Back from the career graveyard: the greatest returns of the actors

But after he was arrested for having heroin, cocaine, and a gun in his car in 1996, Downey’s decline included time in prison and rehab periods amid relapses into drug abuse in the five years before he became sober. Good friend Mel Gibson paid Downey’s insurance bail so he could work again in 2003 The detective who sings.

And after shining in 2008 Iron manfollowed by an Oscar nomination for tropical thunderDowney became one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.

Almost as spectacular was the return of John Travolta. After a huge success – and an Oscar nomination – with Saturday night Fever then Fathis career faded in the 1980s when he made a series of flops rejecting future hits such as American gigolo And An officer and a gentleman.

Travolta’s rebirth came when Quentin Tarantino threw him at the guy as hitman Vincent Vega pulp Fictionearning another Oscar nomination.

Drew Barrymore was a successful child actor in ET who went through years of drug and alcohol abuse – in rehab at 13 and then again at 14 – before returning as a true star in films such as The wedding singer, Charlie’s angels And 50 first Dates. She has also become a producer and host of talk shows with her own range of cosmetics, wines and clothes.

Rather than hard times, Matthew McConaughey’s career vanished when he decided not to act in other romantic comedies. It took nearly two years without the phone ringing before he was offered dramatic roles, including Attorney Lincoln, Mud, magical Mike then win an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club.

Even the greatest actors have had to return from years of struggle, with the transition from handsome young star to middle-aged character actor often difficult.

In the 1950s, Marlon Brando fascinated the likes of A tram called desire, The savage And On the waterfront before his career stopped with a series of flops in the 1960s. But while the studio executives were concerned about both his lack of success and his short temper, Francis Ford Coppola cast Brando in his now legendary role as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather.

With four Oscars out of 12 nominations, Katharine Hepburn has had one of the greatest acting careers in Hollywood. But she too went through a period in the 1930s when American movie owners put her on a list of actors considered poisonous at the box office, and she was nicknamed Katharine of Arrogance.

Personally wealthy, Hepburn bought her contract with the studio and moved away from Hollywood to star in the show. The history of Philadelphia. His partner at the time, the eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes, thought it would be an ideal vehicle for his return to the film and bought the rights.

Hepburn was strategic enough to sell the film to MGM on the condition that she star in it, therefore, acknowledging that audiences thought it was “too la-di-da”, she had a first scene as socialite Tracy Lord when she was beaten on her backside. Time said, “Come back, Katie, all is forgiven,” and Hepburn has continued decades of success.

The lesson: Redemption is possible over time, loyal allies, and being lucky (or strategic) enough to land the right flashy role.

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But nothing is guaranteed: after The wrestlerRourke threw away his second chance with lackluster shows and harsh public comments about his films.

Whether Brendan Fraser’s return is real depends on what happens next. If it wins further acclaim for The whale and continues to be cast in big movies – he’s already in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming drama, The killers of the flower moon – his fans will be thrilled. George will return to the jungle.

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