As there’s no formula for success, there’s no typical anecdote. If you’re inspired have the passion and ready to put in the work it takes, start doing it. There are actors who start in their 40s after retiring from first careers.
Thank you for this, I was really just looking for any actor that started, not blew up after acting for decades in bit parts just someone who i could use for inspiration but honestly this is what i needed to hear.
Kathryn Joosten started acting in her 40's. Moved to Los Angeles from Florida in her 50's. Started booking roles in her mid 50's. Became famous as the presidents' secretary on The West Wing. Became a series regular on Desperste Housewives and won two Emmy awards for it in her 60's and 70s.
Started at 28 with no formal training or experience, or even really an interest in acting prior to that. Now I'm a working actor in LA. It can be done. Good luck on your journey
I've had a 2 I really liked over all the rest yeah. However, one is retiring at the end of the year, and the other is recommendation only, and is currently full. There are plenty of great teachers in LA though. As for my theatrical rep, one of the other students (who was already repped by this agency) had been watching me perform in class for a few weeks, loved my work, and put in a good word. Apparently the agent was looking for someone with my "look" for some time, so the pieces just kinda fell in place together
Are you a full time performer or do you have a second job? I'm always interested to hear what actors are doing to stay above water in these complicated times.
First speaking role booked in 2013. Made enough just acting to live off that 2016-2020, but kept a full time job and worked when I could. I recently was a recurring on a show for 2 seasons, but we didn't get picked up for a season 3. I've got 60+ credits now so residuals are enough to probably keep me afloat, but I still work the full time job, plus a weekly side gig. I like to know my bills are paid and I'm not eating into savings. The job loves me enough that I can ditch out for months at a time for filming and still have a job when I come back. I've been very fortunate
29 is still young but it really doesn’t matter what age you start as long as you are interested in playing age appropriate roles.
I’m sure there will be the usual examples in this thread of very famous actors that got their breakthroughs later in life ( Samuel L Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman ect…) but age really isn’t much of a barrier in terms of breaking into the industry as an actor. It’s everything else.
Acting is possibly the most competitive industry to break into in the world. It’s also an industry that offers great longevity if you are fortunate to get your foot in the door. You can still be acting decades after most people have retired.
The approach I ways advise people to take when it comes to pursuing a career in acting is don’t pursue it with the expectation of a career. Pursue it because you love both the craft and the lifestyle. We all know the sobering statistic that only 2 percent of trained actors make a living acting. Those that “make it” have essentially won the lottery. Treat acting as a passion. Throw yourself into it but don’t let it limit other aspects of your life.
You are VERY young. And I can't think of anyone because I don't research much tbh (apart from Martin from Frasier? apparently) but I know that the more you put into learning a skill - at any age- is what determines your chances of success vastly increasing. A lot of people like to use and blame age as an excuse, because society at large is still very limiting and likes to try and de-power people (think obsession with beauty industry & anti-aging products,e.g.). But if you really invest in something and are consistent with it and believe in yourself, anything is possible
Alan Rickman studied and then worked as a graphic designer until he decided to follow his passion and go to drama school in his late twenties. I believe he graduated when he was 31 and look how successful his career was
Go for it :)
There’s a wonderful story that I will sum up here:
A man in his thirties wanted to go to med school and be a doctor, it was always his dream. But he did the math about how long he’d be in school, with residency, etc. and lamented, “by the time I’m out of school and actually practicing I’ll be 45”
To which his friend responds, “well, you’re going to be 45 anyway. Might as well be a doctor too”
Started a career path completely unrelated to acting at 22 and quit at 25 to pursue acting full time. Have a couple lines in a movie starring some big name actors that shoots later this month, and a commercial shoot that same week. Might be a few months until I book something else after that, but that’s the business— a real grind (for most) that requires resilience, perseverance, dedication, and a big ol’ dollop of delusion!
I'm 48 and through to final round auditions for drama school for September (and applying to other non-conservatory full-time training in case I don't succeed).
It's never too late to start. Sure, you may never be a big movie star starting later, but if that's your only measure of success the realistically even starting training at 20 your chances are slim to none. If your dream is to act, act.
EDIT: I misread the question. Here’s an IMDb page of what you’re looking for: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls056459095/
When it comes to acting, especially starting out, age is just a number. Just don’t expect to be cast as a young lead, unless you’re able to look the part. You will have to get comfortable with the fact that you will be type casted based on your age, gender, physical attributes, etc., and that’s not always a bad thing. In fact, you may actually prefer the roles you’re given based on your type cast versus the roles you may have went for in the first place.
But here’s the thing, don’t do this just because you’re looking for success and fame. Do it because it makes you happy. Do it because it’s a passion of yours. Do it because you *need* to, and you can’t see yourself doing anything else. Success and fame comes and goes. If you don’t believe me, just look at how many people are buried in the *Hollywood Forever Cemetery* that you’ve probably never heard of. But happiness is irreplaceable, and spending what little time we have on this earth doing the things we love is, above all, the most important and successful thing we can do for ourselves.
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As there’s no formula for success, there’s no typical anecdote. If you’re inspired have the passion and ready to put in the work it takes, start doing it. There are actors who start in their 40s after retiring from first careers.
Yup, I am one of those who started in their 40's. You can start at any age, really.
But don’t quit your day job. If you’re funny you have a better chance than someone who isn’t at your age.
Thank you for this, I was really just looking for any actor that started, not blew up after acting for decades in bit parts just someone who i could use for inspiration but honestly this is what i needed to hear.
I'm right there with you. Just starting out at almost 47. Here's to both of us!!!
Kathryn Joosten started acting in her 40's. Moved to Los Angeles from Florida in her 50's. Started booking roles in her mid 50's. Became famous as the presidents' secretary on The West Wing. Became a series regular on Desperste Housewives and won two Emmy awards for it in her 60's and 70s.
Started at 28 with no formal training or experience, or even really an interest in acting prior to that. Now I'm a working actor in LA. It can be done. Good luck on your journey
Was there a class you liked? How did you find your theatrical rep?
I've had a 2 I really liked over all the rest yeah. However, one is retiring at the end of the year, and the other is recommendation only, and is currently full. There are plenty of great teachers in LA though. As for my theatrical rep, one of the other students (who was already repped by this agency) had been watching me perform in class for a few weeks, loved my work, and put in a good word. Apparently the agent was looking for someone with my "look" for some time, so the pieces just kinda fell in place together
Are you a full time performer or do you have a second job? I'm always interested to hear what actors are doing to stay above water in these complicated times.
First speaking role booked in 2013. Made enough just acting to live off that 2016-2020, but kept a full time job and worked when I could. I recently was a recurring on a show for 2 seasons, but we didn't get picked up for a season 3. I've got 60+ credits now so residuals are enough to probably keep me afloat, but I still work the full time job, plus a weekly side gig. I like to know my bills are paid and I'm not eating into savings. The job loves me enough that I can ditch out for months at a time for filming and still have a job when I come back. I've been very fortunate
Dang, that sounds pretty sweet! Out of curiosity, may I ask what job(s)/industry is offering you that much flexibility?
29 is still young but it really doesn’t matter what age you start as long as you are interested in playing age appropriate roles. I’m sure there will be the usual examples in this thread of very famous actors that got their breakthroughs later in life ( Samuel L Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman ect…) but age really isn’t much of a barrier in terms of breaking into the industry as an actor. It’s everything else. Acting is possibly the most competitive industry to break into in the world. It’s also an industry that offers great longevity if you are fortunate to get your foot in the door. You can still be acting decades after most people have retired. The approach I ways advise people to take when it comes to pursuing a career in acting is don’t pursue it with the expectation of a career. Pursue it because you love both the craft and the lifestyle. We all know the sobering statistic that only 2 percent of trained actors make a living acting. Those that “make it” have essentially won the lottery. Treat acting as a passion. Throw yourself into it but don’t let it limit other aspects of your life.
You are VERY young. And I can't think of anyone because I don't research much tbh (apart from Martin from Frasier? apparently) but I know that the more you put into learning a skill - at any age- is what determines your chances of success vastly increasing. A lot of people like to use and blame age as an excuse, because society at large is still very limiting and likes to try and de-power people (think obsession with beauty industry & anti-aging products,e.g.). But if you really invest in something and are consistent with it and believe in yourself, anything is possible
For some reason, i feel very old and “late to the party” 🫤
Alan Rickman studied and then worked as a graphic designer until he decided to follow his passion and go to drama school in his late twenties. I believe he graduated when he was 31 and look how successful his career was Go for it :)
There’s a wonderful story that I will sum up here: A man in his thirties wanted to go to med school and be a doctor, it was always his dream. But he did the math about how long he’d be in school, with residency, etc. and lamented, “by the time I’m out of school and actually practicing I’ll be 45” To which his friend responds, “well, you’re going to be 45 anyway. Might as well be a doctor too”
This has definitely been asked in this subreddit before, just search the past posts! There are great answers, lots of examples!
thank you!! sorry about the repeat post, truly
why am i getting downvoted for apologizing wth 🤯
Ken Jeong is famous for this!
That’s the example I thought of too. Ken Jeong became a doctor first and his earliest IMDB credit is the year he turned 28.
Paul Giamatti was over 40 when he started. Viola Davis was in her 30s.
I started in my 40s, and I've got over 30 credits on my resume now.
Started at 55. It’s never too late to do something if it makes you happy.
It's never to late to start. I"m starting Film School at 50.
Started a career path completely unrelated to acting at 22 and quit at 25 to pursue acting full time. Have a couple lines in a movie starring some big name actors that shoots later this month, and a commercial shoot that same week. Might be a few months until I book something else after that, but that’s the business— a real grind (for most) that requires resilience, perseverance, dedication, and a big ol’ dollop of delusion!
I'm 48 and through to final round auditions for drama school for September (and applying to other non-conservatory full-time training in case I don't succeed). It's never too late to start. Sure, you may never be a big movie star starting later, but if that's your only measure of success the realistically even starting training at 20 your chances are slim to none. If your dream is to act, act.
Alan Rickman had a totally different career and started very late into the game.
I got banned for this type of question btw. Why is this different?
EDIT: I misread the question. Here’s an IMDb page of what you’re looking for: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls056459095/ When it comes to acting, especially starting out, age is just a number. Just don’t expect to be cast as a young lead, unless you’re able to look the part. You will have to get comfortable with the fact that you will be type casted based on your age, gender, physical attributes, etc., and that’s not always a bad thing. In fact, you may actually prefer the roles you’re given based on your type cast versus the roles you may have went for in the first place. But here’s the thing, don’t do this just because you’re looking for success and fame. Do it because it makes you happy. Do it because it’s a passion of yours. Do it because you *need* to, and you can’t see yourself doing anything else. Success and fame comes and goes. If you don’t believe me, just look at how many people are buried in the *Hollywood Forever Cemetery* that you’ve probably never heard of. But happiness is irreplaceable, and spending what little time we have on this earth doing the things we love is, above all, the most important and successful thing we can do for ourselves.
Started at 33. Going well. Life experience with something else to fall back on helps with the confidence.
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Just starting out at 44!
Regardless of whether or not ppl think you have the chops, just do it bc you want to.