Responses (2)
Well, Hollywood actors are not forced to act forever, they choose to act not forced. Hollywood actors don't act forever. Some of them are retired, quit or getting old and some of Old age, New born reasons, where they just wanted to get out of the spotlight and take care of a kid who was just recently born, Controversy related reasons where its better if they just stopped acting, Arrested and serving prison time in a way that they just couldn’t get work afterwards, Not very common that it’ll be that extend but I’m sure it has happened before.
Chose to just work on other stuffs besides acting.
Hope this helps!
Technicalities aside (free country, nobody lives forever), you shouldn't group live action and voice actors in your assessment.
For live action, popularity tends to be short lived. Even for the most prodigious actor, there'll be a decade or so of prominence, and a steady or steep decline. Examples: harrison ford does star wars & indiana jones, how often do you see him elsewhere past the 00s? Sean connery retired twice, I believe, and did almost nothing after 2003 till his death. Jim carrey was basically the 90s comedian, and I recall articles about how nobody would cast him afterwards. Tom cruise, so many stories. Main issue is, physical beauty fades. They get replaced by a younger version, and have to seek out roles befitting their age (which tend to be fewer; let's face it, young cinema audience want to see bold adventurers they can relate to or admire, not arthritic seniors to pity or dread becoming). Sometimes they can adopt (wallace shawn, tom hanks), sometimes less. In quite a few cases, they become directors or producers.
For voice acting, I suppose you're thinking disney (perhaps seiyuu are a superior illustration). I tend to agree with that view, though naturally there are many counterexamples. I suppose it's partly because there's less hype involved with voice actors, less competition, and mainly because the characters they portray can age & be written almost arbitrarily, to fit the actor and times. Unlike appearance, voice tends to remain mostly the same for a lifetime (though singing capacity and such high intensity skills deteriorate, as in athletics), which gives the long term audience a sense of familiarity they crave, even moreso than with live action. It's very distinctive in cases where a voice actor was replaced, upsetting the fans.
If you're asking why they keep on doing this, you're likely too inexperienced to comprehend their state of mind effectively (as am I). As far as I can tell, it basically amounts to: Excess of free time is detrimental to mental health. Fading to obscurity is the bane of a thespian. Money doesn't last for most people, especially those who have too much of it and less financial sense. Likely a degree of pressure from the environment. FOMO / regret, a desire to create something to last.
I've once sought (notable) actors who retired and started some other occupation, or furthered their academic education - they're few and far between, that much is certain; but the reason I wouldn't call forcing by the industry (quite the opposite as stated), more like a personality that is driven in that direction.