A lot of people give up on their dreams because they think they are too old. But how old do you have to be to know for sure that the success has passed you by? Well, judging from the stories of so many successful people, if you're are in your 20's, there's a good chance you're a late bloomer, and success is still coming to you. Yet it doesn't always feel like that, especially when it looks like everyone has flourishing careers by the time they turn 25.
We here at Bored Panda gathered a list of hugely successful and famous people to prove that sometimes it takes a little longer to get at the top of your game. Scroll below to read their stories on how to become famous later in life!
This post may include affiliate links.
Alan Rickman, 42
Actor Alan Rickman who is best known for his role in Harry Potter started his career in a completely different field. Before his days as a famous actor, he pursued a career in graphic design. Rickman even opened a graphic design studio called ‘Graphiti’. At the age of 26, Rickman decided to become an actor and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His talents were recognized only after starring in “Die Hard’ in 1988 when he was 42 years old. His fame skyrocketed when he portrayed Severus Snape in the first movie of the Harry Potter Series in 2001 when he was 55
Stan Lee, 39
The iconic comic book writer Stan Lee joined the industry when he was only 17 years old. Back then he began working as an assistant in the comic book department for the company called Timely Publications. However, even after he was promoted from filling inkwells and erasing pencil marks to running the department it took him some time to become a successful person. Stan Lee published his first comic book hit only in 1961 when he was almost 39 years old.
A true legend 😢 We will remember you forever and always, a hero in our hearts
Bob Ross, 41
Bob Ross spent 20 years in the US Air Force, upon retiring he taught himself to paint and became everyone's favorite painting teacher at the age of 41
Samuel L. Jackson, 46
Today 70-year-old Samuel L. Jackson is known as one of the highest-grossing actors of all time who starred in more than 100 movies. Samuel took interest in drama back in his early 20's however he only became world famous when he was 46, for his outstanding role in film Pulp Fiction.
Morgan Freeman, 50
One of the show business' most respected stars, Morgan Freeman loved acting since he was a child, however upon graduating high school he chose to join Air Force to become a fighter pilot. The actor eventually left Air Force to establish himself as an actor, but it took him a while to do so. He was 50 years old when he landed his first big break in a movie Street Smart.
I find it impossible to read anything attached to Morgan Freeman's picture without reading it in his voice.
Steve Carell, 43
Before his big break, Steve Carell didn't get any major roles, but his career took a huge turn when he received a role in series The Office when he was 43 years old.
I remembered seeing him the first time in the movie 40-year-old virgin.
Harrison Ford, 35
At the beginning of his carrier, Harrison Ford was not happy about the roles he kept receiving, so he decided to become a self-taught carpenter to support his family. However one of his roles eventually helped him land a role in a Star Wars film. The film was a major success and it kickstarted Ford's career at the age of 35
Christoph Waltz, 53
Christoph Waltz and Austrian-German actor received his first big break which led him to international fame at the age of 53, after starring in Inglorious Bastards.
Colonel Sanders, 62
Colonel Sanders, the man behind one of the worlds most famous fried chicken chain, KFC, had a hard time holding down a job. As a result, he had many different jobs. At some point he was a fireman, stem engine stoker, insurance salesman, he even practiced law and was fired quite a few times.
However, the man found his place and his purpose when he began selling fried chicken in his roadside restaurant in the 1930s. Sanders perfected his secret fried chicken recipe and in 1952 the first KFC franchise was opened when Sanders was 62 years old.
Liam Neeson, 40
When Liam Neeson was fresh out of university he had a variety of casual jobs, such as forklift operator and a truck driver. After getting his first acting role at the age of 25, Neeson had to wait until he was 40 years old to receive his first big break in the movie Schindler's List.
J.K. Rowling, 32
Before J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, the best-selling book series in history, she has struggled with depression, poverty, tried to recover after a bad divorce and was looking for a way to provide for her child. During this tough time, Rowling began writing Harry Potter. The first book of the series was published in 1997 when she was 32 and kickstarted her astonishing career as a writer.
So, at what age do we define "later in life"? 32 seems to be on the wrong side.
Susan Boyle, 47
For a long time, the singer Susan Boyle received no recognition for her talent. However, things completely changed in 2009 when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent and become an instant success. She was 47 years old.
She has struggled with fame (Asperger´s makes it more difficult), but certainly enjoys doing what she loves the most: singing.
Bryan Cranston, 44
After years of single-appearance television roles, Bryan Cranston received his first major breakthrough by landing a role in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle when he was 44 years old. Eight years later he gained international fame for his role in Breaking Bad.
Danny Trejo, 41
In his early life, Danny Trejo was in and out of jail and struggled with drug addiction. His life was changed when the director of Runaway Train, offered Trejo a role in the film. The film kickstarted Trejo's acting career when he was 41 years old.
Trejo actually became a youth drug counselor when he got out of prison, was called onto the set of Runaway Train to talk to a young actor with a cocaine problem. He knew Eddie Bunker, who wrote the screenplay, from prison where he held the prison boxing championship in two weight divisions while doing time in San Quentin. He ended up being hired as an extra and to teach Eric Roberts to box, they liked him so much he did a boxing scene for the film, and his career kept going. One of the most laid back people you will ever meet.
Ken Jeong, 38
Ken Jeong started his career as a physician, however, when he was 38 he landed a role in Knocked Up which kickstarted his acting career. Jeong made a decision to quit medicine and become a full-time actor soon after.
Dr. Ken Jeong. If the man spent 8 years at school and 4 years as an intern, he deserves his title.
Viola Davis, 43
Viola Davis developed a love for acting back in high school and appeared in numerous films before getting her first big break in 2008 when she received the role in Doubt at the age of 43. Despite only having one scene in the film, her performance was so impressive that it gained Davis her first Oscar nomination paved her way to success.
Julia Child, 50
Most of us know Julia Child for her best-selling cookbooks and a TV show but it took a few career changes for her to discover cooking. In fact, she was quite bad at cooking when she was in her 30's. Right after graduation, she worked as a copywriter and during World War II she was a spy.
Things have changed in 1948 when she attended the world-famous Cordon Bleu cooking school. She wrote her first cookbook when she was 50 and launched her career as a chef in 1961.
She started cooking after the war because as talented and well educated as she was, women weren’t allowed to have jobs. Her husband was a diplomat and she decided to learn to cook when they lived in Paris.
Billy Bob Thornton, 41
In mid-1980s Billy Bob Thornton had a hard time succeeding as an actor and had to take jobs in telemarketing and fast food managing to support himself between auditions. His big break happened when he wrote, directed and starred in Sling Blade in 1996 when he was 41.
Oprah Winfrey, 32
When Oprah Winfrey was in her 20's she has a job as a news anchor, however, she was fired for being too emotional about the stories she was reporting. Oprah's outstanding empathy eventually help her in creating one of the most popular talks shows The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986, when she was 32.
Jonathan Daniel Hamm, 37
In 90s Jonathan Daniel Hamm was still working as a waiter and had a hard time finding acting jobs. Hamm promised himself to quit trying if he won't succeed until his 30th birthday. Luckily the actor received some acting jobs to keep him going. But his first big break happened when he was 37 and was offered to play Don Draper in Mad Men.
Sylvester Stallone, 30
Sylvester Stallone struggled to find acting jobs and at some point, he was even homeless. Trying to find a way to make ends meet, he even took a role in a pornographic film. However, things started looking up for him when he received a role in a smash hit Rocky when he was 30 years old.
James Gandolfini, 38
Prior to his acting career, James Gandolfini was a bartender and a club manager. After he was introduced to acting, he received a role that brought him worldwide fame in the smash hit series Sopranos, when he was 38 years old.
First thing i saw him was True Romance i think, he beat the c**p out of Patricia Arquette, he is an awesome actor, The Sopranos is the finest tv show of all time.
Kathryn Joosten, 60
After spending years working as a psychiatric nurse Kathryn Joosten decided to join her community theater when she was 42 years old. She managed to work her way up into Hollywood and landed the role in "The West Wing" when she was 60.
I remember her being a grumpy lady in some neighborhood, but I can't remember in which show it was... Desperate Housewifes maybe ?
Jane Lynch, 49
After a variety of roles both in film and television Jane Lynch gained her long-awaited fame by scoring a role at musical television series Glee, at the age of 49
Jane Lynch has been a television actor for DECADES and has had many movie parts. She has made her living as an actor for a very long time.
Jessica Chastain, 34
For several years after graduating from Juilliard Jessica Chastain struggled to get the first breakthrough. However, in 2011, when she was 34, Chastain starred in 6 releases and one them, The Help, brought her international fame.
Toni Morrison, 39
One of America's most celebrated novelists Toni Morrison worked as an editor for years. Only in 1970, at the age of 39, the writer published her first book and received recognition for talent.
Martha Stewart, 41
Martha Stewart a successful entrepreneur and media personality haven't reached fame up until she published her first cookbook in 1982 she was 41 years old. Before that, Stewart was working as a stockbroker in Wall Street and after quitting she began running a catering business. Her first book was a big hit which eventually led to many other books, a magazine, a TV show and a net value of more than $638 million.
Ray Kroc, 52
The man behind McDonald’s, one of the most popular burger chains in the world, took a long road to success. Ray Kroc was 52 years old when he brought and popularised the McDonald's chain, which landed him an enormous wealth of $600 million.
Perhaps Sanders and Kroc were successful thanks to the years of experience that youth cannot provide.
Kerry Washington, 35
Kerry Washington, one of the best African–American actresses of this generation, had several important roles, but her first big break didn't happen up until she scored a role drama series Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes. Washington was 35 years old at the time.
Donald Fisher, 41
At age 41, after a series of entrepreneurial ventures, Fisher and his wife Doris Fisher founded The Gap. It's now a $16 billion a year company with more than 3,200 locations worldwide.
I think they're missing an "it" from the title. Saying they didn't "make" sounds like they didn't poop until they were 30.
I don't think achieving success when you're between 30 and 35 can be called "later in life" : it's just the time to get some experience under your belt and beginning to be really good at what you're doing. (thinking of Sylvester Stallone)
I agree, a good chunk of people have no idea what they want to do until their 20's or even 30's. This is stupid. It's never too late to succeed.
Load More Replies...I think the cutoff for this list should be after 35. Even that is a bit of a stretch.
This article was interesting to read but still quite depressing. Like other people said, nowadays having a good job at age 30 is quite an achivement. Saying that this people 'were so late' finding fame makes me feel that I am complere loser, being 29 years and still trying to find a good job... :(
You're not a loser in any way! I was an utter f**k up until I was 38 - then I FINALLY started taking accountability for my actions, stuck with things, and developed a positive attitude (most of the time). I just turned 42 and am FINALLY hitting my upswing in life. :D The BEST advice I can give you is to do something that you love, and over time the money and respect will come. I promise you that! Good luck in your journey my friend!! <3
Load More Replies...It´s never too late in life to be successful if you are truly passionate about something.
Fun fact... Bram Stoker didn't pen Dracula until he was 50 years old. He left the civil service after many years to help run London's famous Lyceum Theatre, writing reviews for free on the side. Though Dracula wasn't his first novel, it is proof that you can write game-changing novels on the side (and after 40).
You've got TONS of time! And there's always hope - whether you're 20 or 90. <3
Load More Replies...They've changed the title. For those who might be confused by the comments, the original title was about achieving success "later in life."
Thanks. Actually I'm half asleep and when I read "...people who didn't make it until after 30..." my tired brain's first thought was that they all died before age 30. D'oh
Load More Replies...I don't know who wrote this one but it seems they didn't do much research for it.
This is a solid list but it is dominated by mostly white male actors, I would have loved to see more examples of female musicians of color, or just more racial and field diversity in general since this is meant to be inspirational. But I appreciate it nonetheless.
(NO MEMBERSHIP FEE TO JOIN ILLUMINATI), I am giving a testimony on how i became rich and famous today… i was deeply strangled up by poverty and i had no body to help me, and also i searched for help from different corners but to no avail… I see people around me getting rich but to me i was so ashamed of my self so i met a man on my way he was very rich and he was a doctor so he told me something and i thought over it through out the day so the next day i looked up and i keep repeating what he said to me.” if you want to get rich quick and be famous” you need to cross your heart and do what is in your mind so i tried all i could in other for me to do as he said so later on i told my fellow friend about this same thing then my friend was interested in my suggestions so i decided to look in the internet and i found an email of an agent Jackson illuminatiriches50085@gmail.com and we decided to contact them and fortunately we did as they instructed us to do and later, they told us to get so
You are never too old for anything.. keep doing good don't look for fame or recognition Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Hello everyone i want to testify on how I joined the illuminati kingdom and my life change totally . i become rich and famous. I was trying to join this society for so many years I was scammed before I was down i could not feed my self and my family anymore and I tried to make money by all means but all in vain, I was afraid to contact any illuminati agent because i was scam before . finally a friend of mine introduce me to the right way to join illuminati. I was initiated, surprisingly I was given an instant benefit money of $2,000,000.00 as a new member of the great illuminati kingdom I was very happy, for those of you trying to join this illuminati society this is your opportunity for you to join. Contact the illuminati official email: illuminatiworldrich02@gmail.com or WHATSAPP call/text + 1 (917) 336 2320 on how to join, i want you all to know that it is totally free on how to join the illuminati, this is the real illuminati temple where you can join and be totally fre
Welcome to brotherhood Illuminati where you can become rich famous and popular and your life story we be change totally my name is MR.JOHN lucas I am here to share my testimony on how I join the great brotherhood Illuminati and my life story was change immediately . I was very poor no job and I has no money to even feed and take care of my family I was confuse in life I don’t know what to do I try all my possible best to get money but no one work out for me each day I share tears, I was just looking out my family no money to take care of them until one day I decided to join the great Illuminati , I come across them in the internet I never believe I said let me try I email them.all what they said we happen in my life just started it was like a dream to me they really change my story totally . They give me the sum of $ 100.00 and many thing. through the Illuminati I was able to become rich, and have many industry on my own and become famous and popular in my country , today me and my fam
just b/c whomever compiled this list didn't know who these people were doesn't mean the rest of us didn't!
I think the point of this article is not to say the 30s are considered to be late in life but instead to point out that their careers that they are famous for were either not their first choice or what they did when they graduated high school/college. Most people find their careers when the are 18-22 so seeing someone hit it big in their 30s could be considered outside the normal range for finding a career. Make sense?
I find this list ridiculous. Not only because of the bizarre definition of 'over 30' as 'later in life' , which everybody is pointing out, but because in most sectors MOST successful people are way older than that! I think acting and pop music are pretty unique careers in that they propel some lucky few to stardom almost overnight (possibly because these sectors often value image more than experience). But outside of show business, you need to work for your success for years, gaining experience, climbing the ladder, maybe saving money on the side. This is what a lot of people on this list have done: they are simply among the majority.
I'm 25, I've graduated from art school and work as an illustrator. I really love it, but since I was a kid all I wanted to be was a biologist (but my parents and family always discouraged me from studying sciences). Now that I'm an adult, have some money saved and have no kids or further responsibilities I'm on my way to finally archived my dream. Gotta tell, that making that decision was Hella thoug, because it felt like giving up everything that defines me to pursue something I don't know if I could archive at all. At least I want to give it a try :)
When more leads are written for a particular group more folks in that group become successful. This is why Hollywood needs to write more leads for people of color.
Load More Replies...I don't think achieving success when you're between 30 and 35 can be called "later in life" : it's just the time to get some experience under your belt and beginning to be really good at what you're doing. (thinking of Sylvester Stallone)
I agree, a good chunk of people have no idea what they want to do until their 20's or even 30's. This is stupid. It's never too late to succeed.
Load More Replies...I think the cutoff for this list should be after 35. Even that is a bit of a stretch.
This article was interesting to read but still quite depressing. Like other people said, nowadays having a good job at age 30 is quite an achivement. Saying that this people 'were so late' finding fame makes me feel that I am complere loser, being 29 years and still trying to find a good job... :(
You're not a loser in any way! I was an utter f**k up until I was 38 - then I FINALLY started taking accountability for my actions, stuck with things, and developed a positive attitude (most of the time). I just turned 42 and am FINALLY hitting my upswing in life. :D The BEST advice I can give you is to do something that you love, and over time the money and respect will come. I promise you that! Good luck in your journey my friend!! <3
Load More Replies...It´s never too late in life to be successful if you are truly passionate about something.
Fun fact... Bram Stoker didn't pen Dracula until he was 50 years old. He left the civil service after many years to help run London's famous Lyceum Theatre, writing reviews for free on the side. Though Dracula wasn't his first novel, it is proof that you can write game-changing novels on the side (and after 40).
You've got TONS of time! And there's always hope - whether you're 20 or 90. <3
Load More Replies...They've changed the title. For those who might be confused by the comments, the original title was about achieving success "later in life."
Thanks. Actually I'm half asleep and when I read "...people who didn't make it until after 30..." my tired brain's first thought was that they all died before age 30. D'oh
Load More Replies...I don't know who wrote this one but it seems they didn't do much research for it.
This is a solid list but it is dominated by mostly white male actors, I would have loved to see more examples of female musicians of color, or just more racial and field diversity in general since this is meant to be inspirational. But I appreciate it nonetheless.
(NO MEMBERSHIP FEE TO JOIN ILLUMINATI), I am giving a testimony on how i became rich and famous today… i was deeply strangled up by poverty and i had no body to help me, and also i searched for help from different corners but to no avail… I see people around me getting rich but to me i was so ashamed of my self so i met a man on my way he was very rich and he was a doctor so he told me something and i thought over it through out the day so the next day i looked up and i keep repeating what he said to me.” if you want to get rich quick and be famous” you need to cross your heart and do what is in your mind so i tried all i could in other for me to do as he said so later on i told my fellow friend about this same thing then my friend was interested in my suggestions so i decided to look in the internet and i found an email of an agent Jackson illuminatiriches50085@gmail.com and we decided to contact them and fortunately we did as they instructed us to do and later, they told us to get so
You are never too old for anything.. keep doing good don't look for fame or recognition Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Hello everyone i want to testify on how I joined the illuminati kingdom and my life change totally . i become rich and famous. I was trying to join this society for so many years I was scammed before I was down i could not feed my self and my family anymore and I tried to make money by all means but all in vain, I was afraid to contact any illuminati agent because i was scam before . finally a friend of mine introduce me to the right way to join illuminati. I was initiated, surprisingly I was given an instant benefit money of $2,000,000.00 as a new member of the great illuminati kingdom I was very happy, for those of you trying to join this illuminati society this is your opportunity for you to join. Contact the illuminati official email: illuminatiworldrich02@gmail.com or WHATSAPP call/text + 1 (917) 336 2320 on how to join, i want you all to know that it is totally free on how to join the illuminati, this is the real illuminati temple where you can join and be totally fre
Welcome to brotherhood Illuminati where you can become rich famous and popular and your life story we be change totally my name is MR.JOHN lucas I am here to share my testimony on how I join the great brotherhood Illuminati and my life story was change immediately . I was very poor no job and I has no money to even feed and take care of my family I was confuse in life I don’t know what to do I try all my possible best to get money but no one work out for me each day I share tears, I was just looking out my family no money to take care of them until one day I decided to join the great Illuminati , I come across them in the internet I never believe I said let me try I email them.all what they said we happen in my life just started it was like a dream to me they really change my story totally . They give me the sum of $ 100.00 and many thing. through the Illuminati I was able to become rich, and have many industry on my own and become famous and popular in my country , today me and my fam
just b/c whomever compiled this list didn't know who these people were doesn't mean the rest of us didn't!
I think the point of this article is not to say the 30s are considered to be late in life but instead to point out that their careers that they are famous for were either not their first choice or what they did when they graduated high school/college. Most people find their careers when the are 18-22 so seeing someone hit it big in their 30s could be considered outside the normal range for finding a career. Make sense?
I find this list ridiculous. Not only because of the bizarre definition of 'over 30' as 'later in life' , which everybody is pointing out, but because in most sectors MOST successful people are way older than that! I think acting and pop music are pretty unique careers in that they propel some lucky few to stardom almost overnight (possibly because these sectors often value image more than experience). But outside of show business, you need to work for your success for years, gaining experience, climbing the ladder, maybe saving money on the side. This is what a lot of people on this list have done: they are simply among the majority.
I'm 25, I've graduated from art school and work as an illustrator. I really love it, but since I was a kid all I wanted to be was a biologist (but my parents and family always discouraged me from studying sciences). Now that I'm an adult, have some money saved and have no kids or further responsibilities I'm on my way to finally archived my dream. Gotta tell, that making that decision was Hella thoug, because it felt like giving up everything that defines me to pursue something I don't know if I could archive at all. At least I want to give it a try :)
When more leads are written for a particular group more folks in that group become successful. This is why Hollywood needs to write more leads for people of color.
Load More Replies...