Evangeline Lilly, known for playing Kate Austen in “Lost” and Hope van Dyne in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” films, says she left Hollywood six years ago because she never wanted the fame that came with it.
In an interview with CBN News published Monday, Lilly said the trade-off between fortune and privacy never sat right with her.
“I’ve always hated being famous,” she said. “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.”
Lilly said stepping away from the money, influence and recognition that came with her Hollywood career brought moments of fear.
“There has been definitely moments of fear of like, ‘How do you consciously and intentionally let go of so much seemingly power and influence and potentially money and also just affirmation of yourself,'” she said.
Christian Toto, a film critic and founder of Hollywood in Toto, told Fox News Digital that walking away from a successful acting career, especially one built on major franchises, is rare.
“It’s extremely uncommon for stars to walk away from their acting careers,” Toto said. “It happens, but it’s the exception to the rule. Many work very hard to achieve a level of fame, so giving that up doesn’t always make sense. For some, like Lilly, they learn that an actor’s life has too many drawbacks, and they seek something more fulfilling.”
Lilly said her Christian faith helped her make peace with leaving the spotlight behind.
“It’s just been incredibly liberating and beautiful to step into a total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life,” she 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.”
Toto said the scrutiny celebrities face has only intensified with social media.
“There’s a cost to Hollywood fame,” Toto said. “You live under the microscope. Strangers assume they know you and sometimes treat you that way in public. Your career is subjected to scrutiny in ways others can’t imagine. It’s always been so, but the rise of social media makes all of the above worse.”
Lilly also pointed to health benefits from leaving the industry, saying she had been dealing with serious physical problems by the time she stopped working.
“My health has dramatically improved. I had massive chronic health issues by the time I retired,” she said.
She said she had considered herself retired since 2020, four years before her departure became widely known. In June 2024, Lilly announced she was stepping away from Hollywood by posting a 2006 video in which she said she wanted to retire from acting, raise a family and do humanitarian work.
Toto said the industry’s treatment of older actresses may push some women out the door faster than men.
“Another factor? Hollywood can be cruel to women past the age of 40. Men are allowed to age naturally and can still land major roles, even in action films. It’s not as easy for actresses,” Toto said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
