Evangeline Lilly, best known for her roles in “Lost” and Marvel’s “Ant-Man” series, has announced her retirement from acting. The 44-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram on Monday, June 3, expressing her joy and contentment with her decision to “live out [her] vision.”
Lilly’s Heartfelt Announcement
Lilly posted a 20-year-old video of herself laying out her dreams for the future. In the caption, she wrote, “Praise God, I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment.” She added, “I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong. A new season has arrived, and I AM READY…and I AM HAPPY.”
In the throwback video, a younger Lilly expressed her desire to retire from acting one day, have a family with two children, become a writer, and engage in humanitarian work. This vision has now become her reality as she steps away from the limelight to focus on her personal goals.
Career Highlights
Lilly gained fame for her role as Kate Austen in the critically acclaimed series “Lost.” She later transitioned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she portrayed Hope van Dyne in “Ant-Man” and its sequels, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023). Her filmography also includes roles in “Smallville,” “Real Steel,” and two films in the “Hobbit” franchise.
Lilly has been candid about the challenges she faced in her acting career. In 2018, she revealed that a “bad experience” on the set of “Lost” led her to refuse onscreen nudity. “In Season 3, I’d had a bad experience on set with being basically cornered into doing a scene partially naked, and I felt had no choice in the matter,” she said. “I was mortified and I was trembling and when I finished it, I was crying my eyes out and I had to go on do a very formidable, very strong scene thereafter.”
As Evangeline Lilly steps into this new chapter of her life, she leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and a message of empowerment and fulfillment. Fans may miss seeing her on the big screen, but they can look forward to the creative and humanitarian contributions she plans to make in her post-acting career.
