10 Actors Who Saved Their Career With One Role

Every actor wants their films to be successful. But it happens sometimes that one movie after another leads to a box office failure, critics write devastating reviews, and instead of nominations for an Oscar, films get the Golden Raspberry awards. To interrupt a circle of failures, actors need to show their skills and take part in a real masterpiece.

This is exactly what the characters of the new Bright Side article did. Each of them managed to restart their career and win back the love of the audience.

Keanu Reeves

After the success of The Matrix, viewers expect Keanu Reeves to play just as bright roles. Unfortunately, the actor disappointed his fans. The film The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) was nominated for the Golden Raspberry anti-award in the category “Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off, or Sequel of 2008.”

47 Ronin (2013) became a box office failure, making $151 million at the box office with a budget of $175 million. The role in the action movie John Wick (2014) helped Keanu win back the love of his viewers and critics. This movie, with a budget of $20 million, grossed $86 million at the box office.

Ryan Reynolds

In the 2010s, Ryan Reynolds’ career started going downhill. The movie Green Lantern turned into a failure, and it was rated only 5.5 out of 10 on IMDb. The actor admitted that, after playing this role, he wasn’t offered many other projects. But another superhero movie became Reynolds’ salvation — it was the black comedy Deadpool (IMDb rating — 8), which until the premiere of Joker in 2019 remained the highest-grossing film with an R rating.

Matthew McConaughey

In the 2000s, McConaughey starred in mid-rated romantic comedies. It seemed to many people that roles in films like The Wedding Planner (IMDb rating — 5.3), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (IMDb rating — 6.4), Failure to Launch (IMDb rating — 5.6) were his limit. But in 2013, Matthew proved he was capable of more.

The movie Dallas Buyers Club was released, and it brought Matthew an Oscar award for Best Actor. Another indication that McConaughey is capable of playing complex dramatic roles was the True Detective TV series.

Winona Ryder

In the 1990s, Winona Ryder was experiencing the rise of her career, but by the 2000s, she was almost forgotten. The films Autumn in New York (2000) and Mr. Deeds (2002) were nominated for the Golden Raspberry anti-award. But taking part in the Stranger Things TV series helped her make her way back onto the lists of top actresses.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. didn’t shine bright in the 1990s and early 2000s. The comedies Only You (1994) and Two Girls and a Guy (1998), barely scored 5 out of 10 on IMDb. The movie Iron Man became the salvation for him. With a budget of $140 million, this action movie grossed $585 million at the box office worldwide.

Jim Carrey

In the 2010s, almost every other role of Jim Carrey was unsuccessful. The thriller Dark Crimes received 0% positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and the comedy Dumb and Dumber To scored just slightly more — 30%. In 2018, the actor decided to return to television. It was a good decision because it was the Just Kidding TV series that brought Carrey’s career to a new level. The project got 2 Golden Globe nominations.

Jennifer Lopez

In 2010, Jennifer Lopez was nearly awarded the Golden Raspberry anti-award for Worst Actress of the Decade. In her filmography, there really were more than enough mediocre works. Maid in Manhattan (IMDb rating — 5.3), Gigli (IMDb rating — 2.5), and The Back-up Plan (IMDb rating — 5.4) didn’t impress the viewers. Everything changed in 2020. Lopez got a role in the movie Hustlers and a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.

Robert Pattinson

After taking part in Twilight, few people perceived Pattinson as a serious actor. The crime drama movie Good Time helped Robert start a new round of his career. The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore became famous at the age of 7 thanks to taking part in Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. But then it was difficult for the actress to surpass herself. The films Far From Home (IMDb rating — 5.6), Poison Ivy (IMDb rating — 5.4), and Mad Love (IMDb rating — 5.4) didn’t become iconic.

The audience started talking about Drew again after the release of the thriller Scream. With a budget of $14 million, it grossed $103 million at the box office.

John Travolta

After successful work in a number of films of the ’70s (like Saturday Night Fever, Grease), John Travolta’s career began to decline in the ’80s. For example, Staying Alive received no positive critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Pulp Fiction helped Travolta return to the list of the most popular actors. This film won Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe awards and became truly iconic.

Is your favorite actor among the characters of our article? Whose celebrity career do you follow?