Being an actor is hard work as it requires one to have many great skills, learn fast and be in sync with other creators. Some might say that it is also an unstable job as you might never know when or what your next role might be or when your next big break is going to happen. Having this in mind, Reddit user @SuperNntendoChlmers asked others online who are some of the actors and actresses who “revived” their careers by getting that one important role that made them well-known. Soon their question was answered by giving names of various famous actors and the roles they played so well that everyone knows them for it.
The question that received almost 15k upvotes was answered by naming some of the greatest actors such as John Travolta, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Connery, etc., who, despite their success now, were struggling to get their career up and running.
What are some of the actors that you would add to this list? Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below!
More Info: Reddit
#22 Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler had trouble getting work because he was the Fonz after happy days. Finally won an Emmy for his role in Barry.
Also Ed O’Neill in the 10 or so years between Married with Children and Modern Family. People didn’t take him seriously in the failed cop dramas he was in because he was Al Bundy
Report
79points
#23 Josh Brolin
Only Goonies fans knew who Josh Brolin was until he made a comeback 20 years later.
Dennis Quaid had a similar, but less extreme, arc.
Report
75points
#24 Pam Grier
Pam Grier AND Robert Forrester got a significant bump in their asking price after Jackie Brown, and they goddamn deserved it.
72points
#25 Christian Slater
I want to say Christian Slater with Mr. Robot, but I may be misinformed. Kind of made him be taken seriously again as oppposed to an late 80's-90's star brought in for a cameo joke and showed he could pull of the same blend of charm and menace even as a relatively older guy
69points
#26 Keanu Reeves
Keannu reeves with John wick. He hadn’t done anything worthwhile since matrix ended in 2003. John wick def gave him second wind
66points
#27 Don Ameche
Don Ameche. Active from 1935 until 1971. Basically forgotten about until he was in Trading Places (1983). Goes onto win an Oscar for Cocoon (1985).
62points
#28 Robert Pattinson
I kind of feel like Robert Pattinson is a good fit here. After the twilight saga ended I really thought it was going to be the end of his acting career. But he really did his thing with roles to follow!
Report
60points
#29 Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke, Sin City and then all that followed
Report
56points
#30 Jackie Earle Haley
Jackie Earle Haley is my favorite comeback story. I remember having the biggest crush on him in Bad News Bears. He was fantastic in Little Children and has gotten such cool, juicy roles like in Watchmen.
Report
42points