I’m more worried about Joaquin Phoenix becoming Alan Moore, actually.
Back in the 90s there was a guitar player-singer from Texas named Ian Moore who was on the verge of being big in the blues-rock genre that was huge at the time. Then he decided to “go another way”. I never heard any of his “after” stuff but I’m told it was quite a departure.
I still listen to two of his “before” albums I have
Dave Chappelle gave up a popular show on Comedy Central to live a life of relative obscurity on a farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He’s done some stand-up since, but nothing like what he had been doing.
Similarly with Prince - his new album will be and the previous one was given away free with copies of certain British newspapers. I don’t suppose he needs the hassle of promotion these days.
More on the “leave the stinking business” behind, Deanna Durbin was a very popular film and singer in the 1930s. Despite still being popular, she left the business at age 29 in 1950, got married, moved to Europe and has refused all film and concert offers and given only one interview since.
There is also Terence Trent D’Arby, who never wore a shirt in making any videos for his first album “Hardline”.
Daniel Day Lewis - very choosy what films he does - money doesn’t seem to be a motivating factor - has only been in five movies since 1997
usually ends up awarded or nominated anyway for his performance.
Julie Christie has been similarly selective about her film work.
There’s the strange case of Jane Siberry. While not a household name, she had a fairly decent musical career when she abruptly went hard-core hippie, giving away all her earthly possessions, allowing all her music to be downloaded free on the internet and living in her microbus using the name “Issa.”
Tom Waits. Yeah, he sells his music, but he does it on his own terms. I’d think he’s pretty much well beyond caring about the finances. He can write his own ticket and do whatever music he wants to do.
This was not uncommon, especially prior to 1960. Ruby Keeler walked away from films after her second marriage (though she made a couple toward the end); Grace Kelly married a prince; Adele Astaire married a count; Carrie Snodgress gave up acting (including an Oscar nomination) for Neil Young; Marie Blake quit acting to help her husband manage the Beverly Hills Hilton (she returned after his death to acting under the more familiar name of “Blossom Rock”), etc.
Edna Purviance just walked away from acting, despite being Charlie Chaplin’s favorite leading lady. Chaplin even made one film solely to feature her as a star.