10 Actors Who Revived Their Careers with One Role

1. Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man" (2008)

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2. Neil Patrick Harris in "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-2014)

[{"selector":"#anim-f4d8de24-ae70-4ea7-9365-e4f03107a625 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68a18067-848f-4022-8881-553ec3156f34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8abe10d-1ae9-4b2e-adbc-b8741b3e7839","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef5acd3a-80e6-4489-bfc6-2449e023bcb8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b14d464-3eae-4585-8137-0272443fc58c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Child star to sitcom legend. Harris's role as Barney redefined his career with a legendary comeback. Image:Canva Image:Canva

3. John Travolta in "Pulp Fiction" (1994)

[{"selector":"#anim-b806234a-cb46-4c30-804f-a0eb6d481b48 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0839d315-205b-4ab8-bb14-fd20c834d58c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e29b8934-c450-41f2-bb47-82ed7f75a20e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16055327-c56d-4ff1-a7c7-703609516bd9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-000d09bd-5f49-45ef-8ad0-393258cd5673","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Fading star to A-lister. Tarantino's masterpiece gave Travolta's career a second golden age. Image:Canva Image:Canva

4. Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013)

[{"selector":"#anim-b523e0e3-2dff-4d83-9366-7696f59e7577 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-969f952a-b627-4da5-9205-d288a97f57a2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-891c50a1-b48e-4a4b-8f7c-4b77573d49b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e3ddf99e-5a88-4183-82a7-4fd6290f2de2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-516c9e70-94c7-47d0-8210-d1103e29db66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From rom-coms to Oscars. McConaughey's transformative role earned acclaim, marking his career renaissance. Image:Canva Image:Canva

5. Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" (2008)

[{"selector":"#anim-c1c7ec67-5dff-498f-9ae2-82b856f942f6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d49ba933-14f3-439c-9a99-672b1fd5c237","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19fde336-25de-4689-8be9-5b7d0c1a2db4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-898d6023-4b93-4624-ab10-b191edef4e7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75a11867-986f-4e6f-9556-c0ca57cec3ea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From obscurity to acclaim. Rourke's raw portrayal resonated, earning a career resurgence. Image:Canva Image:Canva

6. Keanu Reeves in "John Wick" (2014)

[{"selector":"#anim-0afe35a9-6c11-44f5-908e-801dbbb8ca3f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b14fc41e-9da4-49e7-bc61-58766fc54da6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd736fdf-2c47-4fd6-bcff-682779620801","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e53a57f7-5323-4aeb-b149-e772ccdbb507","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e05e42f-40a5-42de-bbed-44a870f98859","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beyond the Matrix. "John Wick" rebirthed Reeves as an action icon for a new generation. Image:Canva Image:Canva

7. Drew Barrymore in "The Wedding Singer" (1998)

[{"selector":"#anim-139b6bbe-c995-4dc8-965d-4787848ad917 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e658aab-e891-42da-be57-1f7a3fc29407","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddabebf4-f907-4228-b762-ab6411be2e18","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd98b0ac-d465-4f2b-be43-116a2a3d306e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11a72100-ab30-4a69-863a-fb677f34d714","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Child star struggles to rom-com royalty. Barrymore's charming role marked a pivotal career shift Image:Canva Image:Canva

8. Ben Affleck in "Argo" (2012)

[{"selector":"#anim-9c5d21be-1732-4701-b70b-b6fb092712a9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d9b60fe-e08a-4987-bab4-88ea89e7a48c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44fd81f8-fa87-492f-9f67-5a8fa2d6e79f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c419812-abcc-4de6-be3d-5a36c6e749bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1b58a34-99c2-4fe7-bcb2-f7d910c9387a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-98.35294%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From tabloid target to Oscar winner. Affleck's "Argo" showcased his talent both as an actor & director. Image:Canva Image:Canva

9. Winona Ryder in "Stranger Things " (2016-present)

[{"selector":"#anim-c06760b7-d896-4fe9-b282-8d361940db91 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-610f97d1-900d-4551-bb33-5702ff6e1610","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fed1578f-1bac-439e-bb7d-bf3de9aadbec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3f9f0cf-e2d8-483d-bc1c-e8a6223b7519","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc6e9c6e-4709-4b2c-b3f4-c86a77c27c60","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-98.35294%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] '90s icon to Netflix queen. Ryder's role in the cult series marked her successful return to the limelight. Image:Canva Image:Canva

10. Michael Keaton in "Birdman" (2014)

[{"selector":"#anim-6f863bcf-9657-4f24-8936-a136266756a1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-279e8009-1b53-4a38-a7b9-19e567eb5155","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d4e7947-d785-4d7b-98fd-825cfa8c0e7d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbcfbdce-f7fc-4ce9-94f0-ec7e1535f88f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ede4195-b490-4794-887b-ac50cc89540e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From Batman to Birdman. Keaton's introspective role led to a re-emergence, winning acclaim & awards. Image:Canva Image:Canva

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[{"selector":"#anim-ffe131c3-9fda-457a-b763-b866c64d82a9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbc3eac1-6d48-4626-9e3a-73231cb17372","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-baaedda4-56c4-408e-9f7d-1fb238997095","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-98.58824%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more