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Christoph Waltz -

Before 2007, Waltz focused on stage work and participated in minor TV productions. At the age of 51, Quentin Tarantino cast Waltz to star in 'Inglourious Basterds,' and everything changed for the actor. 

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Viola Davis -

Davis earned a master's degree from Juilliard at 28 and enjoyed success in theater for years. However, it was only after her appearance in the film 'Doubt' at 43 that she gained widespread recognition and started to get major roles. 

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Lucille Ball -

The iconic comedian took some time before achieving great success. Ball, at the age of 40, changed the landscape of TV sitcoms with her show 'I Love Lucy.'

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Steve Carell -

After having various jobs, Carell gained popularity through his role in 'Anchorman.' At age 43, he won over audiences with the American version of 'The Office,' showcasing his acting talent and comedic brilliance. This marked a defining moment in his career.

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Judi Dench -

Despite her existing fame as an actress in the UK, Dench's entrance into the US film industry came with her portrayal of James Bond's superior in the 1995 film 'GoldenEye.' Dench was 60 years old at the time and has since claimed an Oscar win and received six additional nominations.

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Morgan Freeman -

It may be surprising, but Freeman didn't achieve fame for most of his career. He had gained some recognition prior, but it was at the age of 52, with his remarkable performance in 'Driving Miss Daisy,' that he truly found success.

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Kristen Wiig -

After graduating from college, Wiig made the decision to pursue a career in acting. She relocated to Los Angeles and became a member of an improv group. However, it was not until the age of 32 that she got a spot on 'Saturday Night Live' and gained widespread recognition.

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Liam Neeson -

By the age of 41, Neeson had received critical acclaim for lesser-known films like 'The Mission,' but his true fame came in 1993 when he appeared in Steven Spielberg's 'Schindler's List.' Since then, he has consistently appeared in successful blockbuster films.

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Kathy Bates -

Bates consistently pursued her acting career and achieved a breakthrough at the age of 42 with a significant role in the movie 'Misery.' This remarkable performance earned her an Oscar and introduced her skills globally.

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Sylvester Stallone -

During the 1970s, Stallone faced financial hardships as an aspiring actor and writer. However, when he turned 30 his script for 'Rocky' was picked up and was propelled into stardom.

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Kathryn Joosten -

At the age of 56, the actress made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles with no connections in an ambitious quest to fulfill her acting aspirations. Despite competing against actors with extensive experience, she made her debut in the show 'The West Wing' at the age of 70.

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James Gandolfini -

The actor started his acting career in the 1980s and gained immense fame at the age of 38 when he secured the role of Tony Soprano.

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Jon Hamm -

Hamm was a struggling actor in Los Angeles for many years until he finally achieved fame at age 36 after being cast in 'Mad Men.'

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Alan Rickman -

After performing for many years on stage, the actor achieved widespread recognition at 46 when he landed a significant role in 'Die Hard,' and later portrayed Professor Snape in the 'Harry Potter' films. 

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Bryan Cranston -

An actor  who remained relatively unknown during the '80s and '90s,  Cranston gained significant recognition at the age of 44 with ‘Malcolm in the Middle.’ Subsequently, this achievement was overshadowed by his role in ‘Breaking Bad.’

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Michael Emerson -

Emerson began his acting career late in life, participating in small local productions in the 1990s. However, his breakthrough came when he landed the role of a serial killer in 'The Practice,' which resulted in numerous opportunities for the 46-year-old actor. Subsequently, he won two Emmy awards.

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Sean Connery -

Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery was working consistently in his twenties, but it wasn't until he portrayed James Bond at the age of 32 that he truly experienced the beginnings of fame, which would steadily grow over the years.

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Samuel L. Jackson -

It's hard to believe that it took twenty years for people to truly appreciate this man's talent. Jackson began his acting career in the 1970s, performing on stage and in minor roles. However, he achieved major recognition at the age of 45 for his outstanding performance in 'Pulp Fiction.'

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Naomi Watts -

Despite her youthful appearance, Watts was already in her thirties when she appeared in David Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive.' Prior to this, she had been involved in television and independent films since the 1990s. Later, she was recognized with two Oscar nominations.

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Ricky Gervais -

Gervais, a popular British comedian, started his acting career in the 1990s when he was already in his mid-thirties. It wasn't until he turned 40 that he achieved great success with the original version of 'The Office,' a show he both wrote and starred in.

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Octavia Spencer -

Spencer, a skilled actress, had previous work in movies such as 'Spider-Man' and 'Seven Pounds.' However, it was at the age of 39, in the film 'The Help,' that she became widely recognized. Her subsequent roles in 'Hidden Figures' and 'The Shape of Water' have further showcased her talent to a broader audience.

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F. Murray Abraham -

Abraham dedicated his life to performing, but it wasn't until the age of 45 that he achieved his Oscar-winning success as Antonio Salieri in 'Amadeus.'

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Jenna Fischer -

Known for her role as Pam Beesly in 'The Office,' Fischer initially faced challenges as an actress and only landed small parts. Her Emmy-nominated career took off at age 31 when the show premiered. 

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Jeremy Renner -

Renner has made frequent appearances in recent years, however, his journey in Hollywood was a struggle until his acclaimed role in 'The Hurt Locker' at 38, earning him an Oscar nomination in 2009.

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Phylicia Rashad -

Before gaining fame from her role in 'The Cosby Show,' Rashad had a substantial career in theater on both Broadway and off-Broadway. However, her life took a significant turn at the age of 35.

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Melissa McCarthy -

McCarthy's comedic excellence is widely known, yet few are aware that she achieved her first major success with 'Bridesmaids' in 2011, earning her an Oscar nomination at the age of 41.

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Ty Burrell -

The actor from 'Modern Family' had been striving for nine years to get into the entertainment industry. However, he kept getting cast to play characters fated to die. Only at the age of 42 did the acclaimed show finally guarantee his spot on television.

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Jane Lynch -

The maestro of dry wit started out as a struggling actress and finally achieved mainstream success with 'Glee' when she was 49 years old.

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John Mahoney -

Mahoney, who entered the acting field later in life, achieved fame at 53 by portraying the iconic character Martin Crane on 'Frasier.' His portrayal garnered him two Golden Globe nominations.

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Michael Caine -

Sir Michael Caine, a highly regarded film actor, began his career in the theater, endured a period of hardship in Paris, and later returned to England to focus on film acting. He achieved significant recognition at the age of 33 with his role in 'Alfie.'

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Estelle Getty -

For a significant portion of her career, the actor primarily worked on stage and took on minor roles. At the age of 62, she suddenly gained recognition and acclaim after securing a role in 'The Golden Girls,' which resulted in her receiving a Golden Globe award.

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Harrison Ford -

The Hollywood icon faced challenges in his early adulthood as an actor. While he appeared in 'American Graffiti,' it wasn't until his breakthrough as Han Solo in 'Star Wars' at the age of 33 that he solidified his lasting impact on the film industry.

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Amy Poehler -

Poehler began her acting career in improv, eventually joining the cast of 'Saturday Night Live' at age of 30. This led to roles in 'Parks and Recreation' and various films.

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Gene Hackman -

Hackman, a celebrated talent, began his acting career in his twenties. However, it was his move to New York City, where he persevered alongside his companions Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall, that led to his breakthrough performance in 'Bonnie and Clyde' at the mature age of 36.

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Tina Fey -

Tina Fey followed a similar career path as Kristen Wiig and Amy Poehler. She began in improv and eventually became a part of the cast of 'Saturday Night Live.' This opportunity led to her starring role in the television show '30 Rock.' However, it was her work as a writer and co-star in the movie 'Mean Girls' at the age of 34 that is often considered her true breakthrough.

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Billy Bob Thornton -

Thornton initially pursued a career in music and only ventured into acting later on. His breakthrough came with his self-produced film 'Sling Blade,' where he took on the roles of writer, director, and lead actor at the age of 39.

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Jessica Chastain -

Jessica Chastain, aided by a scholarship from Robin Williams, gained fame at 34 after attending Juilliard. Recognition followed the release of 'The Help' and 'The Tree of Life.'

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Tim Allen -

Allen landed the role in the renowned series 'Home Improvement' at 38 years old after pursuing low-paying stand-up performances to support himself.

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Betty White -

The actress became widely known at the age of 51, after her appearance on 'The Mary Tyler Moore' show in 1973. She went on to be a Hollywood legend for another half decade! 

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Burt Reynolds -

After his sports career came to an end, Reynolds pursued acting and worked on smaller TV projects for approximately 14 years. It was his significant role as Lewis in the movie 'Deliverance' in 1972, at the age of 36, that launched his successful journey to fame in the following decades.

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Tiffany Haddish -

Haddish faced challenges for many years in the comedy scene in Los Angeles before securing roles in television shows such as 'If Loving You Is Wrong' and 'The Carmichael Show.' However, it was not until 2017, at the age of 37, that she garnered recognition and accolades for her performance in 'Girls Trip,' leading to awards and magazine covers.

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Ken Jeong -

Before embarking on a career in stand-up comedy and acting, the amusing actor had actually worked as a practicing physician. At the age of 40, he achieved recognition through his role in 'The Hangover' and later on the sitcom 'Community.'

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Leslie Jones -

Jones, having honed her skills in the standup comedy circuit for a considerable amount of time, was selected by NBC for their top comedy show following an open audition. Despite her involvement in the series, she has also embraced comedic roles in movies such as 'Ghostbusters.' At the age of 47, she joined the cast of 'Saturday Night Live.'

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Kumail Nanjiani -

At the age of 36, he began his portrayal of Dinesh in the hit television series 'Silicon Valley.' Since his rise to fame, he has starred in multiple movies and even appeared in the MCU. He also created the semi-autobiographical film 'The Big Sick,' which delves into his beginnings as a comedian and recounts how he met his wife, Emily V. Gordon. This garnered him an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay.

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Linda Gray -

After enduring commercials and working as a model, Gray achieved fame by landing a role in the television series 'Dallas' in 1978, which transformed her career when she was 38 years old. 

See also: Actresses on aging and being older

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