Many people believe that success comes at an early age. However, some of the most beloved stars in show business didn't have their first major role until they were nearly 40 or more. Sometimes, it can take a long time until a talented actor gets the perfect chance, like Octavia Spencer on The Help.
Those stars prove that it is never too late if you are talented and work hard. However, some actors became accomplished artists on stage, and just after that, they decided to give Hollywood a chance. But we are glad they did! Curious? Keep scrolling and discover who they are.
10 Viola Davis
Viola Davis is one of the most accomplished actresses in show business at the moment. The award-winning actress collects successful projects like How To Get Away With A Murder and The Help. It is not a surprise, since Davis has a master's degree from Julliard and spent years on stages.
However, when Viola Davis shared the screen with Meryl Streep in Doubt, it started a new phase in her career. Davis was 43 years old when she got her breaking role in a movie, and she is getting better each time we see her.
9 Steve Carell
Steve Carell got his big break when he starred The 40-Year-Old Virgin, released in 2005 when he was 37 years old. The actor started working on television and movies during the 90s, but it took him a long time to become a household name.
However, when he did, he became one of the most beloved actors in the U.S. Carell took his career to a new level with The Office. Last year, he stepped out of comedy and starred in the drama Morning Show.
8 Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy is one of the world's highest-paid actresses now, but it was a long way until it happened. The actress got her big break with The Bridesmaid when she was 41 years old. This film opened doors to many other successes, such as The Boss and Identity Thief.
Before that, McCarthy had a current supporting tole in Gilmore Girls, when she was 30 years old. Since then, she always has a project going on.
7 Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais was 41 years old when he starred in the British version of The Office in 2005. It was definitely the turning point in his career, and now he is one of the most famous actors from the U.K.
He kept this sharp sense of humor and became one of the most controversial Golden Globes hosts we have ever seen. Before that, Gervais had a talk show Meet Ricky Gervais and also worked on radio. It seems that everything happens at the right time.
6 Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates spent the first two decades of his career in theater. She became an accomplished artist, worked a lot during the 70s and 80s, and got a Tony Award at some point. However, it took a while until she reached the same level in Hollywood.
When Bates was 42 years old, she was cast to star the movie Misery. It was a commercial success, and critics still agree it is a brilliant film. Bates was flawless as a kidnaper who has problems being in touch with reality. Since then, Kathy Bates became a household name.
5 Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell was successful behind the scenes as a music producer in the U.K. He was in use to pave the way for other people became famous, but he decided to take a new step in his career when he was 41 years old. In 2001, Cowell became a judge at Pop Idol, and it was his time to be a star.
As we know, he became one of the most famous judges on television. He was in shows like The X Factor UK, Britain's Got Talent, American Idol, and currently at America's Got Talent.
4 Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball is still a reference when it comes to television comedy. But many people would be surprised to know that she was 40 years old when she started filming I Love Lucy. Since the first season, Ball became America's sweetheart, and she never left the spotlight.
The actress was the starred Here's Lucy, Life with Lucy, and The Lucy Show. The actress was also a producer and remained active until she died in 1989.
3 Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston was 44 years old when he gothic breakthrough role in Malcolm in the Middle. Before that, the actor had minor roles in television and movies. He even did a voice dubbing for Power Rangers.
Waiting for the right role was a great choice. Malcolm in the Middle gave Cranston the chance to show his potential. After that, he got a role as Walter White in Breaking Bad, one of the best T.V. shows of the last decade.
2 Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer was another A-list actress who had to wait a long time until she had the perfect role. She got small roles in Spider-Man and Seven Pounds, but it was only with the movie The Help that the public and critics paid attention to her. Spencer was 39 years old back then.
The actress got a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work in The Help, and fans got in use to see her name in nominations. Octavia Spencer also received nominations for Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water.
1 Judie Dench
Judie Dench is so flawless as an actress that most people think has been a household name since she was young. However, it only happened in 1995, when she accepted a role in the James Bond movie GoldenEye.
Dench was 61 years old. But she was not a beginner. She spent years being a star in theaters, and she was a successful actress on stage.
