11 Celebs Who Gave Up Hollywood For A Higher Calling

Breaking news: Being a celebrity isn't the most important thing in the world. While some actors would have you believe that the universe revolves around their star power, others have left the biz for more fitting vocations. Maybe it's because the immense pressure of a life in Hollywood finally got to them, or maybe it's because they just realized they were sick of having to get a blowout to run to Walgreens.

Either way, there's no denying that giving up life as an actor is a weighty decision. Veterans like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly paved the way for the Great Hollywood Escape, but plenty of people have followed in their footsteps. It seems like giving up fame could one day be as groundbreaking as getting fame in the first place. Whether celebs decide to use their notoriety for charity work or to conquer the Ivy Leagues, expect to see more and more of it. Ahead, eight celebs who said sayonara to the silver screen, by choice.