11 Awesome Actors Who Broke Into Hollywood Late

3. Melissa McCarthy

Bridesmaids Melissa McCarthy
Universal

Melissa McCarthy had a few small movie roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, though her first major part came at the age of 30, when she won the role of chef Sookie St. James on hit TV show Gilmore Girls.

Once the show wrapped up in 2007, though, McCarthy spent a few years in the doldrums before winning a lead role on hit sitcom Mike & Molly, and truly striking it big with her Oscar-nominated performance in 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, making her an overnight Hollywood household name at 40 years of age.

McCarthy has since led and supported countless studio comedies, with no sign of the well drying up any time soon.

She also bolstered her stock as a serious actress recently with her sublime, Oscar-nominated turn in period drama Can You Ever Forgive Me?

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.