Stephen Baldwin on choosing born-again Christianity over Hollywood after a life-changing encounter with God

Stephen Baldwin believes he could have been one of Hollywood's biggest stars, but he doesn't regret leaving the business for something far more important: his faith.In a new interview, Baldwin, 60, reflected on the career-defining success that followed his role in the Oscar-winning 1995 crime thriller, "The Usual Suspects," and opened up about why he never felt drawn to chase stardom."I probably could have pointed myself in the direction of becoming a big star," Baldwin told People."But that wasn't me.

I didn't want to be Tom Cruise, and have to make $100 million at the box office.I'd rather be a schmuck from Massapequa."HEATHER LOCKLEAR SAYS SHE LIVES 'FAR AWAY' FROM HOLLYWOOD AND STAYS OUT OF THE SOCIAL SCENEStephen Baldwin left Hollywood after finding faith.

(Getty Images)Baldwin said his priorities shifted dramatically after embracing born-again Christianity in 2001.According to the actor, his faith journey began after he and his wife, Kennya, hired a Brazilian housekeeper who claimed she had been sent by God because the couple would one day become Christians and start a ministry."My wife tells me, ‘I just spoke to Augusta, and she said the real reason she’s here is because God spoke to her, and she said in the future you and I will become born-again Christians and have our own ministry,’" Baldwin told the outlet.JD VANCE REVEALS WHAT DREW HIM BACK TO GOD AFTER SEEING CHRISTIANS HAD LIFE ‘FIGURED OUT’At first, Baldwin admitted he was skeptical.However, after attending a handful of evangelical events with his sister - who had already become a born-again Christian - and witnessing a Christian skateboarding ministry that blended extreme sports with worship, he said everything shifted.Brothers Alec Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin have always supported each other throughout the years.

(Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)"Down on the beach, they had built a skate park on the sand with plywood.And these funky, super committed, cool, tattooed, pierced skateboarders ...