Dacre Montgomery, best known for his role as Billy in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, has revealed why he chose to take a step back from Hollywood after experiencing early fame. In an exclusive interview with The Australian, the 30-year-old actor reflected on the pressures of the industry and the impact of social media on modern stardom.
“I think things have changed. Traditional Hollywood stars existed because there was mystery… Social media has done away with that. That’s a large part of why I dropped off the map for the last five years,” Montgomery explained.
The actor, who starred alongside Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown, admitted that his hiatus was also a result of personal reflection. “I’ve given a piece of myself to every role I’ve played, and that’s largely why I’ve taken time off. Lately, there’s been a lot of personal reflection about what I want in my career. I’m trying to gain a bit more control over where and what I’m working on,” he added.
While fans loved his portrayal of the complex character Billy, Montgomery will not appear in the final season of Stranger Things, as his character was killed off in the third installment.
On the professional front, Montgomery is gearing up for his next role in the psychological thriller Went Up the Hill, which is set to be released on August 15, 2025.
