“Charmed” Alum Holly Marie Combs Confirms She’s ‘Retired’ from Acting 7 Years After Her Last Role

**Holly Marie Combs Opens Up About Retirement from Acting on Podcast**

Holly Marie Combs, the actress best known for her roles in iconic television series such as *Charmed* and *Picket Fences*, has candidly discussed her decision to retire from acting during the latest episode of her podcast, *The House of Halliwell*, aired on 25 August.

Combs, now 52, revealed that her primary motivation for stepping back from the industry revolves around family. Sharing three sons with her ex-husband David W. Donoho, she expressed how these personal responsibilities influenced her choice to distance herself from acting. Reflecting on the “mayhem and chaos” characterising her home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Combs stated that the scripts making their way to her were far from inspiring. “There was nothing blowing up my skirt,” she explained, signifying her lack of interest in the roles being offered to her.

As a performer in the challenging landscape of Hollywood, Combs addressed the difficulties inherent to ageing in the acting profession. She noted that opportunities tend to dwindle as actors reach their 40s and 50s, with roles becoming less captivating as time goes on. “Being in that 40 to 50 [years old] range, the job pool gets even smaller and smaller, and I feel like the roles get a little less interesting,” Combs remarked.

While acknowledging some improvements in combatting ageism within the industry, she expressed a sense of disillusionment with contemporary offerings. “The industry is not as bad with the ageism as it used to be, but still,” she said. “Ultimately, I just felt it was time to take a step back.”

Despite her current hiatus, Combs has not completely closed the door on a potential return to acting in the future. With her two youngest sons still attending high school, she hinted at the possibility of re-entering the profession once they have graduated. “Once Kelly has graduated successfully, I might consider [returning],” she shared. “I’ll be sitting around with a lot more time on my hands.”

In her candid reflections, Combs admitted to missing the excitement of acting at times. “I think there’s that unique feeling when you’re involved and you’re working,” she said. “You’re just present and in the moment, and that’s what actually feels good. That’s what escapism is.”

Her last notable role was in a 2019 episode of *Grey’s Anatomy*, although she spent a significant period on *Pretty Little Liars* from 2010 to 2017, portraying the character Ella Montgomery. Speaking at a recent event, Combs embraced the challenge of playing a mother to Lucy Hale’s character, despite their relatively close age. “I was like, ‘Hey, I’d rather have people say she looks too young to be Lucy Hale’s mum’ than ‘Oh, she got old,’” she quipped, highlighting the industry’s tendency to cast youthful-looking parents.

Combs also acknowledged the sense of nostalgia she feels when reflecting on her time on *Charmed*. “It was kind of a mirror experience because I got to watch the girls on *Pretty Little Liars* go through a lot of what we did,” she noted, offering praise for her younger co-stars. “They were far more professional than we were,” she added, demonstrating her admiration for the new generation of actors.

As Combs navigates this new chapter of her life away from the camera, she remains an influential figure in the entertainment world. Whether or not the allure of acting draws her back remains uncertain, but for now, she is focusing on her family and reflecting on the journey that has shaped her career.