The actor traded the glamour of Tinseltown for a quieter life in West Sussex. And he couldn’t be happier about it.

In the early 2000s, Josh Hartnett was one of Hollywood’s hottest young stars. With credits like ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘Black Hawk Down,’ he seemed destined for superstardom. But as his career began to slow down, Hartnett made a bold decision: he left Tinseltown behind and moved to the quaint English village of West Wittering.

It’s been 15 years since Hartnett packed up his bags and said goodbye to the glamour of Hollywood. And in that time, he’s never looked back.

Hartnett, who is now 44, says the decision to leave was a deliberate one. ‘I’d had enough of the chaos,’ he tells The Times. ‘I wanted to find a place where I could be myself, without all the noise and distractions.’

West Wittering, with its rolling hills, sandy beaches, and picturesque village center, seemed like the perfect spot. Hartnett purchased a small cottage there in 2007, and soon found himself embracing a quieter, more laid-back lifestyle.

‘People often ask me if I miss Hollywood,’ Hartnett says. ‘And my answer is: no.’ He laughs. ‘I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s been an incredible experience. But this life here in West Wittering? It’s exactly what I needed. It’s peaceful, it’s quiet, and it’s real.’

Hartnett’s decision to leave Hollywood has not gone unnoticed. ‘I think a lot of people would love to make the same move,’ he says. ‘But you have to be willing to take the leap and see what happens.’

For Hartnett, that leap was well worth it. He’s found a sense of contentment in his new life that he never experienced in Hollywood.

‘People think I’m crazy for leaving the biggest film industry in the world,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘But honestly? It’s been the best decision I ever made.’