BLOG

Out of the many qualities an artist might have, persistence is, without a doubt, the most valuable. We all know about the Leo DiCaprios and Natalie Portmans of the world - those kids who were already starring in big Hollywood productions before they hit driving age - but the reality is that for most actors, for most people for that matter, success comes after a long stretch of hard work and a fair amount of rejection. Today, we honor ten actors who kept at it and experienced success after the point where many might have given up.  

1. Jane Lynch: Lynch was a struggling actress until the age of 43. She had appeared in a few commercials and had small secondary roles in the films Vice Versa and The Fugitive, but it wasn’t until director Christopher Guest cast her in his mockumentary, Best in Show, that she finally had her first staring role.  Now, Jane Lynch is an Emmy award winning actress who has starred in multiple Hollywood films and on the Broadway stage.



2. Jeremy Renner: Before he was known as the star of blockbuster films like The Bourne Supremacy and The Avengers, Renner was taking small guest roles and working part-time as a make up artist just to get by. At the age of 38, Renner was cast in the small war film the Hurt Locker and things were never the same for him again. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance, and the film went on to win best picture. Now, Renner is a two-time Academy Award nominee and a bona fide star.

 

3. Kristen Wiig: Kristen Wiig had to wait until after her 32nd birthday to land her breakout appearance on SNL, and she had to wait for her 33rd to become a full time member of the show. Before that, Wiig was guest starring in spoof reality television shows and performing at The Empty Stage Comedy Theater.  After the success of Bridesmaids, a film she co-wrote and starred in, Wiig is having no problem finding her place on the big screen.



4. John Mahoney: For most of his life Mahoney was an editor for a medical Journal, a job he did not enjoy. In his mid-30s Mahoney quit his job, enrolled in acting classes, and decided to pursue his dreams. Encouraged by veteran actor John Malkovich, Mahoney kept at it and went on to win a Tony award. But it wasn't until the age of 53 that the actor finally got his big break when he was cast as a regular on Frasier, The longest running Sitcom of all time. Mahoney is now also an accomplished theater and voice over artist.



5. Kathy Bates: Bates was working regularly from a relatively early age, guest starring in minor roles both on the stage and on the small screen. But it wasn’t until the actress turned 42 that Hollywood really noticed her.  The relatively unknown actress landed a starring role in the thriller Misery and her life was never the same. Bates received the Academy Award that year and went on to star in huge hits like Titanic and American Horror Story.

 

6. Morgan Freeman: This iconic actor began acting at the age of five, but did not get any recognition until he landed a job on the NBC soap opera, Another World, in his late 30’s. Yet, it wasn’t until his early 50’s when he landed the iconic role in the film Driving Miss Daisy that he became a household name. Morgan Freeman is now an Academy Award winner and one of the world’s biggest movie stars.



7. Melissa McCarthy: Even though this comedic powerhouse had an earlier recurring secondary part in the, The Gilmore Girls, and landed a title role in the sitcom Mike & Molly, McCarthy wasn’t considered a star by any means until she appeared in the comedy phenomenon Bridesmaids (written by Kristen Wiig.) By that time Melissa was in her early 40’s. She has gone on to star in Identity Thief, opposite Jason Bateman and The Heat, opposite Sandra Bullock, and most recently Spy.



8.  Samuel L. Jackson: Another case of an actor who was not by any means established. Samuel L. Jackson was cast in forgettable roles in prominent films like Goodfellas and Do the Right Thing. It was a 45-year-old Samuel L. Jackson who eventually got cast in Quentin Tarantino’s low budget classic Pulp Fiction, and went on to become a star.  Today Jackson continues to star in Hollywood blockbusters like the Star Wars prequels and The Avengers.

 

9. Jon Hamm: The Mad Men star didn’t get his break out role until the age of 36. Before that, Hamm was actually a struggling actor waiting tables in LA and living paycheck to paycheck. He was able to become a full time actor when he was cast on the TV drama Providence, but it wasn’t until he got cast in Mad Men a few years later that he really hit it big. Now he is a two time Emmy nominated actor and one of TV’s biggest stars.



10. Lucille Ball: Everybody didn’t always love Lucille Ball. Actually it wasn’t until Ball was 40 that she created and starred in the show that bore her nickname and made her a star, I Love Lucy. Lucy became a four-time Emmy Award winning actress with that show and received 13 nominations in total. Without a doubt, this woman who in her 30’s was relatively unknown, in her 40’s became an icon through the show she created for herself and her husband. After the show ended, Ball continued to act both on film and on stage.



These actors refused to give up on their aspirations and kept pursuing their dreams. That’s something we can all learn from. If one door closes remember another always opens. When all is said and done, determination is the greatest differentiator.

Who is your favorite actor who got a late start?

By Anastasia Roussel

Acting, like any other art form, requires practice and dedication to master. But lets be honest, everybody knows that. Yet, aside from working really hard at your craft, what other habits and conducts tell the casting director that you are more than just a pretty face who happened to stumble upon a casting call? 



Perhaps still in the realms of obvious, first and foremost, a working actor knows how to interact with others in the business and how to behave on set and auditions. Actors who continue to get hired are actors who arrive on time, know their lines and know how to address each person on set. It is important to follow directions, not only when acting, but also when it comes to logistics like where to park and eat. This can sound very basic, but ignoring the right etiquette will be a definite deal breaker. 


A professional actor knows how to audition. Okay, there is no infallible auditioning method that will land you every job, but that’s the point. In an audition, the casting director isn’t assessing your ability; he is assessing your suitability towards one particular character as imagined by the director. That’s something experienced actors come to understand. It’s not about seeking approval; it’s about making choices about the character and standing by those choices. A professional actor is grateful and enthusiastic about the chance to audition but he also displays certainty and confidence. Even if only for a short while, you are there to collaborate with the director and your opinion and choices matter. If you don’t get this one, there’s always the next!  


A professional actor is always prepared. Along with being on time and knowing lines, it is incredibly important to bring the proper materials and information to auditions. You need to have professional looking headshots that follow the standard sizes and styles of the business. You need to have a quality reel that is professional and engaging. A professional actor will understand that these things are many times the first impressions that casting directors will get of them, and therefore need to be perfect. An amateur actor will make his own headshots and reel at home.   



A professional actor understands that they are part of a project that is bigger than they are. Everyone on the film set is there to make the best possible project and that should be your main objective as well. When you make a choice, try to make a choice that benefits the project not solely you or your ego. Be positive, proactive, and nice to people. But also understand that people might not always be all “hugs and kisses” with you because, ultimately, they are there to get a job done. So don’t take it personal if people are a little cold, even in difficult situations like auditions. It’s great if you make friends, but most of all, the job should come first.   



A professional actor knows his or her rights and makes sure that he or she is always treated with respect and in accordance with their contract. The contract that you sign doesn’t only bind you; it binds your employer as well. Things like the hours that you will work, the payment you will receive, and the specific benefits that come with the project should be agreed on beforehand through the use of a contract and you have every right to enforce your contract. Also, things like nudity and acts that can be deemed as sexual should be agreed on in the contract and the director does not have the right to tell you to do something that wasn’t agreed upon during the signing of the contract. The director doesn’t have the right to touch you and you should avoid any director who asks you to remove your clothes or do something you are uncomfortable with during the audition (unless of course such acts are specified in the casting call.) Some people will take advantage of their position and a professional actor knows to protect his or herself from questionable projects. 



A professional actor has a clear understanding of his or her definition of success. What is it that you want out of your career? What is your ultimate goal? Many people seek fame and fortune, and those aren’t necessarily bad things to have. But many would argue that the most engaging and lasting actors are those who find success within the quality of their work. There will always be people who earn more than you and get more notoriety than you do. However, if you concentrate on always doing the best job you can do and elevating your craft to a higher level, success will be something that you can attain without the need to compare yourself with others, and your performances will be better as a result. Know where you want to go, and you’ll get there faster. 



What behaviors or habits do you think separate a professional actor from an amateur? Please let us know in the comments below.