I recently listened to the episode of The Nerdist podcast which featured Rick Moranis, who similarly retired from acting to focus being an attentive father to his young children. In the interview he seemed like a caring, genuinely happy man who was at great peace with the decisions he'd made regarding his career. If anything, stepping back gave him a greater foundation upon which he could draw for the few gigs he picks up here and there when he feels comfortable and/or passionate about specific projects.
To me, in a deeply personal way, I believe success is the turning point when you feel empowered to make decisions based on what you *want* to do, not what you *need* to do (for standard of living essentials, for the strengthening of a career, for professional obligations).
I wonder, given all that jazz's romanticism towards the great divas and legends of old, if he'd similarly criticize Grace Kelly for retiring from acting after starring in only five films. Sure, she won an Oscar, but she was "nowhere near the top" - why she didn't even make the AFI's Top 10 Female Stars (she was #13). Or does becoming a Princess supercede acting success?
Eh, he'd probably rather gripe about stealing Judy's Oscar.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.