10 Incredible Against-All-Odds Hollywood Comebacks

4. Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix was on top of the world in 2005. His performance as Johnny Cash in Walk The Line was earning him rave reviews and award nominations. He had previously impressed in Gladiator and Hotel Rwanda. The Downfall: In April 2005, however, Phoenix checked himself into rehab seeking treatment for alcoholism. It was very bad timing, considering the recent success of Walk The Line. Then on January 26th 2006, Phoenix crashed his car and was left badly shaken. Thankfully for him, he was rescued by Wernez Herzog, who just happened to be passing by at the time. Things got even more bizarre for Phoenix with the actor claiming in 2008 that he was quitting the business and intended to pursue a career as a hip-hop artist. Well, that certainly came out of left field. Phoenix further confused the masses with his now infamous appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman on February 11th, 2009. Sporting a huge beard and dark sunglasses and appearing uncomfortable and uncooperative throughout, Phoenix divulged little about his future career plans. More erratic public behaviour followed until Casey Affleck revealed that the whole thing had been a hoax and that he and Phoenix were actually filming the mockumentary I'm Still Here. What Brought Him Back: After this bizarre experiment, Phoenix decided to take a couple of years off from acting. He clearly needed to recharge his batteries, for lack of a better term. He returned with a vengeance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 film The Master, for which he was again nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Did It Last?: Phoenix's performances in Her and Inherent Vice have also met with widespread critical acclaim and it looks like Phoenix is once again committed to acting.