I’ve been around the world
Had my pick of any girl
You’d think I’d be happy
But I’m not
Ev'rybody knows my name
But it’s just a crazy game
Oh it’s lonely at the top

This fantastic song by Randy Newman states a timeless truth: Money and fame cannot buy joy or a contented life. When you get to the top of the mountain in your career, there’s nothing there. Money is empty, and fame is hollow.

It’s interesting to see that several Hollywood stars have come to realize this and are taking a break from the business. Fox News lists actors Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”), Tom Holland (“Spider-Man”), Jim Carrey (“The Truman Show”), and Ryan Reynolds (“The Proposal”). Fox also lists Cameron Diaz, who retired in 2018, but Jamie Foxx reportedly dragged her out of retirement for another project, so she only half counts.

The mega stars have talked about spending time with their families, taking care of their health, and trying to find a simpler life. Carrey in particular became a Christian. In a recent talk to a room full of former inmates, Carrey testified: “I’ve had some challenges in the last couple of years myself. And ultimately, I believe that suffering leads to salvation. We have to somehow accept and not deny, but feel our suffering. And then we make one of two decisions. We either decide to go through the gate of resentment, which leads to vengeance, which leads to self harm, which leads to harm to others. Or we go through the gate of forgiveness, which leads to grace.”

Holland was another stunning revelation. He is a younger actor (27) and his rise to fame was astronomical. That rocket-like rise is part of the reason he is taking a break. His work kept him too busy. He wants to spend time with his loved ones. Plus, he is burned out. It’s a huge emotional toll to act and to constantly be in the spotlight.

Millie Bobby Brown and her fiancé Jacob Bonjovi could be tangentially added to this list of wise Hollywood A-listers. They are breaking cultural norms by getting married young. They aren’t leaving the business, but they are trying to pursue family. That is a worthy goal.

Other actors such as Harrison Ford have owned the fact that they chose their career over their families. In an interview back in May, Ford said in his brusk way: “I can tell you this. If I’d been less successful, I’d probably be a better parent. I accept my flaws and my failures — I don’t accept them, I own them. And certainly the more constant gardener is the better parent, and I’ve been out of town, up my own a**, for most of my life.”

There is a parable in the Bible that touches on the difficulties of leaving behind wealth and fame. In Matthew 19:16-28, a wealthy young man comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus replies by quoting some of the Ten Commandments such as do not murder, do not commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. The young man replied, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”

Jesus told him that to be perfect, the young man should go and sell everything he owns, give to the poor, and follow Him (Jesus). The young man left very sorrowfully, for he was very rich. Matthew 19:23-24 is Jesus’s lesson to the disciples: “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Leaving the glitter, clout, and promised wealth that comes with being a famous celebrity in favor of a quieter, simpler, and family-oriented life is difficult. These men and women are to be commended for their choices and we wish them the best.