Celebrity fame and stardom is not just for the young. Many stars have gone on to make it big in Hollywood after 40, proving that age is no barrier when it comes to success. Here are some of the most famous celebrities who did not make it until their 40s and what they achieved thereafter:
Tommy Lee Jones
Tommy Lee Jones has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood since his role in “The Fugitive” back in 1993. Before that, he had a number of small roles and guest appearances on TV shows.
A native Texan, Jones was born in San Saba County and graduated from Harvard with a degree in English literature. After “The Fugitive,” he went on to appear in “Men In Black,” “No Country for Old Men,” and many other films.
Bryan Cranston
Best known for his portrayal of Walter White in the award-winning show “Breaking Bad,” Bryan Cranston was already an actor in his youth. However, it was not until he was in his 40s that he really took off as a star.
After appearing on “Seinfeld,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” and other shows, Cranston became a household name with “Breaking Bad.” Since then, he has gone on to appear in more TV shows and films, such as “Godzilla” and “Trumbo.”
NeNe Leakes
Mostly known for her role as the sassy housewife on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” NeNe Leakes did not become famous until her 40s. Prior to RHOA, she had a number of small roles in shows like “Glee” and “The New Normal.”
But it was her larger-than-life persona on the show that made her a household name. She has since gone on to appear in “Dancing with the Stars,” host “Fashion Police,” and even launch her own clothing line.
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield was an American comedian who rose to fame in his late 50s. Born Jack Roy, he adopted the stage name Rodney Dangerfield after taking up standup comedy as a career choice in his twenties.
Thus, he became famous for his signature catchphrase, “I get no respect!” and went on to appear in “Caddyshack,” “Easy Money,” and other films.
Kim Cattrall
The “Sex and the City” star did not become a household name until she was 43. Born in Canada, Cattrall moved to New York at the age of 16 to pursue an acting career. She gained her first major role as the liberated Samantha Jones in “Sex and the City” after appearing in a number of TV shows, movies, and theater productions prior.
After playing Samantha for six years, she went on to appear in “Big Trouble” in “Little China,” “Mannequin,” and other films.
Wendy Williams
Finally, there is Wendy Williams, who became famous thanks to her talk show “The Wendy Williams Show.” First airing in 2008, the show made Williams a household name after she had already been involved in radio for most of her career. Later on, she also appeared as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” and “Dancing with the Stars.”
These are just some of the celebrities who achieved fame after 40. While it may take longer to break into Hollywood at that age, these stars prove that amazing things happen when you do not give up on your dreams.