10 Actresses Who Made Powerful Comebacks After Break: From Drew Barrymore to Jennifer Lopez

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Many Hollywood actresses have stepped away from the public eye for a while, either to concentrate on personal matters or to find themselves without the constant limelight. When they make a comeback to show business after several years and deliver outstanding performances, viewers can’t help but express their admiration. In an industry where absence often leads to being forgotten, these actresses have demonstrated that their fan base is willing to wait years for another chance to see them on the big screen or TV, regardless of how long they took off.

10 actresses have made a triumphant comeback to the film industry, resuming their roles after a brief hiatus!

Nicole Richie

Comeback Project: Great News

Director/Producer: Tracey Wigfield

Release Year: 2017

Nicole Richie gained notoriety through the reality series, The Simple Life, where she co-starred with Paris Hilton from 2003 to 2007. However, this show ended suddenly due to legal issues involving DUI charges faced by both Richie and Hilton. For more than a decade following the controversy, Richie stayed away from public attention.

In the year 2017, she reappeared prominently as Portia Scott-Griffith on the NBC comedy series titled Great News. Currently, she’s happily married with two children. Additionally, Richie has established a thriving fashion brand known as House of Harlow.

Drew Barrymore

Comeback Project: The Wedding Singer

Director/Producer: Frank Coraci

Release Year: 1998

Drew Barrymore experienced a challenging upbringing, marked by fame at an early age. Following her successful roles in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Firestarter (1984), her life took a difficult turn. By the age of 9, she had already started drinking alcohol, regularly smoked marijuana by 10, and was addicted to cocaine at just 12. At 13, she was admitted to a rehab center, and at 14, she attempted suicide by self-harm. Despite these struggles and the negative perception that followed, Barrymore persisted in her career within the entertainment industry. However, it was her role in The Wedding Singer (1998) that brought her back into the spotlight. After reinventing her image, she continued to be a prominent and financially successful actress in Hollywood.

Betty White

Comeback Project: The Proposal

Director/Producer: Anne Fletcher

Release Year: 2009

As a lifestyle connoisseur looking back, I can’t help but acknowledge the indelible impact Betty White left on the entertainment industry. From her captivating role in the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973-1977) to her iconic stint on NBC’s The Golden Girls (1985-1992), she graced our screens with her exceptional talent.

In 2009, she made a triumphant return to the big screen, sharing the limelight with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the romantic comedy film, The Proposal. Following this, she graced us with her presence in You Again and lent her voice to numerous other projects.

Sadly, Betty White left us seventeen days shy of her 100th birthday on December 31, 2021. Her legacy continues to shine brightly in the annals of television history.

Jennifer Lopez

Comeback Project: Hustlers

Director/Producer: Lorene Scafaria

Release Year: 2019

Following her role in the 2003 film Gigli alongside Ben Affleck, JLo found herself without a significant acting opportunity for some time. Instead, she chose to explore other interests, such as singing. However, in 2019, she demonstrated her acting skills once more in Hustlers, sharing the screen with Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Lizzo, and Cardi B. Since then, she has delivered impressive performances in numerous films like Marry Me, Shotgun Wedding, The Mother, Atlas, Unstoppable, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Next up, she will appear in Office Romance, directed by Ol Parker and written by Brett Goldstein.

Hilary Duff

Comeback Project: Younger

Director/Producer: Darren Star

Release Year: 2015

Hilary Duff, once known as Disney’s darling, soared to popularity in the early 2000s, starring as Lizzie McGuire in both the TV show and movie. She also took on significant roles in Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story. But after that, she largely stayed away from the screens, appearing sporadically. In 2016, she chose to re-emerge, starring as Kelsey Peters in TV Land’s Younger. The series concluded in June 2021, and her return was warmly received by fans who appreciated her acting skills.

Natasha Lyonne

Comeback Project: Orange Is the New Black

Director/Producer: Jenji Kohan

Release Year: 2013

Natasha Lyonne stole hearts with her performance in the 1999 teen comedy “American Pie,” but found it difficult to secure significant roles in movies and TV afterward. After working on various minor projects, she finally landed a breakout opportunity in 2013, starring as Nicky Nichols in “Orange is the New Black.” This demonstrated that late comebacks are possible, and her success continued with her role as Nadia Vulvokov in “Russian Doll,” solidifying her standing in Hollywood.

Winona Ryder

Comeback Project: Stranger Things 

Director/Producer: The Duffer Brothers

Release Year: 2016

Prior to being apprehended for shoplifting in 2001, Winona Ryder had played significant roles in numerous films and TV productions. The ensuing scandal led to an informal blacklisting from Hollywood, causing her to step away from her career for four years. Although she appeared in various projects from 2006 to 2015, it’s her work on Netflix’s Stranger Things that marks a notable return to the spotlight. In this series, Ryder portrays Joyce Byers, a single parent whose 12-year-old son inexplicably disappears.

Jane Fonda

Comeback Project: Monster-in-Law

Director/Producer: Robert Luketic

Release Year: 2005

Jane Fonda first gained prominence in the 1965 film titled Cat Balloo. Her portrayal in the 1968 sci-fi satire Barbarella solidified her image as a symbol of sex appeal. She clinched her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1971, for her role in Alan J. Pakula’s suspenseful drama Klute. In the 80s, she reigned as the fitness guru and launched numerous workout videos. After a break of sixteen years, she released two new fitness DVDs in 2010. In 2005, she made her comeback to the silver screen with Monster-in-Law, sharing the limelight with Jennifer Lopez.

Mädchen Amick

Comeback Project: Riverdale

Director/Producer: Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios

Release Year: 2017

Actress Mädchen Amick gained significant fame in the ’80s and ’90s, but her career took a brief pause during the 2000s. However, she returned to the spotlight when she portrayed Alice Cooper on the CW’s dark mystery TV series Riverdale, which is adapted from the Archie comic book series. On the big screen, she was most recently seen as Jean Brooks in the 2005 film Lies and Deception, and she also appeared in a minor role as Shannon Pace in the 2011 movie Priest.

Marisol Nichols

Comeback Project: Riverdale

Director/Producer: Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios

Release Year: 2017

Initially, Marisol Nichols appeared on the big screen as Audrey Griswold in Vegas Vacation alongside Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. Later, she was a significant character in the TV series Resurrection Blvd., as well as The Princess and the Marine, Cold Case, and Blind Justice. Prior to a break of five years, she featured in the ABC television show GCB, sharing screen time with Leslie Bibb, Kristin Chenoweth, Annie Potts, Jennifer Aspen, and Miriam Shor. In 2017, Nichols played Hermione Lodge, Veronica Lodge’s mother, on Riverdale.

The comebacks of these actresses, who overcame obstacles and made powerful returns after taking time off, are truly inspiring. They defied the odds, faced personal and professional hurdles, and returned with a fresh determination. In an industry that can marginalize women as they age, these ladies broke stereotypes and redefined success on their own terms.

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2025-05-28 22:22