18 Actors Who Made a Strong Comeback

Early Stardom:Downey joined the infamous '80s "Brat Pack." He appeared widely in the late 1980s and early 1990s, starring in shows likeWeird ScienceandBack to SchooltoLess Than ZeroandChaplinDowney played broad comedies just as well as niche dramas. Downey had a big career ahead.

Career Drop-Off:The story of RDJ'scollapseis well known. Drug use and severe personal problems made Downey unwelcome in Hollywood. This left him few chances to improve his craft in Tinseltown.

The Comeback:From 2005 to 2007, Downey began his slow return to relevance. A series of smaller critical hits includedKiss Kiss Bang Bang,Good Night, and Good Luck,A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, andZodiacThese reminded everyone Downey had serious acting skills. Then Marvel Studios contacted him...

Most Important Role:You know Iron Man? Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. Look at an Iron Man comic after 2008. Downey is now a major film star, no matter how poorlyisTony Stark. If you pick up an Iron Man comic post-2008, you see the point. Downey is one of the top film stars now.Dolittle flopped.

Early Stardom:The late '80s were Reeves's start. In shows likeDangerous Liaisons,Bill & Ted's Excellent AdventureandParenthoodThese showed an actor rising before the 1990s made him an action star. WithPoint Break,SpeedandThe MatrixKeanu Reeves became the big-budget hero Hollywood was looking for in a post-Stallone/Schwarzenegger world.

Career Drop-Off:After theMatrixSequels hit in the early 2000s; Reeves's career took a dip. The biggest hits you have for 10 years areConstantine,The Lake House, and the remake ofThe Day the Earth Stood Still, things went wrong.

The Comeback:Keanu seems back at the top now and enjoys himself. He played himself inAlways Be My Maybe. Duke Caboom inToy Story 4? There was even a thirdBill & Tedmovie!

Most Important Role:TheJohn Wickfilmsreminded film fans of Reeves's star power and drive for great action movies. The stunt work and coordination the actor puts into those films outshines most big names. He matches Tom Cruise as the type of actor who always pushes to make fight scenes believable.

Early Stardom:Quantifying Betty White's Hollywood career is hard. Her breakthrough came with the 1950s sitcomLife with Elizabeth, where she had the lead role. She has been in acting since then. Whether on game shows likePasswordandMatch Gameor on shows likeThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowandThe Golden Girls, Betty White is a true Hollywood legend.

Career Drop-Off:AfterThe Golden Girlsended, White kept working in TV and film. She usually did guest spots on sitcoms and cartoon shows. A supporting part inBoston LegalBetty White reached a high point. She was not gone; she just wasn't as big as she was in her peak.The Golden Girls.

The Comeback:Near the end of the 2000s, the Hollywood icon saw a big return. Films likeThe ProposalandThe Loraxtelevision shows likeHot in ClevelandandBetty White's Off Their RockersThese reminded everyone how much they loved her.

Most Important Role:She became the oldest person in history to hostSaturday Night LiveShe hosted in 2010 after nearly 500,000 people signed a petition.to get her the gig. That showed she made it!Early Stardom:

After roles onWebsterWebsterMacGyverMacGyver, Bialik got a show of her own to star in with the early-'90s hitBlossomThat ran for five seasons on NBC. Like many child actors, the transition after her big break proved rocky.

Career Drop-Off:Most of her early work afterBlossominvolved cartoon voice work. We talk aboutAaahh!!! Real Monsters,Recess,Johnny Bravo,Kim Possible, andHey Arnold! she focused mostly on her education, getting aPh.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.

The Comeback:The 2010s were a big comeback decade for Bialik, 20 years after she became a sitcom star. She starred onThe Secret Life of the American Teenageras Dr. Wilameena Bink, she appeared on game shows likeDrop the MicandMatch Game, and she has another sitcom in Fox'sCall Me Kat.

Most Important Role:The part that brought her back was Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler onThe Big Bang Theory. She played Sheldon's love interest for almost a decade, changing the show from a nerdy guys sitcom to an ensemble piece.

Early Stardom:Keaton started his Hollywood career as a flexible comedic actor.Night Shift,Mr. Mom,Johnny Dangerously, andBeetlejuicegot the man recognition before his role as Bruce Wayne in the 1989Batmanturned him into an A-list star.

Career Drop-Off:Keaton spent the 1990s mostly doing projects he liked, such asMuch Ado About Nothing,Multiplicity,Jackie Brown, andOut of Sight. His career faded somewhat in the 2000s, but he stayed active with projects likeFirst DaughterandHerbie: Fully Loadedwhich kept him working.

The Comeback:Roles inThe Other GuysandRoboCopThese roles in the early 2010s prepared the actor for his real comeback in the latter half of the decade. Now, Keaton plays major roles in Hollywood withSpotlight,The Founder,Spider-Man: Homecoming, andThe Trial of the Chicago 7which helped change his stardom.

Most Important Role: 2014'sBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)Keaton proved he is a very talented actor with great range and completely turned his career around. This also earned him his first Oscar nomination.

Early Stardom:Neil Patrick Harris gained big success after appearing in several feature films and TV movies.Neil Patrick Harris played Doogie Howser, M.D.Portraying the mix of teenage life and a practicing doctor is complex. When the show ended in 1993, Harris had to jump from child star to adult actor.

Career Drop-Off:AfterDoogieHarris appeared in many TV movies and got guest spots on shows. He had a memorable turn in 1997'sStarship TroopersHarris teamed up with Tony Shalhoub in the failed sitcomStark Raving MadHarris worked constantly, yet he never reached the height of his teenage fame.

The Comeback:The actor started his rise in the mid-2000s.Harold & Kumar Go to White CastleandCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsthese projects brought him back. Recently, he played a major part in big titles like David Fincher'sGone Girland Netflix'sA Series of Unfortunate EventsHe hosted many awards shows. These events reminded everyone of the star's talent for big roles.

Most Important Role:His part as Barney Stinson onHow I Met Your MotherThe show ran over 200 episodes. This made him a weekly fixture on American television for nine years.

Early Stardom:Starting withLittle House on the Prairiein 1981,Jason Batemanbecame one of the hardest working child actors of the 1980s. He appeared onSilver Spoons,It's Your Move, andThe Hogan Familyhe still found time for guest spots on popular shows likeKnight RiderandSt. Elsewhere. A summary of his young career needs to mentionTeen Wolf Too...

Career Drop-Off:The 1990s saw the established actor struggle moving from teen star to adult actor. He starred in TV movies and failed shows. For a time, the '80s seemed like his career peak.

The Comeback:The 2000s stood in stark contrast to Bateman's 1990s work. Since the new millennium, Bateman has appeared in many projects, includingHorrible Bosses, Juno, Up in the Air, Zootopia, Ozark, Game Night,andOffice Christmas Party. He also had a great cameo inDodgeball: A True Underdog Story.The guy works, people.

Most Important Role:The role that restarted his career was undoubtedlyArrested Development. His part as failed family savior Michael Bluth helped the former child star turn a corner as the show became a cult hit.

Early Stardom: Winona Ryderwas Hollywood's favorite "it girl" during the late '80s and early '90s. Ryder achieved major success with both audiences and critics for a decade.Beetlejuice,Heathers,Edward Scissorhands,Bram Stoker's Dracula,Reality Bites, andGirl, InterruptedThese roles made Winona Ryder a household name. She grew from a sharp teen actor to a serious star and an Oscar nominee.The Age of InnocenceandLittle Women.

Career Drop-Off:Crime stops careers. Ryder's crime stopped hers.2001 scandalShoplifting ended Ryder's career. She stayed out of the spotlight for years.

The Comeback:Starting in 2009'sStar TrekRyder rebuilt her Hollywood goodwill. Projects likeBlack Swan,Frankenweenie,The Plot Against America, andThe Icemanfollowed.

Most Important Role:Ryder's most notable role after 2000 is undoubtedlyStranger Things. She plays Joyce Byers in a lead role. When the show hit Netflix, Ryder was part of it.

Early Stardom:Drew Barrymore became a household name young after starring in Steven Spielberg's 1982 hitE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It took over ten years for her to reach those heights again. People still think she is very popular.E.T.was popular in the early 1980s.

Career Drop-Off:Barrymore'srocky teenage yearsare well known. People use them as a warning about childhood stardom.

The Comeback:The actress kept appearing in projects. However, 1996'sScreambrought her back to moviegoers, even without a lead role. Hits kept coming: Ever After, Never Been Kissed, Charlie's Angels, 50 First Dates,andFever Pitch. She became a rom-com star.

Most Important Role:IfScreamis the film that changed her career, it wasThe Wedding Singerthat made her a bankable star again. Adam Sandler plays the main character, but Barrymore's Julia gave the film its heart and built her romantic comedy power.

Early Stardom:After starring in 1993'sDazed and ConfusedMcConaughey built his filmography slowly. He built it surely.A Time to Kill,Amistad,Contact, andU-571Showcasing a hungry actor, McConaughey took on many roles in dramas. Then rom-coms arrived and changed things.

Career Drop-Off:Romantic comedies were not everything McConaughey did in the 2000s. They dominated his schedule and shifted public views of him as an actor.onlything McConaughey did during the 2000s, they dominated his work schedule and tilted the public's view of his bonafides as an actor.The Wedding Planner, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Failure to Launch, Fool's Gold, andGhosts of Girlfriends Pastmade the Texas-born actor a joke.

The Comeback:While he lessened his reputation as a serious actor in the 2000s, McConaughey used the 2010s to improve it.The Lincoln Lawyer, Killer Joe, Mud, True Detective, The Wolf of Wall StreetandInterstellar (among many more) showed audiences the guy could act.

Most Important Role:It is debatable ifDallas Buyers Clubis McConaughey's best recent film, but itisthe film that earned him an Academy Award, so it seems important in his career.

Josh Brolin appears in the list '18 Actors Who Made a Strong Comeback'.Josh, son of James Brolin, started acting in 1985's action-adventure film.The Goonies.Brolin appeared in only one other film.Thrashin'.Josh worked for nine years after that. His biggest post-Goonies.His roles appeared on television and inPrivate Eye.andThe Young Riders..

Career Drop-Off: BrolinBrolin appeared in many movies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He never reached the heights of his film debut when the biggest hits of the first two decades of his post-Goonies.Brolin's career wereHollow Man.andInto the Blue., things were not going well for the guy.

The Comeback:Then, Brolin became an A-lister like his father and stepmother (Barbara Streisand) before him.American Gangster, W, Milk., True Grit, Men in Black 3., Sicario.theAvengers.Brolin made hit after hit in recent years and does not appear to slow down.

Most Important Role:The role that brought him back was the lead character, Llewelyn Moss, in the 2007 filmNo Country for Old Men.. He was 39 when that film came out! Actors can make it big later in life.

Early Stardom:With his good looks and acting talent, Lowebecame a "Brat Pack" icon in the 1980s. Films likeThe Outsiders., St. Elmo's Fire., About Last Night, andMasquerade.made him one of Hollywood'shot young actors.

Career Drop-Off:The 1990s treated Lowe worse than the 1980s. Unless you count supporting roles in comedies (Wayne's World., Tommy Boy., etc.) and good television and direct-to-video work. However, the man kept acting, and the next decade saw the former star solidify his place in Hollywood.

The Comeback:Though Lowe has been in many films since the 1900s -Thank You for Smoking.andBehind the Candelabra., for instance - Lowe used the small screen to get his career back on track.Brothers & Sisters., Parks and Recreation., The Grinder., and9-1-1: Lone Star.These shows have kept the heartthrob in the public eye for years.

Most Important Role:The television program that gave Lowe a new lease on life in Hollywood wasThe West Wing.. Aaron Sorkin's drama gave Lowe many talented actors to interact with, showing both his acting and comedic skills.

Early Stardom:After building his resume for a few years, Phoenix appeared in 2000 with his villain role inGladiator.. Later hits likeSigns., The Village., Hotel Rwanda., andWalk the Line.These kept him in the public eye for most of the next decade before he teamed up with former brother-in-law Casey Affleck to change his career.

Career Drop-Off:Affleck and Phoenix filmed a performance art piece/mockumentaryI'm Still Here, which aimed to comment on modern celebrity. The film gota lukewarm responseCritics gave no reaction; audiences ignored Joaquin Phoenix, and he got stuck in controversy.The controversy lasted years after its release.The Comeback:

The latter half of the 2010s saw Phoenix return to the name status he held in the early 2000s. He returned with "Inherent Vice," "You Were Never Really Here," and "Joker." Phoenix solidified his place among his generation's most loved actors after he vanished from Hollywood a few years prior.The latter half of the 2010s saw Joaquin Phoenix return to name status he held in the early 2000s with "Joker".Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 film, "The Master," reintroduced Phoenix with a commanding performance as Freddie Quell.The MasterThe Master may not have sold as much as some of Anderson's other films, but people loved it from the first minute.Early Stardom:Robin Wright started in the 1980s soap opera "Santa Barbara," appearing as Kelly Capwell in over 500 episodes. Two films launched her career: "The Princess Bride" and "Forrest Gump."Buttercup and Jenny defined Wright's career for years and remain important today.JokerPhoenix solidified his status as a beloved actor of his generation after he vanished from Hollywood a few years prior.

The Comeback:Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 filmMost Important Role:reintroduced Phoenixwith an incredible, commanding performance as Freddie Quell.Lane was expected to be the next big thing in the 1980s after acclaimed roles in "A Little Romance," "The Outsiders," and "Rumble Fish."The film may not have made much money like some of Anderson's other movies, but people loved it from the start.

Career Drop-Off:Robin Wright began her career on the 1980s soap operaSanta Barbarawhere she played Kelly Capwell in over 500 episodes. Two films launched her career: Most Important Role:2002's "Unfaithful" became a surprise hit and earned Lane an Oscar nomination for best actress. That started her second career.Forrest Gump. Buttercup and Jenny defined Wright's career for years and still serve as touchstones today.Wright's careerfor years and years, and continue to be touchstones to this day.

Career Drop-Off:Wright worked steadily, mostly in smaller dramas likeThe Pledge, White Oleander, Nine Lives, andState of Play. She kept working, but not in the films that gave her stardom.

The Comeback:Her latest career move puts her in major blockbusters in Hollywood.Wonder Woman, Everest, Blade Runner 2049, andJustice LeagueThese projects put her in front of many eyes over the last decade.

Most Important Role:It was Netflix's first big success,House of Cards, that restarted Wright's career in Hollywood. Claire Underwood earned her the actress many award nominations and showed viewers she could handle any project.Wright'scareer in Hollywood. The role of Claire Underwood earned the actress numerous award nominations and reminded viewers across the globe that she could carry a project as well as anyone.

Early Stardom:Diane Lane was expected to be the next big thing in the 1980s after appearing inA Little Romance, The Outsiders, andRumble FishThese roles drew attention to the young actor. However, 1984 saw Lane's first two big studio roles inStreets of Fire andThe Cotton Club - made with Walter Hill and Francis Ford Coppola, respectively - failed hard and stalled her momentum.

Career Drop-Off:Lane maintained a steady career after her early fame, appearing in shows fromJudge Dredd andMurder at 1600 toHardball andMy Dog Skip. She kept working; she just did not headline major hits like she might have expected from her early success.

The Comeback:The 2000s and 2010s made Lane a go-to actress for all Hollywood projects.Under The Tuscan Sun, Must Love Dogs, Hollywoodland, Secretariat, Man of Steel, andLet Him GoThese films showed Lane's talent and range.

Most Important Role:The 2002 filmUnfaithful became a huge hit and earned Lane an Oscar nomination for best actress. Hello second career!

Early Stardom:Marlon Brando was a big actor in the 1950s.He got five Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.He won one for the 1954 film.He starred in On the Waterfront.That shows serious acting skill. Even Meryl Streep would respect that.

Career Drop-Off:The 1960s hurt Brando as he fought to reach his early career peaks. He starred in thirteen movies that decade, but mediocrity defined his career. Hollywood operates like a game for young people.

The Comeback:Then, Brando reminded everyone who he was. The 1970s cemented his legacy as one of the greatest film actors ever.Last Tango in Paris, Superman, and Apocalypse NowThese films showed his magnetic screen presence, unlike his 1960s work.

Most Important Role:It's The Godfather.The GodfatherHe played Don Vito Corleone. But you probably already knew that. It was the Godfather.Godfather.

Early Stardom: Grier became an action star in 1970s Blaxploitation films.Think Foxy Brown.Foxy Brown. Think Coffy.Coffy. Think Scream Blacula Scream.Scream Blacula Scream. She earned a cult hero status from her roles in these and other films.

Career Drop-Off:After the Blaxploitation craze ended in the late 1970s, Grier got most of her acting in TV guest spots. She appeared on tons of shows.a ton of shows. The Love Boat, Miami Vice, Night Court, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She kept working, just not as a star.

The Comeback:Television shows like The L Word and Bless This Messplus films like Larry Crowne and Just Wright, Grier kept working for decades after her first big roles.

Most Important Role:Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brownrevamped Grier's career, putting her back in the spotlight in 1997. Surrounded by big names like Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, Michael Keaton, and Bridget Fonda, Grier dominated the screen every time she appeared.

Early Stardom: Andrew Dice Claybecame one of the most famous stand-up comedians in the late 1980s. Clay was the first comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden on consecutive nights.

Career Drop-Off:You can only be so bright. The stand-up scene shifted in the 1990s and 2000s. Clay lost public attention, struggling to stay relevant. He tried getting back into the public eye with a reality show in 2007.Dice: Undisputed.

The Comeback:The 2010s brought a comeback for the comedian. He appeared in dramas like A Star Is Born and Vinyl. He appeared on an episode of The Blacklist. He had his own Showtime series, Dice. He won the cooking competition My Kitchen Rules with his wife in 2017.

Most Important Role:The first role kicking off his career was in the 2013 Woody Allen dramedy.Blue JasmineIf you told anyone a few years earlier thatAndrew Dice ClayNo one would have believed you would be acting and holding his own opposite Alec Baldwin and Cate Blanchett in a critically beloved film.