We’ve laughed with them, cried with them, and watched them dominate the big screen – until they vanished. These 15 actors were once A-list stars. Now, they’re more often seen in throwback memes than in big films. From tabloid scandals to personal choices, their fame has changed. Let’s dive into who went MIA and what really happened.
1. Cameron Diaz – Retired, Refreshed, and (Maybe) Returning
Cameron Diaz was a prominent figure in Hollywood during the 2000s. Films like There’s Something About Mary, The Mask, and Charlie’s Angels made her a rom-com queen. But after 2014’s Annie, she walked away from acting.
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life. I’d gone so hard for so long,” Diaz told Kevin Hart in an interview.
These days, she’s a wellness author and wine brand founder. But she’s hinted at a return in Netflix’s Back in Action with Jamie Foxx – her first role in almost ten years.
Best Netflix comeback roles to watch in 2025
2. Mike Myers – Comedy Icon Turned Recluse
Mike Myers had us quoting Austin Powers, Wayne’s World, and of course, Shrek. But after The Love Guru bombed in 2008, he pretty much vanished.
He has appeared in small roles, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, and created the Netflix series The Pentaverate. Still, leading roles? Not so much. Want more? Check out what the Austin Powers cast looks like now.
3. Eddie Murphy – Hiatus, but Not Forgotten
Eddie Murphy ruled the box office in the ’80s and ’90s. But the 2000s weren’t kind (hello, Norbit). He took a break from acting but made a killer comeback in Dolemite Is My Name (2019) and a sequel to Coming to America.
“I was like, this isn’t fun anymore,” Murphy said of his hiatus. “I needed to take a step back.”
Where is Eddie Murphy now?
4. Lindsay Lohan – From Teen Queen to Netflix Rom-Coms
Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, and Herbie: Fully Loaded showed how quickly Lindsay Lohan became famous. But tabloids also led to her dramatic decline. DUIs, rehab, and court appearances derailed her career. But 2022’s Falling for Christmas marked her return, and she has got more Netflix films in the pipeline.
Lohan’s most iconic roles ranked
5. John Travolta – Still Flying, but Under the Radar
He’s still acting, but he primarily appears in low-budget action films or indie thrillers. He’s also dealt with deep personal loss, including the passing of his wife, Kelly Preston.
“The most important thing you can do to help someone grieving is to allow them the space to grieve,” Travolta said.
Hidden gems in John Travolta’s filmography
6. Mel Gibson – From Hollywood Royalty to Controversy Central
Gibson had it all: Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, Oscar wins. But anti-Semitic and sexist rants made him a Hollywood outcast. Slowly, he’s worked his way back – directing Hacksaw Ridge and appearing in smaller roles. Why Mel Gibson disappeared from the A-list.
7. Kevin Spacey – Cancelled Overnight
Kevin Spacey was a powerhouse – American Beauty, The Usual Suspects, House of Cards. That changed in 2017 after many sexual misconduct allegations. Netflix dropped him. They edited him out of films. His acting career suffered a complete collapse.
Full timeline of Kevin Spacey allegations
8. Charlie Sheen – #Winning? Not Anymore
The face of Two and a Half Men self-destructed in a haze of interviews, tiger blood, and public meltdowns. They fired him from the show and blacklisted him.
“I was banging seven-gram rocks,” Sheen stated to ABC News, earning notoriety.
He has remained largely out of the spotlight since then, but rumours of a comeback continue. The rise and fall of Charlie Sheen
9. Brendan Fraser – The Comeback We Cried For
We enjoyed him in The Mummy and George of the Jungle. Brendan Fraser left the spotlight due to injuries, a divorce, and claims of mistreatment in Hollywood. In 2022, he returned in The Whale, earning critical acclaim and an Oscar. And yes – we cried. Inside the Brendan Fraser ‘Brenaissance’
10. Katherine Heigl – From Rom-Com Darling to Reputation Rehabilitation
She shone in Knocked Up and Grey’s Anatomy, but her public comments on both hurt her image. Hollywood took note.
“I was trying to be honest, and it backfired,” Heigl later reflected.
She has starred in Netflix’s Firefly Lane and is regaining ground at a gradual pace. The internet is rethinking Katherine Heigl.
11. Wesley Snipes – Tax Trouble and a Slow Return
Blade himself went to jail for tax evasion. After serving time, Snipes came back in Dolemite Is My Name and Coming 2 America. But he’s not leading big films anymore. Wesley Snipes’ wild Hollywood journey
12. Taylor Lautner – Twilight Glow-Up Fizzled Quickly
Team Jacob forever? No. Lautner never achieved significant success after Twilight. Abduction flopped, and he stepped back from acting. He’s since focused on personal life, and yep – he married someone also named Taylor. Twilight cast: Where are they now?
13. Shia LaBeouf – Talented but Troubled
Shia went from Disney star to Transformers lead to indie darling. Then came legal issues and serious abuse allegations. He has remained silent since then, making occasional appearances in small projects. Shia LaBeouf: A timeline of controversies
14. Geena Davis – From Thelma to Trailblazer
Geena Davis spoke out against ageism and sexism in Hollywood after her roles faded after Thelma & Louise. She founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and focuses on advocacy.
“If she can see it, she can be it,” is her mantra.
Geena Davis on changing Hollywood
15. Meg Ryan – Rom-Com Royalty Who Walked Away
She gave us You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally – then she left. Ryan says she needed a break and now focuses on directing.
“I didn’t feel like I knew myself anymore,” she said in a 2023 interview.
Which of these stars would you love to see make a big-screen return? Tell us what you think. Also, check out our fun facts about the Twilight franchise or see celebs making a comeback in 2025.
