When it comes to turning dreams into reality, hard work, dedication, perseverance, and opportune moments are more critical to success than an arbitrary timeline based on age. However, society continues to pressure people to grind harder and rest less, as if patience isn’t a virtue.
History has proven that time is only a construct, noting that it is never too late to manifest dreams. Whether they had a breakout moment in their late 20s or figured out the secret formula in their 30s, these celebrities prove that dreams never expire.
Jay-Z
The 54-year-old rap legend didn’t have his breakout moment until he dropped his first album, Reasonable Doubt, at age 26. He is now an accomplished billionaire in the music game, with several businesses and investments in his portfolio.
Lupita Nyong’o
Many people’s first introduction to Nyong’o was her performance in the critically acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave.” Although she did not land that breakout role until she was 31, she had early beginnings acting on the Kenyan television show “Shuga.” Today, Nyong’o is a well-decorated actress, appearing in films like the “The Black Panther” series and “Us.”
Phylicia Rashad
Rashad may go down as the culture’s mom for her portrayal of Claire Huxtable on the TV sitcom ” The Cosby Show,” starring former comedian Bill Cosby. But did you know she landed the career-defining role when she was 36 years old? Rashad is now an accomplished actress with several acting credits on her resume, and she is using her prowess to educate future generations as the dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Regina Hall
Hall may have risen to prominence for her role as Brenda Meeks in the comedic movie “Scary Movie.” However, her 1999 debut work in the motion picture “The Best Man” at 29 gave her the start to a long and sustainable career in Hollywood.
Tyler Perry
Very few households grew up without the entertainment of Tyler Perry’s stage plays. But it was in 2005 that the creator caught his big break at age 36 when he released “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” on the big screen. Perry now has several movie and television credits and owns a 330-acre studio in Atlanta, GA.
Kerry Washington
Thursday nights have not been the same since the last episode of ABC’s drama/political series “Scandal.” Although Washington appeared in other films and television shows, her portrayal of Olivia Pope in the nighttime show catapulted her career at 35 years old.
Taraji P. Henson
Henson is a fan favorite for her relatable characters and acting range. While she has international acclaim for roles in works like the music-centered series “Empire” and the film “Hidden Figures,” the world was first introduced to her at 31 when she portrayed Yvette in the 2001 film “Baby Boy.” Henson continues to make waves in Hollywood and owns a signature hair care line.
Sterling K. Brown
With a rich theater background, Brown entered the industry with minor roles in television and film. But, in 2007, at the age of 31, he became a series regular in “Army Wives,” prompting him to land major roles like the portrayal of Randall Pearson in the TV show “This Is Us.”
Oprah Winfrey
Television, as the world knows it, was revolutionized by the presence of journalists and actress Oprah Winfrey. She is currently known as one of the world’s most influential and wealthiest women. Nonetheless, her star power started when she was 32, once her self-titled talk show premiered.
Shonda Rhimes
It can be argued that Rhimes revolutionized television with her Thursday night lineup on the ABC network. It all began with the debut of the show she executive produced and created, “Grey’s Anatomy”, at age 35. Since then, she has made several other shows from there, signed a blockbuster deal with Netflix, and led her production company, Shondaland.
Tabitha Brown
In 2017, Brown posted her viral TTLA (tempeh bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado) video on the video-hosting service TikTok. At 38 years old, she credits this moment as the pivotal point that changed her life. The vegan enthusiast has become a household name with television shows, a best-selling book, and a household and food line sold at Target and other national chains.
KevOnStage
Born Kevin Fredricks, the comedian started doing church plays with his brother and friend. Through the power of social media and persistence, Fredricks admits that he didn’t find real success until 2017 at age 34. Now, the podcaster and entertainer has his own streaming app, and the television series “Churchy” is airing on the digital platform BET+.
