'Landman' star Ali Larter says Idaho life is simpler after LA move
Landman star Ali Larter says life in Sun Valley, Idaho, is far simpler than her old summers in Los Angeles, after she and husband Hayes MacArthur relocated there in 2020 to prioritize family time over Hollywood's endless auditions, parties, and charity obligations. The actress told Fox News Digital at the Newport Beach TV Fest that her days now center on bike rides, barbecues, and long evenings with her kids.
Key Takeaways
- Larter moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2020 and says summers there feel "totally different" from her Los Angeles years.
- She and Hayes MacArthur share two children: son Teddy, 15, and daughter Vivienne, 11.
- The family initially planned a two-month Idaho stay during the pandemic but stayed after schools reopened there while California's remained closed.
- Larter loves LA but chose Idaho to escape the constant actor obligations — auditions, parties, and charity events.
- She attended the Newport Beach TV Fest honoring Landman, where she plays Angela, Billy Bob Thornton's reconciled ex-wife.
For more on Hollywood relocations and red-carpet moments, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Why did Ali Larter leave Los Angeles for Idaho?
Larter and MacArthur first headed to Idaho during the COVID-19 lockdown, expecting a two-month stay while waiting for California schools to reopen. When they did not, the couple enrolled their then-6-year-old daughter Vivienne in kindergarten for the spring semester while Idaho classrooms stayed open.
"That was a huge thing for us because we just wanted her to be around other children and have that kindergarten experience," Larter told Page Six. The family met neighbors through school, skied together, and spent what she called a "tremendous amount of time" as a unit.
After returning to Los Angeles that summer, Larter said she felt the weight of life as a working actor in a massive city. Auditions were constant, and she felt expected to appear at parties and charity events on top of her career.
What does a simpler Idaho summer look like for Larter's family?
Speaking at the Newport Beach TV Fest, the Landman star said her summer months now look "totally different" from her LA era. Instead of Hollywood's pace, the family barbecues at home, plays with their dogs, and lets Vivienne practice volleyball.
"We can't really get our kids to hike anymore," Larter said with a laugh. "But I can get them to take a bike ride and then do, like, a little cold plunge in the river." Trips to Leroy's for ice cream have become a seasonal ritual.
She added that Idaho's long daylight — with the sun out until around 10 p.m. — makes it easy to enjoy time with Teddy and Vivienne now that school is out. "It's just kind of simpler," she said, "and the days are really long."
Does Ali Larter still have ties to Hollywood?
Despite building a quieter life in Sun Valley, Larter has not walked away from her career. She stars on Paramount+'s Landman as Angela, Billy Bob Thornton's recently reconciled ex-wife, and recently joined castmates at the Newport Beach TV Fest honoring the series.
On the red carpet, she called Angela a "wildcat" and joked that she wishes she could channel that energy more in everyday life. Larter also made clear that Los Angeles still holds a place in her heart.
"My heart will always be there," she said of LA. But after that pivotal summer, she and MacArthur decided to "make a go for it" in Idaho. "We just didn't want to do that," she said of the endless social obligations. "We wanna be with our children."
Why does Larter's Idaho move matter now?
Larter's comments land as Landman continues to draw attention and she steps back into the spotlight for festival season. Her story reflects a broader celebrity trend: trading industry hubs for smaller communities when family becomes the priority.
For the 8216landman8217 star ali larter, the shift appears to be working. Five years after the 2020 relocation, she describes Idaho summers as slower, sunnier, and centered on the people who matter most — not the party circuit she left behind in Los Angeles.