Celebs Who Came Out of Retirement

Sometimes the spotlight gets a second hello. Actors step away and then return to sets. Musicians wrap farewell tours and later book new dates. Athletes file retirement papers and then lace up again. The reasons vary, from family time to health to unfinished business, but the through line is simple. They missed the work that made them who they are.

Here are well known names who said they were done and then jumped back in. You will see film icons who returned to cameras, chart toppers who hit the stage again, and sports legends who suited up for one more run. Each entry explains when they left, what brought them back, and what they did once they reappeared.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz stepped away from acting after a run that included the 2014 film ‘Annie’. She confirmed her retirement several years later and kept a low profile while focusing on family and ventures outside movies. Her film credits paused and the industry largely assumed she was done with on screen roles.

She returned to set by joining the action comedy ‘Back in Action’ opposite Jamie Foxx. Production put her back in the day to day rhythm of filming after years off. The move reopened the door to future projects and marked a clear break from her earlier retirement stance.

Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement after completing ‘The Wind Rises’. Studio Ghibli shifted leadership while he focused on the museum and personal projects, and fans accepted that his feature directing days were over. The studio continued to preserve his legacy through exhibitions and restorations.

Years later he returned to direct the feature ‘The Boy and the Heron’. The film’s release signaled that his creative drive had not faded. It also brought Studio Ghibli back to the center of global conversation with a new hand drawn work guided by the cofounder himself.

Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh said he was stepping away from feature filmmaking after finishing ‘Side Effects’ and the television film ‘Behind the Candelabra’. He explored other creative avenues and worked in television while maintaining that his film retirement was real. Industry watchers pegged his move as a pivot that might last for good.

He later returned to theaters with ‘Logan Lucky’. The comeback led to a steady stream of new features that experimented with production methods and distribution, including projects like ‘Unsane’ and ‘No Sudden Move’. His return restored a filmmaker who enjoys trying fresh workflows on a regular basis.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle walked away from ‘Chappelle’s Show’ during its peak and stepped out of the spotlight. He performed sparingly and kept his stand up work mostly to unannounced club sets. For years there was no steady schedule or on camera project tied to him.

He rebuilt a public stand up presence with frequent live dates and a series of new specials. The return placed him back on major stages with long sets and new material. It also reestablished him as a touring headliner after a long absence from television production.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy significantly reduced his acting output and spent many years away from leading roles. He declined frequent offers while focusing on family and music. For a time it looked like the fast pace of his earlier career would stay in the past.

He returned to star in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’, which put him back at the center of a true story about an independent filmmaker. He followed with ‘Coming 2 America’ and then led ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’. The string of projects showed a full scale return to on screen work.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z framed 2003 as a retirement from recording after a high profile concert and a final album for that era. He continued to run a label and expand business interests while stepping back from releasing new solo records. The announcement stood for several years and became a defining chapter.

He came back with the album Kingdom Come in 2006 and resumed a regular release and tour cycle. The return included arena shows, collaborations, and business expansions that intertwined with music. It made clear that his retirement from recording had ended in favor of an active studio and stage presence.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks retired from music in 2000 to focus on raising his daughters. He limited appearances to a few charity and special events while avoiding long tours and heavy promotion. Country radio kept his catalog in rotation during his quiet years.

He returned with a Las Vegas residency and then relaunched full touring. New albums followed and stadium shows drew large crowds across multiple seasons. The comeback restored him as a headlining live act after a lengthy family focused break.

LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem played a farewell show in 2011 and said the band was done. The performance capped a run of albums and tours that had grown from clubs to large venues. The group stepped away and released recordings from that final night as a document.

The band reunited a few years later and released the album American Dream. A new tour schedule brought the group back to festivals and arenas with an updated set. The return turned a farewell into another chapter with fresh material and regular live dates.

Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe signed a touring cessation agreement and closed with a final show at the end of 2015. The band issued statements that the road chapter had ended. Members focused on separate projects and the group paused major activity.

They later voided the agreement and announced a stadium tour with fellow rock acts. After schedule shifts, the tour rolled out with modern production and a large catalog. The move returned the band to big stages years after a proclaimed finish.

Phil Collins

Phil Collins announced retirement from music due to health concerns and hearing issues. He stepped back from performing and limited his appearances, focusing on recovery and writing. Fans assumed he would not take on long tours again.

He came back with the Not Dead Yet tour, performing seated with his band and support from his son on drums. He also regrouped with Genesis for The Last Domino tour. The return placed him on major stages once more while adapting the shows to his health needs.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993 after a third championship. He spent the next period playing baseball at the professional level and kept a low profile in basketball. The Bulls continued without him while the league adjusted to his absence.

He returned to the Bulls in 1995 and won three more championships. After a second retirement in 1999 he came back again in 2001 with the Washington Wizards. Those final seasons added thousands of points to his career totals and extended his on court legacy.

George Foreman

George Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 after a long run that included a world title. He worked as a minister and community advocate and put boxing aside. Many assumed his time in the ring was complete.

He returned a decade later and fought his way back into contention. In 1994 he won the heavyweight title again at age forty five by defeating Michael Moorer. The victory made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history at the time and turned his comeback into a landmark sports story.

Brett Favre

Brett Favre announced his retirement from the NFL in 2008 after a long tenure with Green Bay. The decision was emotional and followed an extended run of consecutive starts. It ended an era for the team and the league.

He unretired later that year and joined the New York Jets. After another retirement in 2009 he returned again to play for the Minnesota Vikings. His seasons in Minnesota included a deep playoff run and continued his streak of starts before his final exit.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady announced his retirement in early 2022 after a long career with New England and Tampa Bay. The decision came after a season that extended his many passing records. It was framed as a move to focus on family and future projects.

He returned to Tampa Bay weeks later and played the 2022 season as starting quarterback. After that campaign he announced a second retirement in early 2023. The brief return added another year of starts and continued postseason appearances.

Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL in 2019 after several seasons that included injuries and championships. He stepped away from the physical demands of the position and explored media work and partnerships. Fans viewed the move as the end of an impactful tight end career.

He returned in 2020 to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay after a trade from New England. He contributed through the regular season and playoffs and won another Super Bowl. He then retired again in 2022 after two seasons with the team.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps retired after the 2012 Olympics with a historic medal count. He reduced public racing and focused on training in a limited way while exploring ventures outside the pool. His departure shifted attention to the next generation of swimmers.

He returned to competition in 2014 and qualified for another Olympic Games. At the 2016 Olympics he added more medals to his totals across relay and individual events. The comeback expanded a record that already led global swimming history.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired from boxing in 2007 while holding multiple world titles. He stepped away from the ring at the height of his earning power and public profile. The pause led to speculation about a future return.

He came back in 2009 and fought a series of high profile bouts before another retirement in 2015. He then returned in 2017 for a widely watched fight against Conor McGregor. After that he shifted to exhibitions while keeping his perfect professional record intact.

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher retired from Formula One at the end of 2006 after seven world championships. He moved into advisory roles and test work that did not involve full time racing. The paddock anticipated that his competitive driving career had closed.

He returned in 2010 with the Mercedes team and raced through 2012. The comeback added three more seasons to his career and helped develop the team’s future success. His return brought one of the sport’s biggest names back to the grid for a final stint.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing his HIV diagnosis. He remained connected to the sport through advocacy and business work. The Lakers and the league adapted to his departure while he promoted public health education.

He returned for the 1992 All Star Game and later played for the Dream Team at the Olympics. In 1996 he came back for a late career run of regular season games with the Lakers. The brief return gave fans one more chance to see him compete before he retired again.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey retired from mixed martial arts after her final bout in 2016. She stepped away from the octagon and kept a low profile while assessing next steps. Her exit closed a chapter that had included multiple title defenses.

She returned to the ring in sports entertainment with a debut at a major event in 2018. She wrestled full time through the following year, then stepped away before coming back again in 2022. The move shifted her career from MMA to professional wrestling while maintaining a high profile schedule.

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