Hollywood has a long track record of putting "expiration dates" on the careers of its stars — especially women — once they reach a certain age. It puts unnecessary pressure on young creatives and takes away opportunities from talented older ones.
However, there are plenty of celebs who didn't "make it" in the industry until after their 40th birthdays.
Here are 17 celebrities who weren't big names in Hollywood until after they turned 40:
1.Octavia Spencer was 41 when she played Minnie Jackson in The Help, the role that won her an Oscar.
2.Samuel L. Jackson was 43 when he nabbed a role in Jungle Fever and 46 when he starred in Pulp Fiction.
