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The actors who gave it all up way too young - and what they did

GRACE KELLY
GRACE KELLY

Acting superstars are known for going on and on, with the likes of Clint Eastwood still working at the age of 86 and Dick Van Dyke at 90. So when Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement recently at the age of 60, it came as something of a surprise. However, he's not alone, there are plenty of actors who threw in the towel before they were half his age.

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We reveal actors who quit before the age of 30 - and what tempted them away from the spotlight.

Grace Kelly
The Hollywood star retired from acting at the age of 26, after marrying Prince Ranier of Monaco. She ended up doing her second job for another 26 years - before tragically dying at the age of 52.

Shirley Temple
The child star famously started at the age of three, and left acting at the age of 22. She no longer fit the child star image, and was unhappy with the kinds of films she was offered as an adult. Her next move was into politics. During the remainder of her career she had a number of roles - including a position as the US Ambassador to Ghana and the Ambassador to Czechoslovakia until 1992.

"Game Of Thrones" Season 4 Premiere - New York
"Game Of Thrones" Season 4 Premiere - New York

Jack Gleeson
King Joffrey from Game of Thrones gave up acting at the age of 21 after being killed off in the show. He said he'd started at the age of eight, and had only meant for it to be a hobby, so he wanted to focus on his academic studies instead.

Taylor Momsen
The actress made her name in the likes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gossip Girl, but at the age of 18 she decided to put acting behind her. She's now a rock star with The Pretty Reckless.

Thomas film Mara Wilson
Thomas film Mara Wilson


Mara Wilson
The actress best known for her role as Matilda in the film of the same name, started her acting career at the age of five. Ten years later, she felt too much of an awkward teen to fit into the glossy and flawless Hollywood scene, so she quit acting, and went to school, before becoming a screenwriter and author.

Peter Ostrum
The child actor who famously played Charlie Bucket in the 1970's adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - at the age of 14 - only actually ever made one film. He went back to school and eventually became a vet.