Top 20 Stars Who Saved Their Careers

[@WatchMojo]

Who do you immediately think of when it comes to a star having saved their career?

[@harveyquezada1056]

Robert Downey Jr

[@ginsenketsu]

Chadwick Boseman Tribute

[@thirdegree101]

Nicolas Cage. The dude's starting to make a real comeback.

[@timswabb]

@meghpink meghpink Travolta was up, down, up, and now pretty much down again

[@RoyShouriMustango]

RDJ as no 1 was never in doubt

[@danielmoloney7465]

I think everyone would immediately think of Robert Downey Jr. when they think of actors who had comebacks.

[@vuyo1303]

I would think Kim kardashian

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Greatest EVER

[@vanessastegall]

So does Watchmojo he’s #1

[@qwwupp4763]

Daniel Moloney i just think of him along with em when i thinknof people who saved their own careers.

[@popmans9999]

I thought of Mimi and Britney darling. But can't argue that Robert Downey did not diserve it.

[@cr7world671]

I am simple I see Eminem and I clicked

[@RahulsaiChowdary]

thats why they kept, for idots like u . But a huge fan of slim shady

[@ericdesmier7328]

@@RahulsaiChowdary imagine calling someone a idiot cause they like a rapper lmao grow up

[@greywolf187]

Eminem: done something KZbinrs: "it's free money"

[@nataliejurado6077]

Same

[@V4Now]

Chapelle didn't "save his career", he simply knew himself well enough to bow out.

[@jasonmillsom2981]

And now he is flexing on the alphabet people😂

[@markanthony0405]

@@jasonmillsom2981 As Michael Che said, "He is wiling to make fun of everybody - whether you're white or gay. End of list." HAHAHA

[@nictipton1413]

@@markanthony0405 He makes fun of everyone, regardless of race, sex, or mental defect.

[@italosblogtalkradio4279]

Right!! He chose to leave and come back stronger and more conviction

[@lilmarleey]

Exactly

[@smileyface8294]

We all just came to check whether R.D.J, Dave Chappelle and eminem were here.

[@FoSho949]

💯💯

[@ajcruzer92]

Dave?

[@funwithrongaming]

Facts fam

[@ajcruzer92]

Electro Man not at all. I’m a big fan lol It was a brain fart moment for me. I read it as RDJ, DAVE, Chappelle...lol I should just delete my first comment lol

[@flilcha]

Ellen? Really? Talk about bad timing

[@NonCanonGanon]

Hey the criteria never said they couldn't be people who go on to take another dive. Becoming a big star can really change people that's for sure.

[@mlggamer5296]

@@NonCanonGanon That's correct so at some point she saved her career even though she got into more trouble. I thought it meant they saved their career and are still thriving cuz not Ellen fer sure

[@WatchMojo]

@@NonCanonGanon Exactly, and agree. Being a celebrity can have so many career ups and downs.

[@smileyface8294]

@@WatchMojo can you guys make a list for the largest things? Like animals, monsters, vehicals, planets, etc ( fiction, non fiction...ie:bks, movies, etc?) Most powerful things too? Like weapons from anime and movies?

[@MrGoodman174]

Still, this doesn't deserve to be on the list since her career is over now.

[@Carlyn88413]

I think Mickey Rourke should’ve at least gotten an honorable mention. His return in the wrestler was huge

[@rickychen4767]

We don't need a list to know that Robert Downey Jr. made the biggest comeback.

[@KolossusB]

I'd argue it was actually Sin City which saved his career. His role in the wrestler likely more critically acclaimed yes. But his role as Marv is what really thrust him back into a positive light in the public eye.

[@TaskForce_911]

20) Dave Chappelle 19) Betty White 18) D'Angelo 17) Kesha 16) Eminem 15) Jason Bateman 14) Alec Baldwin 13) Demi Lovato 12) Winona Ryder 11) Drew Barrymore 10) Ellen DeGeneres 09) Natasha Lyonne 08) Joaquin Phoenix 07) Michael Keaton 06) Keanu Reeves 05) Mariah Carey 04) Britney Spears 03) Neil Patrick Harris 02) Matthew McConaughey 01) Robert Downey Jr. Honorable Mentions - Robin Wright, Shania Twain, Ed O'Neill, Mandy Moore, Paula Abdul

[@bhavyasinghchib9480]

U my brother a legend

[@bhavyasinghchib9480]

U are legend

[@Conqutih]

You are a good man thank you

[@robertpadua6096]

Thanks

[@beansbeansbeans36352]

I think, in my innoccent opinion, adam sandler should be here

[@kevin-michaelwolfer1924]

Betty White will tell you, she "never left" the entertainment business...she's been working regularly for years...

[@tiffprendergast7]

Kevin-Michael Wolfer yup

[@samkingsway6564]

Love her!! She is always somewhere. Just look.

[@tcrpgfan]

It's less that she never left and more that she stopped caring about the quality of the work. She just wants to have fun now! And dammit she's a senior, so she gets that right!

[@justmyopinion7201]

I haven’t started watching yet, but if Robert Downey jr isn’t on this list imma come find you Edit: aight you’re good

[@WatchMojo]

Hilarious!

[@justmyopinion7201]

Holy frick, thanks

[@timswabb]

I’m showing my age, but The Godfather was a massive comeback for Marlon Brando. Rob Lowe had a comeback in his career. Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Santana, Cher, and even Paul McCartney had big musical comebacks.

[@AA-qb7ni]

I saw Eminem. So I clicked.

[@NonCanonGanon]

Even if he releases a dumpster fire, it would still have more talent than 95% of the rap game today.

[@customname4680]

Same

[@AA-qb7ni]

@@NonCanonGanon YES!!! He's keeping rap alive.

[@remyhavoc4463]

@@AA-qb7ni not really but he's very talented, I'll say that

[@bruceleeroy8302]

Eminem Stans *ASSEMBLE!!!*

[@w.8424]

Eminem's palms were just sweaty, his knees were weak and his arms were heavy. There was vomit on his sweater already and it turned out to be his mum's spaghetti.

[@briih779]

😂😂😂

[@carlzombie6722]

Nooice 😅😆 😆 😆 😆🔥🔥🔥♥💯💯💯🖤♠

[@territhomas2330]

😩😩😩😭😭😭

[@mackdad5042]

It's not Eminem it's M&M.🤷🙅

[@6andoe6entley19]

give him some slack... he was nervous.

[@danortiz]

Johnny Depp is soon to be in this list, after he wins agaist Amber Heard.

[@jorgelujlrcn]

Bruh, y'all really wanna victimize that man when he's been terrible in the relationship too

[@loonzoldick]

that man hasn't bring anything new to cinema for almost 20 years, plus trying to pass off as the sole victim in a toxic relationship just proves he is past his time. for a reason nobody pushed for his invisible man movie

[@arianaguzman6123]

Couldn’t agree with you more 👍🏽

[@danortiz]

Well I don't know him but people that do, actually speak highly of him, of course he has issues and problems as any person, but at least he isn't a wife beater nor an abuser.

[@tiffprendergast7]

Dan Ortiz yup

[@Jontor11]

Meryl Streep. Everybody thought she was a goner by the early 90s, but no. She just kept coming back and back and back.

[@Istenmajma89]

and then - for a while - she was so back, she stared at you from every single movie poster everywhere.

[@kyleshultz6920]

Unfortunately, she is so back that she has become the arbiter of objective moralities. Because she is a good actress, she knows exactly how you should act in your daily life, who to vote for, ect. She is perfection personified and she is aware of it. I mean, I don't remember asking her to speak, let alone her opinion on politics. I generally don't care what my circus clowns have to say, I just want them to shut up and dance.

[@KolossusB]

@@kyleshultz6920 Yep, i can't stand streep because of how pretentious she's become. You're just an actress meryl...You're not some great philosopher or all knowing compass of how life should be lived. Great actress but she needs to shut her yap when she feels the need to start preaching from her ivory tower.

[@T3mpestwulf617]

Awww Betty White. I love her so much, such energy and vibrancy

[@abusalehahmedroop2138]

We don't need a list to know that Robert Downey Jr. made the biggest comeback.

[@-viscupcake-5646]

I just gotta say that with Eminem the man can never catch a break when it comes to haters. Almost everyone has a problem with him because of his music. He's like the one rapper that I like because he talks about his feelings and isn't about sex. He raps about actual problems about his life and the obstacles he's gone through.

[@Blitze9792]

Totally agree, rap and R&B are not my favourite Genre of music, but Eminem is someone I can always listen to and is a favourite.

[@brittneyking4284]

Lol fack was just a fucking masterpiece 🙄

[@brittneyking4284]

-VI’s Cupcake- Eminem is irrelevant. The thing that made him relevant was shit talking other famous people because he’s a gimmick, just as much as the boyband/girl groups that he was bitching about.

[@neelchaudhary8993]

@@brittneyking4284 Who hurt you?

[@brittneyking4284]

@@neelchaudhary8993 nobody it’s just facts tho

[@HitmanKingJay]

Eminem is one man who really broke down walls in the hip-hop history and one of the best MC of all of time

[@varunsrinidhi9061]

He did say: 'And I just can't keep living this way So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage I'm standing up, I'mma face my demons I'm manning up, I'mma hold my ground I've had enough, now I'm so fed up Time to put my life back together right now! (now)' He meant every word of it and now not only he's the best MC, he's the rap god.

[@SirenScorpio]

Yea okay 😏😏🤣🤣🤣

[@Federica-wr6oe]

Let’s be honest... we all knew who had the first place before even opening the video❤️💛

[@zacharystarbuck1842]

Yep. I thought rdj

[@VaneMuAn]

Yessss!

[@Spiderpichi2099]

I think if Charlie Sheen actually tried to get better he'd be on his list

[@tiffprendergast7]

Yup

[@EMDevice]

Fact: Both Eminem And Dory Are On The Same List 2020 Is Weird...

[@ffnendhgrgd]

To be fair, they're both equally threatening to the status quo

[@EMDevice]

@@ffnendhgrgd true... one is a controversal rapper and the other is a talking fish you dont know whats going to happen next

[@loonzoldick]

idk how Eminem didn't get trashed for him stalking and making rumors about Mariah, seems like male singers like him or Justin Timberlake can do anything to female singers and get away free

[@ShadowMan64572]

@@loonzoldick How did Eminem spread rumours when he had a voice recording of Mariah proving she was banging him lol

[@DovahkiinDk]

@@loonzoldick Em banged Marriah, go look it up lmao the guy put recordings of her on "the warning"

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Dave Chappelle, Winona Ryder, Eminem, Betty White, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Junior, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves and Alec Baldwin. I love these people. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@pallyxav7597]

To think Travolta didnt even get a honorable mention is an indictment on this whole list. He was once called the King of comeback. While admittedly RDJ dethroned him, he should still get a spot on the list.

[@samkingsway6564]

YES

[@MissRockabellaHart]

My favourite modern Travolta role is honest to god Edna Turnblad in hairspray. Was fantastic

[@conniethesconnie]

What do you really think that the 1970's should be included in an "all time" list? What next are you going to suggest that maybe they should have considered Tina Turner, Cher, William Shatter, Andy Griffith, Meat Loaf or Issac Hayes?

[@randm4246]

Great point. Pulp Fiction was incredible.

[@libtardsnowflake8368]

@@conniethesconnie Pulp Fiction was made in 1994. Response?

[@DovahkiinDk]

"Don't you wanna grow up to be just like me?" 20 years+ and still top of the game

[@Mos41f]

Mickey Rourke deserved an honorable mention at least.

[@WhyHelloJill]

RDJ in Tropic Thunder was one of the best performances I've ever seen. He sold Lincoln Osiris to me 😂

[@MadameWesker]

Bruh, I laughed so much. Lincoln is pretty much my uncle

[@Vittrich]

its frightening that such an iconic role like RDJs in Tropic Thunder just instantly would kill your career in 2022.

[@LegacyZero]

Boy that Ellen line sure aged well LOL

[@gabrielmatteus1]

"the fame got to Chapelle" I call bullshit Watchmojo he clearly stated in interviews and in this video that it was because people were trying to control how he performed his artwork!

[@lilmarleey]

Facts 💯 the people behind this channel are the problem

[@lukesingson8639]

Chapelle did not let fame get to his head. He bowed out because he didnt want his content to be controlled, he still did shows here and there whenever he wanted money. He is the embodiment of im gonna live my life my way.

[@lordtrigon1733]

Winona Ryder has long been my favourite actress and it’s great to know she’s doing what she loves again but clean and in a better place. Mental health breakdowns should be taken seriously and not ridiculed by the media.

[@mattmccutcheon2683]

Metal health is serious

[@lordtrigon1733]

@@mattmccutcheon2683 🤘 Cheers

[@EMDevice]

Who else knew who number one was going to be

[@timswabb]

Everyone

[@MrGoodman174]

Nobody

[@theangelking96]

Yes!!! A TRILLION TIMES YES!!! RDJ is the prove that Phoenixes do arise from their ashes

[@robertdominicceasarsalvill2221]

He is overrated

[@daniilashurov135]

"D'Angelo. Young listeners might not recognise the name...'" RDR 2 fans entered the chat

[@kylelopez7631]

That song is fire

[@ryannebarlow9213]

Drew Barrymore is in a Netflix series called The Santa Clarita Diet. It was so good I binge watched all the episodes in a week.. Waiting for the new season 😭

[@umainebearman]

Wouldnt count on that studio staying named the Ellen Studio after she's gone. LOL

[@anthonycasey7057]

I think Tina Turner should've featured. Queen of comebacks!

[@TaskForce_911]

COMEBACK Robert Downey Jr - Iron Man, Tropic Thunder Keanu Reeves - John Wick Matthew McConaughey - Interstellar Demi Lovato - Just needed to leave drugs and came back with "I love me".

[@scottbarkley496]

McConaughey - Dallas buyers club

[@tiffprendergast7]

Task Force yup

[@corbz273]

Al Pacino went from starring in Jack and Jill to being Oscar nominated for The Irishman

[@mmsiphonevinyls1027]

While the same movie helped Robert De Niro recover from Dirty Grandpa, and arguably The Big Wedding and Grudge Match too.

[@samkingsway6564]

Robert Downey Jr. !!! Definitley deserves #1 spot. Great list as always Mojo

[@robertdominicceasarsalvill2221]

RDJ is overrated

[@chrisazylum6624]

20.Dave Chapelle 19.Betty White 18.D'Angelo 17.Kesha 16.Eminem 15.Jason Bateman 14.Alec Baldwin 13.Demi Lovato 12.Winona Ryder 11.Drew Barrymore 10.Ellen DeGeneres 9.Natasha Leon 8.Joaquin Phoenix 7.Michael Keaton 6.Keanu Reeves 5.Mariah Carey 4.Britney Spears 3.Neil Patrick Harris 2.Matthew McConaughey HM1.Robin Wright HM2.Shania Twain HM3.Ed O'Neil HM4.Mandy Moore HM5.Paula Abdul 1.Robert Downey Jr.

[@mollyfoxxx]

Natasha Lyonne is a QUEEN. She was absolutely revolutionary in Russian Doll, and of course, arguably one of the best actresses in OITNB. Her early filmography is incredible and as a fellow addict in recovery, she plays one so well obviously because she’s lived it.🤎

[@RadJack14]

Winona Rider definitely had a great comeback and is now staring in the biggest shows in America

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Johnny Depp will grace this list soon. From Jack Sparrow and Mad Hatter being $1 billion dollars hits. With 3 Oscars nominations. To legal troubles with Amber Heard. To Lone Ranger, Transcendence, Mortdecai & Alice 2. & Being snubbed for Black Mass. To Murder on the Orient Express, Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts franchise. And he’s innocent and going to win the trial. & hopefully he will get his role back in Pirates 6.

[@WealthbuilderzTV]

These are definitely some great comeback stories

[@donaldmacarthur]

Good list but I can't say I'm keen on the order. I think Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves could have been slotted in higher

[@melancholygarden]

Last time I was this early, I.... Well I was never this early

[@zed4643]

keanu reeves is so awesome. I love that man ❤️

[@DarttheLegend]

Joaquin Phoenix has deserved an Oscar several times, and he won one for the role he DID NOT deserve one for.

[@mahjoubharis8730]

Finally someone who actually thinks like me. Tbh joker is kinda overrated

[@KitiaraFlint]

@@mahjoubharis8730 Preach

[@inaaronshead7331]

@FORGOTTEN RAINBOW Joker is DC, not Marvel

[@inaaronshead7331]

@Heru Jr. of Kemet he had a sad fishing expedition then, lol.

[@christopherfiore960]

Ya open with Dave Chappelle and close with RDJ... Just, super freaking Win! Great list.

[@mixy85dc]

I’ve seen a shit ton of these top 20 videos...... Watch mojo ! Keep this top 20 up

[@herpermike_]

When we talk about the nineties these days, is actually the same thing our parents talking about the 60's in the 90's!

[@amberjohnson4820]

I love RDJ! He’s amazing!

[@EXPstreams]

hahaha @ ellen, but still a rad video, thanks Mojo!

[@duchessofthedorks]

Betty White had roles on roles way before Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore. Better ask somebody! 😅

[@slanderman3296]

Keatin in " The Other Guys" is what won him back for me. "Dont go chasing waterfalls"

[@TediTheGodfather]

D’Angelo dealt with alcoholism, true enough. But he hated being considered a sex symbol, citing people wanting to see him more than listen to his music. That was what led to the retreat from the spotlight, alcohol abuse, weight gain, etc. But he has been colloquially dubbed the (God)Father of Neo Soul music. Without him, no Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq, possibly Anderson.Paak, Khalid, Ro James, Raheem DeVaughn, etc.

[@chipskylark172]

“Young listeners might not recognise the name D’Angelo” Me- “Young listeners are were *made* because of D’Angelo”

[@bigz2239]

Dave Chappelle made the biggest comeback to me also went to war with the monster and won

[@natesoto1362]

The messed up with Matthew McConaughey, he was definitely Wooderson from Dazed and Confused long before he ever did romcoms.

[@BryanV9]

i really love that song Godzilla by Eminem, can i call him a RAP GOD 😂🤣😂🤣

[@doggstarr77]

With Neil Patrick Harris, don't forget Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog here on KZbin

[@brooklyn113]

Winona Ryder was also blacklisted for attempting to speak out about Harvey Weinstein.

[@CmdrTomalak]

Hard not to agree with this list.

[@blackice9088]

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. made a great come back, and was perfect as Tony Stark aka Iron Man.

[@JMTE27]

My favorites will always be : Britney Spears and Robert D. Jr

[@tiffprendergast7]

jm te yup

[@JohnnyBarton85]

I definitely agree with these picks👍

[@800Ms-k6n]

Next video : Top 20 Actors Who Destroyed Their Career

[@tiffprendergast7]

Givary Lubis amber heard

[@cameronspalding9792]

For Eminem you missed out him putting out Kamikaze When he put out Revival it looked like he doomed his career (which is ironic) but made a comeback with Kamikaze

[@beezysbeatz4924]

Also, Eminem is the GOAT ♑🐐 Also 6:48 SOOOOO NOW!

[@davidmartinez2407]

This was a good vid

[@BluesfireTV]

Was hoping to see Steve-O on this list. He not only saved his career by getting clean, but his own life as well.

[@flexivefowl8186]

Robert Downey Jr proves you can always rise back up no matter how far you fall.

[@ShatnerLover]

I’m in love with Michael Keaton.

[@Wormpuller]

Elvis had a comeback but rdj gotta be number 1 iron man is a staple of pop culture history now

[@samrey1803]

Alec Baldwin one should be reconsidered. Would be really hard sell to come back from involuntary manslaughter ✌️🎈

[@carlminorsr2634]

When I see RDJ I think of Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes,Tropic Thunder and Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield

[@Violetsoul6]

Good list, mostly, but you really did Drew Barrymore's story a disservice.

[@Ironbat92]

Ryan Reynold should be on this list. After movies like Green Lantern and R.I.P.D, he made a comeback with Deadpool.

[@guimagsantos]

Saved? When did Chapelle needed saving?? The Tv Business needed him more than he needed the Tv Business.

[@nasirjones3589]

I have not yet seen this....but Robert Downey Jr. Should be number one!

[@andreasookram4381]

WATCH MOJO I LIKED AND SUBSCRIBED TO ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS

[@margaretdasilva5493]

Robert Downey Jr OWNS the number one spot. He's a true star who couldn't be kept down.

[@carlzombie6722]

Eminem will ALWAYS be a G.O.A.T in the Rap Game ! They'll be listening to Em's music 100 years from now bet. ♥🎵🔥🎶✌💯💯💯🖤♠

[@august959]

How is Kanye not on this list. People said his career would be over after the 2009 VMA incident, after which he released MBDTF, Yeezus, and other amazing albums. MBDTF is generally regarded as one of the best albums of this century. Furthermore, he has been one of the biggest people in fashion the last few years and is now the wealthiest black man in American history. This really was one of the biggest comebacks in pop culture history.

[@michaelkerner3072]

Wow, I can't believe you didn't put Elton John on, especially after the way he definitively bounced back in the 90's after his battles with addiction.

[@WatchMojoLady]

The list is about actors, but maybe if we do a musicians list! I'm a huuuuuuuuuge EJ fan

[@GottyJ]

It’s weird but I hate how often you say “aughts” in this video lol

[@WatchMojoLady]

4

[@GottyJ]

Rebecca - WatchMojo 3 times to many Rebecca! Lol

[@WatchMojoLady]

@@GottyJ Lemme guess: you also hate the word "moist"...

[@GottyJ]

Rebecca - WatchMojo not at all. But I dislike the work “succulent” does that count ?

[@WatchMojoLady]

@@GottyJ Yeah okay, I'm not a huge fan of that one either...

[@wealiveandliving]

Dave made a huge come back but, he left in his own and em last album was dope

[@kylieerickson4991]

Im a simple girl, I see Eminem, I click

[@dubyah8824]

Dave Chapelle didn’t save his career, he just came back to it. It wasn’t ruined or anything. Oh, and D’Angewho?

[@ATLien712]

I believe Dave Chappelle should've been higher than 20

[@nicolaszuluaga7839]

wrong

[@conniethesconnie]

He was smart and got out on top. He left people wanting more. Whenever he would be spotted there would be the anticipation that he might return. His career never needed saving. He just had to prove that he had not lost his game.

[@orvillferdinand8026]

Nobody even really knew Matthew McConaughey’s name until “A Time To Kill”, “Contact”, and “Amistad”. His romance genre era happened after that. We knew he could seriously ACT from the beginning...

[@monishacarlton648]

A Time To Kill was a masterpiece! Both Samuel L and Matthew gave a great performance! I wouldn't mind watching it one day soon.

[@midwestyle]

No mention of Adam Sandler? From Jack and Jill, Bedtime Stories, and Grown Ups to the Meyerowitz Stories and Uncut Gems.

[@thedeepfriar745]

Eminem in the thumbnail, yeah his career was in a slump even though he’s one of the selling artists of all time and released a steady stream of albums that have all gone platinum. Pretty sure his career was fine because his quality has been consistent

[@fatimajaber8574]

Actually, he did hit a slump. He actually talks about it in his song “talkin’ 2 myself”, he talks about his albums “Encore” and “Relapse” and apologizes for them

[@aretnap3653]

Did Ya Forget About RobinWright Being In *WonderWoman?*

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

Geez is there a Beetlejuice curse considering three actors from the film are on this list

[@bruceleeroy8302]

Eminem Stans *ASSEMBLE!!!*

[@godlevel5495]

Fun fact: D'angelo also has a song on the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack, it's Arthur Morgan's "Unshaken" theme

[@gorettiish]

I don't think anyone realizes Al Pacino did almost nothing in the 1980s and came back and won an oscar

[@vibewithvalerie8018]

kesha is a strong women