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From pariahs to heroes: Eight triumphant comebacks that Hollywood did not see coming

Demi Moore and Pamela Anderson are the latest examples of figures from the past — forgotten by the industry — who suddenly find themselves in contention for major awards and starring in films that everyone is talking about. But this dynamic is not new; it has existed as long as cinema itself. Nothing captivates the public more than a dramatic fall followed by an even greater redemption

Nov 21, 2024 - 19:28CET

MICKEY ROURKE – Before he became a parody of himself and his face became nearly unrecognizable, he was once considered the most handsome man in Hollywood. Don't believe it? Watch 'Nine and a Half Weeks,' where a Rourke at the height of his handsomeness managed to steal a scene from Kim Basinger. But he was not just a pretty face — he was (and still is) a highly talented actor. In his memoir 'Stories I Only Tell My Friends,' Rob Lowe recalls how, when Rourke was on the set of 'The Outsiders' to visit his friend, director Francis Ford Coppola, everyone felt that the "new James Dean" had arrived. They were captivated by The Motorcycle Boy, the role he played in the melancholic 'Rumble Fish.' 'The Los Angeles Times' described him as a "young Hollywood lion, an actor with the brooding intensity of the early Marlon Brando, the electricity of James Dean and the emotional charge of John Garfield." Rourke showcased his remarkable talent in films like 'A Prayer for the Dying,' 'Angel Heart,' and 'Year of the Dragon.' But as boxing began to take center stage, his acting career declined. He underwent face-changing surgeries, struggled with addiction, and rejected career-defining roles. He turned down 'Rain Man,' 'The Untouchables' and 'Pulp Fiction,' in which he could have played Butch — the role that gave Bruce Willis’ career a fresh boost. Meanwhile, Rourke’s own career faded into obscurity.Diane Freed (Getty Images)

The comeback: 'The Wrestler' – The boxing that once ruined his face also helped revive his career. His portrayal of the laconic Marv in the ensemble film 'Sin City' reminded audiences that the great Mickey Rourke was still around. But it was 'The Wrestler,' the story of a down-and-out boxer trying to rebuild his family life, that truly confirmed his return. Director Darren Aronofsky took a chance on him, and Rourke repaid that trust with serious dedication: he trained for months, performed all his own stunts, and actively participated in the film's promotion. The effort paid off. He won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, received an Oscar nomination, and secured a couple of lucrative roles in 'Iron Man 2' and 'The Expendables.'J. Lee (WireImage)

JOHN TRAVOLTA – 'Carrie' helped him break through, while the emotional TV movie 'The Boy in the Plastic Bubble' made him a household name across America. But it was 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Grease' that turned him into a global icon. However, Travolta squandered much of this capital with a series of poor choices throughout the 1980s. Seemingly safe bets, like 'Staying Alive' (the continuation of Tony Manero’s story), flopped at the box office, while films as compelling as 'Blow Out,' directed by Brian De Palma, went unjustly overlooked. He made a comeback in the 1990s, thanks to the unexpected success of 'Look Who’s Talking,' which reestablished him as a romantic comedy star. But the disastrous and unnecessary sequels that followed quickly sent him back to the sidelines.Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

The comeback: 'Pulp Fiction' - At the age of 40, Travolta's career appeared to be over when a stroke of luck changed everything. Michael Madsen, the Vincent Vega that Tarantino had in mind when he wrote the script for 'Pulp Fiction', was forced to give up the role due to a prior commitment to Lawrence Kasdan's 'Wyatt Earp' and Travolta was cast in the role. Much more portly and disheveled than he used to be, he proved that there were more sides of him to be discovered. The Academy, which always rewards its prodigal sons, nominated him for an Oscar for the second time (the first was for 'Saturday Night Fever') and Hollywood opened its doors to him again. Since then, he has had two more breakthroughs thanks to modern classics like 'Face Off' and 'Hairspray,' where he surprised by stepping into the shoes of Edna Turnblad, the role that drag queen Divine had played in the first version. Kevin Winter (Getty Images)

DEMI MOORE – Life in Hollywood moves so fast that, at the time, 'Ghost' was already seen as a career resurrection for Demi Moore — despite the fact that all she really did was cut her hair. After several years as the most prominent female member of the 'Brat Pack,' with 'St. Elmo’s Fire' being her most recognizable film, Moore reinvented herself as the star of a classic romantic comedy in an Oscar-nominated role. No one could have predicted then that she would become the biggest female star of the 1990s, thanks to hits like 'Disclosure,' 'A Few Good Men,' and 'Indecent Proposal.' She also became the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, earning her the nickname “Gimme More.” Her fees were astronomical, but neither the critics nor the public responded with equal enthusiasm. For a few years, she kept a low profile until her role as Madison Lee in 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle' brought her back into the spotlight — particularly for her impressive physique (and the absurd debate surrounding her long hair at the age of 40). Paramount Pictures (Getty Images)

The comeback: 'The Substance' – Demi Moore’s resurgence is a reflection of Hollywood's inherent contradictions. The industry mocked her and sabotaged her films, yet it still craves to see her walk triumphantly down the red carpet, because, despite her popcorn-filled career, she remains one of the actresses who most embodies Hollywood glamour. Perhaps that’s why there was so much interest in seeing her finally back a winning project. It seems that, in 2024, she has done just that — and then some. This year, we’ve seen her shine on television as Ann Woodward, one of the swans in 'Capote vs. The Swans,' and on film in 'The Substance,' Coralie Fargeat’s gripping tale of survival in front of the cameras. For the first time in her career, there’s talk of an Oscar nomination. But the fact that Demi Moore is being discussed for her work, period, is already a triumph in itself.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin (FilmMagic)

PAMELA ANDERSON – As CJ Parker in 'Baywatch,' Pamela Anderson became the most desired woman in the world. Her iconic swimsuit photo replaced the legendary Charlie's Angels poster of Farrah Fawcett in the bedrooms of millions of teenagers. The five years she spent on David Hasselhoff’s series catapulted her into pop culture, as evidenced by her memorable cameo in 'Friends,' where her slow-motion beach runs became a recurring joke. However, her success didn’t quite translate to the big screen. Her most notable film role was in 'Barb Wire,' a reimagining of 'Casablanca,' where Anderson played Bogart’s iconic role. The absurdity of this project was intended to elevate her in the way 'Barbarella' boosted Jane Fonda, but it failed to even make her a Hollywood punchline, as it was barely seen by anyone. Anderson would later garner far more attention for her infamous sex tape with then-husband Tommy Lee, the recording and theft of which became the focus of the Disney+ series 'Pam & Tommy,' in which Lily James portrayed the actress.Mick Hutson (Redferns)

The comeback: 'The Last Showgirl' – Hollywood loves a comeback, especially when it involves someone whose had a hard run. Few embody this better than Pamela Anderson, and there’s no more fitting project for her than 'The Last Showgirl,' directed by Gia Coppola, the granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola. In the movie, Anderson plays Shelley, a Las Vegas dancer in her fifties confronting the end of her career while trying to reconnect with a college-age daughter she barely knows. Her performance has brought Anderson back into the spotlight, and she already has a film in pre-production alongside Liam Neeson.Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images for Glamour)

Cameron Diaz – Every Hollywood producer’s dream: blue-eyed, blonde, with a stunning physique, a dazzling smile, and a gift for slapstick comedy. Hollywood predominantly caters to teenagers, and Cameron Diaz was the embodiment of the woman they wanted to see on screen. If Rita Hayworth was the only dance partner who could make audiences watch Fred Astaire, then Cameron Diaz was the only comedy actress who could outshine Jim Carrey’s antics. “Cameron Diaz is a true discovery, a sex bomb with a wonderful smile and the gift of comic timing,” wrote Roger Ebert of her debut in The Mask. Her success wasn’t a fluke, as demonstrated by her role in My Best Friend’s Wedding, where she made viewers root for Julia Roberts’ character to let her have the guy. In There’s Something About Mary, already playing the leading lady, she reigned over the most unrestrained comedy, embodying what writer Gillian Flynn later dubbed the archetype of “the cool girl.” Flynn described this character as: “An attractive, bright, funny woman who loves soccer, poker, dirty jokes and burping, who plays video games, drinks cheap beer, loves threesomes and anal sex, and devours hot dogs and hamburgers like she’s hosting the world’s biggest culinary orgy, all while somehow maintaining a size 34 because, above all else, cool girls are hot.” But Diaz was more than just a comedic bombshell. She proved her range with diverse roles—playing a clean-cut character in Being John Malkovich, taking on a morally ambiguous role in the adrenaline-fueled Any Given Sunday, and following Scorsese's direction in Gangs of New York. However, by the 2010s, she leaned too heavily into inconsequential projects, prompting Vulture magazine to ask in 2014 what many had been wondering: why can’t Cameron Diaz make a good movie? Before Hollywood could give her the boot, she chose to step away, focusing instead on her business ventures and motherhood with musician Benji Madden. Cameron Diaz – She was every Hollywood producer’s dream: blue-eyed, blonde, with a stunning physique, a dazzling smile, and a gift for slapstick comedy. Hollywood predominantly caters to teenagers, and Cameron Diaz was the embodiment of the woman they wanted to see on screen. If Rita Hayworth was the only dance partner who could make audiences watch Fred Astaire, then Cameron Diaz was the only comedy actress who could outshine Jim Carrey’s antics. “Cameron Diaz is a true discovery in the film, a genuine sex bomb with a gorgeous face, a wonderful smile, and a gift of comic timing,” wrote Roger Ebert of her debut in 'The Mask.' And it was no fluke, as seen by her performances in the hit movies'My Best Friend’s Wedding' and 'There’s Something About Mary.' But Diaz was more than just a comedic bombshell. She proved her range with diverse roles — playing a clean-cut character in 'Being John Malkovich,' taking on a morally ambiguous role in the adrenaline-fueled 'Any Given Sunday,' and following Scorsese's direction in 'Gangs of New York.' However, by the 2010s, she leaned too heavily into inconsequential projects, prompting 'Vulture' magazine to ask in 2014 what many had been wondering: why can’t Cameron Diaz make a good movie? Before Hollywood could give her the boot, she chose to step away, focusing instead on her business ventures and family with partner Benji Madden. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis (Sygma via Getty Images)

The comeback: 'Back in Action' – After 11 years away from acting, it was Jamie Foxx, her co-star in 'Annie' (her last film), who convinced Cameron Diaz to return to the screen. The title of her comeback film, 'Back in Action,' feels like a declaration of intent. After several delays, the movie — about the adventures of two former spies in the action-comedy genre they know so well — is finally set to premiere on Netflix in January.Presley Ann (Getty Images for Fortune's Most )

Jonathan Ke Huy Quan – Just two iconic roles were enough to make Ke Huy Quan a star: the resourceful Short Round in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' and the determined Data in 'The Goonies.' Both films were massive successes, making his face instantly recognizable worldwide. However, after the glory came the harsh reality that many non-white performers in Hollywood face. The roles that followed for Quan were often limited to stereotypes — martial arts experts or computer whizzes — and, more frustratingly, if another non-white actor was already cast, there was no place for him. Disillusioned, Quan stepped away from acting but remained in the film industry, transitioning into work as an assistant director and action sequence coordinator.Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

The comeback: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' – After seeing the success of 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the new wave of diversity that followed the #OscarsSoWhite movement, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan turned to his friend Jeff Cohen — aka Chunk from 'The Goonies,’ now a celebrity lawyer — to help him revive his career. Just as he was finding his footing again, director Dan Kwan offered him a role in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' the A24 sensation that dominated 2022. The film swept the awards season, winning seven Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Quan. “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” he said, fighting back tears during his acceptance speech. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This, this, is the American dream.” Tommaso Boddi (Variety via Getty Images)

Brendan Fraser – In the 1990s, Brendan Fraser found his niche in less sophisticated teen comedies. His standout performances in 'Airheads' and 'Encino Man' showcased his excellent comic timing and flair for slapstick, all while his spectacular physique made him the perfect choice for Disney's 'George of the Jungle.' Yet, beneath the muscles and striking blue eyes, there was a talented actor, a fact recognized by director Bill Condon, who cast Fraser as the object of Ian McKellen’s desire in 'Gods and Monsters,' a biopic of director James Whale. The depth of his talent was confirmed in 'Crash,' further proving his range. Then came 'The Mummy,' which turned him into the Errol Flynn of a new generation. However, after the third installment, his career took a downturn. A string of box-office flops, along with significant physical changes, contributed to this decline. Everyone wondered what had happened to Fraser, until 2018, when he revealed that 15 years earlier, he had been sexually assaulted by the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the body behind the Golden Globe Awards.Ron Galella (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

The comeback: 'The Whale' – The six-minute standing ovation Brendan Fraser received at the Venice Film Festival confirmed that he was back. Those 360 seconds of applause were filled with admiration for his portrayal of Charlie, a morbidly obese teacher struggling to reconnect with his daughter, but also with deep affection for an actor who had once been predicted to have a long and successful career. Fraser went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor, delivering one of the most emotional moments ever seen at the Academy Awards. That same year, he took on a much darker role in Martin Scorsese's 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' and since then, he has been in high demand, with his career firmly back on track.Leon Bennett/GA (The Hollywood Reporter via Getty)

Renée Zellweger – 'Jerry Maguire' was Tom Cruise's vehicle to shine, but it also launched the careers of two stars: Cuba Gooding Jr., who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and Renée Zellweger, who, with her charming pout, quickly became the heir apparent to Meg Ryan. Next came a casting choice that caused an uproar in the U.K. Just as British actress Vivian Leigh had been controversially cast as Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind,' the Americans took their revenge by casting a Texan as the quintessentially English heroine, Bridget Jones. Zellweger’s portrayal of the character, created by writer Helen Fielding, earned her her first Oscar nomination. Her second came for 'Chicago,' and the third for 'Cold Mountain,' marking an extraordinary feat of three nominations in three consecutive years. In 2010, after a nearly uninterrupted career, Zellweger took a break from Hollywood, stepping away for six years. She made her return in 'Bridget Jones’s Baby,' revealing in an interview with EL PAÍS that she had been lying to herself about the pressures of fame. “I didn’t see the exhausting side of it,” she confessed. “At some point, I stopped and realized I had to take care of myself.”Ron Galella (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

The comeback: 'Judy' – Even Renée Zellweger found it surprising when director Rupert Goold cast her to play Judy Garland. But Goold recognized qualities in Zellweger that made her ideal for the role: she could sing, as showcased in 'Chicago;' she could be vulnerable, as seen in 'Jerry Maguire;' and she could be fierce, like her portrayal of Ruby in Cold Mountain. Goold's faith in her proved well-founded. Seventeen years after 'Cold Mountain,' Zellweger won her second Academy Award for her performance as Garland in 'Judy.' Next, she will return to the role that has always brought her luck, Bridget Jones, proving that, like Zellweger, the character never quite went away.Paras Griffin (Getty Images)