The 7 Most Inspiring Celebrity Comebacks (Besides RDJ)

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When you think of the classic rise-from-the-ashes story, Robert Downey, Jr. is probably the first celebrity name that comes to mind. RDJ, as his name is affectionately abbreviated, was synonymous with drug abuse and addiction. Today, however, RDJ is sitting pretty. He has re-built his image and career – to even greater than before. He is the epitome of the phoenix story: crashing and burning only to rise again from the ashes, a new and improved version of himself. Among his ranks are the 7 most inspiring celebrity comebacks (after drugs).

#1. Drew Barrymore

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It’s well-know that Drew Barrymore was a wild child. Hers was a tragic tale of what childhood fame can lead to: at age of 9, Barrymore was already smoking cigarettes, at 11 she was alcoholic, at 12 she was regularly smoking marijuana, at 13 she was addicted to cocaine and at 14 she attempted suicide. After two stays in rehab, Barrymore turned her life around. She’s now a successful actress, producer, and owner of a film production company. Barrymore is also a stunning mom-to-be.

#2. Britney Spears

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After a very public meltdown during which Spears seemed to become completely unraveled, the former teen pop star sensation did an about-face. The star admitted that she had hit rock bottom after completely shaving her hair off and attacking a photographer with an umbrella a day after she left a drug rehab. Spears had allegedly struggled with alcohol, amphetamines, and crystal meth all of which obviously took their toll on her mental health. Today, her album Circus (2008) and her newfound niche in the Vegas scene has made Spears the ultimate Comeback Kid: she has a huge fan-base again as well as the custody of her children.

#3. Robin Williams

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Back in his (first) hey-day, Robin Williams was an up-and-coming stand-up comic with a raging cocaine addiction. Williams also abused many other drugs at the beginning of his career. He says that the overdose death of longtime friend John Belushi was the wakeup call he needed to change his ways. He checked himself into rehab to treat his disease. Once sober, he went on to star on many dramatic films including “Good Will Hunting,” for which he earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Williams was in rehab again more recently, this time for alcohol.

#4. Ben Affleck

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Oscar-winning actor Ben Affleck went to rehab for alcohol addiction back in 2001. Since, Affleck has cleaned up his act, and has continued to star and produce numerous films, eventually marrying Jennifer Garner, and having two children with her. Affleck is now slated to play Batman in the next movie in the franchise.

#5. Ozzy Osbourne

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Ozzy Osbourne struggled with alcohol and drugs for nearly 40 years. In 1979, he was fired from Black Sabbath spent three months locked in a hotel room on a drug binge. Osbourne credits his then-girlfriend (now wife) Sharon with helping him to get his life back on track. He says that, had it not been for Sharon’s offering to manage him he would’ve died in that hotel room.

#6. Steven Tyler

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The Aerosmith front man was addicted to heroin and stimulants throughout the 70’s and 80’s and even collapsed at a show in 1984. This prompted his fellow band members to stage an intervention which led to him checking into rehab. Tyler relapsed in the 90’s, but is now currently sober and his career is bigger than ever.

#7. Keith Urban

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Keith Urban checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in October of 2006 for rehabilitation from an alcohol and drug abuse. Shortly thereafter, Urban issued a public statement apologizing to his wife, Nichole Kidman, as well as to his friends and family for the damage he had caused them in his addiction and for “letting his guard down.” Urban has remained clean and sober since and is enjoying both personal and professional success.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-777-9588.

Source:

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