Finding success in Hollywood is more often than not a gamble. Many find fame on their first shot while many are left working the entirety of their lives for a shred of recognition. Here is a list of 20 actors who found fame quite late in their careers. These actors have struggled for a long time before finally managing to make a breakthrough and rule the hearts of the audience.
20) Connie Britton
Connie Britton has been a struggling actor for a major part of her life. She had minute roles in series like Spin City and 24. It was finally at the age of 39 that she got a role in the hit show Friday Night Lives, which brought her eminent fame and established her as an acclaimed actress. She even received nominations for two Emmys for this role.
19) Kathryn Joosten
Joosten, for the first 42 years, struggled to find acting roles. She used to work as a psychiatric nurse and finally, when she joined her community theatre she got cast in prominent roles. West Wing and Desperate Housewives are two shows that brought success to Kathryn Joosten.
18) Ken Jeong
Actor Ken Jeong for a long period of his life was Doctor Ken Jeong. He used to work as a physician and later worked as a stand-up comedian in clubs. It was around the age of 37 he got his first breakthrough role in the movie Knocked Up, which was widely appreciated. He later went on to act in iconic movies like The Hangover II, Crazy Rich Asians and many more.
17) Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman used to work as a field radio operator in the United States Marine Corps. It is much later in life, around the age of 37 that he finally found success with the iconic movie, Bonnie and Clyde. He portrayed the role of Buck Barrow in the film and even got nominated for an Oscar. He even won an Oscar for Best Actor for the movie, The French Connection.
16) James Gandolfini
Before the age of 38, James Gandolfini used to work in small roles in shows like True Romance and Get Shorty. His breakthrough moment came when he got cast as Tony Soprano in the famous show, The Sopranos.
15) Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates is an example of resilience. After working in a lot of minor roles, it was at the age of 42 that she gained success when she landed a role in the movie Misery. She portrays a psychotic super fan who is obsessed with an author. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for this role.
14) Jon Hamm
For two decades Jon Hamm struggled to make a name for himself in Hollywood. People wouldn’t cast him on the grounds that he looks "quite old." At the age of 37, almost when he lost all hope, he got cast as Don Draper in Mad Men. It is then that he finally got recognized and received appreciation.
13) Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish is an actress who has faced it all. Homelessness, hunger, and living in foster homes, she has suffered through many traumatic experiences. If that was not enough, she was even struggling to make it in the industry. In 2017, at the age of 37, she finally found success in her role as Dina in Girls Trip.
12) Jeremy Renner
Today Jeremy Renner is known globally for his amazing role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Franchise, Avengers. But he was not always this popular. Not many know that he was struggling to make ends meet and used to work as a makeup artist. Things changed for him when he was nearing 40, and got cast in the movie The Hurt Locker.
11) Jane Lynch
Another actor who found success late in life is Jane Lynch. Her breakthrough moment came at 43 when she got cast in a mockumentary-style show, Best in Show. She was later cast as Coach Sue Sylvester in the show Glee, which is very popular today.
10) Christopher Waltz
Christopher Waltz was 52 when he made his big break in the industry. At his age, rising to fame is considered a miracle but he made it happen. Things started working for him when he got cast in the film Inglorious Bastards. He later acted in many other famous movies like Three Musketeers, Green Hornet, and Legends of Tarzan.
9) Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman is an actor who is highly appreciated and loved for his role as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter Franchise. But this all happened quite late. For a long time, Alan Rickman used to run a graphic design company with his friends. Even when he started acting, it was in the theater. He did earn some Tonys, but his fame was limited. It was at 42 years of age with the film Die Hard that Rickman finally became famous.
8) Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy has starred in famous movies like Charlie’s Angels and Pretty Ugly People, but only in minor roles. She achieved the success she deserved at age 42 by starring in the film Bridesmaids. She received an Oscar nomination for the role and later starred in the famous series, Mike and Molly.
7) Betty White
Today, Betty White has a world record for having the longest career. For a long time, she used to star in small series, game shows, and other insignificant productions. White had established her career but finally found true fame when she got cast in The Mary Tyler Moore Show at 51. Till her death at the age of 99, she continued to act and is considered one of the most influential women in the acting business.
6) Viola Davis
Viola Davis was a graduate of Juilliard. She has been acting in many theatrical productions and movies for a long time. But, she got real success at 43, when she was cast in Doubt. Her prominence increased when she became the main protagonist of the hit show - How to Get Away with Murder.
5) Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson is known today for his work in the iconic movie Schindler’s List. In the film, he portrays the role of a German Businessman who helps Jews get to safety during World War II. His acting earned him an Oscar. He was in his 40s when he performed this role. This role brought him lots of fame and he got cast in other prominent roles in movies like Taken, Love Actually and many more.
4) Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L Jackson began his career with small insignificant roles. His big break happened at 40 with the film Do The Right Thing. Since then he gained eminent success with roles in movies like Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park, Die Hard, Star Wars and more. So much so that in 2022, he received an honorary Oscar award for a lifetime of achievement.
3) Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is now a household name, but this was not always the case. For a long time, he faced a lot of struggles. He barely had any money and had to work in various small roles to make a living. It was in his 30s that he got cast in the movie Rocky and his career significantly rose to prominence. Since then he has starred in numerous hit movies like Rambo, The Expendables, First Blood, Creed and many more.
2) Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford used to work as a carpenter. His casting was interesting, as director George Lucas had hired him to make cabinets but was so impressed by him that he cast him in Star Wars at the age of 33. Harrison Ford since then has become quite popular in the industry with roles in Indiana Jones, Blade Runner and more.
1) Morgan Freeman
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Morgan Freeman, today is at his zenith. His career began early, at 9, in a children’s show, The Electric Company. Since then, for four decades, he worked in minor roles. Until 50 when his role as Fast Black in Street Smart got him the fame he deserved. He has worked in legendary movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Se7en, Bruce Almighty, and Now You See Me and has been recognized as one of the finest actors.
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