10 Actors Who Dramatically Rebranded Themselves In The Last Decade

Drug problems have derailed a lot of careers in the entertainment industry, and oftentimes there's not much of a happy ending to go along with it. Luckily, Robert Downey Jr. pulled himself back up from the bowels of show business to ascend to the very top of the Hollywood Hills.

The thing about Robert Downey Jr. is that he didn't even change that his onscreen persona all that much, he just brought his natural smart-aleck charm to more high profile roles. His absence from buzz-worthy films was, of course, due to some mandatory time off thanks to some serious drug convictions and the long, slow slog back into the industry's good graces.

He came back quietly at first, sliding into lower-profile roles in Gothika, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Good Night, Good Luck, all of which displayed that effortless RDJ charisma we'd all but forgotten. It was also during this time that he met his future wife, producer Susan Levin, the woman he credits with bringing him back from the brink once and for all.

His major re-breakout was obviously as the superhero who would go on to carry the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe on his shoulders, Iron Man. But he's also remained true to the George Clooney methodology of using his big blockbuster credentials to make smaller films, like The Soloist and Chef.

With the roles of Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes firmly clenched in his paws, Downey became the highest paid actor in the world three years running.

Which other reinvented actors belong on this list? Share your favourite suggestions below in the comments thread.