You’re Never Too Old: Celebrities Who Didn’t Get Started Till Middle Age

Worried that you’re getting over the hill? Afraid you’ve missed your chance for success? Or think you’re too old to change careers? Well, here are some celebrities who caught their big breaks later in life and went on to enjoy middle-aged stardom…

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was a model in her youth, before trading on Wall Street. She built up her own catering business during her 30s, but it was only at age 41 that she made a dramatic shift in her better-known career with the publication of her first book, “Entertaining.” From there, she went on to become a household name for her powerful media empire.

Michael Clarke Duncan

As a young man, Michael Clarke Duncan worked digging ditches before moving to Hollywood to work as a bouncer. He earned a few bit parts in various movies and TV shows, most of which were uncredited, before landing the role of Bear in “Armageddon” at age 40.

This led nicely to his standout role the next year in “The Green Mile.”

Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay began her professional life working as a journalist before transitioning to public relations. At age 34 she first starting experimenting with filmmaking, making her first short film.

DuVernay’s first feature film, “I Will Follow,” debuted when she was 39, and her subsequent film, “Middle of Nowhere,” won her the best director award at the Sundance International Film Festival.

John Mahoney

At age 39, having worked as a teacher and the editor of a medical journal, amateur actor John Mahoney was invited by John Malkovich to join his newly formed theater company, Steppenwolf, as they lacked older actors. From there, Mahoney embarked on an illustrious career.

His most famous role was that of Martin Crane, the dad on the popular sitcom, “Frasier.”