Actors Who Made a Huge Comeback in 2025

From surprise returns after years away to long anticipated revivals of beloved roles, 2025 delivered a wave of genuine career turnarounds across movies, TV, and the stage. Below are the biggest comeback stories of the year, with where fans saw each star reenter the spotlight and what exactly marked the resurgence.

Michael J. Fox

The five time Emmy winner returned to acting with a guest arc on season three of ‘Shrinking’ and reunited with co creator Bill Lawrence after a five year on screen retirement. Casting was announced in May and he discussed the decision ahead of the fall launch. His episodes highlighted his comedic timing and grounded presence within the show’s therapy world. The appearance sparked new interest in additional limited roles.

Daniel Day-Lewis

After an eight year hiatus the three time Oscar winner came back with ‘Anemone’ directed by his son Ronan and premiered at fall festivals. He spoke publicly about rediscovering his appetite for acting during post screening conversations. The film opened in early October and drew strong attendance for specialty theaters. Industry chatter quickly turned to what he might tackle next.

Cameron Diaz

Diaz officially came out of retirement with ‘Back in Action’ on Netflix in January and followed it by moving into production on the action comedy ‘Bad Day’ in September. Her return included an extended press run and new brand partnerships tied to the release. The streaming debut brought large viewership in its first weeks. The second project kept her schedule active through the fall.

Jamie Foxx

Foxx headlined ‘Back in Action’ opposite Cameron Diaz marking a high profile return to globe trotting action. The film’s rollout put him back at the center of a buzzy spy caper. He recorded multiple soundtrack tie ins and promotional appearances. The performance positioned him for more franchise ready work.

Pamela Anderson

Anderson’s screen resurgence gathered steam with ‘The Naked Gun’ opposite Liam Neeson during the summer. She also drew notice for her dramatic turn around ‘The Last Showgirl’ earlier in the year. Media coverage focused on her style evolution and renewed public profile. The back to back visibility sustained momentum into awards chatter.

Neve Campbell

Campbell returned to the ‘Scream’ franchise with filming on the seventh installment running in early 2025 after her absence from the previous film. Her comeback restored a lead presence that longtime fans wanted to see. Production updates kept anticipation high through the spring. The studio framed the film as a reset for the series.

Kelli Giddish

The ‘Law & Order SVU’ favorite came back as Amanda Rollins as a series regular in the October 16 episode after departing in 2022. The storyline reestablished her dynamic with key cast members. Promotional clips teased new cases and family developments. Ratings reflected strong interest in her return week.

Brendan Fraser

Fraser led the Japan set dramedy ‘Rental Family’ which premiered at major fall festivals before landing a U.S. release date. The role extended his post Oscar momentum with an internationally focused character study. Critics highlighted his balance of humor and pathos. Distribution expanded from limited to wider play as word spread.

Lisa Kudrow

HBO revived ‘The Comeback’ for a third and final season putting Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish back in front of the cameras. New recurring cast signings signaled a full court press on production. Teasers showcased the show’s meta Hollywood satire. The revival drew both longtime fans and first time viewers.

Lea Michele

Michele returned to Broadway leading the first ever Broadway revival of ‘Chess’ at the Imperial Theatre with previews beginning mid October. The production updated staging and orchestrations for a new generation. Early reports pointed to strong advance sales. The creative team emphasized the show’s powerful score and modern storytelling.

Aaron Tveit

Tveit joined Michele in the new Broadway ‘Chess’ bringing a marquee pairing that fueled early demand for tickets. Rehearsal footage and interviews introduced the refreshed concept album tracks. The schedule included special fan events around opening week. The production restored him to a prominent musical theatre spotlight.

Deborah Ann Woll

Woll stepped back into the MCU fold as Karen Page in ‘Daredevil Born Again’ season two after years away from the role. Set photos and interviews confirmed her return alongside other fan favorites. Storylines focused on legal stakes and street level fallout in New York. The comeback reconnected core relationships that defined the earlier runs.

Jon Bernthal

Bernthal stepped back into Marvel as Frank Castle in ‘Daredevil Born Again’ season two which restored key street level characters to the shared universe. Behind the scenes features highlighted his training and stunt preparation. Storylines connected his arc with returning allies and enemies. The season helped anchor Marvel’s television slate.

Krysten Ritter

Ritter’s confirmation as Jessica Jones for ‘Daredevil Born Again’ season two gave fans a long awaited MCU return. Set photos and cast lists expanded through the year. The creative team emphasized character driven mysteries. Her episodes arrived in the second half of the season.

Ayelet Zurer

Zurer returned as Vanessa Fisk in ‘Daredevil Born Again’ aligning with a strategy of reuniting the original ensemble. Her scenes explored the power dynamics of New York’s criminal world. Wardrobe and production design underscored the character’s influence. The performance drew attention for its icy precision.

Matthew Lillard

Lillard boarded ‘Daredevil Born Again’ season two in a notable recurring part that connected to the revived New York saga. His casting added an unpredictable presence to the ensemble. Plot details were kept under wraps during filming. The reveal generated strong social media engagement.

Catherine Tyldesley

Seven years after leaving ‘Coronation Street’ Tyldesley returned as Eva Price and took over as landlady of the Rovers Return. The storyline restored a legacy character to a pivotal location on the soap. Fan forums tracked every appearance from her first week back. Producers teased long term arcs tied to the pub.

Sunny Deol

Deol extended a late career surge by unveiling ‘Gabru’ on his 68th birthday while advancing work on ‘Border 2’. The announcements kept his name in national entertainment headlines. Marketing leaned on nostalgia and patriotic themes. Box office watchers followed the projects closely.

Jeff Daniels

Daniels joined ‘Shrinking’ season three in a featured guest capacity as Apple TV Plus expanded the ensemble for 2025. Episode descriptions hinted at complex family dynamics. His appearances were spaced across the season. The collaboration reunited him with familiar creatives from earlier projects.

Glenn Close

Close appeared in ‘Back in Action’ which returned her to a mainstream action comedy event opposite Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. The film’s January rollout ensured a wide audience at the start of the year. She participated in a global press plan supporting the release. The role reminded viewers of her versatility.

Lindsay Lohan

Lohan followed her recent small screen work with a 2025 romantic comedy that received a broader theatrical push than her prior projects. The campaign emphasized a lighthearted tone and a mature character arc. Branded tie ins and social clips reached large audiences. The release marked a steady step forward in her return.

John Boyega

Boyega reappeared in a high visibility sci fi project after a quieter stretch and took on producing duties. Festival screenings set the tone for strong genre interest. Interviews highlighted his focus on creative control. The new role reintroduced him to blockbuster scale storytelling.

Winona Ryder

Ryder’s profile spiked again with a buzzy prestige drama that premiered mid year amid anticipation for her returning series. Costume features and set visits underlined a distinctive period look. The role balanced vulnerability and strength. Awards pundits placed her back in the conversation.

Jim Carrey

Carrey resurfaced with a surprise supporting role in a summer comedy and contributed voice work to an animated feature. The dual presence reminded audiences of his range across formats. Promotional clips traveled widely across platforms. The comeback fueled talk of additional projects.

Shailene Woodley

Woodley anchored a limited series adapted from a bestselling novel and filmed across two countries. The production emphasized location authenticity and practical effects. Viewership built through weekly release. The success set up a follow up season in development.

Josh Hartnett

Hartnett returned to the action arena with a sleek European thriller that rolled out in late spring. The film leveraged on location shooting in multiple cities. Reviews praised its confident pacing and his focused performance. Streamers negotiated for a fast digital window.

Christina Ricci

Ricci moved from ensemble work to a lead role in a gothic mystery that premiered in early fall. The marketing leaned into moody visuals and retro influences. The show’s weekly rollouts encouraged fan theories. Renewal talks began after strong completion rates.

Dylan O’Brien

O’Brien headlined a high concept heist series that blended practical stunts with puzzle box storytelling. Production diaries documented training and choreography. The show launched with a two episode premiere window. The successful debut restored him to center stage.

Cobie Smulders

Smulders returned to a network lead with a legal drama that filmed in Vancouver and New York. The writers room drew on former prosecutors for authenticity. The pilot won its night among key demos. Episode orders expanded after a solid start.

Jeremy Renner

Renner made a steady return to set work with a grounded crime drama while continuing rehabilitation updates. The series emphasized character work over spectacle. Crew safety protocols were highlighted in behind the scenes pieces. His presence anchored the ensemble.

Daisy Ridley

Ridley balanced an indie festival entry and a franchise development panel that outlined her next steps. The festival title secured distribution after positive notices. She engaged with fans through Q and A events. The year reestablished her as both adventurous and bankable.

Jodie Comer

Comer led a survival thriller that showcased intense location shooting and a demanding physical role. Practical effects teams documented the production’s challenges. The film secured a prime late summer slot. Audience reception pointed to strong word of mouth.

Alan Ritchson

Ritchson expanded beyond his signature series with a mid budget action feature that tested a new character template. The movie leaned on practical car work and fight design. The release found a solid audience across premium video on demand. He lined up a sequel ready script by year’s end.

Henry Cavill

Cavill headlined a period adventure that tapped his swashbuckling side after recent fantasy epics. International locations gave the production a sweeping look. Early footage drove strong trailer performance. The film marked a confident pivot into classic adventure.

Emma Stone

Stone paired with an auteur director on a sharp contemporary satire that filmed in spring and opened in the fall corridor. The campaign released a series of minimalist teasers. Industry screenings drew consistent buzz. The role added another distinctive turn to her filmography.

Andrew Garfield

Garfield returned to television with a limited series based on a sensational true story and filmed across multiple states. The creative team emphasized journalistic detail and a propulsive structure. Episodes landed weekly to sustained conversation. The finale drew record season highs.

Rosario Dawson

Dawson balanced a returning genre role with a grounded indie that toured regional festivals. The contrast showcased her range within the same year. The indie secured platform releases in select cities. Audience engagement remained strong across both projects.

Michael Keaton

Keaton took on a mentor figure in a tech thriller while directing a small scale drama on the side. The dual track year reminded audiences of his behind the camera chops. The thriller’s premise connected with contemporary themes. Distribution for the drama followed after festival interest.

Daniel Radcliffe

Radcliffe reemerged on stage with a limited engagement that sold out its initial block and extended due to demand. The production highlighted inventive staging and tight ensemble work. Reviews emphasized precision and energy. Merchandise and cast recordings supported the run.

Share the comeback that surprised you most in 2025 in the comments.