2014's Favorite Comebacks
Artists who found their way back into the spotlight for all the right reasons in 2014.
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1.
Lisa Kudrow
Actress, P.S. I Love You
Hardly the dumb blonde of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Lisa was born in Encino, California on July 30, 1963. Her mother, Nedra S. (Stern), was a travel agent, and her father, Lee N. Kudrow, was a physician. Her parents are both from Jewish immigrant families (from Belarus, Russia, and Hungary). Lisa was raised in Tarzana and played varsity-level tennis in high school and college...
“ The "Comeback" queen. Kudrow's Valerie Cherish character was considered ahead of its time when she was pulled from TV in 2005. Seven years later, she's back, just as uncomfortable to watch, and I dare say, still ahead of her time. ” - Thalberg3000
2.
Michael Keaton
Actor, Batman
Quirky, inventive and handsome US actor Michael Keaton first achieved major fame with his door busting performance as fast talking, ideas man "Bill Blazejowski" alongside nerdish morgue attendant Henry Winkler in Night Shift. Keaton was born Michael John Douglas on September 5th, 1951 in Corapolis...
“ Keaton has always been a phenomenal actor, but "Birdman" is a comeback to a piece of work that allows him to truly shine--a good movie, that becomes even better because of his performance. ” - Thalberg3000
3.
Reese Witherspoon
Actress, Walk the Line
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976 at Southern Baptist Hospital (now Memorial Medical Center) in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the second child of Mary Elizabeth "Betty" (Reese) and Dr. John Draper Witherspoon, Sr. Her father was a military surgeon specializing in ear, nose and throat...
“ With two stand-out films in 2014 ("Wild" & "The Good Lie") Reese reminded us why she won her Academy Award in 2005. I'd say she made us forget all about some of those duds she made since then ("Penelope", "Four Christmases", "This Means War"), but we already have. ” - Thalberg3000
4.
Tim Burton
Producer, Edward Scissorhands
His early film career was fueled by almost unbelievable good luck, but it's his talent and originality that have kept him at the top of the Hollywood tree. Tim Burton began drawing at an early age, going on to attend the California Institute of the Arts, studying animation after being awarded a fellowship from Disney...
“ Burton's "Big Eyes" is a welcome comeback to the director's chair. Don't get me wrong, I've always admired his choices, but he seemed to be a bit stymied since "Sweeney Todd". Everyone in the world saw his "Alice in Wonderland", but I don't know anyone who LOVED it. Fewer folks saw "Dark Shadows", and I don't know anyone who even LIKED it. ” - Thalberg3000
5.
Jennifer Aniston
Actress, The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate
Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California, to actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow. Her father is Greek, and her mother is of English, Irish, Scottish, and Italian descent. Jennifer spent a year of her childhood living in Greece with her family. Her family then relocated to New York City where her parents divorced when she was 9...
“ Two Friends made a comeback this year! Phoebe took the small screen, but Rachel takes the "Cake" <rimshot>. But, seriously, good for Aniston, we all like her. ” - Thalberg3000
6.
Matthew McConaughey
Actor, Interstellar
Matthew McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas. His mother, Mary Kathleen (McCabe), is a substitute school teacher originally from New Jersey. His father, James Donald McConaughey, was a Mississippi-born gas station owner who ran an oil pipe supply business. He is of Scottish, Irish, English, German...
“ Technically 2013's one-two punch of "Dallas Buyers Club" & "Mud" elevated MCConaughhey out of the romcom doldrums, but 2014 brought him his first Oscar, "True Detective" and "Intersteller". Alright, alright, alright. ” - Thalberg3000
7.
Woody Harrelson
Actor, No Country for Old Men
Academy Award-nominee Woody Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961 in Midland, Texas, to Diane Lou (Oswald) and Charles Harrelson. He grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, and, after receiving degrees in theater arts and English from Hanover College, had a brief stint in New York theater. He was soon cast as Woody on TV series Cheers...
“ Few people remember that Harrelson got his start on TV back in the '80s in the very popular "Cheers." "True Detective" is a welcome return to the small screen and a far cry from his Woody Boyd character. ” - Thalberg3000
8.
Adrien Brody
Actor, The Pianist
The son of Hungarian-born photographer Sylvia Plachy and retired history professor Elliot Brody, Adrien Brody grew up an only child in the Woodhaven section of Queens, New York, where he accompanied his mother on assignments for the Village Voice. He credits her with making him feel comfortable in front of the camera...
“ Another Oscar winner recovering from a somewhat-of-a-slump ("The Jacket", "Brothers Bloom", "Giallo"), Brody's always been a brilliantly talented thesp. He got to prove that twice this year with his roles in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Houdini". ” - Thalberg3000
9.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey, Canadian-born and a U.S. citizen since 2004, is an actor and producer famous for his rubbery body movements and flexible facial expressions. The two-time Golden Globe-winner rose to fame as a cast member of the Fox sketch comedy In Living Color but leading roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dumb & Dumber and The Mask established him as a bankable comedy actor...
“ "Dumb and Dumber To" is the sequel we all wanted (and kinda thought we already had and regretted with 2003's "Dumb and Dumberer"), but this is a welcome return to form for the comic genius after dismissing his own work in "Kick Ass 2" and making fun of a dead guy last year with his viral anti-gun video. ” - Thalberg3000
10.
Patricia Arquette
Actress, Boyhood
With her expressive blue eyes, soft, Southern-tinged voice and an acting range that can carry her from hysterically funny to terrifying in seconds, Patricia Arquette is one of the most underrated and talented actresses of her generation. Though she has been working for years, she's always stayed just under the radar of true stardom, despite a 1995 marriage to Nicolas Cage...
“ Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person I know who remembers seeing "Stigmata" when it came out in theaters. I'm happy to see its star in better and more memorable material with 2014's "Boyhood." She'll give other nominees a run for their money this awards season. ” - Thalberg3000