'Ant-Man' star Evangeline Lilly says she left Hollywood because she 'always hated being famous'

"Ant-Man" star Evangeline Lilly revealed in an interview with CBN News published Monday that she walked away from Hollywood six years ago despite a successful acting career, citing her longtime discomfort with fame, health problems and a desire to pursue a more meaningful life guided by her Christian faith.

"I've always hated being famous," she said. "I never made any secrets about that. I've always said being famous is the cost of the wealth that you can get as an actor."

The actress, best known for portraying Kate Austen in "Lost" and Hope van Dyne in Marvel's "Ant-Man" franchise, acknowledged experiencing moments of fear after walking away from the wealth, professional influence and recognition that accompanied her Hollywood success.

"There has been definitely moments of fear of like, ‘How do you consciously and intentionally let go of so much seemingly power and influence and potentially money and also just affirmation of yourself,’" Lilly said.

Evangeline Lilly attends the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 23, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Rich Polk/Getty Images for Disney)

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Christian Toto, a film critic and founder of Hollywood in Toto, told Fox News Digital that Lilly's decision to leave her acting career is exceptionally rare, particularly for someone who achieved success in major Hollywood franchises.

"It's extremely uncommon for stars to walk away from their acting careers," he said. "It happens, but it's the exception to the rule. Many work very hard to achieve a level of fame, so giving that up doesn't always make sense. For some, like Lilly, they learn that an actor's life has too many drawbacks, and they seek something more fulfilling."

Despite those concerns, Lilly explained that her faith ultimately helped her embrace a future outside the entertainment industry's spotlight, saying she believed God had a greater purpose for her life beyond acting.

"It's just been incredibly liberating and beautiful to step into a total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life," Lilly said. "That that plan doesn't necessarily need to – it doesn't have to be about fame and money and wealth and power. It can be about more important things and that all of it works together."

"Ant-Man" star Evangeline Lilly revealed she had walked away from Hollywood in 2020, citing her discomfort with fame, health struggles and desire to follow God's plan for her life. (WireImage)

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Toto also said that celebrities face intense public scrutiny, arguing that social media has increased the personal pressures associated with Hollywood fame.

"There's a cost to Hollywood fame," he said. "You live under the microscope. Strangers assume they know you and sometimes treat you that way in public. Your career is subjected to scrutiny in ways others can't imagine. It's always been so, but the rise of social media makes all of the above worse."

The actress also revealed that leaving Hollywood significantly improved her physical and emotional well-being after years of struggling with chronic health issues she associated with the demands of her career.

"My health has dramatically improved. I had massive chronic health issues by the time I retired," Lilly said.

Film critic Christian Toto told Fox News Digital that Lilly's decision to leave a successful acting career was extremely uncommon, citing the pressures of fame and Hollywood's treatment of actresses over 40. (Getty)

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Lily clarified that she had considered herself retired since 2020, four years before her departure attracted widespread media attention following a retrospective social media post in 2024.

In June 2024, Lilly publicly announced she was stepping away from Hollywood by sharing a video recorded in 2006 in which she expressed her desire to retire from acting, raise a family and pursue humanitarian work.

Toto suggested that Hollywood's treatment of older actresses could also influence decisions to leave the industry, particularly for women who have spent decades pursuing major acting roles.

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"Another factor? Hollywood can be cruel to women past the age of 40. Men are allowed to age naturally and can still land major roles, even in action films. It's not as easy for actresses," Toto said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.

CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.

CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. 

You can send news tips to cj.womack@fox.com and follow CJ on Twitter.