Top 30 Stars Who SAVED Their Careers

You can't keep these stars down! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most amazing celebrity comeback stories - even if those stars later faced further controversy or had setbacks. Our countdown of stars who saved their careers includes Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Eminem, Robert Downey Jr., Joaquin Phoenix, and more! Which story did you find the most uplifting? Let us know in the comments below!
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#Celebrity
#Comeback
#Stars
#Hollywood
#Famous
#Celeb
#Music
#Movies

[@WatchMojo]

Which story did you find the most uplifting? Let us know in the comments below! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baOwaHSIh76dlck Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@Funny.Man101]

Did you hear about the polite clown? It was a nice jester.

[@Reaperguy67]

@@Funny.Man101 not funny. Quite your spam replying

[@StanHalen1936]

​@@Funny.Man101go away Tiger31623

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

@@Funny.Man101Dad joke…

[@Jaime.Lannister]

Fuck the pronouns and the confusion you're trying to bring your audience. Shame on you WatchMojo

[@navidhudson7065]

I'm sorry, how is Brendan Fraser not on this list? He literally achieved one of the greatest comebacks an actor can dream of having and with an OSCAR to prove it. Ke Huy Quan should be here too, their comebacks literally happened last year.

[@camronglenn3502]

I was coming to say the same thing. My only thought is he may not quite be back yet. But lets hope.

[@jshumphress13]

Same. He should be in the top 10 arguably.

[@DravenGal]

I concur. I love Brendan! But I think his comeback is just beginning.

[@hcaballero57]

Exactly Brenden Frasier should of been on this list

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

Bcuz his comeback is so recent he hasn't done half of wht these people have done

[@nathaniellippert9238]

Robert Downey Jr. did more than save his career, he saved his life and turned it around

[@johnd.1618]

And he is also one of the main reasons the Marvel Cinematic Universe had the success it had. If Marvel had chose another actor as Tony Stark, they might never had the explosive growth they enjoyed between 2008 and 2020.

[@robertnguyen9493]

Keanu Reeves got blacklisted because he turned down the sequel to Speed. He also suffered some intense personal losses as well as taking time away from his acting career to care for his sister while she battled leukemia.

[@patrickspencer6550]

He also lost his daughter and his girlfriend.

[@robertnguyen9493]

@@patrickspencer6550 those were the personal losses. His wife miscarried, and she was later killed in a car accident. He deserves every ouch of success he has.

[@leiamims3633]

He had a sad story! Plus, I don’t blame him for turning down Speed 2! It wasn’t a very good!

[@clothilde1623]

Turning down Speed 2 just proved that Keanu isn’t an idiot, despite the whole Bill & Ted persona he still gets associated with. Even the _premise_ of that film is laughably bad! And I’m so glad he did because it all worked out in his favour in the end. Keanu is that rarest of Hollywood unicorns - a genuine, demonstrably sweet, kind and caring soul who deserves all the success and happiness in the world. ❤️

[@trinaq]

I really admire Drew Barrymore for being able to attend rehab and get clean after a messy childhood. Nowadays, she's known more for her adult roles than her child star days.

[@DavidDykes-dm9lc]

Drew Barrymore is an angel

[@bluebear1985]

More recently, she's been known for doing her own daytime talk show. I've seen clips of it, and it looks alright.

[@sabaviles]

Not to mention her makeup line, FLOWER BEAUTY!

[@mlynettepinky595]

​@@sabaviles I didn't know she had a make-up line.

[@leiamims3633]

I love Drew Barrymore!

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Robert Downey Jr - I loved how he said playing Iron man actually turned his life around. Which proved how influential Comics can be. 🧏🏿‍♂️🙆🏻‍♀️

[@pamusso1466]

I think he turned his life around with The Wonderboys (2000).

[@jamesstuart5877]

It still gets to me that the scene where Tony is asking for a cheeseburger is a reference to the moment RDJ realized that he had to get clean.

[@TPTGopher]

Really is amazing...in 1999, if you'd asked me what Robert Downey Jr.'s fate would be in 2024, I would've absolutely listed "homeless" or "dead" before "Oscar-winning A-Lister".

[@maxx6526]

drug addict or not, comic book movies will save anybody's career. thats peak hollywood. if we're honest that boy had no interesting movies before iron man. heck even after.

[@willedpower3291]

I think he turned it around with Tropic Thunder.

[@chelseacanales8763]

RDJ career comeback is the best thing in Marvel Movie history ever. In Oppenheimer he deserves the Oscar award

[@erictaylor5462]

When I heard Ryder was reprising her role in Beetlejuice in the sequel, and a 20 year old actress was plying her daughter, well, that just made me feel old!

[@the_Real_Grammy_of_6]

When I first saw the title of this video, Robert Downey Jr was my first thought. There was a time I honestly thought he would die from his substance abuse. I am very thankful for his recovery. The entertainment world would not be the same without him!!!

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

& now he's the highest- paid actor in Hollywood 👍

[@dmoler1250]

“Saved” was a great movie full of twisted humor. Macaulay Caulkin also did an awesome job in that movie.

[@Terahnee]

I agree. It goes in and out of rotation on streaming service at about the rate I want to rewatch, so it works out, lol.

[@LukeTheNotSoFunnyCheetoMan]

Robert downey jr is one of my favorite actor comebacks 😅. He is Iron Man.

[@Julia25120]

The only Iron Man on this planet!

[@johnconway9882]

This list needs a subtitle since it doesn't go back much further than the 70s. Two of the biggest career comebacks are overlooked: Marlon Brando (with The Godfather) and Elvis (with the 1968 TV special).

[@doomsday3659]

The role of Iron Man saved Robert Downey Jr’s life, figuratively and literally

[@trinaq]

I love that the last few Best Supporting Oscar winners have been actors such as Ke Huy Quan and Robert Downey Jr, who have made epic comebacks. Brendan Fraser is also an excellent example.

[@zzzzzzzzzzzk]

Also Michelle Yeoh

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

Brendan hasn't done anything since tho unlike all of these people thts why he doesn't make the cut

[@darkecofreak23]

@@thedevilsrockstxr2309His comeback was The Whale.

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

@@darkecofreak23 no shit sherlock, he won one academy award a year ago, Em did tht 3 times on his comeback, its not even a good movie

[@julienotsmith7068]

Still bitter about Chaplin. Downey deserved that Oscar.

[@samanthalove1741]

I remember watching Robert Downey Jr. get in all kinds of trouble as a child thinking he would end up in prison or dead, I am very happy that he was able to turn his whole life around.

[@BabyScatha]

Finally some recognition for Christian Slater. Underrated actor. I'm so glad that he got his life under control, got sober and clean!

[@Jocelyn_Herrick]

RDJ is the legend. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. This year.

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

I kept waiting for Robert Downey Jr. to come on the list and then he was number 1!

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Where is Brendan Fraser?

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

Still in 2023 for a 2022 movie, wht has he done since? These people did multiple things after coming back and he won a sympathy oscar anddddd now he's gone silent

[@jamiethal1319]

He’s been in several shows as well as being in Killers of the Flower Moon.He also has several upcoming projects.

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

@@jamiethal1319 he's silent compared to everyone else

[@clothilde1623]

That wasn’t a “sympathy Oscar” ffs, his performance was legitimately fantastic. I’m not saying it’s an amazing film, but his _performance_ was unreal. And winning the Best Actor Oscar with his comeback role after all his struggles and years in the wilderness should have earned him inclusion on this list, whether he’s done jack-shit since or not.

[@Ravyne]

Robert Downey Jr. is the best comeback. He has always been one of my favorite actors, but seeing him play Sherlock Holmes and Iron Man has been a heyday for me, as I have loved both characters since childhood. RDJ is perfect for both.

[@raylewis2121]

Watch Chaplain 😊

[@olleselin]

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman will NAIL IT this Summer!

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Where is Ke Huy Quan?

[@meadowsong8560]

Woah. I never realized that Princess Buttercup and Jenny was the same person! Crazy!

[@alankeith7866]

Betty White is a national treasure! Many see her as just a comedian, but check her history and you'll see all that she accomplished. Phenomenal.

[@deadmanthehekatonkheire994]

Dolemite Is My Name was an incredible comeback by Eddie Murphy.

[@JordanCesaroni93]

RDJ’s career being saved definitely lead him to become Iron/Golden man

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

That amazingly understated Keanu Reeves segment was the most interesting I've seen in ages. I don't know why it got such an under the table burn. Very slick, very slick indeed.…

[@drunkunkle8077]

Chapelle never ruined his career or saved it, he left on his own terms and came back stronger on his own terms and never backed down from the toxic cancel culture.

[@mpckb1]

He ruined his career with trans comments that pissed off about 100 really loud people while the other 8 billion loved them😀

[@dcluvspie5777]

Making eww gross trans people jokes and being called a bigot isn't cancel culture it's just a reality.

[@mindgamesvideo6707]

Maturity is when you realize that the lgbtq is not a real problem and poverty, health care and homelessness is the actual problem. I mean just imagine being Joe Biden or Donald trump where no one is asking you about the economy or the unemployment rate and where everyone is asking stupid questions such as What is a woman?” 😂😂 I’m not American but I can see why the rich are getting richer in your country and the poor are getting poorer! 😂😂😂 enjoy guys while you can cause soon you gonna be history like Ottoman Empire and the Roman Empire 😂😂😂 bye bye

[@drunkunkle8077]

@@dcluvspie5777 should trans be excluded from comedy, everyone gets targeted in comedy, trans are no different. They want to be treated equally then shut up and take a joke.

[@pamelajohnson7813]

​@@dcluvspie5777Hope you heard the real story about his trans fan/friend.

[@shroomhead1565]

Still waiting on RDJ's Sherlock Holmes 3 to come

[@tylergoodman3560]

RDJ is a success story. 💯🎉

[@roxannemoser]

2008 wasn't damage for Joaquin! It was brilliant.

[@bratzmama]

I find it sad but inspiring that substance abuse knocked most of these folks into the dirt, and they were able to overcome their issues and climb back up.

[@Gor85]

Many nice comebacks. Keanu Reeves,Eddie Murphy,Elton John,Mickie Rourke,Drew Barimore,Britney Spearse,Joaquin Phoenix,Mariah Carey,Michael Keaton,Neil Patrick Harris,Matthew Mcconaughey. Robin Downey is great success! Really historic comenback. Legendary. So many great movies. Excellent video😁

[@nintendorakyamato1859]

Winona Ryder❤❤❤❤

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

She’s a girlboss done right! Go, Joyce Byers!

[@phoebelewis5529]

I gotta say before becoming a marvel superhero Robert downey Jr aka Tony stark\Iron man was dropping down but when the mcu started in 2008 it saved his career putting Tony in the big leagues and Robert downey jr a big actor and now he is one of the best marvel superhero of all times

[@duaneullery2133]

The Elton John segment is ridiculously misleading in that while he didn't have a top ten album in the 1980's, 1988's Reg Strikes Back did reach #16, was a smash hit worldwide and produced a single - "I Don't Want to Go On With You Like That" - that DID chart at #2 on the Billboard chart. So, yeah, he was very much making hits in the 1980's.

[@conniescharre9402]

Thank you for saying this. I thought the Elton John segment was completely misleading and I really don’t think he should have been on here.

[@ladybug4508]

I agree! Totally misleading. Elton John had a BIG presence in the 1980s. "I'm Still Standing" and "Sad Songs Say So Much" were on MTV constantly (and the latter became a Sasson jeans commercial! 😄) And "That's What Friends Are For," his collaboration with Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick was always on MTV as well (and so touching.) Also he did "Empty Garden," another tearjerker in honor of his friend John Lennon. Plus "Little Jeannie," "Nikita," and "Sacrifice." This video makes it look like he just disappeared in the late 70s and reappeared in the 90s, when in fact, he was all over the place in the 80s.

[@LucienSabre]

John Trav0lta has had more than one comeback in his career. LOL After his first one with Pulp Fiction in the 1990s, his career went t1ts up again with Battlefield Earth (2000) and he all but faded in obscurity again - he never actually stopped working, but the movies were all mediocre at best - until he starred in the 2007 movie adaptation of Hairspray who relaunched him into stardom….but only for a couple years, he soon went back to “b-movies” by the early 2010s (and what was meant to be his 3rd comeback movie, 2018 G0tti, bombed spectacularly).

[@johnbogg7395]

Yea. He has a pretty dire list of bad movies.

[@dejabu24]

I'm a fan of Winona Ryder , Im gIad she is back having great roles, I'm not going to missed beetlejuice 2 Hayden Christensen , 2022 -2023 he made a very successful come back in Starwars, by the way happy b day to him

[@cadillacdeville5828]

RDJ definitely did a 180.❤

[@DizzyME13]

Ok, I see a problem already at Shania Twain- where’s the comeback? You call a Vegas Residency in 2012 “saving her career”?

[@darkecofreak23]

Plus some more albums, none of which really hit. She’s certainly not the megastar she was before her forced exit from the spotlight. Also, she divorced her famous record producer husband after he cheated on her with her then-best friend. How do you cheat on a ten like Shania with a two?

[@DizzyME13]

@@darkecofreak23 that seems to be a trend with famous men. They have beautiful wives but the mistress is very average. Examples: Arnold Swarzenegar, Jude Law, mutt Lang (that was Shania’s husband for anyone they doesn’t know). It must be because they pick someone close to their family like a nanny, housekeeper, or wife’s friend. And the first two tend to be “normal looking people” in those positions.

[@hootie34667]

I think Adam Sandler helped saved Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore's career.

[@Obihann]

Ke Huy Quan, is amazing and should be on this list. He's amazing. Where is he and Bredan? They not only came back, but won the ultimate prizes in film.

[@Whangareitaiji3138]

"substance use disorder" - drug addiction. "Alcohol use disorder" - alcoholism. For goodness sake, call a spade a spade.

[@leoalcaraz6153]

I like how they left out the fact that Demi fried her brain on drugs again

[@roxy5588]

Robert Downey Jr’s comeback is so remarkable. His performance in Oppenheimer was phenomenal. ❤️

[@user-dt8vy2yb3d]

Those entertainment performers (I e John Travolta, Shaina Twain, Sir Elton John & Drew Barrymore) proved they can bounced back no matter what!!!

[@shackdaddy7106]

The greatest comeback in the history of show business was by Frank Sinatra. He was the first teen Idol in the 40s, by the early 50s. His record label had dropped him and he had voice issues. When he got the part of Maggio in the movie from here to eternity in 1953 he was back on top. He won an Academy award for his performance in that movie. And he stayed at the top until his death in 1998.

[@christianromero6604]

How is ellen on this?!?!

[@shawnuel]

This shouldn't have been on the list, necessarily, but Shania Twain's video made me think of Robert Palmer, who had a minor hit or 2 in the 1970's ("Every Kind of People" and "Bad Case of Loving You"), before totally blowing up, more than a half decade later in the mid-'80s, after joining The Power Station with members of Duran Duran then having a great solo run with "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible" amongst others.

[@louloudelarosbel6121]

Rob Lowe is the most up lifting …. Good mix of serious, comedy and down to earth drama

[@joeb.evrythngEclectic5571]

Stephen King should be on this list. Dude almost died by van. also overcame drug addiction!

[@andrewharper1609]

Having been involved with the foundation of Stranger Things, the Founder, Oppenheimer, Russian Doll, Orange is the New Black, Santa Clarita Diet and a whole lot of other items on the list (and not on it that helped some of these guys) I have to admit I'm struggling for motivation in recent years. In terms of inspiration I feel jaded and whilst I'm honoured to have helped people get their stuff together and entertain people doing it, I've been repairing, restoring and upgrading guitars and looking after guinea pigs and my parents to maintain any connection to reality. Maybe I'll find my Wonderful Life moment maybe not.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Neil Patrick Harris was just in the Doctor Who Christmas special on BBC & Disney+. He did a great job.

[@Terahnee]

His "disappearance into obscurity" was really just his moving over to more theater and voice acting.

[@samkresil6011]

I didn't realize Robin Wright was married to Sean Penn before Charlize Theron was

[@TonyLeadholm]

Huh? What am I missing here?

[@samkresil6011]

@@TonyLeadholm 2:51

[@darkecofreak23]

First time I ever heard of Sir Elton was “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” I knew he was to be respected even then.

[@emilyseger1421]

I’m surprised Lindsay Lohan wasn’t mentioned

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

I swear I can’t tell the difference between regular Eddie Murphy voice and his animation voices. I close my eyes and hear Mushu…

[@kevinhealey6540]

Some of these people who cleaned up their act by getting off drugs did a lot for a lot of people. Ordinary people who were hooked got off it by following their example. . "If he (or she) did it, so can I."

[@christineleneghan7661]

Elton John had "I'm Still Standing", "Sad Songs", "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" all in the 1980s and yet the albums never charted in the top 10! Crazy.

[@McCaler]

So these type of talented people saved their careers in the show business, meanwhile sadly other talented people couldn't.

[@Jaxvidstar]

Watchmojo forgot mention that Christian Shrader also voiced a crooked CIA agent in the spy comedy series Archer. 22:25 if the disinterest in Joker 2 is correct. Phoenix will have to rise a third time. He I was hoping Birdman was about a superhero turned attorney.

[@leiamims3633]

I loved Betty White in that Snickers commercial😂😅

[@omarvalderrama1314]

Iron man Robert jr

[@METerrell]

Catherine O'Hara could be included on this list going from SCTV to Beetlejuice & Home Alone with a long time in between before her role on Schitt's Creek bringing her new fans.

[@L117music]

in most cases people forgot just how good these people were at there jobs, but in most cases the celebrities became too big for the industry to control until people demanded there return as they was or became icons of a generation.

[@MrCromocrunch]

I’m surprised Stallone didn’t make the list. Doing the same thing over and over is usually a bad thing but he’s been able to reinvigorate his career despite that.

[@darkecofreak23]

Ok, yeah, Travolta was in Pulp Fiction in ‘97, and Basic in ‘03 with Samuel L. Jackson and Connie Nielsen, but he’s hardly a household name anymore.

[@user-my6tn8wc6f]

Everyone is way too sensitive nowadays Ellen expected people to work at work and they call that a toxic environment

[@gamleskalle1]

We all love RDJ. 😊

[@sharenread8677]

I’m sorry,but a lot of my younger staff at my group home like Dave Chappell and he has his own show and his experiences,and analyzing is very honest. He is also on KZbin. Sharen

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

Betty White's carreer never stalled Imo; she wrote & did alot of work w/animals whivh was another v.important part of her life.

[@hunterrousseau3770]

No. 15, his voice portrayal as Nick Wilde is still one of my absolute favorites about the "Zootopia" franchise here 🐰🦊❤️

[@Animeguy300]

That's nice to hear that

[@Brad_Horn]

I didn't even know until a couple of days ago that Matthew McConaughey was in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 😮

[@garveyneal1672]

I hope Mike Myers and Camerone Diaz would make comebacks of there own.

[@autumn-rayrussell1004]

Sir Elton John helped get Robert Downy Jr. Back in the spotlight. By having him lip sync in his "I want love" music video after his drug addiction. No one wanted anything to do with R.D.J.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

Many people you mentioned just took a break. They left the limelight on purpose to rest or do other things. Therefore their careers weren't in jeopardy to begin with

[@Kritacul]

We don’t talk about that 4th Matrix movie. And btw, you guys left off a LOT of recent Oscar winners. Watch Mojo be slacking.

[@packedentertainment2866]

Toni Collette getting a resurgence in her career with Hereditary comes to mind

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Hopefully Johnny Depp joins the list then.

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

👏Amazing comebacks, truly inspiring! 💪

[@Cinezillaaa]

Anyone know why Eddie Murphy didn't return for Mulan 2?

[@CandiceVidito]

A clause in Eddie Murphy's contract for doing Shrek 2 (2004) forbade him from reprising the role of Mushu in this film, therefore having his other voice actor Mark Moseley (a man best known for filling in for Murphy's characters like Mushu and Donkey in their TV and Video Game appearances) fill in for this film.

[@sharenread8677]

Elton John had an L.P. called 2 Low 4 Zero which had the title track,Kiss The Bride,I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues,and I’m Still Standing all on the same record from 1982. He also wrote a memorial song 🎶 called Secret Garden for John Lennon after he died. Sharen

[@KaleidoSTARPH]

disappointed that Brendan Fraiser was not on this list

[@Tacktickle]

I loved Ryan's Green Lantern!

[@sharenread8677]

Welcome Back Kotter was his first big T.V. show. He was also on the first Carrie movie in 1976. Stephen King novel. Sharen

[@jeffsomer]

Why are you calling Demi Lavato They? Are you having an aneurysm?

[@4kwalk_4]

Wow, what an intriguing list! It's fascinating to see how these stars navigated challenges and managed to reignite their careers

[@maestromike91971]

The Outsiders was one of the best movies of young people coming of age movie,

[@COMPFUNK2]

But D’Angelo hasn’t released another album _since_ 2014 though.

[@erictaylor5462]

What really sucks is how a guy can be affectionate with a teenage, even though that teen can legally consent, but a woman, like Demi Moore (19 at the time) can be seen being very affectionate with her 15 year old costar at his birthday party, even though she was very drunk, and married, and it's no big deal.

[@alexking5429]

My favorite Matthew Mcconaughey movie: Sing and sing 2

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

They try to make me go to rehab.... But I won't go, go, go!

[@judithstrachan9399]

Yeah, that’s why Amy didn’t come back.

[@Daddyoh94]

Keanu is breathtaking and I think Matthew McConaughey turned out alright, alright, alright

[@maestromike91971]

FORST Gump was good but I think they went a bit overboard. Forest was the cause all the good things in life. I do like his relationship. And her having Aids. That brought more light to the illness. It’s not a gay illness , it is an everyone. Who has sex with people they don’t know.

[@ace448]

Neither Twain nor Spears has had a resurgent career. Spears has not released any work and releasing concerning content on social media doesn’t count

[@jennythapamagar7914]

❤ R.D.J!

[@RuffNStormy]

I wouldnt say Shania had a come back. She isnt nearly has big as she was before

[@PrinceIsot]

Saying that Chapelle let the fame "get to his head" shows how little you pay attention to what goes on around you