It might come as a surprise that not all celebrities become famous when they’re still bright-eyed and fresh-faced. Believe it or not, many of Hollywood’s most iconic stars spend years, and sometimes even decades, searching for their big break. Some work odd jobs as they hone their craft, while others make their living in completely different careers before finding success in the cutthroat market. From doctors who traded medicine for comedy to Broadway performers who finally got their first major opportunity in film, these stars prove that perseverance, talent, and timing matter more than age when chasing dreams.
#1 Bryan Cranston At 44
Walter White from AMC’s Breaking Bad is undoubtedly Bryan Cranston’s most famous character. But what you probably don’t know is that, before this unforgettable role, his first significant breakthrough actually came in 2000, when he was cast as Hal, the lovable yet slightly unhinged dad in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle.
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11points
#2 Alan Rickman At 42
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’s pretty likely that you know Alan Rickman. He first burst onto the scene in 1982 when he played the role of Obadiah Slope in the British TV series The Barchester Chronicles. This may have been Rickman’s first on-screen breakthrough, but his career-defining performance came when he starred as the villainous Hans Gruber in the 1988 Hollywood blockbuster film Die Hard.
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11points
#3 Patrick Stewart At 47
Remarkably, Patrick Stewart has a career spanning over a jaw-dropping seven decades, with deep roots in London theater. So it may be surprising to learn that he only received Hollywood recognition well into his 40s, when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek.
11points
#4 Samuel L. Jackson At 45
It’s impossible to think of Samuel L. Jackson without picturing his breakout role in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. But what you probably don’t know is that before this performance, he had been acting for over two decades, first making appearances in theater and on Broadway.
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8points
#5 Kathryn Joosten At 60
Previously a psychiatric nurse and a street performer, Kathryn Joosten eventually found fame after portraying Mrs. Landingham on the hit TV series The West Wing in 1999. After that, she played many other roles in popular shows like Desperate Housewives, which earned her two Emmy Awards.
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7points
#6 Lucille Ball At 40
Before her passing in 1989, Lucille Ball had already spent 60 years in the industry, starting her career as a model and later finding her way to Broadway and the big screen. It wasn’t until she turned 40 that she shot to fame with her legendary performance in the sitcom I Love Lucy, alongside her husband Desi Arnaz.
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7points
#7 Octavia Spencer At 39
Similar to her co-stars Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer’s role in The Help was also her breakthrough performance. Before this film, she was largely under the radar since her 1996 acting debut, having appeared in a mix of movies and TV shows for a little over a decade.
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7points
#8 Steve Carell At 43
Interestingly enough, Steve Carell was on TV long before he became a household name. In 1996, he had a brief stint on The Dana Carvey Show, then landed a correspondent gig on The Daily Show just 3 years later. But it wasn’t until Carell snagged the role of Michael Scott on the hit series The Office that people really started to notice his comedic talent.
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6points
#9 Ang Lee At 41
As the only filmmaker making this list, Ang Lee’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From stay-at-home dad to Golden Globe winner, Lee began directing internationally in the early '90s, releasing several critically acclaimed movies like Pushing Hands and Eat Drink Man Woman. He truly rose to fame in 1995 when he directed the British classic Sense and Sensibility.
6points
#10 Ken Jeong At 38
While other actors spent years, and sometimes even decades, pursuing acting careers, Ken Jeong’s path was a little different. Interestingly, he started out as a physician before landing his first role in the 2007 romantic comedy Knocked Up, and it’s safe to say this debut performance became his breakthrough. Since then, Jeong’s acting career has been so successful that he has left medicine behind.
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6points
#11 Harrison Ford At 35
Unlike the other actors on this list, Harrison Ford landed his big break at 35, purely by chance. During his time as a professional carpenter, he scored the opportunity to read lines for actors auditioning for roles in the 1977 film Star Wars. It was then that the director was so impressed with Ford’s delivery that he cast him as Han Solo in the movie, launching his legendary career.
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5points
#12 Jane Lynch At 49
Before Jane Lynch scored her breakout role as Sue Sylvester, the fierce head cheerleading coach on the hit TV show Glee, she had been in the acting industry since the late ‘80s. Her first role was in the 1988 movie Vice Versa, and from that point on, she appeared in numerous commercials and films. But interestingly, her true success only came after her 2009 debut on Glee.
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5points
#13 Jessica Chastain At 34
Jessica Chastain made her acting debut in 1998, but much like her co-star Viola Davis, it wasn’t until her breakout role in The Help that she went viral. Unbelievably, in that same year, she also starred in five other films, and from then on, appeared in numerous record-breaking films such as Interstellar, The Martian, and It Chapter Two.
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5points
#14 Tommy Lee Jones At 47
After making his Broadway debut in the late 1960s, Tommy Lee Jones soon established himself as an actor best known for his tough and hard-hitting roles. He starred in several projects over three decades, with his performance in the 1993 thriller film The Fugitive being his breakthrough.
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5points
#15 Morgan Freeman At 50
One wouldn’t immediately guess that Morgan Freeman didn’t get his big break until he was 50, judging from the fact that he’s one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. His standout performance came in 1987 when he was cast as Fast Black in Street Smart, a film that wasn’t exactly a commercial success but still became his breakthrough.
5points
#16 Melissa Mccarthy At 41
It might come as a surprise that Melissa McCarthy’s career actually spans decades. She first appeared on screen in 1997 in an episode of the NBC comedy series Jenny, and later starred in the popular TV series Gilmore Girls. Recognition finally came when McCarthy had a breakout performance in the comedy film Bridesmaids, earning her first Academy Award nomination.
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4points
#17 Helen Mirren At 56
Although Helen Mirren’s career spans over six decades, with her first appearance on the London stage, she only truly gained widespread recognition in her late 50s, when she starred in films like Gosford Park and The Queen. Since then, she has become a highly decorated actress with an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, four BAFTA Awards, five Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award.
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4points
#18 Connie Britton At 39
From the mid-90s to the early 2000s, Connie Britton starred in several roles in popular TV shows such as Spin City and The West Wing. However, her big moment came in 2006 when she was cast as Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights, and since then, she has become a household name, starring in smash hits like Dirty John and The White Lotus.
4points
#19 Judi Dench At 61
Judi Dench is regarded as one of Britain’s most legendary actresses. While she’s best known for her role as M in GoldenEye and the James Bond films, she has actually been a performer since 1957. As crazy as it sounds, Dench only really gained widespread popularity at 61, over three decades after her career officially began.
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4points
#20 Ty Burrell At 42
Despite being in the industry since the late 90s, Ty Burrell wasn’t really on Hollywood’s radar before he became the lovable Phil Dunphy on Modern Family in 2009. Since his big break, he has received two Emmy Awards, an individual SAG Award, and even established his own production company, Desert Whale Productions.
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4points