The glitz and glamour of Hollywood isn’t for everyone—these stars traded it all for the peace and simplicity of rural life.
By Riesa Pascal-Porro
While many celebrities thrive in the spotlight, others have found peace far from the red carpets and flashing cameras. Trading in premieres for pastures and paparazzi for privacy, these stars have chosen a quieter life—whether it’s on sprawling ranches, in forest cabins, or tucked away in sleepy small towns. Curious who’s swapped Hollywood hustle for off-the-grid bliss? Let’s take a look.
Amanda Seyfried
When she’s not working on set, actor and producer Amanda Seyfried enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children on a farm in the Catskills mountains of New York. The Mean Girls alum raises chickens, a goat, a donkey and horses on the farm in addition to their family dog Finn. Seyfried spoke of her decision to move in an interview with the New York Times saying the move “solidified my need to be out of the game when I’m not working, to be in nature and to refresh…everybody needs a center of gravity. Somewhere to feel safe.”
Josh Duhamel
As if it weren’t enough to voluntarily live in the woods of Minnesota, Josh Duhamel took it one step further by moving his family into a cabin he built himself. The 52-year-old actor had spent 15 years building the cabin from the ground up and claims at one point he even had to wash dishes in a nearby lake while working on installation of the necessary amenities. With the closest store being a whopping 40 miles away, Duhamel relishes his family’s quieter lifestyle and believes it offers something that “fulfills the soul in a lot of ways.”
James Van Der Beek
2020 proved to be a life changing year for all of us although some would say they experienced change for the better! September 2020 was when James Van Der Beek and his wife decided to relocate their family from California to a sprawling ranch in Spicewood, Texas and they haven’t looked back since. In spite of having many friends and fond memories in L.A., the father of six said he realized he hadn’t missed the city once he and his family returned for a recent vacation there. The Dawson’s Creek alum wrote of the trip on Instagram saying, “It didn’t feel like home anymore. Maybe it never was. Or maybe it was home for the time it needed to be.”
Tom Selleck
Despite being a Hollywood household name for over 40 years, Tom Selleck has long valued privacy over fame. When he’s not filming projects in New York, the Blue Bloods actor retreats to a 63-acre ranch in Ventura, California that he lovingly calls home with his wife of more than 30 years. Once a working avocado farm, the property is now a peaceful haven filled with native
trees and plenty of room to breathe. “I like watching things grow,” Selleck has said. “My relationships and my ranch keep me sane.”
Julia Roberts
Long before “off the grid” became a trend, Julia Roberts was already embracing a slower, more grounded pace of life. The Oscar-winning actress has called Taos, New Mexico home for over 2 decades after purchasing her ranch back in 1990 and living there part-time before making it her permanent residence in 2002. The 32-acre property provides a serene environment where she and her husband have enjoyed raising their family in privacy and far away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
Chris Pratt
One of Hollywood’s most lovable pairs in recent years has been Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. Though there is never a shortage of new movie projects for Pratt, the duo prefer to spend their time on his San Juan Islands farm off the coast of Washington state. Affectionately called Stillwater Ranch, there the Guardians of the Galaxy star enjoys a laid-back life of raising sheep, pigs, chickens and more. Incredibly, Pratt does a large amount of heavy work by himself even though the Marvel alum could easily afford additional help. He often calls Stillwater Ranch his “special slice of heaven.”
Michael Keaton
Far from Gotham City—and deep in the heart of southern Montana—is a ranch owned by Batman actor Michael Keaton. The Oscar nominee is a proud country boy at heart and enjoys spending both the summer and fall in Big Sky Country which he claims to be “the best place on earth.” His magnificent 1,000-acre estate was even expanded to have enough room to host his relatives, including his six siblings and their families, as well as his year-round staff. Keaton spoke about his move in an interview saying, “Once you see the west, there is no going back.”
Steve Martin
He’s been making audiences laugh for more than 60 years, but even someone as extroverted as Steve Martin can still appreciate a life lived away from the limelight. The Saturday Night Live alum owns a home in a small town in Brevard, North Carolina and enjoys splitting his time there between California and New York. The comedian’s hobbies are right in line with his love of the small town life and include picking the banjo and writing bluegrass music while frequently collaborating with the Steep Canyon Rangers.
