It’s common to see celebrities who’ve faced trouble or stepped away from the spotlight try to make a comeback. Sometimes these returns are welcomed, but often audiences wonder if they’re really needed. These attempts usually happen through reality TV, independent films, or big social media pushes, but they often don’t connect with today’s viewers. Many of these stars struggle to shake off old reputations or seem out of touch as they try to rebuild their careers. Here’s a look at some figures who tried for a second chance, but didn’t really capture the public’s interest.
Charlie Sheen
Following his highly publicized firing from ‘Two and a Half Men,’ the actor tried to make a comeback with a new comedy series. ‘Anger Management’ debuted on FX and ultimately aired one hundred episodes through an unusual syndication agreement. However, despite the large number of episodes, the show didn’t achieve the same popularity as his earlier work. He then took roles in independent films and made guest appearances on reality TV to stay relevant. Over time, audiences lost interest, and public attention shifted to other types of celebrities and media figures.
Roseanne Barr
As a long-time fan, I remember when Roseanne Barr’s sitcom, ‘Roseanne,’ made a surprising comeback in 2018. But things quickly fell apart after some really controversial things she said online. The network ended up cancelling the show and basically started over with ‘The Conners,’ without her. She tried to address it all with a stand-up special called ‘Roseanne Barr: Cancel This!’ but it just didn’t catch on like she used to. Honestly, most people had already moved on and were enjoying ‘The Conners,’ which kept a lot of the original cast, so it was hard for her to regain that same level of attention.
Kevin Spacey
A well-known actor experienced serious legal and career setbacks, ultimately leading to his departure from the final season of ‘House of Cards.’ He tried to restart his career with roles in the independent films ‘The Man Who Drew God’ and the thriller ‘Control,’ providing voice work for the latter. However, these films didn’t reach a wide audience, receiving limited release in theaters and on streaming platforms. Despite trying to improve his public image with occasional appearances, public opinion largely remained negative. The actor continues to struggle to find work, as the entertainment industry is still reluctant to work with him on large-scale projects.
Mel Gibson
After facing several public scandals, the actor attempted a comeback in Hollywood by directing and taking on acting roles. While he earned praise for directing ‘Hacksaw Ridge,’ his performances in comedies like ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ were met with a divided response, as many viewers still questioned his suitability for family-friendly films given his past controversies. He’s since shifted focus to smaller action movies like ‘Force of Nature’ and ‘On the Line,’ which didn’t receive wide theatrical releases. Despite his efforts, he continues to face significant public resistance in trying to re-establish himself as a major leading man.
Lori Loughlin
After serving time in prison for her role in a college admissions scandal, the actress tried to restart her career. She returned to her role as Abigail Stanton in the series ‘When Hope Calls,’ a spin-off of a previous show. However, this appearance was only on a small cable network and didn’t lead to bigger opportunities on major television channels. Though some fans were happy to see her back, many others thought it was too soon for her to return and that she hadn’t fully taken responsibility for her actions. Since then, she’s been in a few TV movies, but none have achieved the same popularity as her work on ‘Full House.’
Hulk Hogan
Following the release of damaging recordings, the famous wrestler tried several times to regain public favor. He appeared on the reality show ‘Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling’ and made occasional appearances on WWE programming. However, despite being a major figure in wrestling history, these appearances often caused controversy and led to sponsors withdrawing their support. While he attempted to build a broader lifestyle brand with various business ventures, he’s mainly found success with his existing fans. Many believe his time as a public figure is winding down, reflecting shifts in how celebrities are viewed today.
Paula Deen
A well-known chef suffered a major career blow when she admitted to using racist language during a legal interview. She tried to regain her popularity by starting an online subscription service and appearing on the show ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ but these efforts didn’t lead to a return to her previous success on the Food Network or with major retailers. Although she still has a dedicated fanbase, she hasn’t regained her broad appeal. Now, she mostly publishes her work independently, using her own online platforms.
James Franco
The actor stepped away from his career after facing several accusations of wrongdoing. He later tried to relaunch it by appearing in international films, including ‘Me, You’ and ‘Alina of Cuba,’ despite considerable public disapproval. However, these films have had difficulty securing distribution in the U.S. and haven’t received positive reviews or awards attention. His involvement in the industry continues to be debated by critics and colleagues. While he still works on smaller, independent projects, he’s largely been shut out of major studio films.
Bill Cosby
After his conviction was overturned on a technicality, the comedian tried to relaunch his career with a tour and a possible documentary. However, his plans faced immediate backlash, and major venues and promoters weren’t interested. He hasn’t received any offers from television networks or streaming services for a comeback. The serious allegations against him continue to significantly damage his public image and career.
Armie Hammer
After troubling personal accusations appeared online, the actor’s career stalled. He tried to revive it by taking on independent films and smaller stage roles, but his part in ‘Death on the Nile’ received little promotion. Over the past few years, he’s largely withdrawn from public life and major movies, and reports suggest he’s been working in other fields. His future as an entertainer is currently unclear.
Lea Michele
The actress received significant criticism from past colleagues about her conduct while filming ‘Glee’. She tried to relaunch her career on Broadway, taking the lead role in a new production of ‘Funny Girl’, which initially generated excitement. However, the positive impact on ticket sales was diminished by the resurfaced claims of a negative and difficult work environment. This sparked debate among fans about whether her talent outweighed the concerns raised about her past behavior. Since then, she’s been less visible in television and movies, choosing to concentrate on her work in theater.
Ellen DeGeneres
After accusations of a negative and harmful work environment on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ Ellen DeGeneres concluded her talk show after many years. She recently tried to address the controversy with a new stand-up comedy special on Netflix, titled ‘Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval.’ However, the special received criticism because many felt it lacked genuine apology and focused too much on her own experience. Viewers largely found her attempt to portray herself as a victim of celebrity culture to be insincere. Now that she’s stepping away from daytime television, her career path remains uncertain.
Louis C.K.
The comedian publicly acknowledged past sexual misconduct and took a break from performing before returning to stand-up. He independently released several comedy specials, including ‘Sincerely Louis C.K.’, and began touring internationally. Although he won a Grammy for his comedy album, many platforms still won’t carry his work. His comeback has involved more provocative material, appealing largely to his existing fanbase. He continues to be largely absent from mainstream media like late-night shows and major movies.
Katherine Heigl
The actress developed a reputation for being challenging on set after publicly criticizing writers on shows like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and the film ‘Knocked Up’ years ago. While she tried to relaunch her TV career with series like ‘State of Affairs’ and ‘Doubt,’ both were short-lived, lasting only one season. Her latest starring role was in the Netflix series ‘Firefly Lane,’ which had some success, but wasn’t enough to return her to A-list status. Many in the entertainment industry believe her past actions continue to hinder her chances of landing big roles in major studio films. As a result, she’s now primarily focused on producing and acting in projects for streaming services.
Mischa Barton
Okay, let’s talk about Mischa Barton. It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for her since her ‘O.C.’ days. She tried to jumpstart things by joining the ‘Hills: New Beginnings’ reboot, but honestly, it just didn’t click. She felt really separate from the rest of the cast, and it didn’t seem to grab viewers. She was gone after one season, and since then, she’s been popping up in smaller, independent thrillers. Unfortunately, those haven’t really broken through with audiences or critics. Overall, her move from a leading role on a popular TV show to reality TV and then to these low-budget films… well, it just hasn’t seemed to work out the way she probably hoped.
Tara Reid
The actress became popular in the late 1990s, but her career stalled due to personal difficulties and being repeatedly cast in similar roles. She tried to revive her career with the ‘Sharknado’ movies, which gained a dedicated following on the Syfy channel. Although the films were popular with a specific audience, they didn’t lead to bigger roles in mainstream movies or high-profile TV shows. She’s continued to work in independent horror and action films with mixed results, and is still best known for her earlier work and appearances in lower-budget films.
Corey Feldman
The former child star has tried several times to revive his career in music and film, with projects like ‘Angelic 2 the Core’ and a few documentaries. While his appearances on morning talk shows gained a lot of attention, they were mostly remembered for being strange and weren’t well-received. He’s been open about the difficulties he faced in Hollywood, but his projects haven’t achieved widespread success. He often funds his work through crowdfunding and releases it independently. Now, he’s mostly remembered by fans of 80s movies, rather than as a current success story.
Perez Hilton
The well-known blogger tried to change his image after years of being known for harsh gossip. He appeared on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ and started several YouTube channels about parenting and lifestyle topics, hoping to appeal to a wider audience. However, many people remembered his past work and were doubtful of his new approach. He hasn’t been able to regain the popularity he once had during the height of his blogging career. Now, he mostly shares his opinions on social media and occasionally appears on reality TV shows.
Scott Baio
After his time on ‘Happy Days,’ Scott Baio tried to revive his television career with reality shows and a sitcom called ‘See Dad Run,’ but neither achieved the success of his earlier work. He then began appearing as a political commentator, which caused many of his longtime fans to distance themselves. It’s been several years since he’s been in a significant TV show or movie, and he’s now best known for sharing his strong opinions on social and political issues.
Kirk Cameron
Kirk Cameron, known for his role in ‘Growing Pains,’ has spent recent years making religious and independent films, such as the ‘Left Behind’ series and ‘Saving Christmas.’ These films generally received poor reviews and didn’t appeal to a wide audience, mainly attracting viewers within specific religious groups. His attempts to promote these projects often led to public disagreements and negative media coverage. He’s mostly stepped away from major Hollywood films, choosing instead to create content through his own company. His recent efforts to revive his career have underscored the significant gap between his current work and what most people are interested in.
Andy Dick
As a film fan, I’ve been watching this comedian’s career with a mix of sadness and fascination. He’s really tried to get back on track after some very public struggles with legal issues and, frankly, with staying sober. He did ‘Celebrity Rehab,’ popped up on a bunch of reality shows and podcasts, but honestly, those appearances just seemed to create more problems and didn’t help his career at all. Now, he’s mostly been in small, independent films that hardly anyone sees. It’s tough, because his unpredictable behavior still makes him a really risky choice for any big studio or network – they just don’t want the potential headache.
Chris Brown
The singer, despite past legal issues and reports of domestic violence, has consistently tried to stay successful in the music industry. He’s released many albums and worked with popular artists to remain current in R&B. Although he has loyal fans, his appearances at award shows and on the radio often cause public criticism. Many people continue to express their disapproval of his work. His career frequently sparks discussion about whether an artist’s personal life should affect how people view their work.
Dustin Diamond
The actor best known for playing Screech on ‘Saved by the Bell’ spent much of his life trying to escape that role. He tried reality TV shows like ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother,’ but was often seen as a villain. He also wrote a revealing book about his time on the show that caused friction with his former co-stars. When ‘Saved by the Bell’ was rebooted, he was initially left out of the cast. Sadly, he never fully escaped being known as Screech, even after his death.
Vanilla Ice
The rapper rose to fame in the early 1990s, but his music career quickly faded after his initial hits. He tried switching to nu metal, then found a new audience with his reality show, ‘The Vanilla Ice Project’ on DIY Network, which showcased his home renovation skills. Though the show was popular, it didn’t bring his music back into the mainstream. Today, he’s mostly remembered for his early fame and his work in home improvement television.
Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore, a popular comedian in 90s movies, tried to show the ups and downs of his career in the 2003 mockumentary ‘Pauly Shore Is Dead.’ Since then, he’s created his own comedy specials and hosted a podcast featuring interviews with other celebrities. Despite these efforts, he hasn’t been able to regain leading roles in big-budget comedies. He still tours as a stand-up comedian and occasionally appears in smaller independent films. For many, his most memorable work belongs to a particular style of comedy that’s now considered a thing of the past.
Chevy Chase
The comedian, who first became famous on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ briefly regained popularity with a role on the sitcom ‘Community.’ However, his time on the show ended after reports of him making inappropriate remarks and having disagreements with the show’s creator. Since then, he’s appeared in smaller, less-noticed films, such as ‘The Last Laugh’ on Netflix, but hasn’t returned to the level of success he once had. He’s still known in the industry as someone who can be challenging to work with.
Alec Baldwin
Following a tragic on-set accident during the filming of ‘Rust’ in New Mexico, the actor experienced a major personal and career downturn. He tried to resume his work on the film and gave several interviews to share his side of the story. The public remains sharply divided about his future in Hollywood. Recently, he’s taken on smaller roles in films made outside the US and has done voice work for animated projects. However, the ongoing legal issues related to the accident continue to affect his attempts to rebuild his career.
Kathy Griffin
After a controversial photo with a politician cost her work with major networks, the comedian tried to rebuild her career with a self-funded world tour and a documentary, ‘Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story,’ which chronicled what happened. While she’s continued to connect with fans through social media and independent platforms, she hasn’t been able to return to regular appearances on late-night talk shows or big awards ceremonies. Her experience serves as a prime example of how political controversy can impact a career in today’s world.
Megyn Kelly
Megyn Kelly left a high-profile position at Fox News hoping to succeed in morning television with her NBC show, ‘Megyn Kelly Today.’ However, the show didn’t attract many viewers and was canceled after she made controversial statements about race and beauty standards. She then created her own media company and launched the popular podcast ‘The Megyn Kelly Show’ on SiriusXM. Although she’s gained a significant following independently, she hasn’t gone back to working for a major television network. This move suggests she’s permanently left behind traditional news organizations.
Bill O’Reilly
After facing accusations of harassment and related legal settlements, the former cable news host left Fox News. He tried to stay relevant by starting an online news show and continuing to write his popular ‘Killing’ book series. While his books continue to sell well, he no longer has the same large audience he once did on television. He now primarily appears as a guest on other conservative news programs and has focused his work on digital media and publishing instead of returning to a major TV network.
Rose McGowan
The actress became a prominent voice in a significant social movement, which led her to prioritize activism over her acting career. She tried to make a comeback with a documentary series called ‘Citizen Rose,’ detailing her life both on and off screen. However, the series didn’t result in new roles in big Hollywood films or TV shows. She’s stated she’s no longer interested in working with major studios and is now concentrating on independent creative work. Today, she’s better known for her advocacy work than for her acting roles.
Amanda Bynes
The actress, who stepped away from acting a decade ago due to personal and legal issues, has said she’s eager to get back into the industry. In a recent magazine interview, she talked about wanting to appear in TV shows or movies. However, she hasn’t landed any significant acting roles since her break. She’s been busy pursuing other passions, like fashion and her own podcast. While fans are hoping to see her on screen again, there haven’t been any confirmed projects announced yet.
Dane Cook
This comedian used to be a huge arena headliner, but his popularity decreased as comedy tastes changed. He tried to regain his audience with new comedy specials and a movie called ‘American Exit,’ but neither were very successful. While he’s had some moderate success updating his image with social media and fresh stand-up routines, he doesn’t have the same cultural impact he once did. Now, he primarily performs at smaller venues and releases his work independently.
Carlos Mencia
The comedian was accused of stealing jokes by other performers, which damaged his career. He tried to regain popularity with new stand-up shows and appearances on reality TV, but couldn’t secure another major television deal or reach the same level of fame he had with his Comedy Central show, ‘Mind of Mencia.’ He still performs for loyal fans, but the comedy industry’s view of his work is still complex. His attempts to make a comeback have mostly happened outside of major media attention.
Michael Richards
The actor best known for playing a character on ‘Seinfeld’ tried to make a comeback with the sitcom ‘Kirstie’ after a period away from television, prompted by a controversial stand-up performance. However, ‘Kirstie’ was short-lived, lasting only one season, and didn’t lead to any significant new roles. He recently published a memoir, ‘Entrances and Exits,’ looking back on his life and career, which garnered some media coverage. Unfortunately, the book hasn’t led to a major resurgence in his film or television work, and he’s still largely remembered for his popular role from the nineties.
Isaiah Washington
After a public argument on the set of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ where he used offensive language, the actor was removed from the show. Though he tried to return as a guest star years later, it didn’t lead to a full-time job. He later found some work on ‘The 100’ but eventually left that series too. He recently announced his retirement from acting, saying he struggled with issues within the industry. His career demonstrates how a professional scandal can have lasting consequences for an actor.
Terrence Howard
The actor repeatedly announced he was leaving acting, but he kept returning for roles in projects like ‘The Best Man Holiday’ and the TV series ‘Empire’. Although ‘Empire’ was a huge hit, his career was often overshadowed by problems in his personal life and controversial things he said publicly. After ‘Empire’ ended, he tried to start a new career in science and technology, sharing ideas about advanced math. However, scientists have been doubtful of his theories, and this hasn’t led to a successful new career path. He still occasionally appears in smaller, independent films, but now mainly focuses on his own research.
Stacey Dash
Known for her role in ‘Clueless,’ the actress tried a career change into political commentary, becoming a contributor at Fox News. However, her controversial opinions led to a suspension and ultimately her leaving the network after a short time. She briefly considered running for Congress but withdrew from the race within a few weeks. Since then, she’s appeared in smaller, independent films and a reality show focused on her personal life. Overall, her efforts to establish a lasting career in either politics or mainstream entertainment haven’t been very successful.
Tori Spelling
The actress has tried several times to get back on TV, appearing in reality shows like ‘Tori & Dean: Inn Love’ and a reboot of ‘BH90210’ on FOX. Although the reboot initially attracted viewers eager for a nostalgic trip, it was canceled after just one season. She often shares details about her personal life and financial difficulties in the press, seemingly to stay relevant. Despite remaining a recognizable name, her projects haven’t consistently found lasting success. She’s still pursuing opportunities in reality television and the lifestyle sector, with mixed results.
Share your thoughts on these career comeback attempts in the comments.
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2026-01-16 21:20