Actresses Who Made Major Comebacks After Long Hiatuses

The entertainment industry often demands constant presence to maintain relevance and momentum in a career. Many actresses choose to step away from the spotlight to focus on raising families or pursuing higher education. Others take extended breaks to address personal health issues or to explore different professional avenues outside of acting. Returning to the screen after a significant absence requires immense talent and determination to reconnect with audiences. These women successfully navigated their time away and returned to their craft to deliver memorable performances.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda announced her retirement from acting in the early 1990s after a long and celebrated career. She spent the next 15 years focusing on her activism and personal life before deciding to return to the screen. Her comeback role came in the 2005 comedy ‘Monster-in-Law’ alongside Jennifer Lopez. Fonda proved her comedic timing remained sharp and she subsequently starred in the hit series ‘Grace and Frankie’. Her return demonstrated that it is possible to find massive success in Hollywood after a decade and a half away.

Renée Zellweger

Renée Zellweger took a six-year hiatus from acting starting in 2010 to recover from exhaustion and burnout. She stepped away to focus on her mental health and to live a life outside of the public eye. The actress returned in 2016 with ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’ and reminded audiences of her charm. Her comeback reached new heights when she portrayed Judy Garland in the biopic ‘Judy’. This performance earned her an Academy Award and solidified her status as a Hollywood powerhouse.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz was one of the highest-paid actresses in the world before she stepped back from acting in 2014. She spent the following years focusing on her family and launching her organic wine brand. Diaz officially announced her retirement in 2018 but eventually decided to return to the profession. She joined Jamie Foxx for the Netflix action-comedy ‘Back in Action’ after nearly a decade off screen. Her return generated significant excitement among fans who missed her screen presence.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer took a substantial break from Hollywood during the mid-2000s to focus on raising her children. The actress moved her family out of Los Angeles and became selective about the projects she accepted. She slowly returned to high-profile roles with appearances in ‘Dark Shadows’ and ‘The Family’. Her comeback gained full momentum when she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’. Pfeiffer successfully transitioned back into major blockbusters while maintaining a balance with her personal life.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan ruled the romantic comedy genre for years before stepping away from the limelight. She took an eight-year break from feature films to focus on directing and her daughter. Ryan returned to the screen to direct and star in the film ‘What Happens Later’ alongside David Duchovny. This project marked a nostalgic return to the genre that made her a global star. Her comeback highlighted her evolution from acting to taking creative control behind the camera.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn took a 15-year hiatus from acting after starring in ‘The Banger Sisters’ in 2002. She spent the intervening years focusing on her foundation and her family life with Kurt Russell. Amy Schumer convinced the legendary actress to return for the 2017 comedy ‘Snatched’. Hawn later appeared alongside Russell in ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ franchise for Netflix. Her return brought her infectious energy back to audiences who had waited over a decade to see her again.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder took a significant break from major Hollywood roles following personal struggles in the early 2000s. She worked sporadically in smaller projects but largely stayed out of the mainstream spotlight. Her massive resurgence came when she was cast as Joyce Byers in the sci-fi phenomenon ‘Stranger Things’. The role reintroduced her to a new generation of fans and earned her critical acclaim. Ryder successfully transitioned from a 90s film icon to a leading television star.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan dominated teen films in the early 2000s before personal issues led to a career slowdown. She spent several years living abroad and opening beach clubs in Greece while taking a break from acting. Lohan made a celebrated return to romantic comedies with the Netflix film ‘Falling for Christmas’. She signed a multi-picture deal with the streaming service to produce and star in additional projects. Her return signaled a stable and productive new chapter in her career.

Debra Winger

Debra Winger famously stepped away from Hollywood at the height of her fame due to dissatisfaction with the industry. She took a six-year hiatus to focus on her family and environmental activism. The subject of her disappearance from film even inspired the documentary ‘Searching for Debra Winger’. She eventually returned with a critically acclaimed role in ‘Rachel Getting Married’. Winger continues to work in television and film on her own terms.

Glenda Jackson

Glenda Jackson left acting entirely in 1992 to pursue a career in politics as a Member of Parliament in the UK. She served in government for over two decades before returning to the stage and screen. Jackson won a Tony Award for her performance in ‘Three Tall Women’ after her political retirement. She also starred in the television drama ‘Elizabeth Is Missing’ which earned her a BAFTA TV Award. Her comeback remains one of the most successful transitions from politics back to the arts.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar became a global icon through ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ but stepped back to raise her children. She started a baking company called Foodstirs and focused on voice acting roles for several years. Gellar made a major return to live-action genre television with the series ‘Wolf Pack’. She also took a role in the Netflix film ‘Do Revenge’ as a nod to her teen movie past. Her return was welcomed by fans who had followed her career since the 90s.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank took a three-year hiatus from acting to care for her father during his recovery from a lung transplant. The two-time Oscar winner put her career on hold to prioritize her family responsibilities. She returned to the screen with the FX series ‘Trust’ and the Netflix drama ‘Away’. Swank later starred in the network drama ‘Alaska Daily’ which earned her Golden Globe recognition. Her return demonstrated her ability to carry compelling dramas after a significant personal break.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman took a break from her acting career to attend Harvard University to study psychology. She famously stated she would rather be smart than a movie star during this period. Portman continued to act during summer breaks but limited her workload significantly. She returned to full-time acting with critical hits like ‘Garden State’ and eventually won an Oscar for ‘Black Swan’. Her hiatus for education added a layer of depth and respect to her public persona.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik starred in ‘Blossom’ as a teenager but left the industry to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. She spent 12 years away from acting to focus on her studies and starting a family. Bialik returned to television with a recurring role on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ that utilized her real-life scientific background. She eventually became a main cast member and later hosted ‘Jeopardy!’. Her return is a rare example of an actor successfully leveraging an academic hiatus.

Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton is best known for her role as Sarah Connor but she stepped away from the franchise for decades. She lived a quiet life in New Orleans and worked on smaller projects far removed from Hollywood blockbusters. James Cameron convinced her to return to her iconic role for ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ in 2019. Her performance was praised for bringing grit and emotional weight back to the series. This return proved she was still a formidable action star in her 60s.

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald was the face of 80s teen cinema before she moved to France to live a more anonymous life. She acted in French films and focused on jazz singing during her time away from Hollywood. Ringwald eventually returned to American television with a role in ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’. She later appeared in ‘Riverdale’ and the ‘Kissing Booth’ film series. Her comeback allowed her to transition gracefully into playing parental figures in teen dramas.

Geena Davis

Geena Davis took pauses in her acting career to focus on her work in gender equality and even attempted to qualify for the Olympics in archery. She founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to advocate for better representation. Davis returned to television with roles in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and the series ‘GLOW’. She garnered critical praise for her performance in the film ‘The Accidental Tourist’ earlier in her career and brought that same gravity to her later roles. Her return balanced her advocacy work with her passion for performance.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone suffered a massive stroke in 2001 that forced her to step away from acting to learn to walk and talk again. Her recovery process took several years and stalled her momentum in Hollywood. She slowly rebuilt her career with roles in television series like ‘Mosaic’ and ‘Ratched’. Stone opened up about her health struggles in her memoir to shed light on her absence. Her return stands as a testament to her resilience and determination to reclaim her career.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore was the highest-paid actress in the world before she moved to Idaho to raise her daughters away from the paparazzi. She took a significant step back from leading roles to focus on her family life. Moore returned to the spotlight with a role in ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ which garnered massive media attention. She has since appeared in films like ‘The Substance’ and the series ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’. Her return marked a shift toward more complex and daring character roles.

Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall vanished from the public eye for two decades after retiring from acting in 2002. She lived a private life in Texas while dealing with mental health struggles that were occasionally publicized. Duvall made a surprise return to acting in the 2023 indie horror film ‘The Forest Hills’. Her appearance was brief but marked a significant moment for fans of the horror icon. This final role allowed her to close her filmography on her own terms before her passing.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere took a four-year break from acting to focus on her mental health and personal recovery. She had been working in the industry since childhood and needed time to address postpartum depression and substance use. Panettiere returned to the screen by reprising her fan-favorite role as Kirby Reed in ‘Scream VI’. Her performance was praised for adding maturity and strength to the character. This comeback signaled a healthy and positive new direction for the actress.

Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson was a prolific child star in the 90s before she retired to pursue writing and a normal adolescence. She stepped away from film sets to attend college and work in theater and literature. Wilson eventually returned to the industry primarily through voice acting in shows like ‘BoJack Horseman’. She also wrote a memoir detailing her experiences as a child actor. Her return has been on her own terms and focused largely on voice work and writing.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has taken multiple breaks from acting to focus on directing and her family. She often goes years between on-screen appearances to prioritize projects that truly interest her. Foster returned to a major acting role in the film ‘The Mauritanian’ which won her a Golden Globe. She recently starred in the fourth season of ‘True Detective’ to critical acclaim. Her sporadic returns are always treated as major events in the film industry.

Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek moved her family to a farm in Virginia to raise her children away from the Hollywood lifestyle. She continued to work but took long gaps between projects to focus on her personal life. Spacek returned to prominence with the Netflix series ‘Bloodline’ and the film ‘The Old Man & the Gun’. She earned praise for her role in ‘In the Bedroom’ after a period of lighter work. Her career longevity is sustained by these periods of retreat and return.

Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner was a leading lady in the 80s until rheumatoid arthritis severely impacted her mobility and career. She spent years managing the pain and focusing on theater work where the schedule was more manageable. Turner returned to television with memorable guest roles in ‘Friends’ and later ‘The Kominsky Method’. She continues to teach acting classes and perform on stage. Her return showcased her ability to adapt her talents despite physical challenges.

Julie Christie

Julie Christie has famously retreated from acting for long periods throughout her career. She often spends time at her home in Wales and only accepts roles that intrigue her deeply. Christie returned for a heartbreaking performance in ‘Away from Her’ which earned her an Oscar nomination. She keeps a low profile and treats acting as a sporadic engagement rather than a continuous job. This selectivity has made her returns highly anticipated by critics.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow announced she was semi-retired from acting to focus on her lifestyle brand Goop. She stated that she no longer had a passion for the grueling schedule of film production. Paltrow made a rare return to star in the Netflix series ‘The Politician’ which was created by her husband Brad Falchuk. She also appeared briefly in the Marvel movies to conclude her character’s arc. Her acting appearances are now rare special occasions rather than a primary career focus.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton experienced intense media scrutiny during her time on ‘The O.C.’ and eventually stepped back from the limelight. She dealt with personal struggles and took time to reset away from the intense pressure of Hollywood. Barton returned to acting with roles in independent films and a spot on the revival of ‘The Hills’. She later joined the cast of the Australian soap opera ‘Neighbours’. Her return has been a gradual process of rebuilding her presence in the industry.

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates has faced multiple health battles including ovarian and breast cancer that required her to take breaks. She considered retirement at one point after a project fell through but was convinced to stay. Bates returned with a revitalized energy for ‘American Horror Story’ where she played multiple iconic characters. She recently starred in the reboot of the legal drama ‘Matlock’. Her resilience has led to some of the most acclaimed work of her later career.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett took a five-year hiatus from major film roles to run the Sydney Theatre Company with her husband. She focused on stage management and directing during this period in her native Australia. Blanchett returned to Hollywood with a vengeance in Woody Allen’s ‘Blue Jasmine’. That role won her an Academy Award and reestablished her as a top film actress. Her time in the theater enriched her performances and broadened her artistic range.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis has taken various breaks to focus on her family and sobriety over the years. She often stepped back from leading roles to write children’s books and raise her kids. Curtis experienced a massive career renaissance with the new ‘Halloween’ trilogy and ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’. The latter film earned her first Academy Award after decades in the industry. Her comeback celebrated her legacy as both a scream queen and a versatile character actress.

Neve Campbell

Neve Campbell stepped away from Hollywood to live in London and focus on theater and a quieter life. She felt burnt out by the industry and wanted a change of pace after her 90s success. Campbell returned to the screen for the Netflix series ‘House of Cards’ and later reprised her role as Sidney Prescott in the ‘Scream’ franchise. She also starred in the series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’. Her return was met with enthusiasm from fans who regarded her as a genre icon.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate took time off to undergo treatment for breast cancer and later to manage her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. She has been open about the physical toll these conditions have taken on her ability to work. Applegate returned to star in the dark comedy ‘Dead to Me’ despite her health challenges. Her performance was critically acclaimed and she received a standing ovation at the Emmys. She has stated this might be her final on-camera acting role due to her health.

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley stepped away from major acting roles for over a decade to raise her son on a farm in the English countryside. She focused on her swimwear line and raising awareness for breast cancer research during this time. Hurley returned to television as the lead in the E! series ‘The Royals’. She later appeared in ‘Runaways’ and the film ‘Christmas in the Caribbean’. Her return introduced her to a new demographic of television viewers.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence took a hiatus from acting in 2019 to rest after a period of intense overexposure and work. She felt that audiences had grown tired of her and she needed to reset her creative compass. Lawrence returned with the satire ‘Don’t Look Up’ and the intimate drama ‘Causeway’. She also produced and starred in the comedy ‘No Hard Feelings’. Her break allowed her to return with more intentional choices in her filmography.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson took a step back from acting after ‘Little Women’ to focus on her activism and personal growth. She has spent time directing commercial campaigns and advocating for sustainable fashion. Although she has not taken a major film role in several years she remains a prominent public figure. Fans eagerly await her return to feature films when she finds the right project. Her hiatus reflects her desire to use her platform for social change beyond acting.

Julia Stiles

Julia Stiles was a staple of teen movies before she slowed down her film career to attend Columbia University. She graduated with a degree in English literature and worked on stage productions. Stiles returned to prominence with the series ‘Riviera’ and a role in ‘Hustlers’. She recently appeared in the prequel film ‘Orphan: First Kill’. Her education break allowed her to transition into more mature character roles.

Fairuza Balk

Fairuza Balk became a cult icon in the 90s but stepped away from the mainstream to focus on visual arts and music. She felt uncomfortable with the trappings of fame and preferred a quieter existence. Balk returned for a cameo in ‘The Craft: Legacy’ which delighted fans of the original film. She continues to take on select indie roles that align with her artistic sensibilities. Her return honored her legacy while maintaining her boundaries.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie reduced her acting output significantly to focus on directing and her humanitarian work with the UN. She also prioritized raising her six children and navigating her divorce. Jolie returned to big-budget filmmaking with ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ and the Marvel film ‘Eternals’. She recently portrayed opera singer Maria Callas in the biopic ‘Maria’. Her return to acting reminds audiences of her commanding screen presence.

Sally Field

Sally Field has taken breaks between phases of her career to focus on her health and family. She dealt with osteoporosis and became a vocal advocate for women’s health issues. Field returned to the screen with a quirky role in ‘Hello, My Name Is Doris’ which became a sleeper hit. She also appeared in ’80 for Brady’ alongside other screen legends. Her comebacks consistently prove her enduring appeal and comedic talent.

Tell us which of these comebacks was your favorite in the comments.