Andrea Bocelli - Despite showing great passion for music as a child, became a court-appointed lawyer until he auditioned to sing for an Italian Rockstar’s demo tape at the age of 33. The song became a hit and effectively launched his career as a world-renowned tenor. His rendition of Con te partirò, which was released when he was 36, remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Joseph Conrad - Spent much of his early life as a sailor, working on merchant ships and exploring the world. It wasn’t until his late 30s, after struggling with various jobs, that he began writing in English. Published his first novel, Almayer's Folly, at the age of 38, and went on to become a prominent novelist in the English language, despite not speaking it fluently until his late 20s.

Ava DuVernay - A journalist who became disillusioned with the field and eventually moved onto Public Relations, founding her own firm. Picked up a camera for the first time at the age of 32 and rose to prominence in her early 40s, becoming the first Black woman to win the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere (when she was 40) and later directing the Oscar-nominated film Selma (when she was 42).

Harrison Ford - A self-described “late bloomer” who took acting classes his senior year of college to overcome his shyness and was once told by the head of Columbia Pictures that he had “no future” in the film business. After being cast in various minor and extra roles, he taught himself to be a carpenter before landing the breakout role of Han Solo in Star Wars at the age of 35.

Phyllis Diller - A housewife and mother before she began her stand-up comedy career in her late 30s. At the age of 37, she made her stage debut, and within a few years, became a household name known for her self-deprecating humor and flamboyant persona. Diller’s career spanned decades, and she is often credited with paving the way for female comedians.

Samuel L. Jackson - Struggled with addiction and worked in minor roles in theater and film before his breakout role in Pulp Fiction at the age of 46. Went on to become one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, starring in numerous blockbuster films.

Kathryn Joosten - Began her acting career in community theater at the age of 42, after her divorce. Went on to receive roles in The West Wing and Desperate Housewives, which gained her widespread recognition as an actress and won her 2 Primetime Emmys for the latter when she was in her 60s.

Ken Jeong - A physician (with a love for theater and improv as a resident) who practiced medicine for several years while performing regularly in comedy clubs. Made his film debut and had a breakout role in the film Knocked Up when he was 38, rising to prominence in The Hangover movie triolgy and securing a recurring role in NBC’s hit sitcom, Community.

Joy Mangano - A divorced mother of three who worked as a waitress and airline reservations manager before inventing the miracle mop at the age of 34. The mop went on to become a best-seller on QVC and launched her entrepreneurial career. As of today, she has built a multi-million dollar business and holds 71 patent families and 126 distinct patent publications for her inventions.

Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses - A housekeeper for 15 years, beginning at the age of 12, who worked on a farm for most of her formative years. Began painting at the age of 78 and rose to prominence in 1938, when her work was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Galerie St. Etienne, and eventually all over the U.S. and Europe over the next 20 years.

Bram Stoker - Worked as a personal assistant and theatre manager and critic for most of his life before he published his most famous work, Dracula, at 50. The novel did not gain widespread recognition during his lifetime, but has since become one of the most famous horror stories of all time.

Madam C.J. Walker - A laundress who suffered from severe dandruff and other scalp ailments due to skin disorders and harsh chemicals found in products in the 1880s. At the age of 37, she developed her own line of hair care products specifically for Black women, built a successful business empire, and became one of the first self-made female millionaires in America, as well as a philanthropist and political and social activist.

Laura Ingalls Wilder - Spent much of her life as a farmer's wife and teacher before she began writing in her 40s. At the age of 65, published her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, which became the start of the beloved "Little House" series. Her books drew from her own childhood experiences on the American frontier, making her one of the most famous children's authors of the 20th century.