10 Celebrities Who Completely Disappeared from the Spotlight

Dylan and Cole Sprouse attending a workshop on acting

For some people, life in the spotlight seems like the ultimate dream-come-true.  However, many people who have actually experienced fame have a different story to tell.  While grateful for the opportunity, some stars have chosen to walk away from their celebrity status in an attempt to pursue other interests or to live a life away from public view.  Others; however, have disappeared from the spotlight by no choice of their own.  Either way, when a celebrity is suddenly plucked from the public eye, their fans are left to wonder when or if they will ever return.  Here are 10 celebrities who completely disappeared from the spotlight.

10. Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, also known as J.T.T., was once one of the most popular young actors on television.  As one of the starring characters on the hit sitcom, Home Improvement, Thomas was able to build a large and loyal fan base.  Throughout the 90s, Thomas landed several other roles, including the voice of young Simba in the now classic Disney film, The Lion King.  However, since the 90s, Thomas has been largely absent from the spotlight, and has not had any major roles in more than a decade.  Although many people have wondered what exactly happened to Thomas, he has since revealed that he made a conscious decision to walk away from life in the spotlight.

9. Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prince Jr. rose to fame during the late 1990s after landing roles in several popular teen themed films.  Although Prinze was once considered one of Hollywood’s most promising heart throbs, his career never seemed to reach its full potential.  Prinze, who is no longer a household name, has embarked on other ventures over the last ten years.  However, Prinze certainly seems to be enjoying a great life off-screen.  In 2002, he married his I Know What You Did Last Summer co-star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the couple now has two children together.

8. Macaulkey Culkin

One of the most memorable and highest paid child stars of all-time, Macaulkey Culkin was once the center of attention.  Although he seemed to have a very promising career ahead of him, he was never able to surpass his Home Alone fame. Unfortunately, reports have alleged  that Culkin suffers from agoraphobia, a an anxiety disorder which often makes it difficult for people to leave the house.

7. Lark Voorhies

Best-known for her role as Lisa Turtle on the popular 90s sitcom, Saved by the Bell, Lark Voorhies seemed to have a very positive future in the acting business.  Unfortunately; however, Voorhies’ career seemed to end with the show, and she has not had any starring roles since.  Aside from a few small cameos and guest appearances, Voorhies seems to be avoiding the spotlight, and sources say that she may suffer from bi-polar disorder.

6. Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons, best-known as the fabulous – but ditzy – Hilary Banks on the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, has all but vanished since the show’s end in 1996.  Although she has taken on several small roles, Parsons, now a wife and mother of two, seems to be directing all of her energy towards focusing on her family.

5. Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment, famous for his “I see dead people” line in the 1999 film The Sixth Sense, hasn’t landed too many popular roles since the early 2000s.  Like most former child stars, Osment seemed to struggle to transition from a cute kid to an average looking adult, and he eventually outgrew the niche that he created for himself.  Although he may no longer appear in many mainstream productions, Osment has continued to work regularly throughout the years, and for over a decade he has lent his voice to the Kingdom Hearts video game series.

4. Josh Hartnett

There was once a time when every teenage girl wanted a piece of Josh Hartnett; however, those days are long gone.  Although Hartnett has continued to work since his glory days, he has admitted that fame can get little overwhelming.  During an interview he stated: “I know what it’s like to be in that whole world. I was up there for a couple of years, and it was uncomfortable. I think trying to stay at the top is a shortcut to unhappiness. I spent a bit of time really thinking about whether this was the right thing for me.”  In more recent years, Hartnett has also embarked on a career behind the camera which has led to him working with musical artists such as Kid Cudi and the Dixie Chicks .

3. Flavor Flav

Flavor Flav originally rose to fame during the 1980s as a member of the controversial – and now legendary – rap group, Public Enemy.  Flav’s career was revived in the mid 2000s when he was given his own reality series, Flavor of Love.  However, after three seasons, the show was cancelled, and Flav disappeared from the spotlight shortly thereafter.  Since his days as a reality TV star, Flav has attempted to establish himself as a restaurant owner; however, his attempts have since failed.

2. Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton, best known as The OC’s Marissa Cooper, has never been able to regain the fame she once had as the star of a popular show.  Although she has made several appearances since the OC’s end in 2006, Barton’s fame has certainly waned.

1. Dylan and Cole Sprouse

Dylan and Cole Sprouse are best-known for their roles on Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and it’s spin-off The Suite Life on Deck. However, when The Suite Life on Deck ended in 2011, both brothers decided to walk away from acting in order to pursue other interests.  They are both currently enrolled at New York University’s  Gallatin School of Individualized Study, and are trying to live life as typically college students.

(Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

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