Don’t Call it a Comeback

From Gloria Swanson and Marlon Brando to Brendan Fraser and Michelle Yeoh, the history of the Oscars is filled with tales of stars making triumphant comebacks after a period of time out of the spotlight.

With 2024 heralding another crop of actors roaring into awards contention after years spent appearing in less high-profile films – Demi Moore for The Substance, Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, and Pamela Anderson for The Last Showgirl are all worthy of awards attention for their incredible performances this year – we present a special selection of some of the greatest comebacks in film and Academy Award history.

From the 1950s through to 2024, from Sunset Boulevard to The Wrestler, here are some triumphant returns to the limelight for some of cinema’s most iconic stars. Just don’t call it a comeback.