Top 50 Actors Who Saved Their Career with One Performance

[@WatchMojo]

Which comeback role is YOUR favorite? And which do you think had the BIGGEST impact for the actor? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmLQZJysm7GLqtk Play our Daily Point Battles to earn MojoPoints and qualify for CASH BATTLES! Check it out: WatchMojo.com/play

[@devingiles6597]

Jim Carrey is perfect for the role as Dr. Robotnik in the live action Sonic the Hedgehog movies.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Kevin Costner Horizon

[@SpEdMice]

Thought Jim Carrey’s Thirteen made the mark of his skills and marketability much more than Sonic.

[@olleselin]

So glad for Brendan Fraser....

[@dixon2473]

Same the whale tore me apart man so brilliant

[@BlackHatCinephile]

🥈

[@Deathfacesmiles]

He deserved better by Hollywood even before The Whale but i was so happy for him when he finally got the True spotlight he deserved.

[@hopemorlen4187]

Same. Love that guy!

[@THANATOS-PRIME]

When I was a kid, Brendan Fraser was my childhood hero. I was thankful to get the opportunity to speak to him a couple of years back and he is such a chill and down-to-earth guy. His Oscar was much deserved and I wish him nothing but the best. If you want to check out another great performance check out the final season of doom patrol. He was absolutely amazing as the voice of Robot Man.

[@AwesomeFace2675]

I’ve always wanted to meet him. He sounds like such a great person.

[@BlackHatCinephile]

🥉

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Iron Man was amazing and it was the thing that got him back on track!

[@snowdenwyatt6276]

Iron Man definitely cemented it, but Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was what made him employable again. Jon Favreau has said that RDJ was a tough sell to the studio and that KKBB made it possible.

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

It’s remarkable how Johnny Depp went from Nancy Thompson’s _A Nightmare on Elm Street_ boyfriend to legendary pirate Jack Sparrow in the _Pirates of the Caribbean_ films in his career revival story.

[@Animeguy300]

Brendan Fraser deserves that Oscar win

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

I was crying and my sister was cheering when we watched him win the Oscar. I hadn’t even seen the movie but his emotional reaction moved me to tears

[@joaniecummings3465]

Love Brandon Fraser he is still my favorite actor

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

So Paul Bettany, Chris Evans AND Robert Downey Jr. all have the MCU to thank for their comebacks 😂 And all three of them are PERFECT in those roles

[@KB-qk1ic]

Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar go to White Castle was the precursor to his Barney role

[@malalford]

Young un, he had his own show as Doogie Howser

[@KB-qk1ic]

@@malalford I think you misunderstood the point of the video or my comment

[@MajesticalHonky]

@@malalford I guess the point was over your head, young un.

[@gregorturner9421]

and his over the top the Toymaker on Dr Who episode the giggle where he got to show off his full range of ablilities was amazing. singing, dancing, mairionette, changing accents.

[@michaelmonthey5974]

Four years after Downey’s contract in the MCU expired, he took a significant pay cut to co-star in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, which won him an Oscar. And now he’s back in the MCU, this time as the legendary villain, Dr. Doom.

[@trinaq]

2022 was the year of the comeback, with Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Brendan Fraser all scooping up Oscars after mostly spending years out of the spotlight.

[@cgillespie1680]

I always felt like NPH comeback started with his role in harold and kumar. I mean that how he even got the part for HIMYM

[@NaMo9o5]

Was coming here to make this exact comment.

[@benjaminmartinez1638]

Came here to say this

[@shoddypockets9666]

The casting of Rober Downey Junior as Tony Stark was nothing short of GENIUS !!!!! One of the best castings decisions EVER made in my opinion 👌

[@jamiethal1319]

Robert not Rober.

[@shoddypockets9666]

@@jamiethal1319 😂 yep! 👍

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

I find it crazy perfect that Jimmy Stewart got his second chance in It’s A Wonderful Life when It’s A Wonderful Life is all about second chances in life

[@LQOTW]

Aaaah, the irony!

[@asongjunior2420]

RDJ….RDJ…RDJ. It’s DOOMSDAY Baby 😂😂😂❤

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! The number one on my list is Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction" (1994). 🤣

[@riley-o7]

the winona ryder one was so real

[@BlackHatCinephile]

🏆🥇

[@jayestrada3852]

Benicio del Toro with Traffic...he was up amd coming then he did Fear and Loathing which tanked. He took two yrs off then Traffic saw him sweep awards season that year. He should've been on the list!!!

[@sabregunner1]

thomas sadoski ahs a very underrated one time screen apperance in john wick imo. he clearly knows who john is and his line of work, but also knows john is an honorable man though he uses euphamism to describe the situation. he knows john is not gonna come after him. there is a respect there between men who are professionals. its shows the connection between the 2

[@phantomrequim]

If I have the chance to meet Ryan Reynolds in real life, I'm going to give that man a hug and thank him for playing Deadpool!

[@LQOTW]

Absolutely! I would love to have him as a neighbor - crazy funny guy!

[@FoxGamer39618]

Isn’t it actually Deadpool playing Ryan Reynolds?

[@rluv4evr]

I really think Drew Barrymore's best movie was Poison Ivy. She stars with Sarah Gilbert (who plays Darlene in Roseanne).

[@shaylapowell5580]

I loved Mandy when I saw it. It's so strange and weird, but so interesting and cool. And I'll always love Brendon as O'Connell in the Mummy movies. I think he did a great job.

[@jeffmaas9308]

I don't know if anyone should ever mention the 2019's version of Charlie's Angels

[@jimbo9208]

you just did

[@catotoa6122]

Keuno Reeves in speed or point break way before thematrix. Tom Hanks for Philadelphia. Both These actors were more known for comedies before this.

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

DC killed Ryan Reynolds and Marvel revived him 😂

[@rbourne35]

I would argue Harold and Kumar for NPH. Could be wrong but I always felt his cameo helped land him Barney. RDJ, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

[@t0mn8r35]

Les Grossman is my most favourite character. Best role ever by Tom Cruise.

[@Jenifer_R_]

Thank you for the timestamps. Much appreciated.

[@NormieDude-k2z]

Damn Amitabh Bachchan in this list was is fire.

[@cindiemoore2530]

I have to wonder if these “hard to work with” actresses are the ones who didn’t play with the big shots and refused to be used.

[@Seashelle564]

I think you're right. That is a harsh title in code I think they would give females who refused to be used. You never hear of them involved in lawsuits against people like Weinstein or sex scandals. They knew their worth as an actress and individual.

[@istaylowpro]

Everybody knows who #1 is gonna be. Hell of a turn around for that guy.

[@jeffbowman5400]

RDJ my guess

[@jimbo9208]

and who is that

[@RodneyDollar]

So glad to see Brendan Fraser michelle yeoh ke Huy quan in this and also Jamie Lee Curtis Johnny depp drew Barrymore and Kristen Stewart like wow

[@schmalice23]

So happy for Brendan Fraser!

[@tylergoodman3560]

RDJ is Iron Man; best role of his life. ❤🎉

[@fv6125]

Winona Ryder needs to do the sequel to Little Women. Little Men is another excellent book

[@DrVenture45]

I think that in some cases (such as Natalie Portman), these actors only give what the director (Lucas) was asking for. In Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan's circumstance these actors were not given the chance to shine thanks to a fickle industry that thought they were limited to the last performances they were more widely known for, and worried more about $$. None of these "comebacks" gives me as much joy as Quan's and Fraser's though.

[@CapnRiggs2k5]

This was actually a damn good list. I can't think of someone else who might get an honorable mention

[@Pmartz3]

Robot in doom patrol saved Brandon Fraser‘s career 😜

[@theobazinga8555]

Let's be honest! Some performances were good but didn't saved the career for few of them! I am only happy for Brendan Fraser! Going from The Mummy to The whale this actor finally got the recognition he deserved for years!!

[@user-of-pot]

8:25 I can't get into that show at all especially with the controversy with the kids but because of her I kind of want to watch it

[@vasugarg8541]

2:22 NEVER THOUGHT AMITABH BACHHAN COMING HERE

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Brendan could play director George Stevens in a movie about the making of the masterpiece "Giant."

[@JoeBrandon-wh2ly]

When did watchmojo start doing top 50 list?

[@spacejam8765]

We are all here for Brendan Fraser. 😊

[@Uncle_Smidge]

Sandler was also great in Spaceman, a surprisingly quiet and contemplative piece with great special effects.

[@hopemorlen4187]

I don't care what anyone says. I enjoyed 47 Ronin, and it's one of my all favorite movies.

[@nikolairodriguez9180]

@watchmojo, Top 10 2024 San Diego Comic-Con moments? When are you going to make that list like come on, I'm surprised you haven't done it already. Get to it please.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Interesting list

[@whenusday4050]

45:51 i know it he always the number 1

[@Gabriel_Rojas_Arena]

27:32 no.18 Thank You Watchmojo for Jim Carrey

[@randomreviews4278]

24:09 Norbit was funny man

[@benjaminmartinez1638]

For Jim, it was definitely Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I think that film reminded everyone of what Jim is truly capable of

[@admallya]

Pleasantly surprised to see Amitabh Bachchan and Zanjeer featured here. Good to see WatchMojo casting a wider geographical net :)

[@sijoneyyan]

That prononciation of Amithabh Bachan broke me

[@ClarksCreek]

I am still clamoring for a Daredevil sequel. That is the live-action movie I rewatched the most as a child. I adore it. I was really hoping Ben would reprise his role in Deadpool & Wolverine knowing Jennifer Garner was returning as Elektra, but alas that didn't happen.

[@jose.damiani]

Bryan Cranston / Breaking Bad should have been top 3 for sure

[@user-of-pot]

5:51 man that transatlantic sound that they made better than

[@enriquerodriguez8964]

Y'all got it wrong about Neil Patrick Harris his comeback came when he starred in the world White Castle which is why he got selected for How I Met Your Mother

[@randomreviews4278]

33:19 season of the witch was great

[@Mario96Luigi1]

Robert Downey Jr, Johnny Depp, and Ryan Reynolds are Top Tier Comeback Stories

[@randomreviews4278]

43:39 SPOILER she's not in it that long

[@female_abroad]

NPH only for HIMYM because of Harold & Kumar go to White Castle so I would say it's because of that role his career was saved

[@PaulDupreonegod007]

Peanut Butter Falcon was a pretty good return to form too for Labouf

[@benjaminmartinez1638]

American Honey

[@conkyvsricki4710]

jamie lee is going down with borderlands though

[@benjaminmartinez1638]

She just won an Oscar and currently filming Freaky Friday 2. She'll be fine

[@amentlik]

It's amazing how fickle we are! We loved him as killmonger, hated him as Johnny Storm, loved him in Creed...

[@michaelmonthey5974]

I wish Watchmojo could stop showing “It’s A Wonderful Life” in that abysmal color palette and show it in its original black and white cinematography again.

[@heycroweproductions]

I think Man on the Moon really screwed up Jim Carrey

[@jamiestewart2745]

Sorry but Ke Huy Quan is number one for me. Greatest comeback of all time

[@paulrothrock9405]

I would personally say that RDJ's comeback was "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," but "Iron Man" was great as well.

[@Arctic-void-z7f]

22:09 You mean Oscar win he won for 2019 for joker

[@Chihiro33333]

Several actors from the Marvel movies are mentioned here, and more could have been included. The Marvel franchise launched several careers, old and new. Still, it is left to be seen if the Marvel franchaise will actually give the actors a future successful career, or if they will have a hard time finding new roles due to that they are regarded as too connected to their Marvel character.

[@whenusday4050]

We don't even exist when amitabh bachchan saved his carier 😂

[@chrisskinner2816]

I've never considered Adam Sandler as needing a career resurrection. I've always enjoyed his movies🤷🤷. Same with Depp and Carrey

[@Sal-dj7gf]

Blind side was horrendous.

[@Deathfacesmiles]

Nick cage has had so many good performances in weird roles he should have gotten some Oscar's for those, but Hollywood can be a real bitch.

[@Ikiya69]

For Amithabh Bachchan, it's actually the film Mohabbatein that saved his career because since the 90s until prior to Mohabbatein, his career went downhill after his failure in politics.

[@crazy4dariver]

Brendon and Bob Jr..two of my favorites. Professional, nice. I've worked with both as crew. Ben is a very difficult at best. I refuse to work with him and I'm just a union guy.

[@PNWDucko]

I’m posting so much on this list, Jimmy Stewart did not “Save” his career he did a movie when he got back from the war, there was nothing not to save he just continued acting after the war

[@Felladin]

We all knew Natalie Portman was a great actor when she was in Leon. But it's true Hollywood had to be reminded she was still great, despite being in Star Wars.

[@Seashelle564]

I can't believe they put out the Star Wars series with her and the actor who played Anakin. No chemistry between the two, no charisma or true depth with him, etc. I was so disappointed with it being such a Star Wars fan. I think it would have been different with another male lead.

[@jasonroberts6590]

They forgot Samuel L. Jackson

[@PNWDucko]

How Ke Huy Quan is not #1 is criminal

[@tammylynnbeatricedoyle4500]

Thank you Quentin Tarantino 🎉 Kudos Brendan Fraser, RDJ, Ryan Reynolds 👑

[@malalford]

Martin Lawrence best role is Bilal in House Party. "Dragon breath"

[@sazfretz1945]

I didn't know Stephen Fry was in "V for Vendetta."

[@emilystark2891]

pedro pascal in narcos has arguably led to him being in the golden age of his career as we speak

[@peterhallingstad4708]

Sylvester Stallone's comeback was Copland

[@ermertieplug]

So Reese Witherspoons career wasn't good after she won an Oscar for Walk the Line? These lists are not based on anything. They are just made up to get views.

[@KRATOS7514]

İ wish the the old cast from narnia franchise had a comeback for a narnia silver chair to continue the story

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

But isn’t Blind Side a misrepresentation of reality?

[@jamiethal1319]

Yes

[@danaernst9659]

I think Harold and Kumar was the inspiration for Barney. That's his turnaround for me.

[@MikeGrimm-bk2lu]

I knew RDJ was going to be #1, however Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is the movie that restarted his career.

[@zguyach1081]

Tom Cruise has to be in the top 10. Its a shame they had him so high.

[@cameronzero]

Ellen Burstyn in RFAD fucking kills me everyone single time I wait the movie

[@jamiethal1319]

Watch, not wait.

[@aidanban]

Kiss kiss bang bang for rdj for sure... even Kilmer too!

[@General_Zod99]

happy time murders is funny as hell

[@savaget2058]

Brad Pitt was the furthest from ever flopping 😆

[@dagr8n3sss]

NPH got that role because of Harold & Kumar without that movie there is no how I met your mother

[@vontaemusic]

I don’t like the notion that people have that if an actor or a public figure is not on television or in movies for a while that they disappear into nothingness or their careers are over. That’s not what that means at all. Some of them probably just took a break from the limelight which seems to be needed with so much demand from people.

[@rashaunwilliams6121]

So, your just gonna gloss over the joker.

[@meroniyassu2621]

RDJ deserves to be number 1

[@benjaminmartinez1638]

Matthew McConaugheys started in The Lincoln Lawyer