Top Gun Star Reveals Decision to Leave Hollywood After 15 Years
Glen Powell, known for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” is leaving Hollywood to be closer to family and pursue further studies. Despite stepping back from the spotlight after 15 years, Powell plans to remain active in the film industry. He highlighted the importance of maintaining control over his public presence and expressed his appreciation for press tours and engagements like appearing on talk shows.
“Top Gun: Maverick” star Glen Powell said now that he’s finally made it in Hollywood as a leading man he’s leaving California to be closer to family and finally graduate.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, the 35-year-old star said after 15 years living in the “fishbowl,” he’s gotten to “this point in Hollywood” that he can leave, saying it’s like he’s “earned the ability to go back” to his family and home in Texas. Despite his plans to leave Tinseltown, he has no plans to stop making movies and may continue to be involved in the industry.
“The thing that makes me feel in conflict with some parts of this moment is that I like choosing when I’m out in front,” Powell said of his new leading man fame following the romantic comedy “Anyone But You.” “And I’m more than happy to be on a press tour.”
“I love it. I love going on a Jimmy Fallon — you walk out, you sign autographs, you do the whole thing,” he added, noting it’s the “idea that you’re a function here [in Hollywood]” that he finds most uncomfortable.
Glen Powell — mentored by Tom Cruise and on every studio wish list — is returning to his native Texas to party with his folks, escape the L.A. fishbowl and finally graduate college. But don’t worry, you’ll still be seeing him everywhere: https://t.co/TeApGlq52C pic.twitter.com/WInfZXd4nX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 22, 2024
“Someone will go, ‘Hey, friend, want to come to this guy’s house? Yeah, come over,’” Powell continued. “And then you show up, and suddenly you’re there for, like, someone’s tequila launch and all of a sudden there’s a photographer and you’re like, ‘Wait, what are we doing here?’ And I think you get enough of those that you just want to bring your family as close as possible — or run to them.”
The actor said that for the first time in his whole life, he’s “on the radar” — after struggling for years to get noticed in the movie industry — calling it weird. “I mean, after ‘Top Gun,’ a guy would literally be wearing a ‘Top Gun’ shirt and I’d be talking to him, and it was clear he had no idea.”
Despite the fact that he’s finally on every studio’s wish list, Powell said he’s gotten to the point where he’s questioned his relationships and friendships with people in Tinseltown. So, on the advice of fellow Texan and A-list star Matthew McConaughey, he’s decided to move.
“He’s [McConaughey’s] like, ‘Hollywood is the Matrix, man,” Powell said. “You plug in and it’s all fake world.’ He’s like, ‘Then I go to Austin, and I unplug. It’s all real. Those are my friends, that’s my family, my actions matter there.’”
“And he’s right,” he added. “If you’re here, you live in the Matrix all the time, there’s no separation of those worlds. And for me, especially as my parents get older and my niece and nephew are growing up, I want a separation of those worlds.”
Powell also said with the move he plans to finally graduate from the University of Texas in Austin, which has been challenging ever since his career exploded. Still, he’s continued to take a course or two here or there so he can complete his college degree.
“I think it’s really important to my mom and it’s more of an emotional thing for me,” Powell said. “Plus, I’m so close, I can taste it.”
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