I can't believe it is happening to me. "This is the American Dream."

Not only are comeback stories for movies.

Many celebrities have made their own comebacks after being away from the limelight for a long time. One role can change their life and make them an Oscar nominee.

In the 2022-2023 award season, there were many victories for underdogs. Actors who had previously been absent from Hollywood made a career resurgence. With their newfound fame comes a second chance.

Discover how these stars have made their comeback.

1. Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan started his career as an actor as a young child, landing roles in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", as well as "The Goonies." He struggled for many years to find roles that were suitable for Asian American actors. He finally decided to attend film school. After decades of working behind the camera, he decided in his late forties to give acting a second try. He was cast in the movie "Everything Everywhere All at Once". The film became a huge success and earned him an Oscar for Best Actor In A Supporting Role.

"My journey began on a ship. "I spent a whole year in a camp for refugees and I somehow ended up on Hollywood's largest stage," he stated during his acceptance speech. They say that stories like these only occur in movies. This is unbelievable. "This is the American Dream."

2. Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser became famous in the 1990s with films such as "Encino Man", "The Mummy", and "George of the Jungle." Brendan Fraser stepped away from the limelight in the early 2000s and was noticeably absent from Hollywood films. Later, he revealed that he had a turbulent decade, enduring stunt-related injuries and surgeries, a divorce, and other personal struggles. He also questioned if his inability to find work in Hollywood had anything to do with his decision to accuse Philip Berk of sexual assault, the former president of Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

His career changed dramatically when he was cast as "The Whale" in 2022. He received a standing ovation of six minutes at the Venice Film Festival, and he was nominated for numerous awards. In the end, he won Best Actor in 2023 at the Oscars.

3. Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder was 23 years old when she received her first Oscar nod for her role as "The Age of Innocence". She had already appeared in movies like "Edward Scissorhands", "Heathers", and went on to star in "Reality Bites", and "Girl, Interrupted". She had a rough time in the early 2000s, and was arrested for shoplifting and possession of illegal prescription medications. She eventually stepped away from the spotlight.

She told Time, "I didn't know that taking some time off was dangerous for my career." "I was told constantly, 'You need to work so that you remain relevant.' "Oh, where have all the people gone?" I thought when I was about to return. Many actors go through ups anddowns. "I think my were -- some people may see them as terrible -- but I learnt, and I enjoyed the time away."

She admitted that she struggled to find work when she returned to the limelight. Her "thirties" were "a little bit difficult." Winona's role in "Black Swan," which was a major hit, helped to change her career. In 2017, Winona was cast in the hit show "Stranger Things." Her career had transformed. She was nominated that year for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

4. Jennifer Coolidge

Jennifer Coolidge is a Hollywood icon who has been in movies like "American Pie" or "Legally Blonde" for years. Jennifer Coolidge admits that she has been in a "dead-zone" for the last decade. She claims that everything changed when Ariana Grande impersonated her on "The Tonight Show."

Jennifer said, "You should be aware that this was the beginning of many cool things for me." "I was in a deadzone. There was not much going on. "And then Ariana did that imitation on the show, and you encouraged [her] and then this whole ball started."

Jennifer was recruited by Ariana to appear in the music video for "Thank U, Next". She then found herself back at the forefront of pop culture. She was cast in the role of "The White Lotus" in 2021. This role has earned her many nominations and awards, including an Emmy.

5. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. started his career in 1970s, but his role in "Chaplin", released in 1992, was the one that launched him into stardom. He received numerous nominations for awards. Robert Downey Jr. had many other successful roles, but 1996 was the start of a bumpy road. He spent time in rehab and jail after being arrested for driving under the influences and having drugs in his vehicle. His role in "Ally McBeal" was also written out. He was jailed for a year after he violated his parole, missed a court ordered drug test and later violated it again.

In 2003, he had become sober and was looking for a new start in Hollywood. He began landing roles despite some studios being reluctant to work with his. By 2008, he was a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as "Iron Man." He became a star after the film and its sequels.

6. Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey became a star in early 2000s rom-coms, but decided it was not the direction he desired to take his professional career. He was conscious of his decision to reject any romcoms that were offered, and he even turned down $14.5 million in pay. As soon as studios realized that he was serious, they stopped offering him roles.

"No offers have come in for nearly a year and half. Now I had to accept the possibility that I would never again work in Hollywood. It hurt a bit, but I accepted it. Matthew told AARP that it was time to start a new chapter.

Matthew's Hollywood resurgence was even dubbed the "McConaissance." The "McConaissance" was the name given to his Hollywood comeback.

7. Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle, a popular comedian with a highly successful Comedy Central show in 2005, decided to leave it all behind. Dave Chappelle, at the height of his career turned down $50 million for a third series of "Chappelle's Show" when it was offered to him. He moved to South Africa instead and was out of the spotlight almost a decade.

Dave stated on CBS This Morning that he was talking to a man who told him "comedy is the reconciliation of paradox." "I think that this was a moment that I could never reconcile. It was a very successful position, but it did not feel as I had imagined. It didn't feel like it.

Dave's return to Hollywood, in 2015, marked an important comeback for his career. In 2017, he produced four comedy specials. He released two others in 2019 and 2022 - the last one becoming his most successful.

8. Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore had a blossoming acting and teen pop career in the late 1990s. After landing roles in films such as "The Princess Diaries", "A Walk to Remember", and other similar projects, her career appeared to stagnate. Mandy continued to work in Hollywood but things were slow. She had a few small films, failed pilots, and guest-starring roles. In 2016, when she was cast as a lead in "This Is Us", her career completely changed. She was nominated for her first Golden Globe at the end of season one and she has won numerous others since.

She said, "Our careers and lives have a ebb-and-flow and I've had my dips." "But, now that I've come out of a slower period in my career and life...I must say that there is an odd feeling of contentment. As I'm 33, and at this point in my life and career... I try to appreciate and be present. "This is a once-in a lifetime experience, which all of us are currently experiencing."

9. Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres was a star of her self-titled sitcom and had a successful professional career. But when she came out, everything changed. Her ratings dropped and she had trouble finding work. She was unable to find work when she launched "The Ellen Show" before the first season had even ended.

Ellen shared that "when I came out people warned me it would ruin my career and they were right, for a time," she said. "Actually I lost my job for exactly three full years."

Ellen's talk show became a huge hit in 2003. The show was nominated 11 Daytime Emmy Awards during its first season and won over 25 awards over its run. Ellen has hosted the Primetime Emmys, the Grammy Awards and even the Academy Awards.

10. Rob Lowe

In the 1980s, Rob Lowe became a teen idol by starring in movies like "The Outsiders," "St. Elmo's Fire," and others. In 1988, however, a tape of the actor with two young girls was released. He claims he hit rock bottom at some point and entered rehab. He pushed on for several years, despite not having a major breakthrough in his career.

"I have been lucky that I've worked always, ever, ever. It was still like this: you're a professional player but you play for Double or Triple A. You lost the role that Billy Zane received in "Titanic". Rob revealed to GQ that he was never banned from playing baseball.

Rob made his comeback in 1999 when he joined "The West Wing," where he appeared until 2006. Rob has appeared in a number of hit shows, including "Brothers & Sisters," "Parks and Recreation," and "Brothers & Sisters."

11. Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck became a household name in the 1990s and early 2000s by starring in films like "Good Will Hunting", "Pearl Harbor" and others. When tabloids started to show an interest in Affleck's personal life, and when some of his movies like "Gigli", "Jersey Girl", flopped his career began to wane. Ben took a break from the spotlight after all the negative comments. He decided to pursue his career behind the scenes.

He told EW that if Gigli's reaction hadn't occurred, he would not have decided to direct films, which has become his true passion.

Ben then went on to star and direct films such as "Gone Baby Gone", "Argo" and "Gone Baby Gone", paving the path for a new phase in his career. He won Best Picture for "Argo" at the 2013 Oscars, proving he'd moved on from his flops.

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Title: 11 Of The Greatest Hollywood Comeback Stories
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/05/29/greatest-hollywood-comeback-stories/
Published Date: Mon, 29 May 2023 15:02:04 +0000

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