Australian TV stars that disappeared: where are they now?

Being a celebrity sounds great on paper, but life in the spotlight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Many Aussie TV stars have actively chosen to live a normal life away from the bright lights – and they’re all the happier for it!

You’ve seen these actors on Home and Away, Neighbours and even Heartbreak High, but these TV stars chose a more regular path after their time in the spotlight!

Keep on scrolling to see which celebs have chosen to trade in the big time for the quiet life.

Jason Smith

these days: TV production and writing behind the scenes.

Jason was one of the most recognizable faces on Australian television between 2003 and 2006 thanks to his scene-stealing performance as Robbie Hunter in Home And Away.

In the early 2000s, Robbie added some humor to the Bay by frequently getting into mischief with his best friend Kim Hyde (played by future A-lister Chris Hemsworth).

We shed adolescent tears of regret when Robbie departed the show since his romance with Tasha (Isabel Lucas) is still one of the greatest Summer Bay romances of all time.

Prior to making the switch to radio in 2016, when he joined Nova FM, Jason, 34, took a vacation from acting.

After leaving radio, Jason presented the short-lived official Home and Away podcast in 2019, during which he conducted interviews with various cast members.

Jason stated to New Idea that he was “always open to it” when asked if he would play Robbie again.

But I’m really enjoying the effort that goes on behind the scenes. The knowledge I gained from Home and Away has been really helpful in everything I’ve done since leaving the show “says he.

Jessica Marais

Joan Millar in Love Child, Lily Woodward in The Wrong Girl, and Rachel Rafter in Packed To The Rafters are all well-known for their respective roles.

working in the hotel industry now.

In 2008, while Jessica was still studying acting, she landed her breakthrough role. She eventually rose to stardom thanks to her part in the enduring and beloved television series Packed To The Rafters.

With Jessica receiving five Logies throughout the course of her career, it not only brought an abundance of roles but also accolades, garnering her the affection of Australian audiences.

Jessica enjoyed some success in the US with a lead role in the drama series Magic City after leaving Packed To The Rafters in 2011.

The 2020 movie Chasing Wonders featured the 37-year-old in his final on-screen appearance. Since then, she has taken a break from acting to concentrate on her mental health.

She reportedly still communicates frequently with her Packed To The Rafters co-stars.

James Stewart, her co-star in Packed to the Rafters, and Scout are co-parents.

Kyal Marsh

Boyd Hoyland’s heartbreaking performance in Neighbours made him famous.

He now owns and operates his own construction company.

He was a young genius who developed into a bad-boy hunk.

No matter which version you preferred, Boyd will never be forgotten.

Who can forget the time Boyd took steroids? Kyal joined Neighbours in 2002 and spent five years immersed in some very difficult storylines.

Kyal quit the show in 2007, criticising producers for the way his exit was handled.

Perhaps it’s not surprising he left acting behind, choosing instead to learn a trade.

Kyal, 31, is now the managing director at Fitzroy Shopfitting & Building, a construction company in Melbourne.

Zoe Tuckwell-Smith

Famous for: Part of the fab four in Winners & Losers.

These days: Life coach.

During its five-year run, the majority of viewers of Winners & Losers watched it by appointment.

A large portion of the cast moved on to new shows after it ended in 2016. not Zoe, though.

The actress, now going by the name Zoe Gameau, chose to concentrate her energy on training to be a life coach.

She works at the Centre For Mind Body And Wellness in Mullumbimby in northern NSW.

Zoe also co-wrote the book That Sugar Guide with her husband and fellow former actor Damon Gameau.

Amelia Frid

Known for: On the late 1980s, playing Cody Willis in Neighbours.

Clinical psychologist today.

Amelia made her screen debut in 1989 as the original Cody Willis in the television series Neighbours.

Cody rapidly won over fans during her two-year stay thanks to her on-again, off-again chase of Todd (Kristian Schmid).

After leaving in 1991, Amelia focused on studying, completing a degree in psychology.

She never returned to acting, and these days works as a clinical psychologist.

Sebastian Goldspink

Charlie Byrd, the endearing geek from Heartbreak High, is well-known.

curator of art nowadays.

When Heartbreak High first aired in 1994, it was a revelation because it shed light on the reality of life for high school kids.

Charlie Byrd, a computer nerd, is a character that Sebastian created for the fourth season of the program.

Before leaving in 1997, he had more than 50 episodes under his belt.

Sebastian added a few more acting roles to his resume, including one on All Saints, but ultimately discovered that curating art was his true calling.

He currently runs Alaska Projects, a prestigious Sydney curating company that supports up-and-coming artists.

Christie Hayes

Famous for: Being drama magnet Kirsty Sutherland in Home And Away.

These days: Breakfast radio host.

At just 13, Christie stormed Summer Bay as Kirsty Sutherland, the fierce teenager with nothing to lose.

Christie had two stints in Home And Away, between 2000 and 2005 and for a year in 2008.

Famously, Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell), who had abused her older sister Dani, fell in love with her character (Tammin Sursok).

It is still one of the Bay’s most daring plots. Christie has given up performing and is now a breakfast radio broadcaster for Hit Hobart. She wed her longtime husband in a private ceremony last year.

Josh Horner

Known for: Being the scathing Dancing With The Stars judge.

Agent for real estate these days.

Hearing what Josh had to say about a dancer’s performance was the best part of Dancing With The Stars for five seasons.

The former Broadway star was an entertaining judge with remarks that were as rapid as his feet.

After a move to Los Angeles and a stint working with Disney, Josh returned home last year and completed a professional pirouette of his own, becoming a real estate agent.

He’s now selling houses on the NSW Central Coast.

Fleur Beaupert

Known for: Reliable performances in Heartbreak High and Home and Away.

Presently: University lecturer and policy officer.

In 1997, if you enjoyed Australian television, there’s a good chance you liked Fleur.

The actress made appearances in 39 episodes of Heartbreak High and 68 episodes of Home and Away throughout that year.

Until she wasn’t, she was present everywhere.

In the late ’90s, Fleur stepped away from the limelight to focus on academia.

She studied law, specialising in legal reform and mental health.

Today she works as a policy officer for children and young people with Disability Australia.

Bridie Carter

Famous for: Taking our breath away as farm girl Tess in McLeod’s Daughters.

These days: Actually being a real farm girl at Byron Bay.

Bridie spends her days secluded on a farm in the Byron Bay hinterland of northern New South Wales, in what appears to be an unusual instance of life imitating art.

It’s a funny turn of events for the actress, who portrayed country girl Tess McLeod in McLeod’s Daughters for six seasons.