#25: Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling became a heartthrob as the dreamy Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, but after a handful of film roles, he stepped away from Hollywood in 1991 due to the industry’s unpredictability.

Rather than chase fleeting stardom, he found fulfillment in craftsmanship, building a successful business specializing in bespoke, handcrafted furniture. Though fans still romanticize his on-screen presence, Schoeffling has embraced a quieter, more hands-on career, proving that reinvention can be as rewarding as fame.