Marvel and The Hobbit star Evangeline Lilly reveals why she left Hollywood amid mass exodus: 'I've always hated being famous'

Evangeline Lilly has revealed why she quit Hollywood despite enjoying a successful career of starring in massive franchises like Ant-Man, The Hobbit, and Lost.

The now 47-year-old actress revealed in a recent interview that she has quietly stepped away from acting in 2020, but publicly announced her retirement four years later as she focuses on her faith.

As there have been more big name stars who have fled Hollywood in recent years amid a mass exodus, Lilly explained her reasoning behind not just leaving the region but the industry as a whole. 

She told the Christian Broadcasting Network: 'I'd much prefer a quieter position. 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. Like that's what you pay for - the wealth.'

Lilly had  achieved significant success on screen, earning major awards and nods, including a 2007 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series for her role as Kate Austen in the ABC adventure drama Lost.

Lilly said that her Christian faith has helped guide her after walking away from Hollywood.

She explained: 'It's just been incredibly liberating and beautiful to step into a total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life.

'And that plan doesn't have to be about fame, and money, and wealth, and power, and that it can be about more important things.'

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug star did admit that adjusting to retirement was a lengthy process.

She said: 'It's been six years now. When I was 26, I was saying … all the things I wanted in my life … and I did it … I'm there.

'I've already retired. At that point, I've been retired for four years … it's been a long time of adjusting.'

Evangeline was uncertain about what her decision to quit acting would mean for her future, as walking away meant letting go of 'so much … power, influence, and potential money', which left her feeling afraid.

She said: 'When you're successful at something, it feels really good when the world says, 'We love you! You're amazing!' Like, this is a wonderful feeling.

'How do you walk away from that? And I've had moments of … gripping fear of like, 'What am I doing?''

But Evangeline said the move was 'one that was made in great conviction'.

Before pursuing acting, the Avengers: Endgame entertainer studied political science and international relations and thought about becoming a missionary, humanitarian, or diplomat.

She said: 'I wanted to make the world a better place. And 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.

'But…I've always wanted a much more hands-on impact. I've done 22 years of hands-on humanitarian work in Rwanda.'

And making a difference remains a key priority in Evangeline's life.

She said: 'I love telling stories, but I'd like to tell stories of my own instead of being in front of the camera.'

Lilly gained prominence in her first leading role as Kate Austen on iconic ABC drama Lost from 2004 to 2010.

She also starred as Tauriel in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit franchise appearing in films The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).

More recently she was part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring opposite Paul Rudd as Hope van Dyne AKA Wasp in Ant-Man (2015), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).

Lilly has also appeared in the Oscar-winning war film The Hurt Locker (2008) and opposite Hugh Jackman in sports drama Real Steel (2011).