Not every star who became famous in the 1970s found success at a young age. Some spent years working in smaller roles or completely different careers before finally getting their big break, proving that Hollywood success can come at any stage of life. Here are 26 ’70s stars who became famous later in life.
Morgan Freeman
Freeman had been acting professionally since the 1960s and appeared on The Electric Company during the 1970s, but he didn’t become a major movie star until his 50s. His breakthrough came with Driving Miss Daisy in 1989, followed by major roles in The Shawshank Redemption and Se7en.
Danny DeVito
DeVito spent years working in theater and landed his breakout role as Louie De Palma on Taxi in 1978. His biggest movie-stardom came later, with films such as Romancing the Stone, Twins, and Batman Returns.
Bryan Cranston
Cranston began appearing in commercials and television in the 1970s, but spent decades as a working character actor. Malcolm in the Middle made him widely recognizable, while Breaking Bad turned him into an international star.
Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson was already acting in theater and small film roles during the 1970s, but his career didn’t truly take off until his 40s. His role in Pulp Fiction in 1994 made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors.
Alan Rickman
Rickman spent much of the 1970s working in British theater and television. He was already 41 when he made his film debut as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, instantly establishing himself as a major screen presence.
Patrick Stewart
Stewart was a respected Shakespearean stage actor throughout the 1960s and ’70s but wasn’t a mainstream celebrity. Star Trek: The Next Generation made him internationally famous when he was 47.
Liam Neeson
Neeson began his professional acting career in the 1970s, mostly in theater and supporting roles. His major breakthrough came with Schindler’s List in 1993, when he was 41.
Jeff Goldblum
Goldblum had small film and television roles throughout the 1970s, but his career grew dramatically during the 1980s and ’90s. Jurassic Park turned him into a global movie star in 1993.
John Lithgow
Lithgow was primarily known as a stage actor in the 1970s. His film career expanded in the following decade, while 3rd Rock from the Sun eventually made him a major television star.
Brendan Gleeson
Gleeson worked as a teacher before becoming a professional actor in his 30s. He didn’t become internationally recognizable until much later, particularly through films such as Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and In Bruges.
Ian McKellen
McKellen was already a celebrated British stage actor in the 1970s, but his global fame arrived decades later. Playing Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in X-Men made him recognizable to a huge international audience.
Meryl Streep
Streep’s career began on stage, and her first major film role came in 1977. She became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars shortly afterward with films such as The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, and Sophie’s Choice.
Jessica Lange
Lange made her film debut in King Kong in 1976, but the role initially brought her attention more for her looks than her acting. Her dramatic performances in films such as Frances and Tootsie established her as a serious leading actress.
Susan Sarandon
Sarandon was already appearing in films during the 1970s, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Her biggest mainstream success came much later with Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking, and other major films.
Frances McDormand
McDormand’s professional acting career began on stage in the 1970s, but she didn’t become a major film star until the 1990s. Fargo earned her an Academy Award and turned her into one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
Judi Dench
Dench was a major British stage and television actress long before becoming famous internationally. Her role as M in the James Bond films introduced her to a massive worldwide audience in her 60s.
Helen Mirren
Mirren had a successful British stage and screen career during the 1970s, but her international fame grew substantially later. The Queen earned her an Academy Award at age 61.
Michael Caine
Caine was already a major British movie star by the 1970s, so his later fame wasn’t technically a breakthrough in his home country. But his roles in The Dark Knight trilogy and other huge productions introduced him to a new generation around the world and cemented him as a legend.
Danny Glover
Glover spent the 1970s working in theater and television before breaking through in the 1980s. His role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon series made him a household name.
Bruce Willis
Willis spent the 1970s largely working in theater and taking small roles. He didn’t become famous until Moonlighting debuted in 1985, followed by Die Hard in 1988.
John Travolta
Travolta was already famous by the end of the 1970s thanks to Welcome Back, Kotter, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease. But after a career slump, Pulp Fiction revived him to brand new heights in 1994. Most people don’t even remember his pre-90s career anymore.
Steve Buscemi
Buscemi spent years working as a firefighter and pursuing acting before becoming a recognizable character actor. His later television roles, especially Boardwalk Empire, brought him much wider attention.
Catherine O’Hara
O’Hara became known in Canada through Second City and SCTV during the 1970s and ’80s. Decades later, Schitt’s Creek turned her into an international comedy star.
Bob Odenkirk
Odenkirk began performing comedy in the 1970s but spent much of his early career writing rather than starring. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul eventually made him famous worldwide.
Kathy Bates
Bates spent years performing on Broadway and taking small screen roles. She was 42 when Misery finally made her a major Hollywood star and earned her an Academy Award.
Bill Murray
Murray became known through Saturday Night Live in the late 1970s, but his career later expanded into acclaimed dramatic roles, earning him global fame. Lost in Translation earned him an Academy Award nomination at age 53.