Actors who reversed their decision to retire

Once you've been bitten by the acting bug, it's difficult to walk away from the business entirely – and these celebrities prove it.

After Kathy Bates surprised fans by announcing that she would be starring in the series Matlock “Reboot” will be “her last dance” after an illustrious five-decade career in September 2024, the Oscar winner backtracked on her comments a month later.

“I think people were confused and thought I was retiring,” she said People. “What I meant was: How can it get any better? I would love for this to continue.”

Before I grab the title role Matlock – a variant of the original series with the main actors Andy Griffith – Bates told the outlet that she had been thinking about retiring because roles for women her age were becoming scarce.

“I remember calling my agents and saying, 'I think I might want to retire, if not retire, at least semi-retire.' “If I can’t afford to keep my house, I’ll sell it and maybe go to New York,” she remembers. “Then this happened. I couldn't believe it.”

Read on for more celebrities who reversed their decision to retire from acting:

Jane Fonda

Fonda, whose career began with a leading role in Great story In 1960, she famously announced her retirement from acting after tying the knot in 1991 Ted Turner. The couple divorced after ten years of marriage and Fonda returned to the screen in the 2005 romantic comedy Monster in lawin which also plays the main role Jennifer Lopez.

“I left for 15 years when I married Ted Turner and I didn't think I would come back because when I married him I thought it would be forever,” the actress said Entertainment tonight while promoting her comedy, 80 for Bradyin 2023. “But I came back, and honestly, if someone had told me that I would be making a film like this at 85, I wouldn't have believed it. So I feel very lucky.”

Since her return as a child, Fonda has starred in countless productions, including those on Netflix Grace and Frankie, Georgia rule Opposite Lindsay Lohan, I'll leave you here, The newsroom, Book club and its sequel and more.

Terrence Howard

After Howard was asked what his next move was after his hit show ended, Richthe actor said he planned to give up his acting career.

“I’m done with acting. I’m tired of pretending,” he said Extra in September 2019.

Although he stated that he was done with the industry, Howard quit after the end of Richincluding Cut Throat City, The system And The Best Man: Final Chapterswhich aired in 2022. During advertising The best manHoward claimed he was retiring again.

“This is the end for me. This is the end for me. I don’t know if it’s the end for the rest,” he said ANDreferring to his co-stars. “I mostly retired two years ago. I was done.”

Since his second announcement, Howard has appeared in numerous films and starred in the miniseries Peacock. Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.

Cameron Diaz

Diaz, who rose to prominence with her breakthrough role in “ The mask Opposite Jim Carrey In 1994, she quickly became one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses for romantic comedies, dramas, and more.

After almost two decades of starring roles in films like The sweetest, There's something about Mary, Charlie's Angel, Gangs of New York, The holiday And Bad teacher – as well as Fiona’s voice in all of them Shrek Films – Diaz appeared in three recent films (The other woman, Sex tape And Annie) in 2014 before stepping out of the spotlight.

Diaz announced her retirement in March 2018 during an interview with Weekly entertainment and her The sweetest co-stars, Christina Applegate And Selma Blair. After Applegate described himself as “semi-retired,” Diaz responded, “I'm semi-retired too, and I'm actually retired, so I'd like to see you, ladies.”

However, she later said she gave up acting to focus on her family and personal life (she has daughter Raddix and son Cardinal with her husband). Benji Madden), Diaz came out of retirement in 2022 when she signed on for the lead role Back in action Opposite Jamie Foxx. The Netflix film is scheduled to premiere in January 2025.

Kathy Bates

Although Bates has been a mainstay in the industry for more than 50 years, appearing in blockbuster giants such as Titanic, The blind side And misery and keep playing American horror storyShe considered retiring as it became increasingly difficult to get roles for women her age.

From October 2024 she will play the main role in the Matlock Reboot, and said she will continue as long as the opportunities arise.

Joe Pesci

Known for his roles in 90s classics like Goodfellas, My cousin Vinny, casino, Home alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York And Deadly Weapon 2, 3 And 4Pesci announced his decision to retire from acting in 1999.

Although Pesci wanted to focus on life outside of the spotlight, he had several cameos in productions such as The good shepherd And Dear Ranchand finally returned to the big screen in 2019 The Irishman. He also played the lead role Bupkis Opposite Pete Davidson in 2023 and appeared in Day of the fight this year.

Mara Wilson

Wilson, who is known for her roles in “ Ms. Doubtfire, Matilda And Miracle on 34th Streetretired from acting after 2000 Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

Wilson returned to the industry in 2012 and has since worked on numerous projects, including many web series and podcasts Big Hero 6: The Series And Welcome to Night Vale.

However, in a blog post in 2017, Wilson explained the reason for her exit from Tinseltown.

“Film can be exciting, but more often it is boring. The celebrity aspect is downright ridiculous and the audition process is brutal and dehumanizing,” she wrote in part. “Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading pages for an audition, my only thought is, 'Man, am I glad I'm not doing this anymore?' I never feel nostalgia, just relief.”