Hollywood stars leaving US? - Who gained new citizenship in 2025
George Clooney, James Cameron, and other stars obtain new citizenship (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
American stars are increasingly choosing to live outside the US and Hollywood, obtaining citizenship in other countries. Some are seeking a quieter life, while others make this decision for political reasons.
RBC-Ukraine reports on stars who have changed or plan to change their citizenship.
Jesse Eisenberg
The star of Now You See Me obtained Polish citizenship in 2025. He took this step because of his heritage – Eisenberg’s ancestors lived in a small Polish village but emigrated to the US during World War II. To reconnect with his roots, he applied for a passport in 2024 and eventually received it personally from then-President Andrzej Duda.
Jesse Eisenberg receives a Polish passport (screenshot)
Jimmy Kimmel
The American TV host obtained Italian citizenship through his ancestry, as he revealed in a podcast this year. He decided to get an additional passport amid Donald Trump’s reelection as US president.
Jimmy Kimmel receives Italian citizenship (screenshot)
Rosie O’Donnell
The actress and TV host moved to Ireland in January 2025 following the US election results. There, she began the process of obtaining citizenship through her grandparents’ ancestry. The star is known for her outspoken criticism of Trump’s policies. In July, he even “considered” revoking her citizenship, although this is constitutionally impossible.
Rosie O’Donnell applies for Irish citizenship (screenshot)
George Clooney
The actor and director, along with his wife, Amal, and their children, obtained French citizenship at the end of December. The family has strong ties to the country, spending much of their time on their farm there. This provides them with a chance for a normal life and the opportunity to raise their children as far from Hollywood as possible.
George and Amal Clooney (photo: Getty Images)
Courtney Love
The American singer decided to obtain a new passport following Donald Trump’s presidential victory. In March of this year, she applied for British citizenship. She has been living in London since 2019 and has openly expressed her desire to relocate permanently due to disagreement with the current US administration’s policies.
Courtney Love says goodbye to the US (photo: instagram.com/courtneylove)
James Cameron
The Oscar-winning director officially became a New Zealand citizen in August 2025. He has been living in the country since 2012, calling it his creative home, and works there on the Avatar franchise.
His decision to obtain a New Zealand passport was influenced in part by Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. For the Titanic creator, who also holds Canadian citizenship, this provides an opportunity to distance himself from the political situation in the US.
James Cameron receives a New Zealand passport (screenshot)
Sources: The Guardian, People, Daily Mail, Wikipedia.
