The movie business is a tough one to break into, and it can be even tougher to break away from it once someone finds success. Usually, finding success is a dream come true for a performer, but for others, it is simply a way to make ends meet. Some actors will walk away from it all, while many will seemingly go on forever.
During the 90s and 2000s, LeeLee Sobieski was able to become a breakout performer and catch on with mainstream audiences. The actress flexed her abilities in numerous projects, and she even scored an Emmy nomination for her outstanding work. Despite all of this, she made the decision to walk away from it all. Naturally, this got the fans interested in why she walked away from a successful acting career.
Let’s find out why LeeLee Sobieski moved on from acting.
LeeLee Was A Successful Actress
When looking back at younger performers from the late 90s and 2000s, LeeLee Sobieski’s name is one that really stands out. For a while there, it seemed like the actress was going to have a long and fruitful career. Little did people know, however, that she was always planning an escape from the industry.
On the small screen, the actress earned an Emmy nomination for her work in Joan of Arc, which was a stellar breakout performance for her. After this, however, the actress did limited television work, choosing instead to take roles on the big screen, which helped her gain footing in the business.
Never Been Kissed and Eyes Wide Shut were two huge wins for the actress, who used those movies as a launching point for her acting career. Joy Ride was another film that really helped solidify her place in Hollywood. Not all of her projects were major hits, but she was stacking up some great credits and had more than earned the acclaim that she was finding on the big screen.
As the years went on, fans began to notice that the actress was appearing in fewer projects. Eventually, she all but disappeared from the limelight, and this led many to wonder why she had taken off from the business.
She Walked Away For Good A Some Time Ago
Sobieski has not appeared in a movie since 2016, making for half a decade without acting. People may be surprised to see a successful performer walk away from it all, but the former actress had plenty of problems with the industry.
“It's kind of a gross industry … In acting, you're selling your appearance so much,” Sobieski once said.
Her decision to walk away from acting shouldn’t be too surprising. Back in 2012, she told Vogue, “Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that.”
The problems that the former actress had with the industry clearly played a part in her decision to leave behind something that didn’t make her all that happy. Perhaps the biggest reason why, however, was that motherhood was calling.
Years later, Us Weekly caught up with her, and she gave her side of why she walked away from the business.
According to the actress, “I don’t do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider.”
What She’s Doing Now
As far as what she does now, Sobieski revealed, “I help my husband with what he does. And I paint, secretly!”
The painting is where Sobieski has truly shined as an artist, and she even got the chance to publicly reveal her secret paintings and enjoy her first gallery show in 2018.
“I thought that because of my past, my work would be judged harshly. I had to make sure that if everybody really hated them, I would still feel good about it. This is really what's inside of me, and I'm not trying to be anybody else,” she admitted.
Sobieski pursuing her passion must feel refreshing for her, and while acting had its downsides, it did get things off the ground for her.
On whether or not she wold make a return, Sobieski said, “Maybe if I’m playing sweet grandma. [But] I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.”
It is pretty incredible to see where the former actress is now. She is a happy mother who is expressing herself creatively in a medium where she feels most comfortable. Acting can be great, but clearly, Sobieski found her passion and chased it while balancing a happy and healthy family. Kudos to her.