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Find Out Why ‘Never Been Kissed’ Actress Leelee Sobieski Left Hollywood

Leelee Sobieski
Leelee Sobieski attends the 11th Annual Chanel Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner in 2016.

Leelee Sobieski has never been happier. “My daughter is learning how to ride a bike and my little boy is just so cute … though he’s a handful!” the mom of Louisanna (Lewi for short!), 6, and Martin, 20 months, told Us Weekly on Monday, April 18, at the Chanel Tribeca Artist Dinner in NYC. 

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It was a rare red carpet appearance for the Helen Hunt look-alike, who starred alongside Drew Barrymore in the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed and then in films including Here on Earth and The Glass House. “I don’t do movie stuff anymore,” Sobieski, 32, revealed. “I am totally an outsider! I … am just a mom and an outsider.”

The 5-foot-10 Brown University grad has no plans to return to film. “Maybe if I’m playing sweet grandma,” she shared. “[But] I am just focused on my kids. I think that’s mainly why I stopped.” 

Leelee Sobieski and Drew Barrymore
Sobieski and Barrymore during 1996 Pediatric Aids Picnic in Brentwood.

Meanwhile, the star — who wed fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010 — is still leading a fulfilling creative life. “I help my husband with what he does,” she says. “And I paint, secretly!”

Leelee Sobieski and Adam Kimmel
Sobieski and Kimmel at Paris Menswear Fashion Week in 2011.

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Back in 2012, Sobieski hinted that she was ready to leave Hollywood. “Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that,” she explained to Vogue. “It’s such a strange fire to play with, and our relationship is surely strong enough to handle it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there has to be something incredible on the other side.”

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