11 Awesome Actors Who Broke Into Hollywood Late

5. Abe Vigoda

Hollywood legend Abe Vigoda began his film career in 1949 at the age of 28, though roles were incredibly sporadic throughout the following two decades, and he instead mostly devoted himself to Broadway productions.

But everything changed for Vigoda when he went to an open audition for a new Francis Ford Coppola's film and won the role of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather.

The performance instantly put a 51-year-old Vigoda on the map, ensuring him a steady stream of work for the following 30+ years.

Hilariously, to an entire generation Vigoda was best known for his longevity and the running gag that he wasn't yet dead, a joke Vigoda himself embraced.

He eventually passed away in 2016, leaving behind an impressive legacy of supporting performances in the almost 45 years following his breakout role in Coppola's crime classic.