I’m thinking of Writers/Actors/Directors - the fine arts crowd. I know about Harrison Ford, who was 35 “before he started earning a regular paycheck,” as he once put it.
Any others who didn’t do much of anything until one fine day they created or participated in something that made them famous/successful/wealthy? I am generally thinking of 35 and above when I say ‘later in life’, though I’m wondering if that cut-off is too low.
Clara Peller.
Rodney Dangerfield
Harlan Sanders
How about Grandma Moses?
She started painting in her 70s.
Claude Rains had acted on the stage earlier, but became a movie star in his forties.
Yeah, well I’ve never seen him.
Gerald James, who I knew when I was younger, was spotted in an amateur dramatics show in his late 40s and went on to be a successful TV and movie actor.
Sidney Greenstreet was 63 when The Maltese Falcon made him a star. It was his first film role (though he had done stage work). He had been a successful stage actor.
John Houseman was 71 when he became an Oscar winner for The Paper Chase, his first credited role in a feature film. He was a theater producer and director.
Helen Hoover Santmyer had a best seller with her first novel . . . And Ladies of the Club at age 88.
Richard Farnsworth was a stuntman for 30 years before breaking into acting and gaining acclaim as a character actor.
Interesting - reading his Bio on IMDb - it’s written by Jim Beaver<!>
I think Wilford Brimley didn’t start acting until later in life, also didn’t become real successful right away, either.
I see what you did there.
James Herriot was in his 50s when he wrote his first novel, now part of the hugely famous All Creatures Great and Small series.
Sherwood Anderson walked off his job with a paint manufacturing firm and wrote his first novel when he was 40.
Charles Frazier wrote his first novel (Cold Mountain) at 47.
Ferrol Sams had a career as a doctor before writing his first novel at age 60.
Dr. Ruth didn’t become famous on the radio and tv until she was in her 50s.
John Mahoney (Marty Crane in Frasier) took up acting in his late thirties.
Terry Pratchett wrote a few books before the *Discworld *series, but only gave up the day job in his late thirties.
Singer-songwriter Malvina Reynolds (“Little Boxes”, “Morningtown Ride”) embarked on her songwriting career at about fifty years of age.
Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first book when she was 65, and of course it was followed by many others. All were bestsellers. (She had published articles and edited a small newspaper previously but nothing on scope with a book length manuscript.)
Frank McCourt was 66 when Angela’s ashes was published. He wrote two more bestsellers.
Actress Irma Hall dabbled in acting in her 30s and 40s but only became a full time actress after a career as a teacher. She started getting major roles in her 60s. (Career derailed for a while due to a car accident a few years ago but now back on track.)
Peg Phillips from Northern Exposure did not start acting until her late 60s but was not only successful, she was a genuinely good actress.
Molly McLure was an actress whose name you may not know but you may know her face: usually played no nonsense old southern women. Started acting in her late 60s.
Nobody’s mentioned Abe Vigoda yet? You’re slacking, folks.
Estelle Getty began acting in 1978 at age 55. She hit the top with her role as Sofia on the Golden Girls in 1985 at 62.
A famous case of somebody being discovered in middle age: Abe Vigoda responded to a cattle call for bit parts and extras in The Godfather when he was 50. He’d been an extra/spear carrier in a few TV and movie projects before- none that he’d likely be recognized for and certainly none that paid his bills- he always had a day job.
Coppola liked the way he looked so much- tall, gaunt, haggard- though only 50 he could easily have been 70- that he gave him the role of Tessio in spite of the role’s pivotal importance and the fact Vigoda had a featherweight acting resume. He’s never stopped working except when he wants to; he’s 90 and has an upcoming movie.