Top 10 Stars Who Overcame Major Struggles to Find Success Again

British model Kate Moss rose to prominence in the 1990s for her “anti-supermodel” image. By the early 2000s, she was a renowned figure in the fashion industry, raking in millions of dollars every year. However, her career faced a serious threat in 2005 when the Daily Mirror published front-page pictures of Moss using illicit drugs. This scandal led to the loss of several lucrative contracts, including a £4 million deal with Swedish fashion label H&M. She was even investigated by the London Met police. Following a public apology in which she took full responsibility for her actions and pledged to address them, Moss gradually regained public favor. In 2006, she made a resounding comeback, earning an estimated £11 million that year.

If there ever was a blueprint for how to rebound from a devastating scandal, it would be Martha Stewart. The business mogul built a media empire through her lifesty;e brand, publishing several best-selling books and hosting her own TV show. But that empire collapsed when Stewart was charged with insider trading and convicted of multiple felonies including making false statements to federal investigators. After spending five months in prison, many believed her career was over, but boy were they all wrong. Upon her release in 2005, Stewart embarked on a grueling comeback campaign, making her company profitable again. She has since launched more successful businesses and TV shows, and her estimated net worth sits somewhere around $400 million.

Today, many people recognize Natasha Lyonne for her role as Nicky Nichols in the prison comedy-drama “Orange Is the New Black.” If you thought her portrayal was very realistic, that’s probably because Lyonne shares many similarities with the character. Like Nicky, Lyonne grappled with substance use disorder, which led to legal troubles and even eviction from her home. This came at a time when Lyonne was on the rise in Hollywood, putting her career at serious risk. Fortunately, she got into rehab and managed to overcome these issues. “Orange Is the New Black” served not only as a comeback, but also as a springboard for her other successful shows, “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face,” both of which earned her Emmy nominations.

Edward Furlong had no acting experience when he was cast as John Connor in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The role catapulted him to fame, making him a staple in 1990s films. However, at the turn of the new millennium, Furlong gradually disappeared from the mainstream and began engaging in substance use. This issue severely hindered his career and prevented him from reprising his role on “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” Additionally, Furlong got involved in a domestic violence case with his girlfriend, leading to at least four arrests for assault. In 2013, the actor was mandated to seek rehabilitation, which ultimately helped him achieve sobriety. He has since maintained a clean slate and is slowly returning to the big screen.

In the 1990s, Brendan Fraser became a household name with roles in a string of successful films, particularly “George of the Jungle” and “The Mummy.” By all indications, he seemed destined for a thriving career in the 21st century, but several challenges derailed this trajectory. Fraser faced a bitter divorce, the loss of his mother, and came forward with sexual assault allegations against a Hollywood executive, which threatened his career. All of these plunged him into a deep depression. Emerging from such a difficult period certainly wasn’t easy, but Fraser managed to make a triumphant return with 2022’s “The Whale.” The role brought him back into the Hollywood mainstream, and earned him his first Academy Award nomination and win.

There was a time when actor Mickey Rourke was a highly sought-after leading man in Hollywood, known for his good looks and gritty charm. In the early 1990s, Rourke left acting and returned to boxing, a sport he had once pursued as an amateur. This career resulted in severe facial injuries, which required extensive reconstructive surgery that left him nearly unrecognizable. Upon returning to acting, he struggled to find substantial roles and considered himself a “has-been.” Rourke’s big Hollywood comeback began with his acclaimed role as Marv in 2005’s “Sin City.” This resurgence was cemented three years later with “The Wrestler,” earning him an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a character whose redemption journey mirrored his own.

For many years, Tina Turner was defined by her partnership, both musical and romantic, with Ike Turner. The two began performing as a duo in 1960, the same year their romantic relationship also started. Sadly, Turner endured severe domestic violence from Ike, which once led her to attempt ending her life. After finally escaping from him, she spent years performing in small clubs to pay off her debts. During this period, she was considered a nostalgia act. Given the opportunity to record an album in just two weeks, Turner churned out “Private Dancer.” This multi-platinum album produced the chart-topper “What's Love Got to Do with It.” Against all odds, Turner reclaimed the spotlight, driven solely by her own resilience and undeniable talent.

Regarded by many as the greatest stand-up comic of all time, Richard Pryor was an exceptional comedic powerhouse. But while his career soared, he sunk deeper and deeper into illicit drug use. This issue got so bad that he once reportedly doused himself with rum and lit himself on fire, resulting in severe second- and third-degree burns that landed him in the hospital for six weeks. This easily could have been the end of his career, but nothing could keep Richard Pryor away from the stage. It didn’t take long for him to get back on his feet and resume performing. Just three years later, Pryor signed a five-year contract with Columbia Pictures worth $40 million.

The mid to late 2000s were a tumultuous period for pop star Britney Spears, whose public breakdown became international news. Following her separation from her husband and the loss of her aunt, Spears was photographed shaving her head in public and clashing with the paparazzi. These pictures made front-page news and became fodder for widespread ridicule. Due to her fragile state, Spears was placed under a conservatorship, partly overseen by her father. It seemed unlikely that the Princess of Pop could recover from such a scandal, but she defied the odds. Spears made a resounding comeback with 2008’s “Circus,” which revived her career. Although she remained under the conservatorship for years, she publicly fought against it and eventually broke free in 2021.


Before we unveil our final pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Demi Lovato
Survived a Near-Fatal Drug Overdose & Worked Her Way to Sobriety


Winona Ryder
The Infamous Shoplifting Incident Jeopardized Her Career but She Managed to Rebound


Drew Barrymore
Overcame an Apparent Family Curse of Drug-Related Problems


Eminem
After Nearly Dying in an Overdose, This Rapper Sought Help & Came Out Better

His is one of Hollywood’s most inspiring tales of redemption and resilience. Early in his career, Robert Downey Jr. enjoyed a string of success, even garnering an Oscar nomination for 1992’s “Chaplin.” However, beginning in the mid-90s, the actor dealt with substance use disorder, which led to multiple arrests and rehab stints, tarnishing his public image in the process. At one point, Downey was passed over for roles as he was uninsurable. In 2003, he committed to sobriety with the help of his family, therapy and meditation. His perseverance paid off when he was cast in “Iron Man,” a blockbuster hit which revitalized his career. In 2024, after decades in the industry, Downey finally won an Academy Award for his supporting role in “Oppenheimer.”



What other celebrities in decline would you love to see build themselves back into the spotlight? Let us know in the comments below.