Actors who reversed their decision to retire

Once you’ve been bitten by the acting bug, it’s hard to get out of the business completely – and these celebrities prove it.

After Kathy Bates surprised fans by announcing that her starring role on the Matlock reboot would be “her last dance” after an illustrious career spanning five decades in September 2024, the Academy Award winner walked back her comments a month later.

“I think people got confused and thought I was retiring,” she said People. “What I meant was: how can it get even better? I would like to see this continue.”

Before we take on the titular role Matlock – a twist on the original series starring Andy Griffith – Bates told the outlet that she had thought 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, or even semi-retire. “If I can’t afford to keep my house, I’ll sell it and maybe move to New York,” she recalled. “Then this happened. I couldn’t believe it.”

Keep reading for more celebrities who reversed their decision to quit acting:

Jane Fonda

Fonda, whose career began with a starring role in Strong story in 1960, she famously announced her retirement from acting after tying the knot after 1991 Ted Turner. The couple divorced after 10 years of marriage, and Fonda made her on-screen return in the 2005 rom-com Monster in lawwhich also stars Jennifer Lopez.

“I left for 15 years when I married Ted Turner, and I didn’t think I was going to come back because when I married him I thought it would be forever,” the actress said. Entertainment tonight while promoting her comedy, 80 for Brady‘, in 2023. ‘But I came back, and honestly, if someone had told me that I would be making these kinds of films at the age of 85, I wouldn’t have believed them. So I feel very happy.”

Since her early return, Fonda has starred in numerous productions, including Netflix Grace and Frankie, Georgia rule opposite Lindsay Lohan, This is where I leave you, The newsroom, Book club and the sequel and more.

Terrence Howard

After Howard was asked what his next step was after the end of his hit show, Empirethe actor said he was planning to throw in the towel on his acting career.

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

Although he stated that he was done with the industry, Howard appeared in numerous productions after the series ended Empireincluded Cut Throat City, The system And The Best Man: Final Chaptersairs in 2022. While promoting 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 this is the end for the rest of them,” he said ANDreferring to his costars. “Two years ago I largely retired. I was done.”

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

Cameron Diaz

Diaz, who rose to fame with her breakthrough role in The mask opposite Jim Carrey in 1994, she quickly became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses for rom-coms, dramas and more.

After almost twenty years of leading roles in films such as The sweetest, There’s something about Maria, Charlie’s Angels, Gangs of New York, The holiday And Bad teacher – and also voicing Fiona in all of them Shrek films – Diaz appeared in three final 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 Entertainment weekly and she The sweetest costars, Christina Applegate And Selma Blair. After Applegate described herself as “semi-retired,” Diaz responded, “I’m semi-retired too, and I’m actually retired, so I’d like to see you ladies.”

Although she later said she quit acting to focus on her family and her personal life (she shares daughter Raddix and son Cardinal with husband Benji Madden), Diaz came out of retirement in 2022 when she signed on to play the lead role Back in action opposite Jamie Foxx. The Netflix film will premiere in January 2025.

Kathy Bates

Although Bates has been an industry mainstay for over 50 years, appearing in blockbuster giants like Titanic, The blind side And Wrong and starring American horror storyshe thought about retiring after it became increasingly difficult to obtain parts for women her age.

From October 2024 she will shine in the Matlock reboot, and said she would continue performing as long as opportunities arise.

Joe Pesci

Known for his roles in ’90s classics such as Good guys, My cousin Vinny, Casino, Home alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York And Lethal weapon 2, 3 And 4Pesci announced his decision to retire from acting in 1999.

Despite wanting to focus on life outside the spotlight, Pesci made multiple cameos in productions such as The Good Shepherd And Love Ranchand eventually returned to the big screen in 2019 The Irishman. He also played along Bupkis opposite Pete Davidson in 2023, and appeared in Day of battle that year.

Mara Wilson

Wilson, who catapulted to child stardom with her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda And Miracle on 34th Streetretired from acting after the 2000s 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, including Big Hero 6: The Series And Welcome to Nachtvale.

However, in a 2017 blog post, Wilson explained the reason behind her departure from Tinseltown.

“Film can be exciting, but more often it is annoying. The celebrity aspect is absolutely ridiculous, and auditioning is cruel and inhumane,” she wrote in part. “Every time I see a beautiful young girl reading for an audition on the subway, I just think, ‘Man, I’m glad I don’t do that anymore.’ I never feel nostalgia, just relief.”