Ignoring what people’s saying, it’s never too late to do anything. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, there’s always a chance to get things back on track or even start a new journey. Your thirties, forties, fifties, or even sixties come in one day, and you may realize you don’t really love your current career. What are you gonna do? Some people decide to stay safe with their unhappy careers, some manage to switch things ups and something that they truly enjoy.
There are more than a dozen people who not only changed their careers in their mid-life but also made it big, like the way Phyllis in the Office was 54 years old when she landed her role after spending years in the back office in the casting department. Below are 14 celebrities who wanted something different, took a risk, and it paid off. Let’s scroll down for more!
#1 Drake
Source: coinfomania
Aubrey Drake Graham aka Drizzy Drake did many jobs before he found his opportunity in the music world. He was originally an actor. From 2001 until 2008, Drake worked on-screen before finally dropping his first mixtape and shifting to music full-time.
#2 Phyllis Smith
Source: Getty Images
Phyllis Smith was a casting associate before having the prominent character on The Office. She worked as an NFL cheerleader, and a burlesque dancer, and worked in the casting department for about 19 years. She finally landed her big break at the age of 54.
#3 Ken Jeong
Source: Getty Images
Ken Jeong was a doctor before he made it big in Hollywood. He used to work 90 hours a week during his medical residency but still handled to make time for stand-up. At the age of 38, Jeong quit his job at Kaiser Permanente after the shooting of Knocked Up.
#4 Bob Ross
Source: biography
Bob Ross is known for serving for over 20 years in the US Air Force. Surprisingly, the actor was also a part of the military where he took painting classes at a U.S.O club. His career trajectory took a spike at 41 when he took part in the first episode of The Joy of Painting.
#5 Meghan Markle
Source: Getty Images
This case is totally different. Meghan Markle quit acting at the age of 36. Her career took a whole turn as she became royalty and married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
#6 Alan Rickman
Source: Getty Images
Alan Rickman started his career as a graphic designer. A graduate with a degree in design, Rickman and his friends established and ran a graphic design company for 3 years. He decided to follow an acting career and went to an acting school.
#7 Phyllis Diller
Source: Getty Images
Phyllis Diller was 37 when she started comedy. In her early years, Diller wrote ads for a radio station for a living. After that, she took the stage and went on to have an amazingly successful 50-year career.
#8 Kathryn Joosten
Source: Getty Images
#9 Martha Stewart
Source: stellaadler
Martha Stewart was a thriving stockbroker who quit her field to become a homemaker. At the age of 33, she started out as a caterer which led her to author a cookbook and become a TV personality.
#10 Ray Kroc
Source: biography
When Ray Kroc first met the McDonald Brothers, he was a 53-year-old salesman. He was amazed by their concept and purchased the fast-food giant in 1961. Later, he definitely changed the path of McDonald’s success.
#11 Shel Silverstein
Source: Getty Images
Shel Silverstein didn’t love writing children’s books. He wrote his first children’s book at the age of 33 before he had career changes such as a songwriter, playwright, comic artist, and even featured in Playboy.
#12 Harland Sanders
Source: Getty Images
Before Colonel Sanders started selling fried chicken he shifted his professions between a farmer, streetcar conductor, soldier, railroad fireman, lawyer, insurance salesman, steamboat operator, secretary, lighting manufacturer, and hotel owner. Sanders made his empire when he was 65.
#13 Vera Wang
Source: Getty Images
Vera Wang was known as a national competing ice skater before she became one of the highest-paid fashion designers. She started her amazingly successful bridal at the age of 40.
#14 John Grisham
Source: Getty Images
By the time John Grisham published his first book, he was already 34. However, his career as an attorney brought him many of content for his legal thrillers, which later became bestsellers. He decided to quit practicing law at the of 36 after his second book turned into a hit.