Danica McKellar, remembered by many as Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years, has opened up about why Los Angeles no longer feels like home—and how that could be tied to why more and more celebrities are leaving Hollywood behind as well. After four decades in California, the actress and her family decided to move to Tennessee three years ago. On a recent podcast, she explained that the decision followed her stepson’s high school graduation and her own desire for change.
The move also centered on her son, Draco, who had been flying often between Los Angeles and Florida to see his father, Mike Verta. For Danica McKellar, living in Tennessee meant Draco no longer faced such exhausting trips. At the same time, she and her husband, attorney Scott Sveslosky, wanted a quieter lifestyle and more connection to nature. She admits that Los Angeles no longer offered the balance her family needed.
Danica McKellar Finds A New Home In Tennessee
In her conversation, Danica McKellar shared that she quickly fell in love with Tennessee. She and her husband found a house they adored, surrounded by green landscapes. After forty years in Los Angeles, she felt ready for something different. The change brought fresh energy to her life and gave her family the space they had been looking for.
She also pointed out that the entertainment industry has changed. Many meetings, auditions, and creative projects now happen virtually. As a result, actors no longer need to live in Hollywood to succeed, according to Fox News. For McKellar, this shift meant she could place family first without losing career opportunities.
More Celebrities Join The Move Away From Hollywood
Danica McKellar is not the only star who left Los Angeles. Melissa Joan Hart has long lived in Tennessee, while Jason Priestley and screenwriter Doug Ellin also relocated there. These moves show a wider trend, as more actors trade the bustle of Hollywood for quieter, family-friendly communities.
She also explained that the COVID-19 pandemic helped many realize they could work from anywhere. “You start realizing, I’m a grownup, I can choose where to live,” McKellar said. In the end, her decision highlights a growing desire among celebrities to create lives filled with family, nature, and peace outside the traditional Hollywood scene.