We've all uttered, “Remember that actor in that movie?” at one time or another. Usually, the question is followed by, “I wonder what happened to them?” While it’s unusual for an actor to appear in only one movie before calling it quits – especially when that movie is a huge success – it sometimes happens.
There are many reasons why actors leave the profession instead of appearing in more movies. They may not have enjoyed their time in front of the camera, or they might consider their day job or career aspirations preferable to staying in show biz. Whatever the reason, these one-and-done actors made a lasting impression on audiences before walking away from the limelight for good.
Carrie Henn – Aliens (1986)
“They mostly come at night… mostly.” Newt’s (Carrie Henn) line in James Cameron's sci-fi blockbuster Aliens reached iconic status when pop culture enthusiasts Matt Stone and Trey Parker had Cartman mimic the line in the South Park episode “Cat Orgy." Quite a feat for an actor that has only made an appearance in one big-screen role. For Henn, landing the role of Newt was a case of being in the right place at the right time. She was scouted at her school in England, where they shot the film, when she was just nine years old. Henn and her family were living in the UK because her father, a member of the US Air Force, was stationed there.
Despite winning a Saturn Award in 1987 for Best Performance by a Younger Actor, Henn turned her back on acting for a couple of reasons. One, her family relocated to the US, and she wanted to have a "normal" childhood. Secondly, she decided acting was not her true passion and instead pursued (and realized) her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. While Henn has not appeared in front of the cameras since her stint in Aliens, she did lend her voice to the 2020 animated film Thunder Island in the part of Union Worker.
Jake Lloyd – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Technically, Jake Lloyd appeared in a minor role since playing Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, but it’s the Star Wars prequel he’s most remembered for that forced him into early retirement.
Lloyd was only eight when he appeared as the young Darth Vader in Episode I. Unfortunately, diehard Star Wars fans did not take too kindly to the biggest, baddest villain in the galaxy being played by an adorable blond kid. Neither did the film critics: the reviews were scathing. Add to this the flak Lloyd copped at school – schoolmates constantly made lightsaber noises every time he walked past – and it’s understandable why, at 12, he walked away from Hollywood.
Billy Redden – Deliverance (1972)
When you think of the survival thriller Deliverance, what comes to mind? I bet you said “Dueling Banjos.” Well, the porch-sitting creepy-looking kid wielding the banjo was Billy Redden. He was discovered at 15 in a casting call in Clayton, Georgia, and offered the part of Lonnie in the Burt Reynolds classic. Redden paid no mind to the fact he was cast because he looked, well, inbred and was a source of ridicule by other characters. It was a good move because, in so doing, he wrote himself into movie history.
Redden is credited for appearing in a few blink-and-you’ll-miss-them cameos in subsequent movies where IMDb has him listed as – you guessed it – “Banjo Man.” His full-time job, however, is performing maintenance work at Walmart. Interviewed for a 2012 Deliverance documentary called The Deliverance of Rabun County (where the movie was shot), Redden lamented that although the film was the best thing to have happened to him, he never made much money from it.
Danny Lloyd – The Shining (1980)
Despite Stephen King’s infamous dislike of Stanley Kubrick’s movie adaptation of his book, The Shining, the film remains a horror classic that has earned its rightful place in popular culture. Part of the reason for its popularity is the character of Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd), as much of the movie focuses on Danny’s psychic gift.
Credit must go to six-year-old Lloyd’s compelling portrayal, which enabled audiences to suspend their disbelief throughout the movie. His ability to perform commendably alongside veterans Jack Nicholson and Scatman Crothers begs the question: why didn’t he continue acting? The answer is that he tried. Although he continued auditioning for movie roles, Lloyd couldn’t catch a break. He’d tired of the process by his early teens and told his parents he was quitting acting. Saying farewell to Hollywood, Lloyd married and raised four children and is now a biology professor at a Kentucky university.
Peter Ostrum – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Peter Ostrum’s portrayal of Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was so beloved and the movie so successful that Ostrum was offered a three-movie deal. He declined. Agents cast Ostrum in the role of Charlie after seeing him perform in a sixth-grade school play. His big break could’ve seen him make a big name for himself, but, for Ostrum, one movie was enough.
Ostrum was so determined to distance himself from his famous role that not even his wife was aware that he played Charlie Bucket in the Roald Dahl classic. Ostrum instead decided to pursue his true passion: animals. These days, Ostrum is Doctor Peter Ostrum – he became a qualified veterinarian in 1984 – and is more concerned with milk production than milk chocolate.
Jeff Cohen – The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies’ “truffle shuffle” scene may be a fan favorite, but it was not an easy one to shoot for Jeff Cohen, the actor who played Chunk. In a 2013 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cohen reflected on the scene: “as a fat kid, the last thing you want to do is show your belly to everybody.” Plus, he had chickenpox at the time, and his abdomen was covered in blotchy scars.
In 2021, Cohen told UK’s The Sun newspaper that he was unable to land any further movie roles because he “lost his chubby kid essence” when puberty hit and, as he says, went “from Chunk to hunk.” However, Cohen continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, albeit as a successful lawyer.
Adriana Caselotti – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Italian-American Adriana Caselotti came from a musical family, so it was only fitting that she should follow in their footsteps. Her father, Guido, was a music teacher, and her mother, Maria, performed throughout Europe. Her sister, Louise, gave voice lessons to the renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Disney Studios contacted Guido to see if he had any recommendations for the title role in their first full-length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. While studio execs were on the phone with her father, the 18-year-old Caselotti picked up another line to listen in. Hearing what the call was about, she offered to sing something. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Caselotti was initially not credited for her role as Snow White (Disney didn’t credit voice actors until 1943). Hollywood legend has it that Disney contractually prohibited Caselotti from revealing her identity as Snow White or performing as the character and doing any further film, TV, or radio work. Another rumor is that Disney owned the rights to Caselotti’s voice. While this is speculation, what is true is that Caselotti found it almost impossible to find acting work after Snow White.
Lucas Donat – Damien: Omen II (1978)
Born into an acting family – mom was Emmy Award winner Michael Learned (The Waltons), dad was character actor Peter Donat (The China Syndrome, Dallas), and his great uncle was Richard Donat (Goodbye, Mr. Chips) – it was only natural that Lucas Donat would head to Hollywood.
Donat’s only credited role is that of Mark Thorn, cousin of the titular antichrist in the supernatural horror sequel Damien: Omen II. No reason is given for Donat’s departure from acting, but it can safely be assumed that he found it wasn’t for him. Instead, he moved to the other side of the camera, directing and producing many commercials. He’s now working as an advertising executive and brand officer.
Robert Tsai – School of Rock (2003)
Until Pitch Perfect 2 stole the title in 2015, School of Rock was the highest-grossing musical comedy. Star Robert Tsai, who played the role of nerdy keyboardist Lawrence, aka “Mr. Cool," went on to pursue his love of music – especially piano.
Tellingly, early in School of Rock’s production, an insecure Tsai approached directed Richard Linklater and tried to talk his way out of the movie because he didn’t feel he was suitable for the role. Linklater responded that Tsai’s insecurity was exactly what the character needed and kept him in. After receiving several awards for musical talent in high school, Tsai attended Dartmouth College. He continued to shine as an accomplished musician, but he never returned to acting.
Amber Scott – Hook (1991)
Only seven when she appeared as Peter Pan’s daughter Maggie Banning in Steven Spielberg’s fantasy adventure film, Hook, Amber Scott wowed audiences with her acting ability. Under the tutelage of a renowned director and an equally outstanding cast that included Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, and Julia Roberts, one might’ve assumed that Scott would continue acting… but no.
Scott decided instead to preserve her legacy as a child actor – hugely popular with fans and critics alike – by departing the heady heights of Hollywood. She was absent from the spotlight until 2015, when her headshot appeared via E! Online, prompting the question: Will she make a comeback? The answer was still no. While she produced a short film in 2019, Scott has not returned to the limelight.