In this captivating narrative, I find myself utterly mesmerized by the extraordinary journeys of these remarkable individuals who graced our screens with their unforgettable performances. From Richard Farnsworth, the man whose first credited role came at the age of 46, to Lucille Ball, who found fame in her 40s on “I Love Lucy”, it’s a testament to the fact that success often comes when we least expect it.
Breaking into Hollywood is no easy feat; countless actors labor for years before eventually achieving stardom. These resilient individuals persisted through hardship until they finally reached superstardom in their forties. Remarkable figures like Steve Carell, Kathy Bates, Alan Rickman, and many more have now become familiar faces, but their journey to fame took decades.
Steve Carell
Like so many other people Steve Carell started his career at Second City in Chicago. He then kicked around television for a while, with roles on the Dana Carvey Show and eventually at The Daily Show. It’s when he left that show to head the cast in The Office that his career exploded and he became one of the most beloved stars on earth.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson has an extraordinary career history in Hollywood, but it was a journey that spanned many years before he reached such prominence. His debut performance was in 1972 when he was only 24 years old, yet it wasn’t until the late ’80s, following several minor roles, that he secured the part of Jules Winfield in “Pulp Fiction,” a role that catapulted his career to unparalleled success.
Alan Rickman
In the mid-70s, the late and renowned Alan Rickman embarked on a theater career, securing consistent roles during the early ’80s. However, it wasn’t until 1988, when he was 42 years old, that he made his big-screen debut in a small film titled “Die Hard“. To this very day, Hans Gruber remains an iconic cinematic villain. Throughout the subsequent years, Rickman starred in numerous movies, with the Harry Potter series being particularly notable. Tragically, he passed away in 2016 at the age of 69.
Betty White
Betty White didn’t become a major star until after her 40th birthday in 1962. Following this milestone, she was cast on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. And it wasn’t until after her 60th birthday that she achieved even greater fame as part of the iconic cast of The Golden Girls alongside Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. Prior to these accomplishments in her later years, she had some success in the ’50s with her own TV show for NBC and a minor hit called Life with Elizabeth.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman, born in 1937, didn’t become a cinematic legend until nearly half a century later. In the 1960s and ’70s, he dabbled in various roles as a dancer and stage actor. However, it was his breakout role in the 1987 film “Street Smart,” alongside Christopher Reeve, that truly catapulted him to fame. This role earned him his first Oscar nomination, and by the time of the 1989 film “Glory,” Morgan Freeman had solidified his status as a bona fide movie star.
Bea Arthur
Similar to Betty White, who found major success later in life as a “Golden Girls” co-star, Bea Arthur experienced similar late-in-life prominence. Active in acting since the 1940s, it wasn’t until she portrayed Maude Findlay, initially on “All In The Family,” and subsequently in her own spinoff series titled “Maude,” that Arthur gained widespread recognition. By this time, she was close to 50 years old, yet her stardom continued to shine brightly thereafter.
Brian Dennehy
Initially, Brian Dennehy didn’t pursue acting as a career. Following his service in the Marines and obtaining a history degree from Columbia University in 1965, he found himself drawn to theater. This led him to work in regional theater. Not until 1983, after having played several minor roles, did he land his first significant part as the sheriff in “First Blood” at the age of 45.
Kathryn Joosten
Kathryn Joosten is renowned for portraying the cherished Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing, and much like her character, her actual life story is incredibly uplifting. The first half of her life saw her working as a nurse, then as a stay-at-home mom, nurturing two children. Following a divorce at the age of 42, Joosten embarked on a career in local theater in her hometown of Chicago. At 53, she relocated to Orlando and took on a role as a performer at Disney World. Shortly after, she moved to Hollywood and began securing roles on television. Incredible indeed!
Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates initially appeared on screen in 1970, but it took over two decades for her to rise to fame. During this time, she worked in theater and had minor roles in TV shows. However, it was her unforgettable portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery that catapulted her to stardom. Indeed, her performance as one of Hollywood’s greatest female villains is still celebrated today.
Bryan Cranston
When Bryan Cranston’s name is mentioned, it’s often associated with the show “Breaking Bad,” and rightfully so as he played Walter White at the age of 52. However, it wasn’t his first major role; that had come eight years earlier when he starred in “Malcolm In The Middle” after his 40th birthday. Although Cranston has been active in acting for a long time, it was this role post-40 that truly established him in the industry.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis, a multiple EGOT winner, began her career triumphantly on the stage, bagging two Tonys before reaching 40. In 2008, at the age of 43, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in “Doubt,” but it was her role in the 2011 film “The Help” that propelled her to extraordinary fame and earned her another Oscar nomination.
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield has one of the best stories of perseverance in Hollywood history. Though technically his career started in the 1930s, his stand-up was so bland that he eventually gave up and became a salesman. In the 1960s, he re-invented himself and his act and it was a hit, with some of the best one-liners of all time. Suddenly the guy that got no respect was getting respect by talking about how he got no respect! It wasn’t until 1980, at almost age 60, that Dangerfield landed his first starring role in a movie, in Caddyshack.
John Mahoney
Initially, John Mahoney kick-started his professional journey as a veteran at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. Following decades spent as an English educator, the eventual star of “Frasier” decided to switch paths and dive into acting in his mid-30s. By the end of the 80s, firmly established in his 40s, Mahoney was securing parts in films such as “Say Anything…” and “Moonstruck”.
Jane Lynch
It’s often noted that Glee catapulted Jane Lynch to fame, but it was actually her role in the Christopher Guest film universe that initially brought her into the limelight. There, she delivered some of the sharpest comedic lines in Best in Show.
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais didn’t directly follow a conventional path to comedic stardom. His journey began in the music industry, then transitioned to radio broadcasting, and eventually led him to appear on The 11 O’Clock Show, a widely recognized British program. However, it was at the age of 40 in 2001 when he collaborated on and starred in The Office, an achievement that has since become legendary.
Michael Emerson
Michael Emerson’s journey to fame was lengthy and filled with challenges, making his tale truly inspiring. For many years, he honed his craft as an actor, initially in New York City, later moving to Florida where he also taught acting. His theatrical career began to take off towards the end of the ’90s, but it was a guest role on The Practice in 2001 that marked a significant turning point for him. Most notably, he achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Ben on Lost.
Peter Dinklage
In the early 00s, Peter Dinklage managed to secure regular employment, but it wasn’t until he was cast as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones at age 42 that he became a household name. This character has remained one of TV history’s most adored, and given its enduring popularity, likely will continue to be so. Interestingly, Tyrion is also the character who appeared in the greatest number of episodes in Game of Thrones.
Larry David
Larry David’s early professional life was marked by fluctuations, but it wasn’t until later that his career truly took flight. His initial significant opportunity came as a writer on Saturday Night Live, yet he didn’t achieve much acclaim in this role. However, at the age of 42, in 1989, he jointly created a television pilot for what eventually grew into Seinfeld, significantly boosting his career. On-screen, following brief appearances on Seinfeld, he garnered even more recognition with HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Melissa McCarthy
In her thirties, Melissa McCarthy played significant side roles on shows like “Gilmore Girls” and “Samantha Who?”, but it wasn’t until her 41st year when she took on the role of Molly in “Mike & Molly” (2011) that her career truly took off. This was followed by a standout performance in “Bridesmaids,” where she captivated audiences, even earning an Academy Award nomination for her efforts.
Margo Martindale
Margo Martindale has ascended to one of the top character actors in Hollywood, a feat that required persistence and time. For many years, she honed her craft in community theater before consistently securing TV roles in her late 30s. Following her 40th birthday, her career skyrocketed with numerous standout supporting roles across both movies and television shows.
Leslie Jones
Saturday Night Live is often considered a platform for young talent, with most cast members joining early in their careers and usually moving on by the time they turn 30. However, Leslie Jones bucked this trend, having joined the show at nearly 50 years old, but quickly making her mark. After leaving SNL, she has continued to shine in roles such as those in the 2016 film Ghostbusters and the 2021 release Coming 2 America.
Ty Burrell
The groundbreaking sitcom “Modern Family” catapulted to fame when it premiered in 2007, and one of its main actors, Ty Burrell, quickly rose to stardom as a result. Before this, he had spent years working in Hollywood in secondary roles, and even starred in the brief series “Out of Practice”. It was through “Modern Family” that he ultimately became a well-known name across households.
Octavia Spencer
In the mid-90s, Octavia Spencer began appearing in smaller roles and supporting parts, but it was in 2011 with the release of “The Help” that she gained widespread recognition, even after her 40th birthday. Not only did she win an Academy Award for her performance in “The Help“, but she has also been nominated multiple times for other roles, such as those in “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water“.
Patrick Stewart
As Patrick Stewart continued to work in theater and appeared in minor roles on TV and film, it wasn’t until his casting as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 that he achieved widespread recognition. By the time of this role, he was already 47 years old, and his fame has only grown over the years.
Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton essentially carved out his own success in the film industry following numerous smaller acting roles. He penned, directed, and played the lead in “Sling Blade“. This low-budget production turned out to be a masterpiece, and since then, he’s been landing major roles and receiving awards regularly.
Hannah Waddingham
Hannah Waddingham, much like many other actors, initially made her mark in the world of theater. Given her exceptional vocal talents and exceptional acting skills, it’s no surprise that she found early success on stage. It wasn’t until several decades later that she would replicate this success on screen, with roles in hit shows such as “Game of Thrones” and, most notably, “Ted Lasso,” which has become her most renowned work to date.
Richard Farnsworth
Richard Farnsworth, who passed away, had an extraordinary career in Hollywood that stands out in history. Before receiving his first credited role at the age of 46 in 1966’s “Texas Across the River,” he had unrecognized roles in timeless films such as “Gone With The Wind,” “The Ten Commandments,” and “Spartacus.” As the 1970s progressed, he gained recognition as a character actor in notable projects like “Roots,” “The Natural,” and “Misery.
F. Murray Abraham
In the 1970s, F. Murray Abraham initially appeared in several minor film roles. However, it was his unforgettable, Oscar-winning portrayal of Antonio Salieri in the 1984 movie “Amadeus” that catapulted him into widespread recognition and adoration by audiences. This role remains a cherished favorite among fans even today.
Liam Neeson
At age 41, Liam Neeson achieved global recognition for his outstanding performance in the critically acclaimed film, “Schindler’s List.” Playing Oscar Schindler, he etched a role into cinematic history that has ensured his lasting fame. To put it simply, his portrayal in this movie will forever be remembered.
Lucille Ball
It might come as a surprise, but Lucille Ball was already over 40 when she gained fame on I Love Lucy. However, this fact is undeniable. The comedian had been in the entertainment industry for many years before she and her husband Desi Arnaz conceived the now-iconic TV show. Her popularity continued unabated throughout the rest of her life.
Tommy Lee Jones
Similar to many actors hailing from Texas, Tommy Lee Jones is known for marching to his own beat. Having graduated from Harvard, he spent several decades honing his craft, eventually earning a Golden Globe and an Emmy. It wasn’t until the 90s, with films like The Fugitive and Under Siege, that he gained widespread recognition and solidified his status as a leading man.
Ken Jeong
It’s not usual for someone to transition from a career in medicine to acting like Ken Jeong did. However, that’s exactly what he accomplished. Although his passion for acting was always present, he initially chose a more conventional path as a doctor, simultaneously pursuing acting and stand-up comedy on the side. By the mid-2000s, he had built up enough income to abandon medicine, and in 2011, at age 40, he achieved significant success with the Hangover.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-21 18:38