The idea of overnight success is a tantalizing one in Hollywood, but the truth is, it doesn’t always play out that way in real life. In Los Angeles and elsewhere, some of the biggest stars in film and television today didn’t get their big break overnight. For some, it took years, even decades, of hard work and small roles before they finally got their due. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind, take heart from these stories: success doesn’t have to happen on a deadline.
10. Ken Jeong
Before he became the incomparably unforgettable scene-stealer in The Hangover, Ken Jeong was a licensed physician. Acting was something he did on the side while pursuing his work in medicine, not as a career goal in and of itself. It wasn’t until he was 40 that he made the commitment to acting, and it clearly paid off. His story is one that reminds us it’s never too late to pursue what we’re really passionate about, even if it means starting from scratch.
9. Leslie Jones
Most comedians dream of Saturday Night Live in their 20s, but Leslie Jones turned that dream into reality at nearly 50. With her sharp humor and bold personality, she became one of the show’s standouts and went on to shine in Ghostbusters and Coming 2 America. Proof that timing isn’t everything—talent and perseverance are.
8. Bryan Cranston
Before Breaking Bad transformed his life, Bryan Cranston was most famously known as the clueless dad on Malcolm in the Middle. His real star-making turn came after the age of 40, reimagining himself as one of TV’s most iconic antiheroes. His career is a masterclass in reinvention.
7. Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates toiled patiently in the theater and on television for years before her chilling performance in Misery catapulted her to household name status in her 40s. She transitioned from here-and-there roles to Oscar-winning force pretty much overnight—although in real life, it took decades.
6. Samuel L. Jackson
Now, Samuel L. Jackson is a Hollywood icon, but he had a long journey there. He worked 20 years on smaller roles before Pulp Fiction put him in the limelight at the age of 40. His case serves as a reminder to continue showing up—the big break could be just ahead.
5. Steve Carell
From Chicago improv to The Daily Show, Steve Carell hustled for years before getting The Office in his early 40s. Michael Scott made him a worldwide star, demonstrating that the “right role” makes all the difference.
4. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman’s presence and voice seem ageless today, but he wasn’t a household name until nearly 50. Critical acclaim came for his work in Street Smart, and shortly thereafter, Glory established him as a star. Slow and steady does occasionally win the race.
3. Betty White
Betty White wasn’t an unknown in Hollywood from the beginning, but her greatest work didn’t come until later in life. She was in her 50s when The Mary Tyler Moore Show brought her a big second act, and her appearance in The Golden Girls solidified her as a TV legend deep into her 60s. Longevity was her secret trick.
2. Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman was in his 40s when he first appeared on the big screen playing Hans Gruber in Die Hard. And then there were unforgettable parts, such as Professor Snape in Harry Potter. His career is proof that you don’t have to start early for it not to know no bounds.
1. Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland’s career started with struggle, but his breakout role in The Dirty Dozen opened the door to MASH and over 200 film and television credits. Working with passion into his 80s, he left behind a legacy as one of cinema’s most courageous and versatile actors.
These examples demonstrate that achievement isn’t a function of age—it’s a function of perseverance. Whether it happens at age 25 or 55, the day you’ve been striving for can come when you’re not even expecting it. So if you’re holding out for your big moment, be encouraged: sometimes the best pages of life are the ones that begin later.