80s heartthrobs who completely turned their backs on Hollywood to work normal 9-to-5 jobs

Matt Mulhern starred on the sitcom Major Dad as the titular patriarch's assistant, Lt. Eugene Holowachuk. Major Dad followed the life of a conservative marine who marries a liberal reporter and becomes a father to her three children.

He left Hollywood behind after a few more years of acting work, last appearing on Blue Bloods in 2014. Now, Matt's pursuing academia, earning a master's degree in 2019. He's currently a doctoral candidate at Fordham University and teaches within the history department.

Teen heartthrob Max Battimo began his acting career a little before his most well-known role on Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988, and closed out his career on-screen in 1989, the same year the show ended and rebranded as Saved by the Bell. 

The actor told ESPN in 2010: "I was so hurt. I told my parents I didn't want to be in acting anymore." Instead, the former star became a hockey referee, turning pro in 2000 and working his way into the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. 

Pop stars in the '80s held just as much celebrity appeal as their silver screen counterparts, and Glenn Medeiros was no exception. His hit track 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You' topped the charts in the UK in 1988.

He has since left music behind, choosing instead to pursue a career as a teacher and now works as the president of an all-boys Catholic school, Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Doogie Howser, M.D. might be best remembered for launching the career of Neil Patrick Harris, but the show also featured certified heartthrob Mitchell Anderson. Mitchell stopped acting in 2002, but returned for the digital series After Forever (2018-2024), earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for his efforts.

While he had a short return to the screen, Mitchell's main occupation remains in the hospitality industry. He opened the health restaurant MetroFresh in Atlanta after relocating to be with his now-husband in 2002. The business expanded in 2014 and was forced to temporarily close its main location following a fire in 2026, though its second location is still thriving.

You can't spell '80s heartthrob' without 'Michael Schoeffling'. The Sixteen Candles star had teenage hearts beating faster as the object of Molly Ringwald's affections.

Instead of pursuing the star success he was on track to achieve, Michael decided to leave Hollywood behind. He's since set up a woodworking business, reportedly providing hand-crafted furniture, in Pennsylvania. He lives with wife Valerie and the couple share two children: Scarlett and Zane. 

Erik Estrada's '70s fame carried over into the '80s with a star role on CHiPs. He starred as the crush-worthy Officer Francis 'Frank' Poncherello, better known as Ponch, who had every fan's hearts aflutter with his dark curly hair.

After finding fame, Erik joined the police force as a reserve officer and worked as a Federal Investigative Officer for the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He still takes on the occasional acting role but keeps his charity work in safe internet surfing going, inspired by his off-screen role as a father of three. 

Rick Rossovich's career began along with the '80s and led to castings in major features like Top Gun, starring as Ron 'Slider' Kerner, Roxanne and Spellbinder. It didn't hurt that he was also pretty easy on the eyes.

Nowadays, he's enjoying a quiet life in California and wife Eva's home country of Sweden. Photography is something of a personal passion, while the rest of his time is spent with Eva and their two children, Roy and Isabel.

Christopher Atkins was the face of island adventures with star credits in Blue Lagoon and The Pirate Movie, as well as a leading role in A Night in Heaven. 

This seaside theme has stayed with him. After leaving his '80s fame behind, Christopher founded Rocky River Outdoor Products and worked in construction as a luxury swimming pool builder while away from set.

Lorenzo Lamas was a regular on screen with a role on beloved '80s soap Falcon Crest, starring as Lance Cumson between 1981 and 1990. While the actor still occasionally appears on screen, it's his work in the air that seems to have won his heart.

Lorenzo is a qualified commercial helicopter and airplane pilot. He uses these skills for good, flying disadvantaged children to camp and transporting people who cannot travel on domestic flights.

If it was a crush on the geekier side you were after, Rick Moranis was your man in the '80s. With star roles in Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, he was Hollywood's resident funnyman. 

Six years after his wife passed in 1991, he stepped away from the spotlight to focus on his job as a father. He's set to return to the Spaceballs franchise for the 2027 sequel, but we suspect 'Dad' will always be his most important role. 

Emilio Estevez' career has shifted focus from the days of Brat Pack stardom to TV castings, self-written roles and a hobby farm at his estate outside Los Angeles.

The sustainable farm focuses on organic produce and has its own vineyard that the actor manages. He's also working behind the camera as a producer, writer and director on projects like The Public.