Actress Julie Benz to Retire, Return to Amish Roots

(Sneak preview of upcoming article in "The Hollywood Reporter" 5-11 April 2005, page 56, by Staff Writer Meehmi Turner)

In a surprise announcement starlet Julie Benz, 32, of "Buffy" and "Angel" fame, has declared her intention to abandon the Hollywood scene and head back home to the hills of Pennsylvania in order to reacquaint herself with her Amish heritage. "It's a move we have considered carefully for some time now. (Husband) John (Kassir) and I have decided that we want to raise a family. We both feel that Hollywood does not provide the most supporting environment for (this)."
Raised in Pittsburgh, PA by well-to-do suburbanites, Benz was on her way to figure skating stardom at 14, when she suffered a devastating injury that eventually forced her to abandon her ice skating dreams. After doing some modeling, she got a degree in drama at New York University. From there she moved to Los Angeles, where she eventually landed the breakthrough role of Darla on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". "Hollywood has been an amazing dream and I have met so many wonderful (people) here who have been very kind to me," said Benz, "But it is not the most nurturing place for raising a child."

Benz's interest in the Amish faith dates back to her high school days. "(Growing up) in Murrysville, there was this Amish home in Old William Penn Hwy, a few blocks away from our house. The Amish have this very wise tradition (that) they call 'rumspringa', they want young (people) to run around and have fun before they commit to their faith. I had quite a few Amish friends in high school and it really amazed me, how much fun they could be once you really got to know them." Benz can even trace some Amish heritage in her lineage. "My great grandfather on my dad's (side) was one of the original Sleeping Preachers among the Amish Mennonites. He was really well respected in his community."

Benz and husband Kassir expect to continue to be able do voiceover work on the side. "John has been doing this forever, he just knows so many people? I only started voiceovers a while back. The Beachy Amish Mennonites are so much more relaxed and open about modern practices they just would not consider voiceovers as a problem." They both know that their decision may be expected to raise its share of eyebrows among biz friends and colleagues but, as Benz observes, family comes first. "I will miss acting, a little bit I think, but we've both thought and talked about it at length and (it) feels right. I'm just so very grateful for all the people who have been kind to me."