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Despite how clich it can be, everyone is a sucker for a good comeback story. I don't know many people that would not cheer for a heavily misguided person battling demons in order to resurrect the life that he himself destroyed. This is especially the case for celebrities. When they make headlines for drug abuse, arrests, crimes they committed, etc., we know they will be judged more severely in these cases, but more importantly, they will not be allowed to live these incidents down. It is a permanent stigma to their careers that can only be eclipsed by a comeback, and 2008 was full of them. Here are the three most newsworthy:

1) Britney Spears Perhaps the most anticipated comeback is that of our favorite pop princess. For the last few years we've witnessed her steady decline from being worshipped to being pitied and considered a lost cause by the world. Honestly, if you could make Kevin Federline look like Father of the Year, then there is something seriously wrong here. And it's rather hard to deny it when photographers are there to record it all- from the bizarre head shaving, to the attack on a paparazzo with an umbrella, from requesting hearings for custody of her two sons only not to go in when she reached the courthouse, to several car accidents, and not to mention two hospitalizations where she was strapped to a gurney to keep from hurting herself. According to Rolling Stone 's feature story in early 2008, Britney's career looked bleak, and there was definitely no trace of innocence in her anymore. But only months later, our beloved Catholic schoolgirl was back in shape doing what she does best- selling out concerts thanks to her no. 1 album Circus, a couple of VMA Moonmen and two seductive music videos for her uberhits, "Womanizer and "Circus Welcome back Brit!

2) Mickey Rourke "Don't do what I did. You have to be a professional, you have to be accountable and you have to understand there are repercussions," said Rourke to young celebrities like Spears who are their own worst enemies. And he would know that better than anyone. Once hailed as the next Jack Nicholson for his roles in masterpieces such as Body Heat, Diner, Rumble Fish, Angel Heart and Barfly among others, Mickey Rourke was on the fast track to becoming a legend, only to become his own obstacle. At the height of his popularity, he earned reputation for being difficult and unreliable on set, not making him the first choice for directors and producers to offer roles. Drifting into obscurity for the last 15 years, he pursued a career in professional boxing and was limited to small unrecognized roles, most notably as the villain in Enrique Iglesias's video for "Hero." However, that has all changed with his buzzworthy leading role in The Wrestler. For those who know of his past, the film depicting a has-been professional wrestler given one last chance at glory could be the very script of his life. His Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination mark the beginning of a second wind for his career, something he is very grateful for as he expressed at the Beverly Hills premiere for the movie.

3) Robert Downey Jr. It's been quite the year at the box office for Robert Downey Jr. Unlike the aforementioned celebrities, 2008 marks a second, more successful comeback for his career. The acclaimed actor, known for breakout roles in movies such as The Pick-up Artist, Less than Zero, Air America and Chaplin, and his work in the television series Ally McBeal, has had a history of drug abuse landing him in and out of prison and rehab centers for the better part of the last decade or so. Yet, he has finally beat his addictions, and lasting sobriety has resulted in blockbuster roles no one would have ever pegged him for even at the height of his career as a youth- a superhero and a black man. His performances in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder have ensured his longevity in the industry and Golden Globe and Oscar nods indicate that he is still a major contender for future leading roles.

Learn more about this author, Maria Miaoulis.
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