Everyone wants this.
Celebrity comebacks are surging lately. Adam Brody is reclaiming his status as a romantic lead, Josh Hartnett is experiencing “The Hartnettissance,” and stars like Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Coolidge, Noah Wyle, and Brendan Fraser are enjoying career revivals.
“Americans love a nostalgic comeback,” says Troy McEady, host of the podcast “Beyond the Blinds.” However, these resurgences vary widely. Brody, known as Seth Cohen on “The O.C.,” continued acting post-2007 in shows like “StartUp” and “Fleishman Is In Trouble.” His return to rom-coms in Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This” (Season 2 premieres Thursday) reunites him with audiences’ favorite version of himself. Similarly, Noah Wyle—Emmy-winning for “The Pitt”—revisited his “E.R.” roots by playing another doctor.
Pamela Anderson’s revival defies expectations. Shedding her ’90s sex-symbol persona, she embraced a makeup-free, authentic image, supported by the 2023 documentary “Pamela, A Love Story.” This shift led to roles in “The Last Showgirl” (2024) and the “The Naked Gun” reboot.
Brendan Fraser’s return followed a 2018 GQ interview where he accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of assault. Public sympathy surged, culminating in his 2023 Oscar win for “The Whale.” McEady compares Fraser’s resurgence to Keanu Reeves’, noting audiences root for stars with poignant backstories.
Winona Ryder’s comeback began with 2016’s “Stranger Things” after stepping back post-2001 shoplifting scandal. McEady attributes her renewed success to the public’s goodwill, calling it a “victimless” misstep.
Hartnett deliberately retreated from heartthrob roles (“Pearl Harbor,” “40 Days and 40 Nights”) before reinventing himself in darker projects (“Penny Dreadful,” “Trap,” “Oppenheimer”). “He re-introduced himself as a grown man,” says McEady.
Coolidge’s resurgence arrived via “The White Lotus” (2021), where creator Mike White spotlighted her unique appeal. Despite steady work (“2 Broke Girls”), her Emmy and Golden Globe wins marked a new peak.
Ultimately, comebacks lack a blueprint. McEady notes: “I don’t think celebrities always know they’re having one.” Whether strategic or organic, each revival reflects the public’s evolving connection to these stars.