Josh Hartnett Left Hollywood Due to Stalking Incidents

Josh Hartnett has recounted some terrifying moments from his past, revealing that he left Hollywood because of stalking incidents, including one where a man showed up armed at one of his locations.

The actor shared his experiences with The Guardian via Zoom from his estate in Hampshire, England. This quaint countryside residence is where he lives with his wife, partly due to the dangers he felt living in Los Angeles.

Hartnett explained that the increasing risk of people showing up at his house was one of the catalysts for his departure from L.A. about two decades ago.

He described these encounters as direct stalking incidents. One particularly chilling event involved a man who arrived at one of Hartnett’s premieres with a gun, falsely claiming to be his father. The man was eventually imprisoned.

Hartnett made a conscious decision to leave Hollywood to avoid being overwhelmed by fame and the threats it brought to his safety and well-being. He wanted to change his life trajectory before Hollywood could take a toll on him.

Despite stepping away from the Hollywood scene, Hartnett continues to act. His latest project is M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror-thriller “Trap,” set to release this week. He portrays a serial killer attempting to evade a massive police operation in a stadium, a role that mirrors the anxiety his own stalkers once caused him.

Reflecting on his career choices, Hartnett expressed contentment with the path he has taken. He noted that he now spends a considerable amount of time with his children—time he might have missed out on if he had stayed in Hollywood’s limelight.

The actor suggested that his career might have unfolded very differently had he not felt pressured and trapped by the Hollywood environment.

For better or worse, Josh Hartnett’s retreat from Hollywood has given him a sense of peace and allowed him to prioritize what’s truly important to him: his safety and his family.

Source: TMZ, The Guardian