Now that I’m in my late twenties, I’ve realized I use the phrase “that ship has sailed” more often than I used to. I now know I’ll never be an Olympic gymnast (or an Olympian at all for that matter) or win the Miss America pageant. But that’s ok.
You see, many Americans mistakenly believe that if you don’t “make it” by 30, your chances of becoming rich and famous are drastically diminished. While I know I probably won’t become the next Beyonce or Natalie Portman, there is still a bit of hope (even if it’s just a dim, faint glimmer …). These seven role-model celebs are proof that age ain’t nothing but a number.
1. Martha Stewart: The household guru started her career as a stockbroker in Manhattan. She didn’t transition into a billion-dollar domestic goddess until she quit, moved to Connecticut and started a catering business. Her business became such a success that she spun it into one book, then more books, a magazine, a TV show and later became the superstar we know (and love to hate) today.
2. Julia Child: Mrs. Child didn’t master the art of French cooking until her late-30s. Prior to that, she worked as a government spy. She discovered French cuisine when her husband, who also worked for the government, was transferred to Paris. She credited one life-changing meal in the city of Rouen with taking her out of the government, into the kitchen and into our hearts.
3. Sylvester Stallone: While Sly dabbled in acting in his 20s (including a soft-core porn flick in 1970 titled The Party at Kitty and Stud’s), his primary job was servin’ up subs at a deli counter. At the ripe age of 30, he wrote the screenplay for Rocky, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture. When studios expressed interest in the film, he said he’d only allow them to make it if he could have the starring role and a cut of the profit. His foresight paid off — big time.
4. Harrison Ford: The hunky actor started out as a hunky carpenter. At the age of 30, he got a part in American Graffiti. Even though the film was a hit, Ford didn’t make squat. He decided to give his acting career the boot and stick to the stable and, in his mind, more lucrative world of carpentry. Four years passed before he ran into director George Lucas again and was offered the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. The rest, as we all know, is history.
5. Morgan Freeman: The Memphis-born Oscar-winner became an Air Force mechanic after high school. It wasn’t until his mid-30s that he moved to LA and dabbled in singing, acting and dancing. He made his Broadway debut in the all-black version of Hello Dolly at the age of 36. Today, at 73, he’s one of the most influential and respected actors of our time.
6. Joy Behar: The brazen host started her career as a schoolteacher. After she almost died from an ectopic pregnancy, she decided to ditch the classroom for the silver screen. She landed a job as the receptionist at Good Morning America and moonlighted as a comedian. It wasn’t until she turned 45 that she landed her own Lifetime series called Way Off Broadway. A few acting jobs and ten years later, at the age of 55, she finally landed a coveted spot on The View.
7. “Colonel” Harland Sanders: KFC’s head Colonel didn’t invent his famous chicken recipe until he was 50. Before that he worked as a soldier, insurance agent, farmer, firefighter and boat captain. He cooked and served his famous chicken in his own living room until he saved enough cash to open his first store. Fifteen years after he opened his first KFC restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, when the Colonel was 65, he used his Social Security check to franchise his store. Thanks to that smart business decision, we still enjoy his signature chicken and crispy biscuits today.
Photo 1 by David Shankbone, photo 2 by Nicolas Genin, photo 3 by Nick Step, all via Wikimedia Commons.