▲Winona Ryder was an icon of the late '80s and early '90s, starring in films like 'Heathers' and 'Edward Scissorhands.' However, she was caught shoplifting in 2001, and her career suffered as a result.

▲Robert Downey Jr. had a good start to his career, and even scored an Oscar nom in 1993. However, the actor was arrested for drug problems in 2000 and 2001.

▲The singer was treated at a psychiatric hospital in 2008 and was placed under conservatorship by her family. She carried on working, releasing hit albums and landing a major Las Vegas residency, until she finally broke out of her conservatorship with the support of millions of fans in 2021. While she's taking some much-deserved time off from work, she's made a massive personal comeback and is finally able to tell her story.

▲Matthew McConaughey had a strong start to his career, starring in films like cult classic 'Dazed and Confused.' But by the 2000s, the actor was type-cast in critically-loathed rom-coms.

▲"I learned, and I appreciated the time away," Ryder told Time magazine. Now, she's the star of 'Stranger Things,' and has reentered the spotlight in style.

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Since then, however, his career has turned the corner, aptly dubbed the "McConaissance." He won an Oscar for 2013's 'Dallas Buyers Club,' and starred in the critically-acclaimed series 'True Detective.'

▲But he returned to fame with roles in 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Iron-Man' in 2008. Now, he's one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.

▲Dave Chappelle was a big deal in the early 2000s, impressing audiences with his whip-smart sketches. However, at the height of his popularity, the comedian disappeared from the spotlight.

▲Michael Keaton was on a roll in the late '80s, playing the titular characters in 'Batman' and 'Beetlejuice.' However, work slowed down in the 2000s, and he ended up starring in duds like 'Game 6' and 'Herbie: Fully Loaded.'

▲But he's since returned. The comedian hosted 'Saturday Night Live' in 2016, scored a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, won a Grammy, and starred in 2018's 'A Star Is Born.' Sadly, he tarnished his return with multiple controversial Netflix specials in which he continuously made transphobic comments, for which he refuses to apologize.

▲In 2004, Shania Twain announced her retirement from music. This followed the release of her album, 'Up!', and a performance at the Super Bowl.

▲Twain was battling Lyme disease, which led to dysphonia, a vocal cord disorder. But she made a huge comeback in 2012, with a Las Vegas residency that led to a platinum album.

▲The actor has had a recent career revival, after the success of 'Birdman.' The film seemed to tell Keaton's real-life story, and lead to roles in 'Spotlight,' 'The Founder,' and two 'Spider-Man' films.

▲Britney Spears has been a star since she was 11, and the fame took its toll by 2007, when she shaved her head and attacked paparazzi with an umbrella.

▲George Michael may be one of the greatest comeback kings to have ever lived. He was involved in many controversies, including sex scandals and car crashes.

▲Still, the singer managed to come back every time. His 25 Live tour was a worldwide success, as was his performance at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Sadly, the entertainer passed away on December 25, 2016.

▲The singer had a roaring start to her career, working with her husband, Ike. However, the relationship was abusive, and they parted ways, with Tina Turner chasing her previous success.

▲But she had a career revival in 2003 with the release of 'Finding Nemo.' She voiced Dory in the film, which led to the successful 'Ellen DeGeneres Show.' Many Emmys later, scandal struck about an alleged toxic environment on the show, and DeGeneres announced the show will end in 2022. Regardless, she has carried on as a successful TV personality and is still widely loved.

▲But the singer bounced back in 2015, with a gauntlet of undeniable hits. The world has forgiven Justin Bieber—for now, at least.

▲After that, Santana struggled to continue his success. That was until 1999, when he returned with huge hits like 'Smooth' and 'Maria, Maria.'

▲She wasn't too successful as a solo star in the '70s, but she eventually broke through with 'Private Dancer.' The classic album earned her Grammys and legendary status.

▲He's regarded by many as the greatest athlete ever, but Ali also tasted defeat. Boxing fans will recall that he lost his comeback fight against Joe Frazier.

▲But after that, Ali scored an eight-round knockout against George Foreman. Ali had the heavyweight crown once again, solidifying his name in the history books.

▲Somehow, Tiger Woods returned to the circuit with a vengeance in 2018, winning a tournament that year. He went on to win his first major tournament in 11 years at the Masters in 2019. Since then he became the first member of the World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021, though he suffered a car crash which again put him out of the game again for a while. He's making yet another comeback in 2023 as he returns to golf after his recovery.

▲Perhaps as hated as he was adored, Justin Bieber was due to have a breakdown at some point. In 2013, he was caught urinating in public, egging a house, and speeding while drunk through Los Angeles.

▲Just about everyone thought Tiger Woods was over with. The golfer took a hiatus in 2009, after news broke of his affairs with other women. He suffered injuries, and dropped out of the world's top 1,000 golfers before 2018.

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But Abdul revived her career as a judge on 'American Idol' during the early 2000s. These days she's a reality staple on TV.

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Having given up film and television appearances (with the exception of voice work) since 1997, Rick Moranis announced his return to the spotlight for Disney's 'Shrunk,' the movie reboot of 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.' Moranis stepped away from the public's eye in the late '90s to raise his kids following his wife's death. Fans missed his special brand of comedy, so his return was welcome.

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Lindsay Lohan was a beloved star in the early 2000s, starring in movies like 'The Parent Trap' (1998) and 'Mean Girls' (2004). After her public legal troubles and battle with substance abuse, her career fizzled out. However, Lohan made her comeback in 2022 with a Netflix Christmas rom-com! 'Falling for Christmas' was her first acting gig since 2013, and she's starring in another movie called 'Irish Wish' in 2023.

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Carlos Santana was huge in the '60s and '70s. The musician reached the peak of his success with the release of 'Abraxas' in 1970.

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As a pop star of the '80s and '90s, Paula Abdul scored six number one hits on the Billboard charts, winning a Grammy in the process. However, a plane crash left Abdul injured and out of the spotlight.

▲Ellen DeGeneres started out as a stand-up. She would eventually get her own sitcom and come out as a lesbian on the show in 1997, as she did in real life. Shortly afterwards, however, the show was cancelled, and DeGeneres struggled in Hollywood.

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Comebacks are getting harder and harder to achieve due to the merciless development of cancel culture, but some celebrities have still pulled it off! Whether their careers simply fizzled out or they got caught up in a public scandal, many celebrities have had to take a step back from the limelight for a while. Thankfully, talents like Britney Spears and Winona Ryder didn't disappear because of this.

One actor who really had to fight his way back from the brink is Ahmed Best. Best famously voiced the polarizing character Jar Jar Binks in the 'Star Wars' movies, starting with 'Episode I – The Phantom Menace' in 1999. Best was a young actor when he landed the part, which happened to be his first role. He wasn't prepared for the vicious backlash. "I had death threats through the internet. I had people come to me and say, 'You destroyed my childhood.' That's difficult for a 25-year-old to hear," he said in a 2017 interview. Best has described it as an extremely painful time in his life that still affects his career to this day.

However, he made his triumphant comeback with a brand new role in the hit series 'The Mandalorian,' bringing him full circle in his 'Star Wars' career. Best joined the cast for the show's third season, playing the Jedi warrior Kelleran Beq. Beq has a special place in the Star Wars universe as the one who saved Grogu (baby Yoda) following the devastating attack on the Jedi temple which occurs in 'Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.' It's a heartwarming moment of redemption for the actor who suffered so much for his part in the franchise.

There's no denying it, the art of a celebrity comeback is a hard one to master. Click on to meet big stars who managed to bounce back in style.

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Ex-Fifth Harmony member Normani left the group in 2016 and decided to pursue a solo career, but nothing much was heard from her after 2019. In 2021, however, Normani came back in a way we'd never seen her before! Her single 'Wild Side' featuring Cardi B showed a sexy, confident new side to the singer. Her solo career has continued to progress as she finds her own style and artistic identity.

The biggest celebrity comebacks of all time

Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best makes triumphant comeback as a Jedi warrior in 'The Mandalorian'

23/03/23 por StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Spotlight

One actor who really had to fight his way back from the brink is Ahmed Best. Best famously voiced the polarizing character Jar Jar Binks in the 'Star Wars' prequel trilogy, starting with 'Episode I – The Phantom Menace' in 1999. Best was a young actor when he landed the part, which happened to be his first role. He wasn't prepared for the vicious backlash. "I had death threats through the internet. I had people come to me and say, 'You destroyed my childhood.' That's difficult for a 25-year-old to hear," he said in a 2017 interview. Best has described it as an extremely painful time in his life that still affects his career to this day.

There's no denying it, the art of a celebrity comeback is a hard one to master. Click on to meet big stars who managed to bounce back in style.