The 1990s gave us iconic movies that featured thrilling stunts, beautiful acting, deep dialogue, and impressive effects. While many of the famous Hollywood stars of the era no longer appear on screen, some have found their way back to Hollywood’s spotlight. This article is about five of the most iconic comebacks by 90s stars. Let’s get right into it.
Ke Huy Quan
After unexpectedly getting the role of Short Round in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” 12-year-old Ke Huy Quan’s excellent performance landed him a role in another box-office success, “The Goonies.” His career declined as he reached his teenage years and became a stunt coordinator.
Courtesy: GQ
However, watching “Crazy Rich Asians” motivated him to go back into acting. With his friend as his agent, he landed his comeback role in two weeks. He acted as Waymond, Evelyn’s loving husband, in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”. He got an Academy Award for his performance in 2023.
Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik was a famous young actor in the 1990s for playing the role of Blossom Russo in over a hundred episodes of “Blossom” between 1990 and 1995. However, after “Blossom,” she mainly did voice work on various cartoons as she worked towards multiple UCLA degrees.
Courtesy: Wikipedia
In 2010, she made a big primetime comeback with a role in “The Big Bang Theory,” the biggest TV sitcom at the time. She acted as Amy Farrah Fowler, Sheldon Cooper’s love interest, in more than 200 episodes.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. is the son of the underground filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. His career started with acting in films for teens, like “Weird Science” in the 80s. Amidst his multiple arrests in the 90s, he acted in “Ally McBeal.”
Courtesy: The Statesman
In the following decade, he became a more endearing figure with his honest humor. He went on to play the popular Tony Stark role in Marvel’s “Iron Man” movies. He also has a successful production company with his wife called Team Downey.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan’s hunky stature and self-belittling humor made him a 90s sweetheart. He starred in hits like “George of the Jungle,” “School Ties,” “Mummy,” and “Encino Man.” However, performing back-breaking stunts for the camera made his health falter.
Courtesy: IMDb
In 2022, Brendan made a dramatic Hollywood comeback. He played the role of a 600-pound English teacher who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale.” He got a 6-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival in September 2022. He also won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Winona Ryder
From the late 80s to early 90s, Winona rose from being a teen actor to a big-time star. She acted in movies like “Beetlejuice,” “Reality Bites,” “Interrupted,” “Heathers,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” “Little Woman,” and “The Age of Innocence.” However, her 2001 shoplifting scandal stopped her career.
Courtesy: JWA
She came back to the spotlight in 2009 with her role in “Star Trek.” She went on to act in movies like “The Plot Against America” and “Black Swan.” Her recent role as Joyce Byers in “Stranger Things” is one of the most remarkable- it reminds us of the 90s horror movies she was in.
