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1. Morgan Freeman

Gene Siskel Film Center Honors Morgan Freeman Source:Getty

Sure, Morgan’s career is one to brag about, but he didn’t land a role that catapulted his success until he was 44. Morgan was also an actor since he was nine. Imagine working on your craft for decades and nothing panning out for you until 30 years in!? Puts a lot into perspective, doesn’t it?!

2. Oprah

Oprah Source:Getty

Sure, she’s the single most successful Black woman ever in life, but the ‘Oprah Winfrey Show,’ (which put her on the map) didn’t start until Oprah was 32!

3. Henry Ford

Son of American rubber king comes to London to discuss rubber situation with Henry Ford - 12-April-1928 Source:Getty

This is the man who made automobiles possible. But did you know that he created the Model T when he was 45?!

4. Jon Hamm

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - June 23, 2015 Source:Getty

This dapper gentleman got his first big break on the cult classic, ‘Mad Men.’ However, Jon waited tables in Hollywood until he was 29-years-old. Imagine Don Draper waiting on you at dinner. Yum! I’ll have what’s NOT on the menu, please!

5. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson Source:Getty

Sam’s been in almost every movie that you’ve ever loved, but before he was an A-lister, he played small roles in movies you may have forgotten, like ‘Coming To America,’ where he attempted to rob ‘Coming To America.’ His first starring role was in ‘Jungle Fever’ and he was 43 at the time!

6. Stan Lee

Premiere Of Marvel Studios 'Ant-Man' - Arrivals Source:Getty

This is the writer of ‘The Fantastic Four,” (along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko) of which he wrote just shy of his 39th birthday. Fast forward a couple of years, and Stan created the Marvel Universe. Yes, he’s the reason we get to see Michael BAE Jordan as a superhero.

7. Amy Poehler & Tina Fey

72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals Source:Getty

This BFF duo both had a delayed start in comedy. Poehler attended the famed Upright Citizen’s Brigade in her 20s and by 31, she started on ‘SNL.’

8. Vera Wang

2015 CFDA Fashion Awards - Inside Arrivals Source:Getty

Did you know Vera Wang started her career as an ice skater? She didn’t make it to the Olympics, so she shook things up. She became an editor at VOGUE, but was passed up for the coveted EIC promotion and just decided to design wedding gowns. The rest is a lucrative, well sought-after herstory.

9. Sharon Osbourne

'Amy' U.S. Premiere Hosted By Lucian Grainge CBE, Universal Music Group And A24 Source:Getty

While Sharon’s hubby, Ozzie was one of the biggest rock stars in the world, Sharon played doting wife, mother and manager of Ozzie’s band, Black Sabbath. Now, at 52, Sharon’s star is rising, as she’s a co-host on ‘The Talk.’

10. Zach Galifinakis

2015 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Day 3 Source:Getty

This comedian may make you laugh until you cry, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t struggle to get there. In his 20s, Zach was a busboy at an upscale Manhattan strip club.

11. Kristen Wiig

'China: Through The Looking Glass' Costume Institute Benefit Gala Source:Getty

She’s one of the best things that ever happened to ‘SNL.’ But like any 20-something creative, Kristen spent most of that decade doing odd jobs, trying to find herself. She sold peaches, drew plastic surgery patients, babysat, you name it. But ‘SNL’ found her work with the Groundlings and gave her a coveted position on the show when she was 32.

12. Tim Allen

Comedian Portraits And Performances At The Ice House Source:Getty

This handy man didn’t know what he was going to do with his life. But his career as a cocaine trafficker wasn’t the best idea. It actually landed him in federal prison for two years. But once he got out, he tried comedy and landed ‘Home Improvement’ in his 30s.

13. Joy Behar

Glamour Magazine Honors The 22nd Annual Women Of The Year - Backstage Source:Getty

This funny girl was high school English teacher, who decided to try stand up comedy one day. Her star began rising, gaining her TV and film roles by the time Joy was 42. This proves that just because you’re doing one thing, doesn’t mean you can’t try something else.

14. J. K. Rowling

Author J.K. Rowling Visits The Empire State Building Source:Getty

Everyone knows this woman’s words. She created the Harry Potter series, but her first book didn’t hit the shelves until she was 32-years-old and she’d be rejected by 12 publishers!

15. Lucille Ball

An address book and a photo of TV person Source:Getty

I love Lucy! Who doesn’t? That sitcom that made Lucille Ball one of the biggest women in comedy premiered when Lucille was 38!

For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.