10 A-List Actors Who Fell From Grace But Later Rocketed Back To The Top
Throughout a person’s career, it’s normal to aspire to reach the pinnacle, where you have achieved everything. However, some stars have been there and done that.
These stars are the cream of the crop, the highest paid in their industries; they get invited to sit at the biggest tables, everything you can think of, they have experienced it. It’s what has earned them the title of A-list actors.
Unfortunately, it’s not everyone who reaches this pinnacle that gets to stay there. Much work has to be done to maintain that position.
In an industry like Hollywood where new and vibrant faces constantly join, it can be difficult to stay relevant and maintain the A-list spot. So it's pretty standard for people to switch statuses mid-career.
They may move down a spot and become “B-list” actors, who, although respected, are not as admired or famous as the A-listers.
Some people get lucky, though. They become less popular at some point in their career and still regain fame after a while.
We found some superstars who commanded the scene at some point in their careers, only to fall from grace due to some life struggles.
However, their stories didn't end there, as they were able to pick up the pieces and reclaim their spots in Hollywood.
Check them out below!
1. Brendan Fraser
Fraser commanded the 90s with his presence. However, after some personal problems, his career was in a downward spiral.
Fortunately, he rose back and was cast in No Sudden Move.
Gregg Deguire / WireImageThe Mummy Returns
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Summit EntertainmentFraser's comeback - The screening of "No Sudden Moves"
Santiago Felipe / Getty Images2. Rosie Perez
Perez was stealing the show in the late 80s and 90s. However, she didn't get leading roles for a while.
Unexpectedly, Perez came back with a bang in 2020.
Lia Toby / Getty ImagesPerez on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 1994
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Signing copies for her autobiography in 2014
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Perez posing with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson at the 2020 Academy Awards
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3. John Travolta
Travolta moved to the B-list after starring in a string of unsuccessful movies, but after his success in Pulp Fiction, he got cast in more successful films.
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Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease
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A promo pic from Look Who's Talking
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Travolta and Tarantino at the L.A. Film Critics Award, 1995
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4. Lindsay Lohan
Lohan was the child star on everyone’s list, but that changed after some struggles with addiction. Fortunately, she has started the process of rising back to the A-list.
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Lohan in Mean Girls
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A probation revocation hearing at the Beverley Hills Courthouse, 2010
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Lohan and Overstreet in the movie Falling For Christmas
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5. Mickey Rourke
Rourke became popular in the 1980s, but at age 39, he left acting to become a professional boxer. By 2005, he came back to the scene like he never left.
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Rourke and Kim Basinger
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Rourke in the ring with Steve Powell
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Screening of The Wrestler
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6. Betty White
White was famous in the 1940s, but this changed when she turned 80 and stopped getting more prominent roles. In 2009, at age 87, her lack of big roles became a thing of the past.
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A promo shot of White in 1957
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White in The Bold And The Beautiful
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White on SNL with a few other stars
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7. Nicolas Cage
Cage lost his A-list status because he had some debt and began starting in low-budget movies. This changed in 2021 after his success in the indie film Pig.
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Cage with Laura Dern in the 90s
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Cage promoting one of his movies
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Three Nic Cages
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8. Laura Dern
Dern left the A-list in 1997 after starring in an Ellen DeGeneres sitcom as a lesbian. However, she came back to limelight in 2015.
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Dern in Jurassic Park, 1993
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Dern featuring in one of the episodes of Ellen
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Dern posing with her award in the 2020 Academy Awards
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9. Robert Downey Jr.
Downey Jr. left the A-list after some addiction problems but was back to business in 2008 after Iron Man and Tropic Thunder.
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Playing Charlie Chaplin in the movie Chaplin
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Mug shot at the California Department Of Corrections in 1999
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Downey Jr. at the Iron Man 3 panel
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10. Natasha Lyonne
After losing her A-list status, Lyonne rose back in 2013 with the role of Nicky in the series Orange Is The New Black.
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Lyonne with Tara Reid in the Stifler's Keg-Party
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Lyonne with Kristian Wiig in the movie Girl Most Likely
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Delivering her monologue as the host of Saturday Night Live
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It’s incredibly admirable that these stars were able to make it to the A-list initially, but it’s even more impressive that after their falls, they were able to pick themselves right back up.
We're sure you were surprised to find out about some of their life struggles, which several fans are oblivious about. Indeed these stories prove just how important it is never to give up.
As the saying goes, "There's light at the end of the tunnel."
