Actresses Who Saved Their Careers
Every career has peaks and valleys, and Hollywood is no different. Some performers face long quiet stretches or a public reset, then land the one project that opens the next chapter. These turnarounds usually come from smart role choices, new creative partners, or a shift into producing that puts them back in control of their work.
Here are twenty five actresses who turned a rough patch into a fresh run. Each one used a single role, a strategic series, or a creative pivot to rebuild momentum and expand what audiences expected from them.
Jennifer Coolidge
After early mainstream visibility with ensemble comedies, Jennifer Coolidge spent years in supporting parts and voice work. Her role in ‘The White Lotus’ put her at the center of a prestige series and brought major awards, which reset casting conversations around her. The show’s second season extended that impact and made her a first call for high profile projects.
That breakthrough immediately led to more substantive roles across film and television. She added festival premieres, dramatic parts, and prominent brand partnerships, which stabilized her career and created a path to carry both comedy and drama as a lead.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder’s early film career slowed, and she stepped back from heavy studio schedules. Her turn in ‘Stranger Things’ delivered a widely watched comeback and reintroduced her to new audiences while honoring her genre roots.
The series brought consistent work, convention demand, and global press. It also expanded offers for character driven films and limited series, giving her a steady platform and strong leverage with studios.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore moved from childhood fame into a turbulent young adulthood, then rebuilt with crowd pleasing romantic comedies like ‘The Wedding Singer’ and by producing ‘Charlie’s Angels’ through Flower Films. That producing role gave her creative control and reliable box office performance.
She later diversified with a daytime series, ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, which sustained her visibility year round. The combined on camera and behind the scenes work kept her brand strong and protected her career through industry shifts.
Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne faced personal challenges that paused momentum. She returned with a key supporting role on ‘Orange Is the New Black’, which restored industry confidence and opened doors to create ‘Russian Doll’.
By co creating and starring in ‘Russian Doll’, she demonstrated range in both comedy and existential storytelling. The show’s acclaim led to more producing opportunities and recurring roles in prestige projects, anchoring a long term comeback.
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci moved from celebrated youth roles into an uneven period of indie projects. Her turn on ‘Yellowjackets’ put her back into a buzzy ensemble that drew consistent awards attention.
The renewed profile led to high visibility casting, including a memorable part on ‘Wednesday’. With steady series work and genre friendly roles, she secured a durable second act that balanced nostalgia with fresh material.
Keri Russell
After ‘Felicity’, Keri Russell worked steadily yet under the radar. ‘The Americans’ restored her as a dramatic lead with complex material and earned significant awards recognition.
The series led to film and limited series offers with strong directors. It also created a foundation for producing conversations, which broadened her influence over the roles she takes next.
Laura Dern
Laura Dern’s early acclaim gave way to a quieter period. ‘Big Little Lies’ returned her to the center of a widely watched series, which in turn amplified her presence in high profile films like ‘Marriage Story’.
The momentum produced a string of awards and steady prestige work. It also strengthened her producing slate and advocacy driven collaborations, which kept her career active across platforms.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon experienced a lull before recalibrating with ‘Wild’ and the launch of Hello Sunshine. Her lead role in ‘Big Little Lies’ showed how a star can develop and headline a project that reshapes a career.
Hello Sunshine’s partnership model led to ‘The Morning Show’ and a pipeline of adaptations. By owning material and casting herself strategically, she secured long term work and created opportunities for other women on screen.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman never fully disappeared, but she used ‘Big Little Lies’ to reposition as both star and producer in serialized storytelling. The series broadened her audience and rejuvenated her mainstream profile.
She followed with limited series like ‘The Undoing’, which kept her in the awards cycle and on premium platforms. The TV success fed directly into new film offers and ongoing producing deals, ensuring consistent visibility.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson moved beyond ‘The X-Files’ with a series of stage and TV roles, then surged back with ‘The Fall’. Her portrayal in ‘The Crown’ further reinforced her standing with global audiences.
These roles diversified her portfolio across crime drama and historical drama. They also secured her as a go to performer for British and American productions, creating a steady international pipeline.
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson worked for years in guest spots and supporting roles. ‘American Horror Story’ gave her a recurring lead platform and continual character reinvention.
That visibility carried into ‘American Crime Story’ and other limited series where she took complex real life figures. The output built a strong awards record and reliable collaboration network with top producers and directors.
Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette moved from early film success into an extended TV run. ‘Boyhood’ reintroduced her to awards voters and set up a pivot back to challenging parts.
She followed with ‘Escape at Dannemora’ and ‘Severance’, which anchored a new prestige streak. The run balanced film and TV work and kept her profile high with both critics and audiences.
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate transitioned from sitcom fame into a quieter period. ‘Dead to Me’ returned her to leading roles with sharp writing and a committed fan base.
The series ensured continuous work and award nominations. It also showed her resilience and professionalism during health challenges, which deepened industry respect and future opportunities.
Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh stepped away from a long tenure on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. ‘Killing Eve’ placed her back at the center of a global hit and made her the face of a contemporary spy thriller.
The success led to hosting opportunities, film roles, and producing work. It also built a strong presence across English language markets, which stabilized her career beyond a single franchise.
Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei’s early Oscar win was followed by uneven studio attention. ‘The Wrestler’ returned her to awards conversations and put her back on casting lists for significant projects.
She then joined the ‘Spider-Man’ films, which boosted global recognition and created a dependable franchise anchor. The mix of prestige drama and blockbuster work rebalanced her career for the long term.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh moved from Hong Kong action stardom into selective Hollywood parts. ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ reintroduced her authority on screen and set the stage for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.
That lead role brought major awards and a wave of top tier offers. It also proved her ability to carry inventive stories, which expanded opportunities across genres and formats.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis had iconic early roles, then periods of lighter output. The revival of ‘Halloween’ restored her as a box office draw and put her back into mainstream conversation.
She followed with a key supporting role in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which delivered major awards. Those wins opened new avenues in both franchise work and character driven films.
Calista Flockhart
After ‘Ally McBeal’, Calista Flockhart stepped back from constant production. ‘Supergirl’ brought her back as a scene stealing media executive and reintroduced her to weekly audiences.
The role led to more television opportunities and renewed interest from casting teams. It placed her in a current comic universe while keeping the door open to future dramas and limited series.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan’s early film success was interrupted by personal difficulties and sporadic roles. Her Netflix romcom ‘Falling for Christmas’ marked a clean return to lead status.
She followed with ‘Irish Wish’, which continued the resurgence and kept her connected to a broad streaming audience. The consistent releases rebuilt her relationship with viewers and studios.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley moved from blockbuster franchises into a mixed period of costume dramas and smaller films. ‘The Imitation Game’ reestablished her prestige value and returned her to major award shortlists.
Subsequent titles like ‘Official Secrets’ and ‘Boston Strangler’ reinforced her commitment to grounded, real world stories. The shift clarified her lane and sustained steady offers from respected directors.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams transitioned from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to acclaimed independent films. ‘Fosse/Verdon’ proved she could lead a demanding limited series with music and drama at scale.
Her turn in ‘The Fabelmans’ renewed mainstream attention and connected her to a larger audience. The combination of television and film work fortified her standing with studios and awards bodies.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez balanced music and acting through ups and downs. ‘Shades of Blue’ gave her a network drama platform where she served as both star and producer.
She then headlined ‘Hustlers’, which earned significant critical recognition and strong performance metrics. The one two of television leadership and a hit film rebuilt her acting credibility and widened her options.
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu’s film momentum slowed after early action hits. ‘Elementary’ returned her to weekly television in a modern reimagining that ran for multiple seasons.
The show’s long run steadied her career and kept her close to audiences. It also opened doors to directing episodes and taking on new projects like ‘Why Women Kill’, which broadened her skill set.
Courteney Cox
After ‘Friends’, Courteney Cox searched for a new vehicle that could stand on its own. ‘Cougar Town’ provided a multi season platform and stabilized her post ensemble identity.
She later reignited interest with returns to the ‘Scream’ franchise and a social media strategy that kept fans engaged. The blend of comfort hits and steady TV work kept her career in motion.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff moved from teen success on ‘Lizzie McGuire’ into a period of low visibility. ‘Younger’ put her back into a critically liked series with a loyal audience.
She then led ‘How I Met Your Father’, which solidified her as an adult sitcom lead. The back to back series stabilized her career and reopened doors for music and producing ventures.
Share your favorite examples of career turnarounds in the comments and tell us who else should be on this list.
