10 Canceled Hollywood Stars Making a Comeback

Hollywood loves a redemption arc almost as much as a box-office win. Some stars apologized, some were acquitted, and others just kept working until the phone rang again. Here are ten once-canceled names edging back into the frame via prestigious indies, fan-fueled franchises, or sheer stubbornness.

1. Liam Neeson

In 2019, Neeson narrated an astonishing tale of roaming the streets decades ago, seeking violent retribution following a friend’s assault, particularly against a Black man. Cue backlash, a canceled premiere, and a very public apology tour. He’s since kept working and even poked at the controversy with a meta cameo on Atlanta. Is he fully forgiven? Depending on who you ask, the answer may vary. But box-office math is cold, and casting directors know he still sells the “cool justice” in 100 Minutes or Less.

2. Mel Gibson

From Mad Max to “mad rant,” Gibson’s fall was a train wreck. It started with a DUI and vile tirades, and resulted in an imploded reputation and a career put on ice. But Hollywood loves a narrative arc, and his cameos-as-villains era (Machete Kills, The Expendables 3, Boss Level) kept him visible. Then Hacksaw Ridge reminded everyone he can direct a mean war movie, and later he popped up in The Continental. He’s hardly back to the old untouchable A-lister, but he’s busy, bankable in the right projects, and surprisingly dependable.

3. Casey Affleck

Casey Affleck’s 2010 harassment lawsuits resurfaced just as Manchester by the Sea crowned him awards royalty. That’s the kind of timing only Hollywood could script. Post-Oscar, the smaller roles started coming in, along with some lower-profile indies and one famous performance in A Ghost Story, and he was pretty much ready to fully come back. Recent stops include The Old Man & the Gun, The World to Come, and a short cameo in Oppenheimer. He’s not chasing Marvel capes or algorithm bait, just quietly rebuilding with character work.

4. Winona Ryder

Winona went from a Walk of Fame A-lister to a career in shoplifting in 2001, and her career paid for it. She kept getting work, like Black Swan and a Star Trek cameo, but the parts shrank. Then came Stranger Things, and suddenly everything’s changed. Since then, she’s been treated with more leads, prestige TV roles, and nostalgic treats like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Still, her comeback feels earned. Turns out the ’80s icon found the perfect megahit set in the ’80s to remind everyone why they loved her.