From the late Alan Rickman to Vera Wang
It’s easy to be down on yourself for not having achieved everything you’d hoped to at this point in your life.
Fear not, though, because there are tons of people who didn’t accomplish their goals in their 20s, either. Next time you’re feeling behind because you haven’t yet started your own business, nabbed a six-figure salary or landed your dream job, just read through this list of late bloomers.
1. Jon Hamm
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Jon Hamm appeared as an extra in productions like Larger Than Life and The Practice and was struggling right up until he got cast in Mad Men. It was his lack of experience at the age of 35 that made him perfect for Mad Men, as Matthew Weiner was looking for a fresh face that wouldn’t cost AMC a ton of money.
2. Connie Britton
Somehow, Britton stayed under the radar until she was cast as Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights, which premiered when she was 37.
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3. Bethenny Frankel
Before becoming a Real Housewife, Bethenny Frankel appeared on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart at the age of 35 as the owner of a cookie company that later failed. She was in her 40s when she launched a low-calorie margarita company that became her Skinnygirl empire.
4. Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch’s breakout role was in Christopher Guest’s Best in Show—and she was 40 when the film came out. After nabbing supporting parts in The L-Word and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, she got the gig that would make her a household name: Portraying Glee’s Sue Sylvester.
5. Alan Rickman
The late actor got his big break when he was 42 and played Hans Gruber in Die Hard.
6. Vera Wang
Vera Wang started out as a figure skater, and then she tried her hand at journalism. She didn’t open her first bridal boutique until she was 40, but now she’s famous for her designs.
7. Samuel L. Jackson
Believe it or not, there was a time when Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t famous. Quentin Tarantino changed that. Jackson appeared in True Romance in 1993, and after that, Tarantino created the Pulp Fiction role of Jules Winnfield specifically for Jackson, who was in his early 40s at the time.
8. Judi Dench
Now, Dench may be one of the most revered actresses out there. But 20 years ago, most people didn’t even know who she was. Dench was in her 60s when her film career took off. While she had a fruitful career in the U.K., it was her role as M in Goldeneye that made her well-known in the U.S.
Read more: Diane von Furstenberg Wants You to Know She Gets Down on Herself Sometimes, Too
9. Melissa McCarthy
Gilmore Girls junkies have known Melissa McCarthy since she was in her 30s. However, the actress didn’t hit it big until she was 41, thanks to her hilarious work in Bridesmaids.
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1. Jon Hamm
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin—FilmMagic Actor Jon Hamm arrives at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 28, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. Jon Hamm appeared as an extra in productions like Larger Than Life and The Practice and was struggling right up until he got cast in Mad Men. It was his lack of experience at the age of 35 that made him perfect for Mad Men, as Matthew Weiner was looking for a fresh face that wouldn’t cost AMC a ton of money.
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2. Connie Britton
Albert L. Ortega—Getty Connie Britton arrives for Premiere Of "FX's "American Crime Story - The People V. O.J. Simpson" held at Westwood Village Theatre on January 27, 2016 in Westwood, California. Somehow, Britton stayed under the radar until she was cast as Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights, which premiered when she was 37.
Subscribe to the Motto newsletter for advice worth sharing.
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3. Bethenny Frankel
John Lamparski—WireImage/Getty Images Bethenny Frankel attends Skinny Girl Candy Launch at Dylan's Candy Bar on January 26, 2016 in New York City. Before becoming a Real Housewife, Bethenny Frankel appeared on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart at the age of 35 as the owner of a cookie company that later failed. She was in her 40s when she launched a low-calorie margarita company that became her Skinnygirl empire.
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4. Jane Lynch
Vincent Sandova—WireImage/Getty Actress Jane Lynch attends the premiere of HBO's "Everything Is Copy" at TCL Chinese Theatre on March 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Jane Lynch’s breakout role was in Christopher Guest’s Best in Show—and she was 40 when the film came out. After nabbing supporting parts in The L-Word and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, she got the gig that would make her a household name: Portraying Glee’s Sue Sylvester.
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5. Alan Rickman
Ian Gavan—Getty Images Alan Rickman attends the World Premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. The late actor got his big break when he was 42 and played Hans Gruber in Die Hard.
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6. Vera Wang
Trevor Collens—AFP/Getty Images Designer Vera Wang pictured backstage after her presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York September 15, 2015. Vera Wang started out as a figure skater, and then she tried her hand at journalism. She didn’t open her first bridal boutique until she was 40, but now she’s famous for her designs.
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7. Samuel L. Jackson
Kevork Djansezian—Getty Images Actor Samuel L. Jackson attends the premiere of The Weinstein Company's 'The Hateful Eight' at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on December 7, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Believe it or not, there was a time when Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t famous. Quentin Tarantino changed that. Jackson appeared in True Romance in 1993, and after that, Tarantino created the Pulp Fiction role of Jules Winnfield specifically for Jackson, who was in his early 40s at the time.
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8. Judi Dench
David M. Benett—Getty Images Dame Judi Dench arrives at The London Critics' Circle Film Awards at The May Fair Hotel on January 17, 2016 in London, England. Now, Dench may be one of the most revered actresses out there. But 20 years ago, most people didn’t even know who she was. Dench was in her 60s when her film career took off. While she had a fruitful career in the U.K., it was her role as M in Goldeneye that made her well-known in the U.S.
Read more: Diane von Furstenberg Wants You to Know She Gets Down on Herself Sometimes, Too
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9. Melissa McCarthy
Newspix—Getty Images American actress Melissa McCarthy poses during a photo shoot at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Sydney, New South Wales ahead of the premiere of her new film 'The Boss'. Gilmore Girls junkies have known Melissa McCarthy since she was in her 30s. However, the actress didn’t hit it big until she was 41, thanks to her hilarious work in Bridesmaids.
