While some actors and actresses have strong careers throughout the years, others have lulls or moments when they almost lose their success completely.
Whether it’s a string or scandals or too many bad roles one after the other, many well-loved actors and actresses had moments where their careers looked to be on the way out. That is until they took a new role that saved it.
RELATED STORIES
Here are 10+ actors who have one role to thank for saving their career.
Chris Pratt
While Pratt did find some level of success with his role on Parks and Recreation , his career didn’t reach the upper level of Hollywood stardom until he was cast in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Since then, he’s also starred in Jurassic World and has become an A-lister.
Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey was known for his parts in romantic comedies in the ’00s, but he wasn’t seen as a serious actor. Many of these films, such as The Wedding Planner , weren’t well-rated.
But, when he starred in Dallas Buyer’s Club , he ended up winning the Oscar for Best Actor.
Mark Ruffalo
Ruffalo’s part in The Kids Are All Right jump-started his career and lead to big Hollywood fame.
Before this role, he was not very well-known, but he even landed an Academy Award nomination for playing Paul in the movie.
He would later become a big part of Marvel movies as the Hulk.
Jennifer Lopez
While there’s no denying J-Lo’s place as a major celeb, her acting career wasn’t thriving as she had starred in many poorly received romantic comedies such as Maid in Manhattan.
But, her role in Hustlers proved that she had a lot to offer on-screen.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is a well-loved celebrity who has re-entered the scene, but after The Matrix and its success, he starred in some under-performing films like 47 Ronin.
However, his role in John Wick in 2014 secured his place in Hollywood again.
Paul Bettany
Most people didn’t really know much about Paul Bettany’s career until he was given the role of Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
While he had already played the artificial intelligence named J.A.R.V.I.S. in Marvel movies, the switch from voice-acting to live-action helped invigorate his career.
John Travolta
While Travolta had many iconic roles in the ’70s including in Grease and Saturday Night Fever_, his career was in a decline after that.
But, then he starred as Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction , and he was once again taken as a serious actor.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore was a child actress who got famous with her role in E.T. the Extra-Terresterial . However, her career as she got older wasn’t thriving as many of the movies she starred in were duds.
But, when she got the part in Scream , she put herself back on the map.
Chris Evans
Chris Evans might be one of the most beloved celebrities around today, but his career was rather middling for a while.
With roles in under-performing movies like Fantastic Four and Playing It Cool , it didn’t seem like he would reach superstardom.
This all changed, however, when he landed the role of Captain America.
Adam Sandler
While Sandler was best known for starring in some irreverent comedies like Happy Gilmore and Mr. Deeds , most people didn’t take him that seriously.
However, he impressed many people and re-invigorated his career when he starred in Uncut Gems in 2019.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is one of the biggest actors today, and this is mostly thanks to his role in Deadpool.
Before his success as the irreverent Marvel character, he was in many less-than-successful films such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Green Lantern.
Marlon Brando
While Marlon Brando is now viewed as one of the greatest actors, it wasn’t always that way. Many of his movies were considered flops until things all changed when he landed the starring role in The Godfather.
This secured his place as an icon.
Winona Ryder
While Ryder was a big star in the ’90s, her career had really dropped off in the new millennium.
She was mostly just seen as a star whose time had passed, but she came back onto the scene in a big way when she starred as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.’s success in the ’90s all went downhill after he made some poor life choices that lead to struggles with substance abuse and eventual arrests.
It looked like his life and career would never completely recover, but his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe really turned everything around.
Robert Pattinson
After playing Edward Cullen in Twilight , it seemed as if Pattinson would only ever be known for this role and mocked for it.
However, people started to view him much more seriously after he starred in Good Time in 2017.
