20 Actors Who Went Away For A While And Came Back Bigger Than Ever
Hollywood can be tough, and sometimes even the biggest stars need to step away from the spotlight.
Maybe they face personal challenges, explore new passions, or simply take a breather from the demanding world of fame.
What’s truly inspiring is watching these talented performers return with career-defining roles that remind everyone why we fell in love with them in the first place.
20. Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Child stardom in the 1980s brought early fame, but limited roles for Asian actors forced a heartbreaking career shift.
Working behind the scenes as a stunt coordinator seemed like the only option for years.
However, 2022 changed everything when a mind-bending multiverse adventure showcased incredible range and emotional depth.
An Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor proved that dreams deferred aren’t dreams denied.
19. Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
Action-comedy roles in the 1990s made him a household name, but personal struggles and health issues derailed his momentum.
For years, fans wondered what happened to their beloved adventure hero.
Playing a reclusive teacher struggling with obesity brought raw vulnerability that stunned audiences worldwide.
Critical acclaim culminated in an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2023.
Standing ovations at film festivals showed just how much people rooted for this genuine, kind-hearted performer to succeed again.
18. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man)
Talent was never in question, but personal demons nearly destroyed a promising career in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Legal troubles and substance issues made him virtually uninsurable for major productions.
Taking a chance on him as a billionaire superhero revolutionized cinema forever.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe became the highest-grossing franchise in film history.
17. John Travolta (Pulp Fiction)
Saturday Night Fever and Grease made him a disco-era superstar, but the 1980s weren’t kind to his career trajectory.
Box office flops piled up, and Hollywood seemed ready to forget about him entirely.
A quirky hitman role in a nonlinear crime masterpiece reignited his star power instantly.
Working with visionary directors brought edgy credibility that teen musicals never could.
Suddenly, everyone wanted to cast the newly cool, dangerous version of this reinvented performer.
16. Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
Intense performances in the 1980s established him as a serious dramatic talent with leading-man looks.
Leaving acting to pursue professional boxing resulted in facial injuries and years away from cameras.
Playing an aging wrestler mirrored his own struggles with physical decline and faded glory.
The raw, autobiographical performance earned critical raves and an Oscar nomination.
Though he didn’t win the award, his return proved that authentic vulnerability connects more powerfully than traditional Hollywood glamour.
15. Winona Ryder (Stranger Things)
Quirky roles in beloved 1980s and 1990s films made her the ultimate alternative sweetheart.
A shoplifting incident in 2001 derailed her momentum and led to years of smaller, forgettable projects.
Playing a frantic mother searching for her missing son in a nostalgic sci-fi series reignited public affection.
The Netflix phenomenon became a cultural juggernaut, introducing her talent to entirely new generations.
Her anxious energy perfectly captured parental desperation in supernatural circumstances.
14. Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Playing a certain caped crusader twice in the late 1980s and early 1990s made him a blockbuster star.
After leaving superhero franchises behind, his career cooled considerably through the 2000s.
A meta role as a washed-up actor famous for playing a superhero felt almost too perfect.
The technically ambitious film, shot to look like one continuous take, earned him an Oscar nomination.
13. Renée Zellweger (Judy)
Romantic comedies and a certain British diary made her one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars in the early 2000s.
Taking a six-year break from acting starting in 2010 sparked speculation about her future in film.
Transforming into legendary entertainer Judy Garland required immense physical and vocal preparation.
Her portrayal of the icon’s final concerts captured both vulnerability and resilience beautifully.
An Academy Award for Best Actress in 2020 confirmed that her talent had only deepened during her absence.
12. Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, True Detective)
Romantic comedies throughout the 2000s typecast him as the shirtless, charming leading man without much depth.
Critics dismissed him as eye candy rather than a serious dramatic actor worth watching.
Losing significant weight to play an AIDS patient fighting for treatment access shocked audiences.
Following that with a complex detective role on prestige television cemented his transformation.
The “McConaissance” became Hollywood shorthand for career reinvention through bold, challenging role choices and genuine commitment.
11. Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus)
Comedic supporting roles in early 2000s teen movies made her a recognizable face but not a leading lady.
For years, she seemed destined to play the same quirky character type in forgettable projects.
A wealthy, insecure woman vacationing at a luxury resort showcased her dramatic range alongside signature humor.
Two Emmy wins for the same role proved that comedic actors deserve recognition for complex performances.
10. Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
Playing a teenage doctor on television in the late 1980s brought early fame but also limiting associations.
After that show ended, finding substantial adult roles proved surprisingly difficult for years.
A womanizing, suit-obsessed character on a sitcom about friendship let him showcase impeccable comic timing.
Ironically, playing an exaggerated ladies’ man while being openly gay added layers to his performance.
Multiple Emmy nominations and hosting gigs proved he’d successfully shed his child-star image completely.
9. Leslie Nielsen (Airplane!)
Decades of serious dramatic roles in films and television established him as a reliable but unremarkable character actor.
Nobody expected him to become a comedy legend in his fifties.
Playing a doctor with hilariously deadpan delivery in a disaster-movie parody changed everything overnight.
His ability to deliver absurd lines with complete seriousness became his signature comedic weapon.
8. Liam Neeson (Taken)
Dramatic roles in historical epics and thoughtful dramas defined his career for decades.
After personal tragedy, many assumed he’d fade into smaller character parts befitting his age.
Playing a retired operative with “a very particular set of skills” launched an unexpected action-hero phase.
The intense thriller became a surprise hit, spawning sequels and countless imitations.
7. Hugh Grant (Paddington 2)
Charming romantic comedies in the 1990s and early 2000s made him synonymous with bumbling British sweethearts.
Personal scandals and repetitive roles led to diminishing returns at the box office.
Playing a vain, theatrical villain in a family film about a polite bear surprised everyone.
His willingness to embrace camp and self-parody showed newfound creative freedom.
6. Marlon Brando (The Godfather)
Revolutionizing acting in the 1950s with method performances made him a legend early in life.
The 1960s brought box office disasters and a reputation for being difficult on set.
Playing an aging mafia patriarch required subtle gestures, raspy whispers, and weighted silence.
The iconic performance earned him an Oscar, though he famously refused to accept it.
His transformation from Hollywood pariah to revered master class remains one of cinema’s most legendary career resurrections.
5. Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)
Teen stardom in the 1980s on family sitcoms led to typecasting struggles throughout the 1990s.
Work dried up as he aged out of teenage roles without establishing adult credibility.
Playing the straight man in a dysfunctional family comedy showcased his perfect deadpan timing.
The cult-favorite show led to dramatic roles in acclaimed films and hit television series.
His ability to balance comedy and drama proved that former teen stars can mature into versatile, respected performers.
4. Robert Forster (Jackie Brown)
Promising start in the late 1960s suggested major stardom, but his career stalled through the 1970s and 1980s.
Direct-to-video projects and television guest spots became his primary work for years.
Playing a weary bail bondsman who falls for a flight attendant brought dignity to a quiet role.
An Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor at age 56 reignited Hollywood’s interest.
3. Keanu Reeves (John Wick)
Action blockbusters in the 1990s and early 2000s established him as a bankable star with devoted fans.
A string of poorly received films in the 2000s suggested his leading-man days were behind him.
Playing a retired assassin seeking revenge for his murdered dog created an instant action franchise.
Meticulous fight choreography and world-building elevated the film beyond typical revenge thrillers.
His commitment to performing his own stunts and genuine humility made the comeback even more satisfying for audiences.
2. Kiefer Sutherland (24)
Film roles in the 1980s and 1990s showed promise, but he never quite achieved A-list status.
By the late 1990s, his career seemed stuck in supporting roles without much momentum.
Playing a counter-terrorism agent in real-time format revolutionized television storytelling completely.
The intense, Emmy-winning performance made him a household name at age 35.
1. Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black)
Quirky roles in 1990s indie films and teen comedies suggested a bright future ahead.
Personal struggles with substance issues derailed her career and nearly cost her life.
Playing a wisecracking inmate in a groundbreaking prison dramedy showcased her resilient spirit.
The Netflix series became a cultural phenomenon, launching multiple careers simultaneously.
Her raspy voice and street-smart humor made her character an instant fan favorite, proving second chances can lead to even greater success.
