Celebs Who Were Cheerleaders 

Megan Fox

Super Bowl XLV will see the Steelers facing off against the Packers. To get into the gridiron spirit, see which celebs led cheers before audiences cheered for them. 

From the 88-year-old who hosted "Saturday Night Live" to the QB who uplifted his team and town, several people have come back bigger than ever in 2010. Meet the following folks (and one company) who overcame adversity to achieve dramatic success.

Betty White

Betty White

Then: Underemployed icon of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls".
2010: At advanced age, kills as "SNL" host. Appears in new sitcom and has a book deal.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock

Then: Moving into a perilous age for Hollywood, she slogs through low-buzz films.
2010: Nabs Best Actress Oscar for this movie and hits this box office record.

Jerry Brown

Jerry Brown

Then: Ex-governor of California who ran thrice for this job and failed.
2010: Decades later, is re-elected California governor against rich opponent.

Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien

Then: After a short stint, O'Brien leaves dream job. Transcript of farewell speech.
2010: Pockets settlement, joins Twitter, launches new show, scores huge ratings.

Cher

Cher

Then: Last movie? 1999. Last album? 2002.
2010: Outshines "Burlesque" co-star half her age. Rocks fishnets in magazine.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin

Then: After losing historic election, she quits governor's job.
2010: Power broker; best-selling author; reality TV star. And, big question ...

Harry Reid

Harry Reid

Then: Racial comments about future President Obama. Tough re-election looms.
2010: Held on to his Senate seat and will retain his powerful position.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges

Then: Appears in 1982's "Tron". Are the Dude's best roles behind him?
2010: Wins Best Actor Oscar for this movie. Appears in "Tron: Legacy"

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin

Then: His "West Wing" ends. Creates short-lived Matthew Perry show.
2010: Writes "The Social Network". Directing true tale of unfaithful politico.

Julie Taymor

Julie Taymor

Then: Director of 1997 Broadway smash releases Beatles movie to mixed reviews.
2010: Teams with legendary rockers to bring "Spider-Man" to Broadway.

Eminem

Eminem

Then: Overdosed on this drug in 2007. Tense relations with mother and ex-wife.
2010: Releases album "Recovery" with hit single with Rihanna. Grammy nomination.

Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns

Then: As president of an ailing corporate giant, Burns had to swing the hatchet.
2010: Named CEO last year; assumed this title in May. Why is this historic?

Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen

Then: Declines to chat with Oprah Winfrey, who does this. No big book since 2001.
2010: Critics praise his best-selling novel. Appears on you-know-who's book club list.

Ford Motor Co.

Ford Motor Co.

Then: Reports staggering loss for 2008. Joins other automakers in requesting this.
2010: After refusing federal funds, Ford announces this for first time since 2005.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers

Then: Losing gigs to this star-bashing comedienne. Resigned to reality TV.
2010: After winning reality-TV contest, revives career with acclaimed documentary.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees

Then: After returning to Hurricane Katrina-hit home, Saints fail to make '07 and '08 playoffs.
2010: Leads Saints to Super Bowl win. His charity helps kids affected by Katrina.

Rihanna

Rihanna

Then: Could she ever top "Umbrella"? Boyfriend sentenced for abuse.
2010: Wins "Run This Town" Grammys. Hits No. 1 with "Only Girl"

Chilean miners

The Chilean Miners

Then: While mining for this, 33 men were trapped underground. What went wrong?
2010: After more than two months, all were rescued.

Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Then: Been dead for how long? "Huckleberry Finn" too edgy for children?
2010: Twain autobiography published. Author hits amazing milestone.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry

Then: Sexy pop song is song of summer 2008. One-hit-wonder alert?
2010: Confirms star status with two summer hits: "California Gurls"

 

Celebrity Babies of 2010

Celeb babies of 2010

Celebrity Babies of 2010

Lights, camera … diapers! See which stars added some precious new faces to their entourages this year. They include a fashion designer, an actor turned producer and a healthy-cuisine visionary.

Nina Garcia

Nina Garcia

Fashion director (at which magazine?) and reality star Garcia and her husband welcomed a baby boy on Nov. 29. He is the couple’s second son (who’s his big brother?).

John Travolta & Kelly Preston

John Travolta & Kelly Preston

Though still mourning last year’s sudden loss of 16-year-old son, Jett, the Hollywood couple (together how long?) became the proud parents of a baby boy on Nov. 23. Their daughter, who’s already starting her acting career, is now a big sister.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

The animal-friendly fashion designer — with a celebrity dad of her own — welcomed her fourth child on Nov. 23 (how much did she weigh?). The baby girl joins three older siblings.

Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry

The rock front man (hear a track) and American Idol alum joined his wife, Deanna, in welcoming boy-and-girl twins on Nov. 17. This makes four for the couple who already have a son and daughter. Here are the details on the twins' birth.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

The former child actor who has conquered the small screen and is on to the theater became a dad this year. On Oct. 12, he and his partner became the parents of boy-and-girl twins.

Céline Dion

Celine Dion

On Oct. 23, Canadian mega-star Dion (hear her signature song) and her husband-manager welcomed twins. They were conceived with the help of modern science. The twins join a big brother, and all three kids are already getting used to the spotlight.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon

Damon debuted more than just a Western remake and an Eastwood project this year. His wife, Luciana, gave birth to a baby girl on Oct. 20. She is the couple’s third (see big sis pics). Baby’s got an older stepsister, too.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys

The singer/actress (what’s her real name?) gave birth to her first son on Oct. 14. Her music producer husband has three children from previous relationships, including a tumultuous marriage to another singer. Happy mommy Keys has been blogging about her bliss.

James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek

The former teen actor (what was his most recent role?) and wife  Kimberly  became first-time parents on Sept. 25. Read his ecstatic tweet.

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver

This healthy-cuisine visionary (what’s his stage name) added another place setting to the family table. His wife, Juliette, welcomed a baby boy into their flock of daughters (all with fun-loving names) on Sept. 15. This is his nickname for his youngest gourmand.

Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez

Lopez — a teen heartthrob (click here to swoon) turned celeb host — became a proud papa on Sept. 11. His wife, Courtney, gave birth to a girl who’s already a TV star (watch clips), not to mention a budding model. What was his take on childbirth?

Rachel Dratch

Rachel Dratch

Since announcing her pregnancy, the 'SNL' alum (clip) kept the media guessing about the dad (he’s no longer a secret). Their son was born Aug. 24. Wonder if she’s scheduled play dates with this new mom.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler

The comedienne (watch and laugh) and her funnyman husband introduced their 2-year-old son to a new baby brother, born Aug. 6.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams

The enchanting screen star and her actor fiancé welcomed their first child on May 15. Adams earned an Oscar nod for her role as a mom-to-be. Maybe she’ll watch her upcoming project with her daughter.

Claudia Schiffer

Claudia Schiffer

One of the original supermodels (see pictures) gave birth to a baby girl on May 14. She and her producer husband (what’s his latest hit?) have two other little ones.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian

R&B singers Milian (watch her in action) and her then-husband (who is he?) made beautiful music together; hence, a baby girl was born on Feb. 26. See her out on the town.

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

After struggling with this condition, the dishy TV hostess and her now-ex-boyfriend brought a healthy baby girl into the world on Feb. 20 (see baby’s day out).

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg

The actor-turned-producer (for which show?) and his model wife, Rhea Durham, welcomed another little girl into their family — they already have three kids — on Jan. 11.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

The actor (watch his latest trailer) and his TV hostess wife, Camila Alves (which show?), had their second child Jan. 3. The couple had their older son in 2008.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock

The Oscar winner didn’t have time to dwell on the negative. In January, she adopted a baby boy from this city and is now enjoying motherhood (see his turn as a coverbaby).