10 A-List Actors Who Fell From Grace But Later Rocketed Back To The Top

Hollywood is one heck of a rollercoaster.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• February 11, 2023

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. 

The Mummy Returns

Furry Vengeance

Fraser's comeback - The screening of "No Sudden Moves"

2. 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.

Perez on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 1994

Signing copies for her autobiography in 2014

Perez posing with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson at the 2020 Academy Awards

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.

Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease

A promo pic from Look Who's Talking

Travolta and Tarantino at the L.A. Film Critics Award, 1995

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.

Lohan in Mean Girls

A probation revocation hearing at the Beverley Hills Courthouse, 2010

Lohan and Overstreet in the movie Falling For Christmas

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.

Rourke and Kim Basinger

Rourke in the ring with Steve Powell

Screening of The Wrestler

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.

A promo shot of White in 1957

White in The Bold And The Beautiful

White on SNL with a few other stars

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.

Cage with Laura Dern in the 90s

Cage promoting one of his movies

Three Nic Cages

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.

Dern in Jurassic Park, 1993

Dern featuring in one of the episodes of Ellen

Dern posing with her award in the 2020 Academy Awards

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.

Playing Charlie Chaplin in the movie Chaplin

Mug shot at the California Department Of Corrections in 1999

Downey Jr. at the Iron Man 3 panel

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.

Lyonne with Tara Reid in the Stifler's Keg-Party

Lyonne with Kristian Wiig in the movie Girl Most Likely

Delivering her monologue as the host of Saturday Night Live

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."

Jesse