Danica McKeller Reflects on Entertainment Industry’s Shift from LA

Danica McKeller, who relocated to Tennessee three years ago, has observed a growing trend of entertainment professionals leaving Los Angeles.

The former star of “The Wonder Years” shared that after her son-in-law finished high school, she and her husband made the decision to depart from California after living there for 40 years. “It just didn’t feel right anymore. He wanted to be closer to Draco, so he wouldn’t have to fly back and forth. Tennessee felt like the right fit for us,” she explained during a podcast with Christine Taylor and David Rusher.

Her 15-year-old son, Draco, was frequently flying between Los Angeles and Florida, where McKeller’s father’s ex-husband resides.

Sylvester Stallone, discussing his choice to move to Florida, mentioned that it “suits my personality” better than staying in Hollywood.

McKeller emphasized that while they didn’t want to move all the way to Florida, they preferred to be closer so Draco wouldn’t have to spend too long traveling. “We came to Tennessee and absolutely loved it. We found this wonderful home,” she added, stating they craved more nature and greenery after decades in Los Angeles.

Rusher mentioned he’s contemplating future moves for himself and his wife after his child graduates. “I have friends who have made similar moves, like Melissa Joan Hart, and my good buddy Doug Erin, who recently settled in Nashville. A lot of people are leaving LA,” he noted.

Notably, McKeller pointed out that fellow actor Jason Priestley has also found a home in Tennessee, appreciating the simpler lifestyle. Last year, he publicly expressed that living in Nashville has been much easier for his family.

While McKeller’s husband, Scott Svesloski, still runs a law firm in Los Angeles, he manages much of his work remotely, only traveling to the West Coast a few times a month.

Rusher recently had a chance meeting with Scott Wolf, who is currently raising his family in Utah, reinforcing the idea that many are rethinking where they want to live in this new climate.

He said, “Scott mentioned he was flying to Toronto for a show, and I thought, why am I not living here?”

It’s clear that decisions around where to live are often influenced by family, as Taylor shared her experience moving out of LA when her children were young. “We made that choice deliberately. The older they got, it would’ve been tougher to pull them away from their friends,” she reflected.

Rusher noted that face-to-face meetings within the entertainment sector have diminished, moving predominantly to Zoom calls for writing and brainstorming. Taylor described this shift as a “victim of Covid.” McKeller added that despite the challenges, it has been beneficial in some ways.

Several other celebrities, including Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Simpson, and Ali Larter, have also discussed their transitions away from Los Angeles, often citing the appeal of a simpler lifestyle and stronger community ties.

Larter remarked on finding a wonderful community and connection when moving to Idaho, emphasizing that the lifestyle is straightforward and filled with generosity, especially when raising children.

In a similar vein, Dean Cain expressed his dissatisfaction with California policies despite its beauty, noting he now resides in Henderson, Nevada.