Actors often seem like a constant presence in our lives, gracing the big screen year after year. However, some stars decide to step away from the limelight, leaving audiences to wonder if they’ll ever see them again. But, every now and then, a role comes along that’s so irresistible, it drags them out of retirement. Whether they returned for just one memorable performance or reignited their entire career, these actors found themselves back on set for one last hurrah. Here are ten actors who made a surprising comeback after retiring.
10. Phoebe Cates – The Anniversary Party (2001)
Phoebe Cates became a sensation in the 1980s, thanks to her roles in Gremlins and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. However, she stepped away from acting in 1994 to focus on raising her family. Cates stayed out of the spotlight for years until her close friend Jennifer Jason Leigh asked her to return for The Anniversary Party in 2001. The film was a passion project for Leigh, and Cates agreed to participate, bringing her husband, Kevin Kline, and their children along for the ride.
9. Joe Pesci – The Irishman (2019)
Joe Pesci is best known for his unforgettable roles in mob movies like Goodfellas and Casino. After officially retiring in the late 1990s, he seemed content to stay out of the spotlight. That was until Martin Scorsese, along with Robert De Niro, persuaded him to join the cast of The Irishman. Pesci initially turned down the role of Russell Bufalino numerous times, but the project’s ambition and Scorsese’s persistence finally convinced him to step back into the world of organized crime.
8. Jane Fonda – Monster-in-Law (2005)
Jane Fonda’s career in Hollywood was illustrious, but she chose to retire in 1991 after marrying media mogul Ted Turner. Fonda stayed away from acting for over a decade before making her comeback in the 2005 comedy Monster-in-Law, starring alongside Jennifer Lopez. The role allowed her to have fun with a larger-than-life character, making her return to acting both entertaining and successful.
7. Jack Gleeson – Out of Her Mind (2020)
Jack Gleeson left a lasting impression as the despicable King Joffrey on Game of Thrones. After his character’s demise, Gleeson decided to retire from acting and pursue academic interests. However, he made a brief return to television in 2020 for a small role in Sara Pascoe’s BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind. Gleeson’s comeback was both unexpected and short-lived, but it was enough to remind fans of his talent.
6. Robert Redford – Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia (2020)
Robert Redford’s retirement from acting was announced in 2018 with The Old Man & the Gun. However, he surprised everyone by lending his voice to the 2020 film Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia. Redford agreed to participate as a favor to his grandson, Dylan Redford, who was involved in the project. His role as the voice of a dolphin was an unexpected and quirky addition to his legendary career.
5. Shelley Duvall – The Forest Hills (2023)
Shelley Duvall became an icon after her role in The Shining, but she retired from acting in 2002 to care for her family. After two decades away from Hollywood, Duvall returned to the screen in 2023 for the indie horror film The Forest Hills. This comeback was a nostalgic moment for fans who had missed her unique presence in cinema.
4. Sean Connery – Sir Billi (2012)
Sean Connery’s retirement from acting came after the challenging production of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003. However, he made a surprising return in 2012 by voicing the titular character in the animated film Sir Billi. Connery took on the role after his grandchildren became enamored with the project, showing that even a legend like him can be swayed by family.
3. Cameron Diaz – Back in Action (2024)
Cameron Diaz was a fixture in Hollywood throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but she decided to retire after the 2014 film Annie. After nearly a decade away, Diaz returned to acting for the 2024 Netflix film Back in Action. Her husband, Benji Madden, supported her return by accompanying her to London, allowing Diaz to balance her personal and professional lives.
2. Daniel Day-Lewis – Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his selective approach to acting, often taking long breaks between roles. After retiring in 1997, he was lured back by Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York. This comeback marked the beginning of another phase in Day-Lewis’s career, which culminated in his final film, Phantom Thread in 2017.
1. Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Ke Huy Quan was beloved for his roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, but he retired from acting in 2002. After seeing the success of Crazy Rich Asians in 2018, Quan decided to give acting another shot. He found the perfect role in the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, where his performance earned him critical acclaim and a resurgence in his career.
