For many young actors, breaking into Hollywood may just be the ultimate dream filled with fame, glamor, fortune and global recognition. But for Tom Holland, the truth behind the spotlight is much more complex.The billion-dollar actor and star of the “Spider-Man” franchise is one of the most sought-after stars today. He will also appear in two of the biggest films of 2026 – Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” While Tom loves filmmaking and acting, he once admitted that the culture surrounding Hollywood often makes him uncomfortable.
Quote of the day
“I don’t really like Hollywood, it’s not for me.
“Work really scares me.”
Tom Holland talks about his struggle to survive in Hollywood
Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose show, Holland explained that despite being one of the biggest stars of his generation, he constantly tries to protect himself from being consumed by fame. “Look, I’m a really big fan of filmmaking, but I don’t really like Hollywood, it’s not for me,” the actor said, adding, “This business really scares me. I understand that I’m part of this business, and I enjoy the kind of interactions I have with it.”
“Instead of chasing stardom, the actor said he is actively looking for ways to maintain a “normal” life away from the spotlight. “I’m always looking for ways to pull myself out of it to live as normal a life as possible,” Holland explained.
Tom Holland on the dark side of fame
Reflecting on the dark side of fame, he also spoke about losing friends and friendships over time in the industry. “I’ve seen a lot of people come before me and lose themselves, and I’ve had friends that I grew up with who aren’t my friends anymore, because they lost themselves to this business,” he shared.
“I definitely think it was a constant theme, which was, ‘Don’t lose yourself.’”
Tom Holland talks about focusing on happiness
The actor, who reportedly married his co-star Zendaya in a silent ceremony, also shared his idea of happiness. He explained: “I’m really, really careful to focus on what makes me happy, which is my family, my friends. It’s carpentry, it’s golf, it’s the charity my mom runs. Like, these are the things that make me really happy, and these are the things I have to protect.”Holland will appear in the legendary epic “The Odyssey” which will be released on July 17. He will also appear in the superhero film “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which will be released on July 31. If rumors are to be believed, the actor will also likely appear in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” movie, scheduled for release on December 18.