# Evangeline Lilly Clarifies Why She Really Left Hollywood > Evangeline Lilly says her move away from Hollywood stems from 22 years of humanitarian work in Rwanda. - Title: Evangeline Lilly Clarifies Why She Really Left Hollywood - Summary: Evangeline Lilly says her move away from Hollywood stems from 22 years of humanitarian work in Rwanda. Evangeline Lilly left Hollywood to focus on… - Keywords: evangeline lilly, hollywood, charity work, russia, washington, nfl, ant-man, wasp, quantumania, christian broadcasting network, october 19, 22 years - Source: E! Online — https://eonline.com/news/1437373/why-evangeline-lilly-really-left-hollywood-focus-on-charity-work - Published: 2026-10-22T19:12:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: evangeline lilly, hollywood, charity work, russia, washington, nfl, ant-man, wasp, quantumania, christian broadcasting network, october 19, 22 years ## Evangeline Lilly's humanitarian work Evangeline Lilly says she left Hollywood to focus on humanitarian work after 22 years in Rwanda. > I've done 22 years of hands-on humanitarian work in Rwanda. ## Lilly's motivation for leaving Lilly explained she wanted a more hands-on impact than acting, saying many claim actors make the world better. > There are many people who will claim that actors are making the world a better place, that they’ve had an impact on their lives. ## Lilly's feelings about fame Lilly said she hated being famous and considered it the cost of wealth from acting. > I’ve always hated being famous. 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. ## Lilly's six-year hiatus Lilly stepped back from Hollywood six years after her role in Lost ended. > Six years after the Lost alum stepped back from Hollywood ## Lilly's current perspective Lilly now feels confident in God's plan for her life after six years away from Hollywood. > I’ve always wanted a much more hands-on impact. I’ve done 22 years of hands-on humanitarian work in Rwanda. ## Lilly's past success Lilly achieved her goals at age 26, saying she did what she wanted in life. > When I was 26, I was saying all the things I wanted in my life, and I did it. ## Other celebrities leaving Hollywood The article lists other celebrities who left Hollywood for different reasons including charity work and family. > Ellen DeGeneres, Evangeline Lilly and More Stars Who Quit Hollywood ## Antonio Banderas' theater focus Antonio Banderas moved back to Spain after a near-fatal heart attack to focus on theater. > After the Mask of Zorro actor suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 2019, he moved back to his native Málago, Spain, to focus on his love of theater. ## Elisha Cuthbert's family focus Elisha Cuthbert took a four-year break from acting to raise her two kids with her husband. > I realized I worked all four years through our first child and it was really hard, to separate that mom from the working person I was. ## Diane Farr's move away Diane Farr sold her Los Angeles home after 30 years to start a new chapter. > I came here chasing a dream that I am still shocked worked out, and I also got to raise babies in the sun and the mountains. ## Ellen DeGeneres' move to England Ellen DeGeneres moved to the Cotswolds in England after her talk show ended. > We moved here in November, which was not the ideal time, but I saw snow for the first time in my life. ## Tyra Banks' move to Australia Tyra Banks moved to Australia to focus on her ice cream business. > So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream, and we've been more what we call B2B, like on an airplane and on cruises. ## Eva Longoria's move to Mexico and Spain Eva Longoria split her time between Mexico and Spain after leaving Los Angeles. > I had my whole adult life here, but even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. ## Richard Gere's move to Spain Richard Gere moved to Spain with his wife to raise their children. > My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, and we're going to spend some years in Madrid. ## Christina Milian's move to Paris Christina Milian moved to Paris to be closer to her children's education. > They're all going to school in Paris, and I was like, 'What better than an opportunity than that?' ## Lindsay Lohan's move to Dubai Lindsay Lohan moved to Dubai to escape Hollywood rumors and find love. > I was like, 'What if I never fall in love? What if this never happens?' ## Key takeaway Evangeline Lilly left Hollywood to focus on humanitarian work after 22 years in Rwanda.