Famous After 40
9 members
Some people skip the young-and-hungry phase entirely. These actors weren't famous until their 40s (or later), then broke through so hard it felt like they'd always been there.
Members (9)
Samuel L. Jackson
77
Broke through at 45 with Pulp Fiction
Christoph Waltz
69
Won his first Oscar at 52
Bryan Cranston
70
Became Walter White at 52
Ke Huy Quan
54
Won his Oscar at 51, 39 years after his debut
Alan Rickman†
1946-2016
Got his first film role at 42 in Die Hard
Kathy Bates
77
Won Best Actress at 42 for Misery
Morgan Freeman
88
Didn't get famous until his 50s
Steve Carell
63
Became Michael Scott at 43
Melissa McCarthy
55
Broke through at 40 in Bridesmaids