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Kurt Russell explained why he moved to Colorado about 40 years ago, trading Hollywood’s bright lights for ranch life at age 26—a decision that defied industry predictions his career would end. In recent interviews, the 75-year-old actor discussed why he and longtime partner Goldie Hawn chose their log cabin home in Old Snowmass over the glamour of Los Angeles, describing the lifestyle as fundamentally distinct from the entertainment world.
Quick Facts
- Kurt Russell moved to Colorado at age 26 and has remained there for over 40 years
- He and Goldie Hawn own a large log-cabin lodge on a ranch in Old Snowmass
- People in Hollywood warned him leaving would end his career—he proved them wrong
- Russell says Colorado life recalls growing up in Maine, with a natural outdoor lifestyle
Why Kurt Russell Left Hollywood
When Russell was in his mid-twenties, he made a bold choice that many in the entertainment industry thought would be catastrophic for his prospects. According to Fox News and the New York Post, many people warned him that leaving Los Angeles for a Colorado ranch meant saying goodbye to his Hollywood career. Yet Russell has continued to work steadily in film, suggesting his early fears were unfounded. He described the move not as an escape from fame, but as a lifestyle choice he and Goldie Hawn made together—a deliberate decision to prioritize a different way of living over the pressures of Hollywood.
Russell found in Colorado something he valued more than proximity to the entertainment industry. The actor grew up around fishing and outdoor living in Maine, and he found that Colorado offered a similar quality of life. In interviews, he noted that life in Colorado feels “like the way I grew up in Maine,” suggesting his choice was rooted in a desire to return to a natural lifestyle familiar from his childhood. This wasn’t a radical departure from who he was—it was a return to familiar values.
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The Mountain Home and Ranch Life
Russell and Hawn’s Colorado property is no small retreat. The couple has described their home as a large, beautiful log-cabin lodge on a ranch located in Old Snowmass, nestled in the mountain scenery of the state. Realtor.com reported that Russell has spoken about staring at the mountains from his bed in Colorado, describing it as one of the best aspects of life in the mountains. This daily experience of natural beauty contrasts sharply with typical Hollywood living, and Russell has emphasized how the natural mountain landscape and outdoor lifestyle in Colorado feed his sense of home.
The actor’s choice to split time between Colorado and Los Angeles—rather than abandon the entertainment industry entirely—allowed him to maintain his career while enjoying the lifestyle he preferred. Russell continues to work in Hollywood while maintaining his beloved Colorado ranch, a balance that has allowed him to have both worlds. His decision, made four decades ago, demonstrates that one doesn’t have to choose between career success and personal fulfillment when it comes to where you live.
Sources
- Fox News — Interview detailing Russell’s move to Colorado and how people warned him his career would end
- New York Post — Report on Russell leaving LA for Colorado ranch life and proving industry doubters wrong
- InStyle — Interview with Russell explaining why he and Goldie Hawn left Los Angeles for Colorado
- Realtor.com — Feature on Russell’s log-cabin home in Old Snowmass and his thoughts on mountain living
