Inside Anna Faris' Life After Mom: Marriage, Sobriety and More
By now, everybody and their mother has likely heard about what’s going on with Chuck Lorre and Anna Faris.
Thirteen years after their show Mom premiered, the series creator revealed in his new memoir Sitcom that he’d been hesitant to cast the actress and felt vindicated when she left the comedy in 2020.
“As the years went by, it became apparent that my initial reluctance to hire Anna was, in fact, correct,” he wrote of the series, which ended in 2021. “After six years, she left the show for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show.”
And Faris admitted that Lorre’s words stung.
"Yikes," she replied on Instagram Oct. 15. "Yes, I read a few things. I really didn’t see that coming. Of course it hurts."
Still, Faris wasn’t going to let what Lorre put in his memoir rewrite her experience.
"Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted," The House Bunny alum continued. "I’m proud of what we made together, and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years."
And now, she feels like she has an even better understanding of her character Christy Plunkett, a single mom who was trying to stay sober and change her life while navigating her complicated relationship with her own mother in recovery Bonnie Plunkett (Allison Janney).
"I’ve been sober for a year and a half," Faris shared. "I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it. Now, I’m healthy, I’m working, and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. If anyone reading this is where I was, I hope that’s useful. It gets better. I’m proof."
As she begins her next chapter, read more about Faris’ life after Mom.
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
Why Did Anna Faris Leave Mom?
When Faris announced her departure ahead of season eight, she said her seven years on Mom were "some of the most fulfilling and rewarding" of her career and that her exit allowed her to “pursue new opportunities." And Warner Bros. TV and Chuck Lorre thanked her for her “beautiful portrayal” of her character.
"From the inception of Mom, Anna was the first and only choice for the role of Christy," they wrote in a 2020 statement. "We are so proud of the stories we have been able to tell during Anna's seven years with us."
Looking back, "Towards the end, I think I started to lose my focus,” Faris said on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast in June. Calling her seven seasons a "marathon," she added, “I’d never had a job—I mean, besides waitressing—for over three and a half months before."
And while Faris described it as a "complicated time," she also admitted she’s "always hesitant to really chew into my experience on Mom because seven years is a huge chunk of time." Plus, she’s grateful for fans’ love: "I feel really moved that I have touched lives."
Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
What Has Anna Faris Said About Co-Parenting With Ex-Husband Chris Pratt?
One major life change that happened during Faris’ time on Mom was her divorce from Chris Pratt, father to their 14-year-old son Jack.
The Spa Weekend star and the Guardians of the Galaxy actor split in 2017 after eight years of marriage. Still, Faris made it clear they want the best for each other.
"Grudge-holding is not something that Chris and I do," she shared on Divorce Sucks! with Laura Wasser in 2019."So, we wanted to make sure, of course, that Jack was happy, but that we were happy and supportive of each other and that we could have this idea, this fantasy idea, of do we all spend Christmas together? Do we all vacation? How do we make sure that everybody that we love feels safe and that we also respect the love we had for each other and have for each other?"Years in, Faris said she is in a better place with Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, with whom he shares kids Lyla, 6, Eloise, 4, and Ford, 23 months.
"We're all getting much closer, and I so appreciate that," she told People in 2022. "They're very protective of me, and I want to be very protective of them. I so appreciate their support."
Brianna Bryson/FilmMagic
Who Is Anna Faris’ Husband Michael Barrett?
In 2021, Faris wed cinematographer Michael Barrett.
"We realized early on that we didn't want to be apart," Faris told People in 2022. "There's a feeling of consistent safety and security that I really appreciate."
She also values the bond she’s formed with his children and how they’ve grown their relationship over time.
"I have this special place in their life where I just get to be supportive," she added. "And I have been really working hard on that."
What Has Anna Faris Shared About Her Sobriety Journey?
As for Faris’ sobriety, she’s noted it’s a change she’s made for her mental health.
"It turns out there’s a correlation between drinking and depression, for me for sure,” she said on Chelsea Handler’s Dear Chelsea podcast in August. "I had to take a step back and not self-sabotage."
How Has Anna Faris’ Career Changed Since Mom?
Faris admits there was a time in her career where she felt like she was "being put out to pasture" and didn’t know where she stood after Mom.
"I was disturbed by my lack of ambition," acknowledged the 49-year-old of considering a move from Hollywood a few years ago. "I was, in hindsight, I think pretty depressed, I think premenopausal depression without recognizing it. And I was just having a distant relationship with this city and my career and wondering if I had enough money to retire."
In 2025, Faris lost her home to the Los Angeles wildfires. She was filming Spa Weekend at the time, which she noted was an “incredible” experience but still felt like “part of a slow retirement idea.”
But when Marlon Wayans asked her to return to the Scary Movie franchise, “I had this rush of like, ‘What if my destiny hasn’t quite forged itself in slow-aging-actress retirement?’” Faris said. “It was a very wonderful and heady year for me.”
Spa Weekend and Scary Movie were among the four movies she released in 2026.
"I feel more confident in what I have to offer," Faris continued, "which might not for a wide audience, but I feel more solid in my own ability."
To look back at more shocking TV exits, read on.
Disney/Eric McCandless
Gregg Sulkin, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
In the Wizards of Waverly Place spinoff's shocking series finale, Selena Gomez's Alex Russo reunited with teen love Mason Greyback (Sulkin)—only to reveal a devastating twist.
Greyback revealed his character died during the August 2026 episode, then his ghost filled in the gaps on what Alex has been up to in the years since his passing.
"You have a whole other life, Alex," he told her. "You got married. You have a beautiful daughter. And she needs you. That’s the life that you’re meant to live. You have to go back."
Griffin Nagel/Bravo
Danny Booko & Nia Sanchez, The Valley
The couple announced that the third season of The Valley will be their last following a tumultuous season during which Danny’s drinking habits were questioned and he was accused of acting inappropriately while drinking.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this experience,” Danny and Nia—who share son Asher, 4, twins Isabelle and Zariah, 3, and Adelaide, 15 months—wrote in their September 2026 statement shared to social media, “but our priority is protecting our peace and our family. We are fully committed to each other and our beautiful children.”
Peter Gordon/NBC
Joe Miñoso, Chicago Fire
The OneChicago fanbase was shocked when news broke in July 2026 that Miñoso, who has portrayed firefighter Joe Cruz since the show debuted in 2012, would be leaving the NBC drama during its upcoming 15th season.
HBO
Fabien Frankel, House of the Dragon
The world of fire and ice featured another gruesome casualty as Ser Criston Cole was killed in the Riverlands during the Game of Thrones spinoff's July 26, 2026, episode.
Lori Allen/NBC
LaRoyce Hawkins, Chicago P.D.
In July 2026, E! News learned that Hawkins—who has portrayed Officer Kevin Atwater since the NBC drama debuted in 2014—was leaving the show after 13 seasons.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Tom Jones, The Voice UK
The "It's Not Unusual" singer claimed he was fired from his coaching position after 13 seasons over "financial difficulty with insurance."
“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as l love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision—obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently," Jones wrote on Instagram in September 2026. "They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that."
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Reid Scott, Law & Order
E! News confirmed in July 2026 that Scott—who has portrayed Detective Vincent Riley since the the long-running NBC crime drama's 23rd season—would leave during show's upcoming 26th season.
Michael Yarish /Paramount+
Zach Gilford, Criminal Minds: Evolution
The Paramount+ drama's season 19 finale, released July 23, confirmed the longtime star will not be returning for season 20 after his character Elias Voit was locked up in prison for a murder he took the blame for.
"It was hard to say goodbye," Gilford told Us Weekly of his exit. "It definitely was one of my favorite characters I’ve ever gotten to play and partially because what a gift. Every season I got to do a different side of this character. It wasn’t like I was just doing the same thing every year."
Clifton Prescod/Bravo
Amanda Batula, Summer House
Days after West Wilson confirmed his Summer House exit, news broke that Amanda, who has been a main cast member of the Bravo series since season two, will also not be returning for season 11 amid the fallout from their bombshell romance.
Clifton Prescod/Bravo
West Wilson, Summer House
After his secret love affair with Amanda Batula nearly destroyed the cast friend group dynamic following season 10, it was no shocker that West walked away from the scandal (and the series) in June 2026 just weeks before season 11 was set to start filming.
Disney/Mike Taing
Bridget Regan, The Rookie
The Rookie's corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens was no novice when it came to escaping death. "She's escaped multiple assassinations," actress Bridget Regan recounted to TV Insider of her character's four-season journey, "and prison time and being thrown in a woodchipper."
So when the attorney met her end on an April 2026 episode, "I wasn’t surprised," Regan noted. "I thought, 'Fair enough.' She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude."
Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
Whitney Leavitt, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
After making her big break on Dancing With the Stars and landing a starring role in Chicago and Broadway, the Utah native announced season five of the hit Hulu reality show will be her last as she's moving on to other professional projects.
Warrick Page/HBO Max
Supriya Ganesh, The Pitt
Dr. Samira Mohan is checking out of The Pitt. Actress Supriya Ganesh will not be returning for season three of the HBO Max drama, Variety reported in April.
The exit isn't so shocking to fans given that Ganesh's character has been planning to take on a new residency program at another medical center.
Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty Images
Rocky Carroll, NCIS
The crime procedural said goodbye to Director Leon Vance (played by Rocky Carroll) in a March 2026 episode, 18 years after the leader's debut in season five. During the 500th episode, Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent and welcomed to heaven by late Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard (played by Adam Campbell).
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Mehcad Brooks, Law & Order
Mehcad Brooks shocked fans in 2025 when it was revealed he was leaving the NBC crime drama ahead of season 25.
Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.
Tina Thorpe/Disney via Getty Images
Kim Raver & Kevin McKidd, Grey's Anatomy
Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who have played Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman respectively for nearly 20 years, shocked fans with news that they are leaving the medical drama, with their final episode being the season 22 finale May 7, 2026.
Bravo/Danielle Levitt
Jenna Lyons, The Real Housewives of New York City
Jenna Lyons announced she will not be returning for The Real Housewives of New York City's 16th season.
"The rumors …..Are true," the former J. Crew Creative Director wrote on Instagram in November 2025. "I was grateful to be asked to join season 16 of RHONY 'as a friend of '- knowing my personal life was not really available to be filmed, we agreed that made sense."
The fashion icon—who joined the Bravo series for season 14 in 2022—explained that she later realized being a supporting castmember wasn't for her.
"And after thinking it through I have made the difficult decision not return to the show," she continued. "I would be the oldest and only openly gay woman on the show and feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic to emerge."
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset
After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.
“I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” Chrishell announed in November via social media. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health.”
Bravo
Jax Taylor, The Valley
Jax Taylor announced he will not be returning to The Valley for season three amid growing concern from fans about his behavior during the show’s second season.
“Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting," the Bravo star—who is embroiled in a nasty divorce from estranged wife Brittany Cartwright—shared in July 2025. "Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself—especially for our son, Cruz.”
Mike Coppola/NBC via Getty Images
Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim & Devon Walker, Saturday Night Live
The Saturday Night Live stars all announced within days of each other that they would not be returning for the sketch comedy series' 51st season.
Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.
Todd Williamson/NBC
Heidi Gardner & Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live
Weeks after Longfellow, Walker and Wakim left SNL, longtime fan-favorites Gardner and Nwodim also confirmed they would not be returning for season 51 after eight and seven seasons, respectively.
Disney/Bahareh Ritter
Sofia Mattsson, General Hospital
Sofia Mattsson exited the long-running soap opera in summer 2025 after seven years playing Sasha Gilmore. Her character left Port Charles for Paris.
HBO Max/Warrick Page
Tracy Ifeachor, The Pitt
The Pitt star Tracy Ifeachor walked away from the hit HBO Max series after the medical drama's breakout first season.
"It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece," the actress posted on Instagram July 10. "Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me."
Liane Hentscher/HBO
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us
While fans maybe should have been aware that the days were numbered for Pedro Pascal's Joel Miller, considering his April 2025 death was quite similar to how it unfolded in The Last of Us Part II, the 2020 video game season two of The Last of Us is based on, the moment his character was brutally impaled still stunned.
Pascal, meanwhile, who also died onscreen in Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took his game over status in stride. "I get killed a lot," he joked to Entertainment Weekly. "I like to die."
Disney/Christopher Willard
Peter Krause, 9-1-1
After what he dubbed "one wild adventure," Peter Krause officially extinguished his role as 9-1-1's Los Angeles Fire Department captain Bobby Nash on an April 2025 episode of the procedural drama.
“Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice, and he was built for this,” Krause wrote in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. “First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them.”
Killing off the somewhat tormented, but beloved, firefighter was certainly a hot topic, showrunner Tim Minear acknowledged to Variety, "but after eight years, it just felt like, if we have any hope of creating stories going forward that have actual stakes, then someone's got to die."
Clifton Prescod/Bravo
Paige DeSorbo, Summer House
Summer just got a little less fun.
Paige DeSorbo announced in June 2025 that she was walking away from the Bravo series after seven seasons.
"You’ve seen me grow up over these last 7 summers. I’ll always be grateful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me," the Giggly Squad podcast cohost shared with fans on Instagram. "But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it’s time for this chapter to close."
Netflix
Camille Razat, Emily in Paris
The French actress confirmed she would not return for the hit Netflix series' fifth season in April 2025.
"After an incredible journey, I’ve made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris,” she wrote in an April 23 Instagram post, alongside pictures of her and her former castmates on set. “It has been a truly wonderful experience, one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories.”
Katrina Marcinowski/HBO Max
Reneé Rapp, The Sex Lives of College Girls
Ahead of The Sex Lives of College Girls' third season, Reneé Rapp announced she would be leaving the Max series.
"College Girls moved me out to LA and introduced me to some of my favorite people," she wrote on social media in July 2023. "2 and a half years later—it's given me y'all and this community."
The show's co-creator Mindy Kaling also confirmed Rapp's exit. "We love @reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye to Leighton Murray!" Kaling wrote on her Instagram Stories before referencing Rapp's thriving music career. "We can't wait to see our friend on tour!!"
Paramount Network
Kevin Costner, Yellowstone
More than a year after Kevin Costner was rumored to have unexpectedly walked away from the hit Paramount drama after four and a half seasons, he confirmed in June 2024 that he will not return to finish out the series' fifth and final season.
ABC
Ellen Pompeo, Grey's Anatomy
After 19 years as Meredith Grey, Ellen Pompeo scrubbed in for the last time as a series regular on the ABC drama in February 2023.
"I gotta mix it up a little bit," Pompeo explained on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022, though she has already returned for a May guest appearance and continues narrating the series. "I'm 53, my brain is like scrambled eggs. I gotta do something new. You can't do The New York Times crossword puzzle every single day."
But she's not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
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