Jonathan Taylor Thomas Finally Opens Up About Why He Left Show Business

March 22, 2013 by Hollywood EM

It happens all the time, young Hollywood actors leaving show business at a very young age despite loving the glamorous lifestyle at the height of their fame. Some might argue that the reason is because they have a hard time transitioning into adult roles, however, the same can’t be said for Jonathan Taylor Thomas who is finally opening up about his early retirement from acting.

Speaking to People Magazine, he revealed that he felt he needed a break from acting and was interested in going to school. ”I’d been going nonstop since I was 8-years-old,” the 31-year-old said. “I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.”

He did actually get to fulfill his wish of attending university. He attended both Harvard University and Columbia University, and graduated with a philosophy and history degree in 2010.

He spoke of his time at school as well, explaining how he loved his educational experience. ”To sit in a big library amongst books and students, that was pretty cool. It was a novel experience for me,” he said.

Although many people still wonder how he could walk away from all the glitz and glamour, apparently it wasn’t as big of a deal to him at all. ”I never took the fame too seriously,” he continued. “It was a great period in my life, but it doesn’t define me. When I think back on the time, I look at it with a wink. I focus on the good moments I had, not that I was on a lot of magazine covers.”

Jonathan Taylor Thomas is known mainly for his role as Randy Taylor in Home Improvement from 1991-1998 and he has since reunited with Tim Allen for a guest appearance on Allen’s new hit show Last Man Standing, which will air tonight at 8 p.m. eastern on ABC.