3. Iron Man - Robert Downey, Jr.
There is no doubting that Robert Downey, Jr. has always been one of the most gifted actors of the last twenty years, particularly when it comes to a light-hearted or slightly crazed character. However, what can also not be denied is that he was probably months away from death at several points during the '90s, thanks to problems with heroin, cocaine and alcoholism, all of which seemingly killed off a once bright career. Earlier performances in films such as Chaplin (earning him an Oscar nomination) and Natural Born Killers showed signs of a fantastic career just waiting to unfold. Unfortunately, Robert Downey Jr. spent most of the rest of the nineties in and out of court rooms and prison cells. After finally entering rehab, he appeared in various TV roles, including Ally McBeal and Family Guy, and eventually regained enough of his credibility for his film career to take off. But "take off" doesn't quite cover it, does it? In 2008, not only was Robert Downey Jr. cast in the successful Tropic Thunder, but he also became Tony Stark in Marvel's Iron Man series. You all already know just how good he is in that role, the man simple IS Iron Man. Not satisfied with being everybody's favourite goatee-wearing superhero billion, he then also became everyone's favourite whispy-haired detective, Sherlock Holmes. The turn around in one man's career is simply staggering; he is easily one of the most bankable faces in the business, not to mention becoming a fountain of wisdom, reflecting on his own alcohol problems, he magnificently said: "I don't drink these days. I'm allergic to alcohol and narcotics. I break out in handcuffs."