20 celebrities whose careers took off later in life

While she had a steady career for decades, she didn’t become the national treasure we know and love until she joined The Mary Tyler Moore Show in her 50s. We’re just obsessed with the fact that her biggest era—The Golden Girls—didn’t even start until she was in her 60s, proving that you really can just keep getting better with time.

He spent years taking small roles and even working as a makeup artist on the side to pay the bills. We finally took notice when he starred in The Hurt Locker at 36, and it’s wild to think he didn't become a Marvel mainstay until he was nearly 40.

It feels like she’s been on our screens forever, but she didn’t land her career-defining role as Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights until she was 39. We’re just glad the industry finally realized she has the best hair—and the best range—in the business.

After decades on the stand-up circuit, she finally got her massive break on Saturday Night Live at age 47. We love that she didn't let the industry's obsession with youth stop her. If you've seen her work, then you know her energy is unmatched, and the films she's done since prove she was always meant for the big screen.

He spent years as a struggling actor and musician, even working as a waiter and a wind-and-fire alarm salesman to get by. He was 41 when Sling Blade changed everything for him, and we’re just glad he stuck it out because his specific brand of grit is something Hollywood definitely needed.

It's genuinely hard to remember a time when he wasn't the "voice of God" in every movie, but he didn't reach true stardom until he was 50. We spent so much of our childhood hearing his narration that it's wild to think he spent the first half of his career as a relatively unknown character actor.

She was a veteran of the stage for years, but she didn't become a household name until she terrified us all in Misery at age 42. We love that she’s spent decades playing every kind of role imaginable, proving she’s a versatile queen who can command audiences even as an adult. 

It’s almost impossible to imagine morning TV without his energy, but Regis didn't actually hit it big nationally until he was 57. He’s the ultimate proof that you can start your most exciting chapter when you least expect it.

He was 40 before The Office (the original UK version) changed his life forever, and we honestly can't imagine comedy without his specific brand of awkward, cringe-inducing humor. 

He was over 30 before he even got his first film role, and he didn't become a major star until The French Connection, when he was 41. We’ve watched him dominate the screen for decades, and it’s a good reminder that a slow burn often leads to the most legendary career.

It’s almost impossible to imagine Hollywood without his iconic voice, but he was actually 45 before Pulp Fiction made him a household name. We’re just glad he finally got the spotlight, because the movies have been about 100% more intense and entertaining ever since he arrived.

Viola Davis is arguably the greatest actress of our generation, yet the industry didn't truly give her her flowers until she was in her 40s. We’ve been captivated by every performance since Doubt, and honestly, we’re just making up for lost time at this point.

Before he was the villain we loved to hate in Die Hard or the complicated hero in Harry Potter, Alan Rickman was 42 and mostly known for theater. He brought a specific kind of class and sass to every role, and we really can't imagine our childhood favorites without that legendary voice.

We spent years watching her as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, but it wasn't until Bridesmaids that she became the comedy titan she is today. We live for her physical comedy and her "don't care" attitude. 

We spent years seeing him as the lovable, high-strung dad on Malcolm in the Middle, so watching him pivot into a gritty anti-hero in his 50s was a total shock to the system. It’s actually one of the coolest career shifts we’ve ever seen, and it’s a great reminder that you can completely reinvent yourself whenever you're ready.

It’s hard to remember a time before Michael Scott, but Steve Carell was well into his 40s when The Office and The 40-Year-Old Virgin turned him into a superstar. We’ve spent so many hours bingeing the awkward comedy that he basically feels like our honorary (and very stressed) uncle.

After years of playing "Nurse" or "Background Character," Octavia finally got the script she deserved with The Help. We were all cheering when she won her Oscar, because she’s the kind of relatable, powerhouse performer we always want to see more of.

He was literally working as a carpenter to support his family when he landed the role of Han Solo in his mid-30s. We’re eternally grateful he put down the hammer and picked up a blaster, because the vibe of every action movie since would be totally different without him.

While she's always been a cult favorite, the "Coolidge Renaissance" we're living in right now is everything we ever wanted. Seeing her sweep every award show in her 60s is proof that being unapologetically yourself eventually pays off in the most iconic way possible.

He spent decades working steadily in Europe, but the rest of the world didn't get to experience his genius until he was 53. Now, we can’t imagine a Tarantino movie without his terrifyingly polite energy. He's proof that sometimes the best is truly saved for last.