Top 10 celebrity comebacks of all time

Some celebrities fade into oblivion after a short career, while others, like Britney Spears, have a mega-successful career followed by a long slew of screw-ups from which they may never recover. Whichever category they fall into, once stars have a taste of fame they're willing to put up a fight to keep it. But how many celebs have mastered a successful comeback? With Britney's hot new video, "Womanizer," we will go out on a limb and say the princess of pop is back, but she's not the only one who's done the impossible. Click through this slideshow for the top 10 celebrity comebacks of all time. 
    • #10 John Travolta
    • #9 Paula Abdul
    • #8 Rob Lowe
    • #7 Kylie Minogue
    • #6 Kiefer Sutherland
    • #5 Mariah Carey
    • #4 Ellen DeGeneres
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#10 John Travolta

Mega success with "Welcome Back, Kotter," "Grease" and "Staying Alive" was followed up with… 1989’s Look Who’s Talking. Yikes. Quentin Tarantino gave him the lead in 1994’s "Pulp Fiction" and totally resurrected his career.

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 70
  • Nini Poo's Avatar
    Posted by Nini Poo Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:15am PDT

    I could do without the "return" of Terri Hatcher and Mariah Carey. Paula Abdul never "came back" either.

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  • Natali's Avatar
    Posted by Natali Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:14am PDT

    I really like Robert Downey Jr.

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  • MochaMama42's Avatar
    Posted by MochaMama42 Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:05am PDT

    I enjoy all of them - - always had a sort of crush on Patrick Dempsey. Robert Downey Jr was like the crazy boyfriend you LOVED but you just knew he really only listened to the beat of his own drum.

    Paula Abdul is one I just don't get, I more so credit her for keeping relevent(sp) in this day and age, even if she is a judge on American Idol.

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  • Disgruntled's Avatar
    Posted by Disgruntled Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:22am PDT

    For the most part, these people's comebacks have to do with the fact that they were willing to either laugh at themselves or lower their standards a bit to work in TV instead of movies. I think Robert Downey Jr. and Mariah Carey were able to claw their way back because they're both extremely talented. I don't think Rob Lowe really came out unscathed from the sex scandal. People have short memories and it was a big deal at the time and derailed his career as a teen hearthrob. He was able to come back because he played really funny bad guys in Wayne's World and Tommy Boy.

    Britney Spears probably did the right thing by appearing on How I Met Your Mother. She showed she has a sense of humor and it showed her in a more positive light. Of course, she's also got legions of diehard fans who will forgive anything she does. As long as she stays on the right track, she could have a huge career again.

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  • Andygirl's Avatar
    Posted by Andygirl Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:12pm PDT

    okay, some of these, like Teri Hatcher are truly comebacks. BUT, I don't think you did your research. Rob Lowe, Robert Downey Jr, Patrick Depmsey, and Keifer Sutherland all worked consistently and in big films throughout their careers. even when on drugs, Downey made several good films. Check IMDB.

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  • hm...'s Avatar
    Posted by hm... Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:18pm PDT

    i LOVE robert downey jr. :)

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  • Regin's Avatar
    Posted by Regin Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:46pm PDT

    He looks so handsome .He is my favor . Yes, he is single now. I saw his profile on dating site ---"B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c o m ----" last week. It is said he is in relationship with a young beautiful woman on that site now.

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  • Regin's Avatar
    Posted by Regin Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:47pm PDT

    OMG, she looks so pretty. I saw her profile on black and white dating site "***B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c 0 M**" last week. What kind of relationship is she looking for on that site? Just curious.

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  • Regin's Avatar
    Posted by Regin Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:10am PDT

    LOL

    DAMN! SHE HAS A NICE ASS LMAO

    BUT YEAH SHE SEXY

    Report Abuse
  • Queen B's Avatar
    Posted by Queen B Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:37pm PDT

    Ok, where in the hell was I when Paula Abdul "came back"? What in the s--- did she do?

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