11 Awesome Actors Who Broke Into Hollywood Late

7. Morgan Freeman

Street Smart Morgan Freeman
Cannon Group

Morgan Freeman first came to prominence by starring in the 1970s CBS kids' series The Electric Company, but it wasn't until the late 1980s that the now-legendary actor found his footing in movies.

Freeman's breakout Hollywood role was in the 1987 thriller Street Smart at the age of 49, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

The decade that followed saw Freeman star in numerous iconic films, such as the Best Picture-winning Driving Miss Daisy (which earned Freeman his second Oscar nod), Glory, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Unforgiven, The Shawshank Redemption (third nomination) and Se7en.

Freeman now has five nominations to his name, including a Best Supporting Actor win for his sublime performance in 2004's Million Dollar Baby.

Still, considering his iconic stature nowadays, it's impressive that the 81-year-old Freeman has spent barely one-third of his life in the Hollywood limelight.

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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.