Top 10 Actors Who Became Famous When They Were Old

[@manfromthehorizon3870]

I'm 37 and I'm just getting started in this profession.

[@gaddamful]

good luck to u sir

[@raph2954]

Good for you. I hope you're successful.

[@nep86]

Good luck! ✌

[@DonCorleone0]

God Bless You, buddy. Hope you be a successful actor, learn from your mistakes, improve yourself as much as you can, and take wise choices along the way. Good luck!

[@theretroguyy5399]

Goodluck mate.

[@Werntzy]

What about Bryan Cranston? his real rise to fame happened in his 40's when he played Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, and didn't become an award winning actor till his 50's when he played Walter White As well as John Lithgow and JK Simmons.

[@gnewt75]

J.K. Simmons...Honorable mention at least, guys.....Also a note to actor's: keep pounding the pavement and be great at your craft! Look at the guys/gals on here as testament to your journey!!!

[@psyrakan]

I want Morgan Freeman to be the narrator of my life.

[@psyrakan]

***** that's a good choice also

[@RictusHolloweye]

+psyrakan You've definitely missed your chance to get Christopher Lee to do the job.

[@Dragonfyre137]

+psyrakan I'd rather pick a combination of Bob Ross and Samuel L. Jackson. It would be like "there are no mistakes, just happy little motherf*ckers."

[@trabo2]

+psyrakan I want Keith David to be the narrator of my life.

[@psyrakan]

trabo2 Spawn himself that's good

[@mixey01]

Morgan Freeman doesn't get old, he was born an immortal XD

[@superlex611]

indeed

[@jalbrpll]

+Mixey Isnt that from South Park?

[@Madman-bi5bf]

he is god after all

[@simbiant4]

@@Madman-bi5bf "the voice of god"

[@jpmnky]

Yeah I thought he was born as the guy in Shawshank.

[@noelkinz]

I am almost 30. Wanted to be famous and recognized for my music achievements all of my life. I feel like giving up and move on with my personal life. But then this kind of made me feel good & gave me faith I can continue on working on my artistic self.

[@rileyfreeman7122]

40 ain't old. That's the prime of life.

[@georgeguja6155]

I think 18 to 39 will be considered the prime but 40-44 ain't too bad

[@jpmnky]

Especially when you wake up one day and you’re 38 years old.

[@The3rdGunman]

Tell that to my back

[@mohammadabdulfarooqi3068]

@@georgeguja6155 18 or 19 is still a teen. Even 20 for that matter

[@georgeguja6155]

@@mohammadabdulfarooqi3068 but legally liable

[@CW-dl2dd]

RIP Alan Rickman.

[@angelbabysqueaky3985]

He had a great voice and actor. Gone too soon.

[@JC19021]

Christoph Waltz is incredible in every movie. I can't wait to see what else he does.

[@MsVeggieEater]

Alan Rickman, only honourable mention? Replace him with at least Steve Carrell and I might agree with the list. >.

[@tiffprendergast]

Jacquelynn North yes

[@pongpongop]

morgan freeman has always been old, he suffers from the hulk hogan syndrome

[@SARYM911]

+Unorthodox Panda Same as Larry King as well who might have been young around the Big Bang

[@nriab23]

+Myrsa that made me laugh

[@aidenp.s.9197]

MORGAN FREEMAN IS A RACIST?!?!

[@jawapiespy8860]

Morgan Freeman was the inspiration for the movie the curious case of Benjamin button 🌜👶👴👶💀🌛here's the visual it explains the whole movie lol👌

[@mtrich8113]

+aiden ryan Morgan Freeman a racist? where the fuck did that come from?

[@thehoosierfortheUK]

Bette White is 94 years old and still kicking. Being in that snickers commercial, the Golden Girls, and the Mary Tyler Moore show.

[@royf.9034]

Judi Dench may not have been world famous when she was young, but she was fine all over. At 14 I saw her on PBS playing Titania in of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Her costume consisted of a few carefully-placed leaves and a sprinkling of glitter. I remember it to this day, almost 50 years later.

[@angelbabysqueaky3985]

I remember her in A Midsummers Night Dream, I have a copy of her in it on VHS. I was just telling my husband that she was bare breasted. Great actress

[@TheLadyEmerald809]

i needed a list like this. its actually uplifting to know your life of some kind of fame doesnt have to end at like 20. people are able and allowed to do great things later in life, and that's just so great to know

[@lukemcg7295]

Alan Rickman is one of the most famous stories of an old actor making it big, he shouldve been top 3

[@aslan1121]

Sir Anthony Hopkins isn't even an honorable mention? What?

[@garethallen4191]

OMG! I so expected to see him in the #1 slot that I completely forgot when he wasn't!

[@thebeatnumber]

@@garethallen4191 He was in an Oscar winning film, 'The Lion In The Winter' in 1967.

[@garethallen4191]

@@thebeatnumber Yea, I remembered that later. Good film!

[@The3rdGunman]

@@thebeatnumber Exactly and was in critically acclaimed The Elephant Man in 1981

[@JP-vz2ho]

I agree my have critical acclaimed but he was not famous until silence of the lambs when he was old.

[@ALLNAMESAREALLREADYT]

Yesterday I farted in a bus and people turned around. Felt like I was in The Voice

[@nelpan9592]

Stop

[@avaklingelhefer8892]

I snorted laughing at that

[@LadyOnikara]

Pick Gwen! Well, Blake is okay too I guess.

[@motherofchaos5519]

Oh, my God! I can't believe they didn't even mention Sam Elliot!

[@gaddamful]

most old and most deserving on this list

[@joeyruss3933]

Let me guess before I get to #1. Morgan Freeman.

[@joeyruss3933]

Knew it

[@robertsanchez3876]

Lol

[@vhinceagra4213]

All these people saying 40 isn't old... That's not the point. The point is that usually actors and actresses get discovered and become famous in their 20's or so, but the folks in the list somehow had beaten the younger competition and became celebrities we know today. It's not about how old they are, it's about how great they are at their craft.

[@superlex611]

Or have a big breakthrough and true launching

[@RictusHolloweye]

Patrick Stewart was already famous among my crowd for being Leondegrance in Excalibur, and Gurney Halleck in Dune.

[@generalhorse493]

A great list to remind people that you don't have to be young to achieve greatness, and that patience truly is a virtue.

[@PVoScourge]

R.I.P. Alan Rickman...AKA professor Snape

[@nitpicker9406]

Morgan Freeman has been 60 for 30 years and Monica Bellicci has been 30 for 60 years.

[@georgiosioannispappas]

So has Keanu Reeves...

[@AngelicKillerChild]

Boris Karloff was 44 when he gained fame as Frankenstein's Monster in 1931.

[@NickCC23]

And if Best Supporting Actor Oscar had been around then he should have won.

[@gaddamful]

how old are u sir or how wise?

[@ErikGiovani]

Bryan Cranston Better be here

[@Jam3zGe51990]

+Erik Giovani right !

[@adamszekrenyes9741]

+Erik Giovani You're goddamn right! :D

[@winterlucy]

Exactly! He should have been here.

[@aweinster2]

+Unforlorn no he was about 45 when Macolm in Middle started

[@wwb2081]

Not that old...

[@marcovtjev]

Patrick Stewart is legendary in SF since 1984. He was Gurney Halleck in Dune!

[@angelbabysqueaky3985]

He was so funny on Graham Norton show. He talks about an argument with his wife. He thought that he was circumcised, so when he went to his doctor, who told him no. His telling was so funny.

[@asherhuskinson6815]

Even though he still isn’t super famous, I feel like Michael Shannon will earn a spot on this list someday. He’s a super talented actor!

[@cethomas324]

Great list! I'd include Tilda Swinton as an honorable mention at least. She only did three of the movies on her now extensive filmography before 40.

[@Bartman954]

DeForest Kelley wasn't really a household name until he was in his mid forties when he did Star Trek

[@pablovasquez4116]

hey watchmojo thanx for the videos been a big fan since the beginning!! and it awsome u upload videos every day thanx take care ;)

[@cranbalanfan]

What? Angela Lansbury?! She was already nominated for an Oscar at 19! Wackos.

[@kalelwilson8337]

So basically what you're saying is that there is hope, no matter how old you are.

[@therealpyromaniac4515]

What about Alan Rickman? He got cast in Die Hard when he was 42?

[@therealpyromaniac4515]

I commented on this before I saw the honourable mentions............I am truly sorry.

[@winterwolf211]

+The Real PyroManiac I forgive your the comment 😐😐😐 but I can't forgive the spoiler 😐😐😐💔

[@mitchlacasse361]

+The Real PyroManiac just the fact that it was his first big screen role, he should have been in the top 10 and not an honourable mention IMO

[@superlex611]

+Michel Lacasse a true launching of his career

[@jamesgoss1860]

Honorable mention is a joke. Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman and Sam Jackson are the poster boys for this topic.

[@garethallen4191]

Ian McKellen was in The Keep (1976). He was more a supporting actor than a star, but that's the first time I saw him. He remains one of my favorite actors to this day, along with Bernard Hill, Liam Cunningham, Iain Glen, Patrick Stewart, Brian Cox and Christoph Waltz. I was hoping John Lynch would rise out of obscurity after stealing scenes from Sean Bean in Black Death. He's amazing.

[@AdiCruise207]

I am pretty sure Nelson Mandela is first on this list.

[@WakaWaka2468]

Yeah, Nelson Mandela is my favourite actor.

[@AdiCruise207]

The King of Queen it was sad to hear the death of morgan freeman :(

[@maximilianovalverde6692]

+Adnan Ahmad God is.

[@annmarieneilson1294]

Adnan Ahmad Nelson Mandela wasn't even an actor

[@warreng675]

He was'nt an actor

[@angelbabysqueaky3985]

A list of excellent actors that are famous. We can enjoy their movies or TV shows

[@quattro4s]

Patrick Stewart was well known by 1981 at least when Excalibur filmed following his role of Gurney Halleck in 1984's Dune

[@cethomas324]

Known to a degree, certainly, and well respected, but not yet a major star and icon.

[@OntarioAndrews415]

I actually like this list. So I don't have a problem with it at all. Well done.

[@neeeeelllee3708]

It's so sweet, when you spoke the german titles 😂😍 I'm from Germany😅

[@QueenNile]

Awesome list

[@Kaledrone]

This list actually gives me hope lol

[@DeannaBaileytheRavensFan]

"The Shawshank Redemption" will forever be in my top 10 favorite movies.

[@winterwolf211]

Now do a top ten actors who became famous when they were middle aged.

[@FreeSudani]

+winterwolf211 loooooool nice one

[@superlex611]

between age 25 to 35 years old

[@winterwolf211]

+alex kanyima That's middle aged to you? 😨 They would be in their prime! 😄

[@superlex611]

winterwolf211 but it is obvious for actors, but by sport it is true

[@nancyomalley6012]

+alex kanyima That was true in the 70's-Now middle aged is 35-55

[@irina1296]

Really interesting list! Thanks

[@bramc9006]

dont forget patrick stewarts voice acting work in american dad

[@LadyOnikara]

And he was Uriel Septim in Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. I always thought Picard should be an emperor.

[@annkuthakur564]

Please do some lists regarding kpop as wel !! Your top 10 iconic kpop songs got me into kpop and m so blessed to have come across that list !! Please do another list regarding kpop !!

[@Kato86]

Nothing against Carrell but Rickman shoul have totally taken his spot. Oh, well...

[@bethw.9843]

I really liked this list and lists like this-definitely gives hope to those of us who are getting up there in age

[@tomdemke7546]

There's still hope for me then.

[@freddyfan951]

Christopher Lloyd was 37 when he appeared in his first film- One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest- and became famous as Doc Brown when he was 46. Surprised he's not mentioned here.

[@kyledobbs7771]

Samuel L. Jackson is in many of these videos. He's practically a wild card--and I do mean wild--because he plays almost everything except Shakespeare. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@caseybledsoe770]

Steve Corell was also in the Dana Carvey Show with Colbert. I believe that's where they met.

[@mhenderson2064]

Old age?? 40 isn't old. Try 70's or something. 😒

[@elamplough1]

I suppose 40 is old if you are comparing it to being in your twenties, and also considering that you're old enough to be a grandparent. Remember what Victor Hugo once said: "Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age".

[@elamplough1]

@Knowtheledge Thelastdayz True, but it definitely doesn't make you young any more.

[@michaelanthony386]

💯🎯

[@jayceevee8666]

Honestly, it doesn't matter how old they were when they first started or became famous. Late Bloomer or not, some of these actors like Samuel L Jackson are more famous than a lot of other actors who started when they were kids.

[@MrChipius]

I was expecting to see Jean Reno..

[@CinemaKnight]

My grandmother, Frances Sternhagen, performed the play version of Driving Miss Daisy in 1988 with Morgan Freeman (she was originally offered it, but turned it down at first), and also was in 2011's Dolphin Tale with him as Gloria.

[@delightfulm.r8019]

where is daniel day-lewis ?

[@Purple1984Rain]

+O®iGinal Perfection👌 He won his first Oscar at 32 for My Left Foot

[@gaddamful]

yea hes a house hold name catchy at it

[@KarimTravinanos]

Lmfao he was considère one of the greatest actor of all time in his 30s what you talking about

[@jt-bw6qd]

You forgot Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Humphrey Bogart, George Clooney

[@MorganKing95]

Sean Connery was only 32 when he first played James Bond, Ford was 35 in the first "Star Wars", and Clooney was 34 when he got his breakthrough in "ER"

[@jt-bw6qd]

@@MorganKing95 ok that just leaves Humphrey Bogart

[@konami5212]

Anthony Hopkins?

[@velvet_victor]

Exactly. He entered the mainstream cinema already getting an Oscar.

[@linkbiff1054]

+Konami Well he was famous in Europe when he was young.

[@Fools_Requiem]

+Victor Vaz not true, he had popular roles before winning in Silence of the Lambs, but with the exception of "A Bridge Too Far", all would have been after he turned 40.

[@frequentlyoffline3917]

+Konami #FucKonami

[@toreswe]

+Konami Liam Neeson?

[@Purple1984Rain]

The first guy I thought of was Rodney Dangerfield (RIP) even though he was obviously a comedian more than a serious actor He was pushing 60 when Caddyshack made him a household name in 1980.

[@Life-Row-Toll]

RIP, indeed. I loved him in "Back to School". I think that was the name. He did the Triple Lindy dive.

[@rhiannon650]

just because americans haven't seen actors in roles doesn't mean they weren't well known.....

[@Purple1984Rain]

+Alias Orange Exactly!

[@CyDoneTV]

+Alias Orange actually it does. Anyone in entertainment knows making it in America isn't like making it anywhere else. While they may have been known in their respective countries, MOST don't find the world wide acclaim until they make it big in the USA. Like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and so many other rock bands. Not to mention actors.

[@captaincaveman2040]

If they're not known in America no one in the world knows who the fuck they are...

[@Skawagon]

I have found memories of french actor Louis De Fines, who became well known for his roles of short angry frenchmen. He was comedian and played small roles before Le Gendarme de St. Tropez - starring him as a leading actor - kickstarted his career in age of 50.

[@kevinmurry8803]

I believe that Tommy Lee Jones was also in A Coal Miner's Daughter.

[@Itssomething23]

My cousin is 30 and he will appear in the movie The Wizard of Lies as doorman .. he now want to take acting classes .. now i will show him this video ..never late!

[@JustGotHeated]

Christoph Waltz is freakin amazing

[@jgfunk]

Absolutely

[@moreno_163]

One of my favorite Morgan Freeman movies is "Lean On Me" (1989)

[@luisdeleon780]

I think that Ed O'Neal should it be in the list

[@JennaLeigh]

He had acting success prior to age 40, but it *was* probably close.

[@jeonginnielvr]

Kurtwood Smith should of been in the honorable mentions, he didn't become famous until Robocop in 1987, he was 43 then I believe. And yeah, we all know him as Red Forman from that 70s show.

[@superlex611]

But in the 80's became a bit know

[@Filmation77]

Alan Rickman was not on the official list?? And no mention of Caroll O Connor??? Shame!!!

[@christinedorotheo0]

Now you can add JK Simmons, John Lithgow, Bryan Cranston, Brendan Gleeson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Frances MacDormand, Sir Roger Moore, Liam Neeson, Sir Christopher Lee, Jerry Orbach, Olivia Colman, Christopher Lloyd, Dame Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Pierce Brosnan, George Clooney, Michael Keaton, Albert Brooks, Tilda Swinton, Boris Karloff, Humphrey Bogart, Estelle Getty

[@Adosewithrick]

Bro half of them actors you mentioned were on already hit shows o movies 😅

[@campinatorxbox1610]

what about Christopher Walken but then again I think he's always been popular?

[@Purple1984Rain]

+Thomas Reagan He was 35 when he won his supporting Oscar for The Deer Hunter

[@georgeguja6155]

Almost 36 compared to his contemporaries like De Niro and Pacino who became famous when they were 30-32 it's pretty late but definetly not old

[@marguskiis7711]

Roger Moore was 45 when he made his first Bond. Before it he was a popular TV actor in UK but quite unknown in States.

[@filipstojanovic1112]

I believe you missed Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad :)

[@yolandagarcia8283]

love ur videos

[@akaVito74]

Hellen Mirren? And how can you dare to forget about Geoffrey Rush?!))

[@lindildeev5721]

You don't really know French cinema so I'll give you another mention : Louis de Funès, who got his first role when he was 40 (in "La Traversée de Paris") and became famous ten years later.

[@TheVanguarderOfArms]

ok I agree with many of these but why no Christopher Lee?

[@samuelglass6805]

There's so many you didn't mention, that you could do another list, which I hope you already have!

[@5TailFox]

You're forgetting that Samuel L. Jackson was in Coming To America before all of that stuff.

[@Purple1984Rain]

+Shawnee Longbow True but nobody really remembered him much in those bit parts until Pulp Fiction made him a breakout star.

[@nancyomalley6012]

+Shawnee Longbow And the Star Wars prequels as Mace Windu

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

+Nancy O'Malley Star Wars was after Pulp Fiction.

[@bigmanbossman]

And his role as Mace Windu in Star Wars and Nick Fury in Marvel movies

[@markdeazley2663]

I love this channel

[@EthanBradburyVlogs]

Spoilers Number one is Morgan Freeman you no longer have to watch this video.

[@2ock]

Thank you sir.

[@dirtyeggo]

thank you

[@LoveThisRealWoman]

+Test Tickle Yes I agreed

[@taekwondodude8]

Thank you.

[@rick371]

+Shaqula Bloodinstein was kind of obvious from the start....he is god after all...well he played god...

[@dcllaw677]

I am almost in awe of Chrisrof Walz’s fluency in English and French as well as , of course, German.

[@devilpupbear09]

By Grabthars Hammer, by the Suns of Warvan. you shall be remembered Alan Rickman

[@mikeoneill2876]

I can't believe Liam Neeson is anywhere on this list! They could easily do a part 2 video on this.

[@Fools_Requiem]

Damn, this list is chock full of amazing actors/actresses.

[@dickscratcher3040]

Ian Mckellan pre 1991 :- The Naked Civil Servant , The Elephant man

[@superlex611]

:)

[@thomassanderson7927]

and Produced and Directed so did not need to audition for Richard III

[@Downfall1990]

Betty White may have seen new career peaks from the 70s on, but she was already known by the mainstream...

[@vergnationx]

Not even an honorable mention to Mr. Cranston?!

[@The810kid]

Cranston was around before breaking bad and had a decent resume

[@vergnationx]

+The810kid Yeah but he wasnt really known until Malcolm in the middle and i believe he was over 40 by than. Just getting a little technical hahah

[@ThePatrickHazard]

Should've included Billy Bob Thornton, Abe Vigoda, and Geoffrey Rush cause they were all AMAZING in big roles during their 40s!

[@durfeyayala]

Alan Rickman is gone D':

[@moonwalkdreamer]

He should've been at least number two on this list with so many memorable characters he portrayed.

[@Wolfsbane909]

love that pulp fiction scene when Samuel L Jackson wants acknowledgment that it was a "miracle" but in reality it was like a chillax moment with Travolta's character, yep when you see it from the audience pov it was a miracle!! God came down and stopped the bullets. O_O

[@Lexx1976]

Christopher Lloyd? James Gandolfini? Bryan Cranston?

[@warreng675]

Yeah Christopher Lloyd

[@MorganKing95]

Most sources I've read say that Christoph Waltz is an adherent of the Meisner technique, not Method Acting. Other than that, good list, and it really shows how long time it can take for an actor/actress to get his/her big breakthrough

[@Monkeywe]

also morgan freeman is the only believable person to play god in a movie, hell, I wouldn't be surprised if god is him :v

[@stephenolan5539]

You never saw the George Burns movies?

[@ecliptorcalrissian5014]

If there is a god, he must have Morgan's voice at least! ...also, yes, the George Burns movies are a must see. And I wonder if he belongs on this list too; at least, he's old in everything *I* remember him from.

[@katclark3857]

I thought Humphrey Bogart would be on this list but I don't know how old he was when he made it big just that he was 41 in the Maltese Falcon and a year or two older in Casablanca.

[@Purple1984Rain]

+Kat Clark He did a lot of gangster supporting roles in his 30's so he wasn't really unknown by the time MF took him to another level of celebrity

[@naaperusrinu]

where is Liam Neeson from "Taken" series??

[@naaperusrinu]

+Bat Fan haha. younger?? he was born in 1952 (4 years younger than samuel L jackson) and Schindler's List in 1993

[@naaperusrinu]

+Bat Fan yes. :)

[@MorganKing95]

+naa peru cnu Samuel L. Jackson is actually 4 years older than Liam Neeson

[@orvilleshepherd7540]

his first role was at 29

[@Sourcandy333]

patrick stewart and ian mckellan yes! they're both so iconic.

[@kemolowlow]

Wow Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall didn't even make Honorable Mention.

[@JennaLeigh]

Didn't they have success in their 30s?

[@KarimTravinanos]

@@JennaLeigh gene Hackman was famous in his 30s

[@Locadel2003]

STEVEN SEAGAL? He was 50 in under siege and only 46 in above the law