Top 10 Celebrity Late Bloomers

These celebrities prove that it's never too late to make it big… or start over. Join www.WatchMojo.com/suggest down our picks for the Top 10 Celebrity Late Bloomers. For this list, we're looking at those famous celebrities who didn't see fame, fortune, or success until relatively late into their lives. Subscribe►► / subscription_c. . Facebook►► / watchmojo . Twitter►► / watchmojo Instagram►► / watchmojo Suggestion Tool►►www.WatchMojo.com/suggest Channel Page►► / watchmojo
Special thanks to our user Felix_B for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest
Check out the voting page here,
watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+C...
Want a WatchMojo cup, mug, t-shirts, pen, sticker and even a water bottle? Get them all when you order your MojoBox gift set here:
watchmojo.com/store/
WatchMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content, covering the People, Places and Trends you care about.
We update DAILY with 4-5 Top 10 lists, Origins, Biographies, Versus clips on movies, video games, music, pop culture and more!

[@kevklatman]

Who's here from being a failure at life?

[@AstroMartine]

hahahaha hi5

[@paulo0651]

I’m 15 and I look 4

[@CHANNYD]

me

[@oldsoulmusik4677]

haha but still hopeful brush

[@MikeSebree777]

💯💯

[@ALadiesPage]

30/40 even 50 these days is far from old! never give up!

[@shroobienum2278]

I don't care who you are, if your reading this have an amazing day

[@apone2d]

no

[@TheDUDERulez1]

You and your kindness can go to hell!

[@emcg7654]

thanks m8

[@lumigo9504]

+ZolRing a day is twenty four hours so +Shroobie Num is not insensitive yoiu just took the comment the wrong way

[@thevagabond1314]

I could be Donald Trump...

[@NA86737]

Filmmakers who don't make it till their late 30's or 40's is actually better because it allows them to be mature in their work.

[@Nicotine46]

+Indiscriminate29 I don't know if it's better but it's actually common for filmakers to direct their first movies to their late 30's or 40's. Usually, it's a long process from short films or wathever. It's like being the CEO of a large company, you don't do it at 25. So, for me, Ang Lee or Katheryn Bigelow were not very relevant. (But I would've choose Ridley Scott instead who made his first movie at age 40 and became famous 2 years later with Alien).

[@millerhxc]

I'm 30. I've been in and out of bands since I was 16. I'm hoping that the band I'm in now will hopefully lead to something. This video sort of give me hope.

[@saote123]

Always have hope! 😊

[@nachojimenez2420]

or give up.

[@prettyhollypolly7553]

I don’t know who you are but keep going!

[@lazyskull7949]

Im 28 and just starting out in music. but feel like I should stop cause of my age.

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

Eh...music is about politics

[@Ennahdee]

The girl who rolled her eyes at Susan Boyle must seriously regret being shown on camera.

[@jgw5491]

Yeah, I heard that she got a lot of hate thrown at her.

[@laurieberry4814]

Success doesn’t have to be fame. It could be finding peace in yourself. I just want to know myself since I had people tell me who I was the majority of my life. Finding myself will be my success. Getting the negative people out of my life will be my greatest success.

[@ashleyfelling3465]

I LOVE Stan Lee. Imagine life without Marvel Superheroes. Thank you Stan Lee, for everything. 😁

[@josem.dueneztinoco2388]

Amen

[@bennybeetle572]

ikr

[@nathan-or3gr]

+Groot Well naw!

[@jandreidrn]

+Ashley Felling Sad that Jack Kirby is now but forgotten... the true Marvel genius.

[@Ghost_in_the_Darkness]

Hell Yeah!!!!

[@stereokid]

Julia Child had a late start. She didn't take a cooking lesson until she was in her 30s. Was in her 50s when her first television series began in 1963.

[@The_Terra_Universe_and_Culture]

I didnt even realize I'm a late bloomer until i became 30 and realized I'm a late bloomer. All my life ive always caught up with my peers kinda late and when i do i do it so well. In school i wasn't getting good grades until later in life also with everything. Thank you for this

[@SilentBudgie]

Late 30s is old? Well, fuck. :(

[@StudioInkblot]

+Telly Vin-a He was a businessman, not a celebrity.

[@jasonkay7324]

Debra Harry. Blondie first formed when she was 30. Blondie found mainstream success when she was 34 Steve Carrell was 41 when he was first seen in Bruce Almighty. He started out in a very small role in Curly Sue at age 29

[@vandanashaw9925]

Blondie's the best!

[@ryoichiwatanabe648]

Whooa!! I just know that!! It's great to know that one of the NY punk scene legend's a late bloomer!! Really inspire me.

[@__rm307]

Not old enough examples 😭😭

[@ty2b911]

Notification Squad. Just kidding, no one has that turned on for watchmojo.

[@bambisheart4517]

lol

[@Kkhgdubfrz]

Lol ikr, they post 4 or 5 videos a day but one of them is worthy of watching it

[@bennybeetle572]

lol

[@jerryl.5291]

lel

[@1blue_wolf158]

Stfu, Go and annoy someone else. Oh, and I reported you

[@EricaShady10171972]

Susan Boyle does not show you that you can accomplish your dream at any age. It shows you that talent can go unnoticed.

[@Ceolskog-Folk-Metal-Hiking]

Yeh exactly, especially if you're not considered "good-looking".

[@gbengaadedeji1576]

This is very right. So regardless of where you are and how old you are, put yourself out and don't burry your talents

[@SamusAran1818]

I love hearing stories like these. Stories like these disprove the popular belief that success happens very early in life, and many amazing older people are never given the chance or recognition they deserve. We are such an ageist culture, and I love it when the discarded proves everyone wrong. To be honest, I get sick of all these young singers and actors that are often heavily advertised to the public. Just because I see them everywhere, doesn't mean that I'm going to like them--it actually has the opposite effect.

[@mrh1096]

Well said. I couldn't have said it better 💙💜💙

[@justindavid9979]

NHL players retire by 30, on average, because their bodies break down. There's 1 Tim Thomas for every 1000+ retirees at the age of 32. We don't seem to understand the critical biological factor that age plays in one's ability perform. The biological consequences of age have a diminishing effect on creativity, ability to learn new skills, on one's voice and lung function, on physical ability and energy, etc. Thus, success generally comes when you start at an early age primarily because of biology, not societal agism.

[@eyasa9448]

@@justindavid9979 it depends on the occupation, for example writers,directors and actors don't really care for age.what would matter however is the time it takes get your breakthrough since you need experience so it would take you more time.

[@justindavid9979]

@@eyasa9448 time is definitely a factor. No question.

[@eyasa9448]

@@justindavid9979 can you explain how exactly it could affect actors? Last time I checked there are a lot of big time actors who are still acting and doing just fine in their 70s (Robert de Niro, Harrison Ford, Morgan freeman) and the list goes on..

[@Shifty1940]

so thirty is later in life?

[@jocoolor1]

apparently.

[@KryptoChronicutelite]

+Shifty1940 It's all relative you inbred.

[@danielbelcher8113]

+Shifty1940 For Ice Hockey it is

[@gutz1981]

+Shifty1940 Realistically. The odds begin to drop from 30 onwards in certain fields. That is not to say success cannot be found past 30. It just means people who have a passion who get success in their mid to late 30s, started earlier in the 20s. Meaning, if you are starting at zero at age 30, it is more than likely you will be one of the very lucky ones who will find success in your goals after your 30's.

[@Shifty1940]

+gutz1981 yeah, I understand sports very well. But its not like Stan Lee dropped what he was doing at age 40 and then became a comicbook guy. They forgot one of the most important late bloomers in Rodney Dangerfield.

[@johnnycharco]

I think Tolkien should have been number one; Though he did have a successful academic career beforehand, The Hobbit wasn't published until he was 45 and The Lord of the Rings when he was 62 and the true fame and cult status didn't come until his 70's.

[@Butterfly22593]

What about Rodney Daingerfield? He didn't start doing comedy until he was in his 40s

[@darthsanchez7044]

My middle school english teacher sat next to Stan Lee in one of her highschool classes and said he was always drawing super heroes.

[@PassCookie]

you forgot Paul McCartney. he was discovered by kanye west when he was 70!!!!! ;)

[@jackhackett80]

+PassCookie yea, true

[@ElliotRuddy]

+PassCookie haha not sure if you're kidding or not ?

[@jackhackett80]

Elliot Ruddy I hope not lol

[@Butterfly22593]

I know you're joking. Nobody can be that stupid

[@squidmannnredstonemaster875]

Uh have you ever heard of the Beatles? xD

[@enemay]

40 years old, respected and recognized in the industry you work in is not a late bloomer at all.

[@benalichante1269]

"Bocelli started Piano at 6yo and singing at 7yo" Can someone find a famous artist who started piano at 25 and singing at 26? As much as I wanna stay positive and trust the universe, I still haven't seen it OMG as I'm writing this, I just realised maybe it could be my destiny 🤣🤣🤣

[@AlexKHS01]

can you pls do just one fucking video per day

[@joshthecaptain2]

Dam...

[@VolleyballesnotTennis]

+joshthecaptain2 Daniel

[@opinionsarelikea55holes20]

+alex khs why

[@sharonmiller8197]

MAKE THEM

[@cengizbalm2466]

no

[@julietteyork3721]

Maybe 40 was “old” 200 years ago when people lived to 60 but it’s not even middle aged today.

[@sugardaddy4714]

France has a lot of late bloomers. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was drifter for most of his early adult life and was 42 when he won a prize by the Academy of Dijon was submitting his Discourse on Inequality, turning him overnight into of the most talked-about philosopher in 18th century Europe and a key Enlightenment figure. Jean Philippe Rameau was a probably record-setting 50 when he debuted his first opera. Gainsbourg released his first songs at 30, and only established himself as a singer in the late 60s-70s when comfortably into middle-age...

[@kanwaldoc88]

34 is not old!

[@deluxe5565]

34 is old in sports

[@noodleboyn6367]

What about Alan Rickman.He was 42 in Die Hard,his first movie.

[@pugpolice4323]

She said "No actors".

[@jaycartwright5333]

Fucking idiot

[@Drako1777]

+Jay Cartwright The irony in your comment is priceless

[@DoctorWhoManiac1]

+Neil Taylor Actually, he started acting way earlier than 42, just in plays (his first was William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)

[@noodleboyn6367]

Yeah I know,I did say first movie.And Jay I probably missed that part.Twat.

[@alanmurphy6373]

sorry---late bloomers are 40+ not some guy who is 29

[@RagingAggron]

George RR Martin became famous world wide in 1991, when A Song of Ice and Fire released, at the age of 43, but for most of us born during the nineteens, he became in 2010/11 when GoT started to air. Martin was then 63. But no reason mentioning him, he was just a world wide famous teacher first and his scifi-novells from the 70's are classics today, aren't they? Step it up WM

[@lifetake3103]

+Daniel de Rooy I think because he was famous as a novelist goes before the show aired. Like he had an amazingly large fan based which is why HBO made GoT to air. JK Rowling on the other hand became famous with harry potter the first book to which she was 31 (which is apparently late bloomer for watchmojo I guess). And it was still slow from there gaining more appeal with the second and later entries. Martin just has had a constant streak of popularity just not crazy like an actor or what not.

[@RagingAggron]

The problem here is that his scifi-novels never made him famous. A Song of Ice and Fire was the books that gave him his fanbase in the early 90's, when he was 43, more then ten years older than JKR.

[@lifetake3103]

+Daniel de Rooy Fire and ice was his return to writing. I'm telling you right now he had a good fan base with his other books. His first one won awards to which added to base. Yes it isn't as much as it is now, but he had a fan base that exceeded most other novelists. Which I believe is where we should be comparing it.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

i love these, very inspirational. It really does come down to being motivated.

[@dodopoopinpoop]

Great list, so many great talented souls!

[@dotarcoferleira7296]

It's never late to dream.

[@JazzyJay729]

What about Colonel Sanders?

[@abbystrobel9469]

RIP Stan Lee you had a wonderful life

[@Tejayes042383]

Considering you put some 20-something musicians on the list and in the honorable mentions, I'm surprised you didn't include Cyndi Lauper, who released her first album when she was 30.

[@mrh1096]

Or scatman john who became famous only in his 50s

[@morelio7985]

but thats the perfect age for an album release. I mean, a good album release. Forget about teen boy bands and all that, thats another bussiness

[@JeremyWS]

Why is it that only people on this list that I have actually heard about are: Stan Lee, Martha Stewart, and J.K. Rowling? And why is J.K. Rowling only an honorable mention?

[@jenna2026]

Estelle Getty was 60 when she started acting. She was cast in Golden Girls at age 62.

[@omkarsawant5570]

That Susan Boyle audition still gives me goosebumps.

[@Cocobrown4u]

I don’t consider someone in their 30’s a late-bloomer. Love stories of unlikely people like Susan Boyle and Charles Bradley.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I would have switched Bigelow for Robert Bresson. He was nearly 35 when he directed a short film and never made a feature until he was 42. The man became a legend.

[@theatergeek82]

It saddened me when Leonard Cohen died...Hallelujah was my wedding song

[@chellastation]

This is very inspirational

[@raxelleon8189]

What about George R.R. Martin?!! He wasn't nearly as recognized until HBO had adapted Game of Thrones into a TV show. By then he was already into his sixties.

[@lifetake3103]

+Luke Pettis um.... He had a incredible fan based that prompted HBO to make game of thrones....

[@JHowesitgoing123]

The books were best sellers with high praise long before that though.

[@jonhipolito807]

Its because he wrote the books in his own life.

[@marguskiis7711]

Bocelli and Peaches were 32, Cohen was 34 when they hit it big, it is not old at all. Dozens of pop stars has been in their 30s when they hit big. Chuck Berry, Tiny Tim, Ian Dury, Stranglers, series of artist in 80s/90s etc etc. Directors should be older because their work needs experience. Susan Boyle is a bit ... OK, let it be.

[@datonz]

I never heard of Charles Bradley, but now I'm going to check him out.

[@markwahlbird8849]

"Top 10 Celebrity Late Bloomers" >Honorable mentions aged 32, 29, and 35

[@IdoShmido]

where is samuel l jackson, he became a known actor only in his late 40's/early 50's

[@jadepixie2719]

I think the late British rock signer Ian Dury should be on this list too, he became a household name in the late 70s & early 80s fronting the funk rock band the Blockheads (formerly known as Ian Dury & the Blockheads.) having a number of hits songs: “Sweet Gene Vincent.”, “What a waste.”, “Sex & drugs and rock and roll.” “Reasons to be cheerful part 3” and of course their number 1 hit & signature song “Hit me with your rhythm stick.” All while he was in his mid to late 30s. Not so bad for a partially physically disabled, tiny, “old” rockstar.

[@WallyBrando]

the coolest honourable mentions of all time

[@beckton11]

Late Bernie Mac (Bernard Mccolough) late stand up comedian he worked in a fish mongers or restaraunt before in Chicago prior to his comedy success

[@Drako1777]

I like this list. I don't see what's up with all of the negative comments. Because people don't like WatchMojo in general?

[@minibeast21]

Jeffery Rush should've been on here. his first major break out role wasn't till his 40s in the movie Shine

[@brainfragment2975]

Fuck yeah!! Thanks for this vid!! Got me inspired!!

[@mamc1986]

Kudos to Susan Boyle! You are a real inspiration that its never to late to do anything!

[@kalelwilson8337]

Disregard these haters wacthmojo, keep pumping out videos

[@TheNightWatcher1385]

I don't feel comfortable with the way that guy was feeling up that horse.

[@arthuranderson428]

I like Martha Stewart. I used to watch her cooking show occasionally, but I LOVED her Holiday specials with all the arts and crafts and cooking combined. I also like Stan Lee and J.K. Rowling.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Charles Bradley - Boss R&B !

[@noelkinz]

I am 31, and have been doing music all my life. Still not rich and famous. 😢

[@chada75]

Number 1 is pretty awesome. "Handsome" Harry Gant became famous at the young age of 51 by Winning Four Winston Cup races in a row in 1991.

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Sharon Jones from Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings(she was over 50 when she/they achieved acclaim) could should have been included. And Fitz from Fitz and The Tantrums(over 40 when debut hit)

[@0962544]

That celine dion pronunciation tho.

[@Osborne4Life]

Bea Arthur? I'm pretty sure she didn't get noticed until Maude, when she was around 50, I believe.

[@steviebob4]

They said they weren't covering actors in this one because they already did that in another video.

[@vellichorillustrestudio2748]

I highly approve of their top pick!

[@elfil76]

I like Joe Pesci story better, at 47 he did Goodfellas and became a well known star after that film.

[@sugardaddy4714]

Are you kidding about Stan Lee? He was named editor-in-chief at Timely Comics (direct ancestor of Marvel) at 19! after publisher Martin Goodman took him under his wing. That'd classify him as impressively precocious in my book. The war put his career on hold for a bit, and his creative career may have peaked in his 40s-50s, but he was by no means a social underachiever in his 20s. He was already a major player in the industry by that time (if not in the public eye)

[@Esppikitty]

I honestly thought the title meant celebrities that were late bloomers puberty-wise... I am a disappointment....

[@dannydd5910]

Lmao XD

[@Th3Fly1nHawaiian]

+Esppi *sigh* same here

[@CaapriceTube1]

#6 - MY FAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@whitecloud2002]

Watchmojo isn't running out of Ideas, the public is, considering watchmojo gets most there top 10's from us.

[@x.kalibre]

As a struggling slave in Science, I needed to see this today, thank you =)

[@powerspyin1games]

I remember watching the BGT episode where Susan Boyle did that.

[@devinmtate]

do top 10 pillow cases

[@thatonecreepyguywhostalksp5613]

yes I approve of that

[@reyesrevenge4222]

What is that??

[@Medvich]

Some make sense, others not so much Like, regarding music, there's waaaay more people that reach fame in their late 20s and 30s than early 20s if we're not talking about pop stars (usually now bred by big companies) likewise for cinema, I find it hard to find a hit of any major hollywood star while he was in his 20s Take Harrison, Schwarzenegger, Keaton, Harrelson, Nicholson, whoever

[@MrLucasD123]

You could also put Niklas Backstrom (goaltender) tied on the Tim thomas spot

[@travisduran5627]

hey could u guys do a top ten best zombie vehicles list plz

[@Moonroofmusik]

Inspiration

[@simtbotw]

I'll be honest... Didn't expect to see The National in a WM video, even if it's just an honorable mention

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

-Satchel Paige really should have been #1 on this list. Sure, he played Baseball in the Negro Leagues when was in his 20's, but he really didn't get known among all Baseball fans until after Jackie Robinson broke the Color-barrier and he started pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 1948 at the age of 42. -Doug Pinnick of King's X given he was 37 when King's X debut album "Out of the Silent Planet" was released in 1988. -Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, didn't actually join Dream Theater until he was 42. Sure he played in other groups (The Dixie Dregs namely) previously, but he didn't get recognized much until he became a member of Dream Theater in 1999.

[@bluedash24]

I just came here for Stan Lee. :D GO STAN THE MAN!!!

[@mpdb42]

Gervais? Was 40 when he wrote the office

[@drexlspivey5828]

Luke Morris He was successful before he wrote The Office, he had his own chat show, but yes he was 37 before he did anything of note

[@Xxbte96xX]

Woo LCD honorable mention

[@fredo1070]

Colonel Sanders, he was 65 when franchised KFC.

[@uu119816]

When did Stan Lee's hair turn into a Brillo pad?

[@CaapriceTube1]

GUESS IMMA BE ON THIS LIST. Im 27 in June, but haven't hit the big times as of yet. Dont worry in 2017 I will :D

[@brunomilocchi4979]

hearing how English people say names or talk in Italian is just awesome.

[@Cpndsny]

Dang it. I was hoping Sia would be on here, because she recently became known (for her singing).

[@MikeAwesome-OneofakindX]

4:19 RIP John Ritter

[@arthurtheartist9126]

I turned on notifications for watch mojo, and my teachers almost had me arrested because my phone wouldn't shut up

[@manifestgtr]

what about cyndi lauper? she was failing for years then BOOM, she's so unusual gained her worldwide notoriety when she was 30

[@nuggetwings5932]

Fun Fact I will be meeting Stan Lee this year! EEEEEEEEE I just found that out today too! I'M SO EXCITED!

[@scorpian2729]

not really a fun fact just bcuz I envy u

[@nuggetwings5932]

scorpian2729 I'm sorry I just REALLY wanted to say that. In kansas there is gonna be a Comic Con and he is going there for the first time ever.

[@ForevermoreFilmsUSA]

+Faith Trahan You're going to meet Stan Lee but you have Batman are your profile picture...He's going to be so disappointed.

[@nuggetwings5932]

Jordan LongNight Hey! I'm a Marvel AND Dc fan!

[@ForevermoreFilmsUSA]

+Faith Trahan ha fair enough bro

[@austinrominger4593]

great #1 choice

[@aaronzywicki6384]

I Guess If Your Watching Your A Late Bloomer !

[@GordotheGamer]

Joe Nathan didn't become a star closer until 2004, he was about 30 so he should mentioned as well but it's early 30s but just thought it's worth mentioning

[@whaleping]

Stan Lee should have been higher.

[@tiki1750]

+Groot "i am groot" is what you should of said

[@gdnygma490]

RIP Stan Lee, Charles Bradley and Cohen

[@Mitjitsu]

No Goran Ivanesovic or Scatman John?

[@vincentknight27]

So if you get famous only after the age of 30 you're a late bloomer? FUCK I GOTTA HURRY THEN

[@iamafollowerofChrist]

People don't realize that in just one year you can do and have LOTS of things.

[@TEXTMANNEN]

AIK.... we are proud of Tim Thomas.

[@darkflamemaster9334]

Do top 10 light bulbs