman theater in Cheltenham in July 2025, per the BBC, DeGeneres praised the English countryside, noting that de Rossi flew her horses over while they kept chickens and briefly kept sheep.
Desperate Housewives star and Flamin' Hot director Eva Longoria has spent the past few years splitting time between Mexico and Spain with her husband Jose Baston and son Santiago. Longoria told Marie Claire in November 2024 that California had changed and Covid pushed it over the edge, though she later clarified on The View: Behind the Table podcast that she left because filming commitments for Land of Women and Searching for Mexico kept her abroad.
Chicago and The Agency: Central Intelligence actor Richard Gere moved to Madrid, Spain, with his Spanish wife Alejandra Silva and their bilingual sons Alexander and James. Gere told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024 that his wife gave him seven years in the US and they decided to spend years in Madrid, later telling Elle Espana in January 2025 that they were happier than ever.
Singer and Dexter: Original Sin actress Christina Milian officially moved to Paris with her French singer husband Matt Pokora so her children could study in France. Milian told The Jennifer Hudson Show in November 2024 that they previously commuted every six months, adding to E! in December 2024 that she manages her work schedule hours ahead while enjoying an active lifestyle during the day.
Moves to Australia, Dubai, and Hampshire
America's Next Top Model host Tyra Banks moved to Australia with her son York and boyfriend Louis Belanger-Martin to manage her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream. Speaking on Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, the supermodel noted that Australia, New Zealand, and America eat the most ice cream, calling the move a dream come true.
The Parent Trap and Mean Girls star Lindsay Lohan moved to London and then Dubai after feeling her work was overshadowed by paparazzi attention in her youth. Lohan, who opened beach clubs in Greece, told Bustle in March 2024 that taking time for herself helped her find love with Bader Shammas, whom she married in 2022 before welcoming son Luai in 2023.
Black Hawk Down and Black Mirror actor Josh Hartnett relocated to the Hampshire countryside in England with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children. Hartnett told People in July 2024 that Hollywood felt like a one-note state of mind, telling The Guardian that raising four kids in the countryside meant more of the important things were happening.
Midwest living and career changes
Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg has lived on and off in Indiana for the last decade with his wife Anna Strout, a teacher, and their son Banner. The A Real Pain star told CBS News Sunday Morning in February 2025 that he avoids social media and industry contacts because he finds the entertainment business unstable.
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bring It On actress Eliza Dushku Palandjian revealed in September 2024 to Boston Magazine that she became certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She described her mental health studies as her real calling and purpose after shifting directions to focus on healing.
The Flintstones actress Rosie O'Donnell moved to Ireland in January 2025 with her youngest child Clay while seeking Irish citizenship through her grandparents. In a TikTok video, O'Donnell cited political developments as her reason for leaving, adding she would consider returning to America when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights.
Ant-Man and the Wasp star Evangeline Lilly announced an indefinite hiatus from acting in June 2024 after 20 years in the industry. Writing on Instagram, Lilly stated that stepping into her dharma replaced fear with fulfillment, though she noted she might return to Hollywood one day.
Farming, writing, and new pursuits
The Vampire Diaries actor Ian Somerhalder stepped away from acting over four years ago to focus on regenerative agriculture, climate change, and raising his two children with wife Nikki Reed. Somerhalder told E! News in November 2023 that he launched documentaries Kiss the Ground in 2020 and Common Ground to advocate for healthy soil management, stating he plans to be a rancher and build legacy brands.
Former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy stopped acting to pursue writing, directing, and podcasting, detailing her experiences in her 2022 memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died. McCurdy told Anna Faris on her Empty Inside podcast in February 2021 that she felt ashamed and embarrassed by her early roles, though she told E! News in October 2022 she might consider acting again if she wrote the project herself.
Meghan Markle left her acting role on Suits and her home in Toronto to marry Prince Harry and join the British royal family. After stepping back from senior royal roles, the Duchess of Sussex moved to Montecito, California, launching a production deal with Netflix for docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022 and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan in 2025 alongside podcasts and her brand As Ever.
Returns after stepping away
Cameron Diaz stepped away from acting after 2014's Annie to write books and start a family with husband Benji Madden before returning for the 2025 Netflix film Back in Action. Diaz told Gwyneth Paltrow she wanted different things after years of 12-hour filming days, while co-star Jamie Foxx told E! News he begged her to return to the screen.
Empire star Terrence Howard stated in 2019 and 2022 that he was finished with acting, telling ET he did not want to impersonate himself. Despite those statements, the Oscar nominee returned to appear in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Netflix's Shirley, and other upcoming projects.
Game of Thrones actor Jack Gleeson stopped acting in 2014 at age 21 after playing King Joffrey, telling EW he ceased enjoying it once it became a profession. Following a six-year break, Gleeson returned in BBC's Out of Her Mind in 2020 and later appeared in films including In the Land of Saints and Sinners and TV shows such as Safe Harbor.
Boutiques, business, and late returns
Fast Times at Ridgemont High star Phoebe Cates stepped back from acting after marrying Kevin Kline in 1989, opting to stay home with children Owen and Greta while operating her New York City boutique Blue Tree. Kline told Playboy they agreed to alternate work slots, but Cates chose to focus on family aside from a cameo in 2001's The Anniversary Party.
Ghostbusters star Rick Moranis left filmmaking after his wife died of breast cancer in 1991 to raise his children Rachel and Mitchell. Having avoided live-action film roles since 1997, Moranis is set to return alongside Josh Gad in the Disney reboot Shrunk.
Never Been Kissed actress Leelee Sobieski stepped away from acting after marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010 and having children Louisanna and Martin. Sobieski told Vogue in 2010 that she disliked the sexual nature of most acting roles, later telling Us Weekly in 2016 that she focuses on her children, painting, and Kimmel's business.
Arrested Development and Scandal star Portia de Rossi retired from acting near age 45 to launch her consumer-art company General Public. Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, de Rossi explained she wanted a new challenge, though creator Mitch Hurwitz wrote her into five episodes of Arrested Development season 5 after she gave notice.
Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement following 2017's Phantom Thread, stating through a representative that it was a private decision. In October 2024, Focus Features announced he would return to star in the 2025 film Anemone, which he co-wrote with his son Ronan Day-Lewis.
Good Luck Charlie star Bridgit Mendler stepped back from entertainment in 2018 to earn a master's degree and PhD from MIT, alongside a degree from Harvard Law School. In February 2023, Mendler became CEO of Northwood Space, a startup building ground satellite stations to transfer data from space.
