Never too late! 5 actors who conquered Hollywood in their mature years
Actors who broke into Hollywood at an older age (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Hollywood is often seen as a place where youth is the most valued currency. However, some actors have proven that true talent knows no age limit. Their journey to the big screen wasn’t fast and easy, but long and often challenging. Here are five actors who made it to Hollywood just when many others were ending their careers.
Judi Dench
Although Judi Dench had long been considered a star of British theatre, her film career didn’t truly begin until she was 60.
Scene from "Murder on the Orient Express"
In 1995, she appeared for the first time in a film as Agent M in the 17th James Bond movie, "GoldenEye". From that moment, Judi became a true Hollywood legend, earning seven Oscar nominations and winning in 1999 for her role in "Shakespeare in Love".
Emmanuelle Riva
French actress Emmanuelle Riva gained international fame only in 2012, when she played the lead role in "Amour" by director Michael Haneke. At 85, she became the oldest actress ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress.
Emmanuelle Riva (photo: Wikipedia)
Although she did not win the statue, her contribution to cinema was recognized at the highest level.
Kathryn Joosten
Kathryn Joosten didn’t initially choose acting as a profession—she worked as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital in her younger years. She first stepped onto an amateur theatre stage at the age of 42.
Still from the series "Desperate Housewives"
From that moment on, acting became her main pursuit. Joosten gradually gained recognition in Hollywood and by the age of 72 had played over 130 roles. Her talent was honored with two Emmy Awards.
Ricardo Montalbán
Mexican actor Ricardo Montalbán struggled for years to land a truly iconic role. His breakthrough came in the 1970s when he starred as the charismatic host of "Fantasy Island".
Still from "Star Trek"
However, his greatest fame came at 62, when he played the villain Khan in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". That role became the most famous of his career, and the image of the iconic villain is still remembered by science fiction fans.
Margo Martindale
For many years, Margo was a talented actress who played supporting roles while remaining out of the spotlight. Though she wasn’t widely known, critics praised her performances in projects like "Law & Order", "The Closer", and "Million Dollar Baby".
True recognition came to Martindale in 2010, when she began appearing in the series "Justified"—she was already 60 at the time. That role became a major milestone in her career.
Margo Martindale (photo: Wikipedia)
Additionally, Margo voiced a version of herself in the popular adult animated series "BoJack Horseman", which also became a notable achievement.
You may be interested in:
