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15 Comedy Legends Who Were Late Bloomers

These comedians made it later in life, so we can too! Right, guys? Right?!

15 Comedy Legends Who Were Late Bloomers

January 21, 2023

They did it! It took a lot longer than expected, but by golly they did it! And think of how good it must’ve felt to finally achieve the success you always knew you could. Success must’ve felt pretty sweet to the prodigies as well, but in achieving something at an early age, they didn’t have to endure the life of a starving artist. The 8 adult roommates in a studio apartment, the balled up hoodie as a pillow on the kitchen floor because you were on the road and luckily found a place to sleep. Well, that’s the life of a late bloomer.

Most people don’t have their path figured out in their teens, and that’s okay! Some of our favorite comedians trudged through life for a while before finding their comedic passion. Some began their comedy path early on, but it just took time to find their voice and get plucked out of obscurity. Either way, these 15 now-famous funny folks were late bloomers in the comedy garden, and we’re thrilled that they never gave up.

15

Rodney Dangerfield

Comedy Late Bloomers Rodney Dangerfield got noticed at 45 years old. Не actually began comedy at 19, but quit to support his family. After 15 years of selling aluminum siding, he gave comedy another try and booked The Ed Sullivan Show at 45. CRACKED — Public Domain/Wiki Commons
Ed Sullivan Show

14

No way Nick Offerman was 39 on 'Parks and Rec.'

Comedy Late Bloomers Nick Offerman finally made it at 39. Не had bit parts here and there, but he booked Parks and Recreation in 2009, at 39 years old. Не said, I sobbed for 30 minutes. It was from years and years and years of repressed feeling from never getting the big shot at something. CRACKED — NBCUniversal
Daily Actor

13

Larry David

Comedy Late Bloomers Larry David started stand-up in his 30s. Не began stand-up later than most, and he did get that one sketch on SNL in 1985, but his real success came at 42, when Seinfeld aired in 1989. CRACKED — HBO
New York Post

12

Ricky Gervais

Comedy Late Bloomers Ricky Gervais was 40 when The Office premiered. Originally a singer in the new wave pop group Seona Dancing, Gervais began writing comedy with Stephen Merchant in his 30s before The Office premiered in 2001. CRACKED — BBC
Harvard Business Review

11

Bryan Cranston was Malcolm in the Middle-aged.

CRACKED Experience Comedy Late Bloomers Bryan Cranston's big break came at 44. Не had acted in commercials and small roles since the early '80s, but he became widely known as Hal on Malcolm in the Middle. His world domination came from Breaking Bad at the age of 52. — Fox
FreebieMNL

10

43 year old actor for the 40 year old virgin.

Comedy Late Bloomers Steve Carell hit it big in his 40s. With little wins like The Daily Show at 37, he didn't reach household name status until he landed The 40 Year-Old-Virgin, and The Office at 43 years old. CRACKED — Universal Pictures
Goalcast

9

Even as a late bloomer, Phyllis Diller did stand-up for over 50 years.

Comedy Late Bloomers Phillys Diller was a self-described late bloomer. Her third husband convinced her to try stand-up at 37 years old. After over 50 years in comedy, her final appearance on The Tonight Show was in 2007, at the age of 89. CRACKED — Allan Warren/Wiki Commons
Yahoo Entertainment

8

Leslie Jones

CRACKED Comedy Late Bloomers Leslie Jones booked SNL at 47. Her first professional gig was opening for Jamie Foxx in 1987, but her big break came in 2014 when she joined SNL. Hired as a writer, she soon joined the cast as well. — NBCUniversal
Goalcast

7

Melissa McCarthy went from The Groundlings to The Oscars.

CRACKED Comedy Late Bloomers Melissa McCarthy was 41 in Bridesmaids. She had been a working actress since the '90s, but she became a household name from her role in 2011's Bridesmaids, which earned her an Oscar nomination. — Universal Pictures
Insider

6

Lisa Lampanelli finally broke out roasting Chevy Chase.

CRACKED Comedy Late Bloomers Lisa Lampanelli's first big roast came at 41. Born in 1961, she worked as a copy editor before trying stand-up. Her big break was 2002's Comedy Central Roast of Chevy Chase, and was asked back for several more. — David Shankbone/Wiki Commons
The Free Library

5

One big break skyrocketed Tiffany Haddish to stardom.

CRACKED Comedy Late Bloomers Tiffany Haddish was a literal starving artist. Struggling in L.A for years, Kevin Hart once gave her $300 while she was living in her car. In 2017, at 37 years old she became a household name from her role in Girls Trip. — Universal Pictures
Insider

4

Mike DeStefano

Comedy Late Bloomers Mike DeStefano didn't start comedy until he was 31. When asked if it was difficult to start comedy in his 30s, he said, I knew who I was the minute I hit the stage. There was no process. I didn't spend ten years drinking and chasing р***y. CRACKED — The Moth/YouTube
Vulture

3

Lewis Black

Comedy Late Bloomers Lewis Black started stand-up in his 30s. His first break was a half-hour Comedy Central special in 1988 at age 40, but he became a staple of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 1996 at 48. CRACKED — U.S. Air Force/Wiki Commons
Lewis Black

2

Ron Shock

Comedy Late Bloomers Ron Shock booked The Tonight Show at 49. Не began his stand-up career at 40, and booked The Tonight Show in 1991 at 49 years old. Не became the last unknown comic to break under Johnny Carson's tenure. CRACKED — Lions Gate
Salt Lake City Weekly

1

Lucille Ball performed into her 60s.

Comedy Late Bloomers Lucille Ball became an industry titan in her 40s. I Love Lucy aired in 1951, when she was 40 years old. She became the first woman to own a major studio (Desilu Productions) and continued acting until 1974, at 63. CRACKED — CBS
National Women's History Museum

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