10 Creative Late Bloomers
“…Some of my better work has come later, I think.”
- Robert Duvall
Do you ever worry that you haven’t achieved the creative success you’d like?
Still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up?
You’re not alone!
Many famous creators bloomed later in life. Here are just a few inspiring success stories:
1. Rodney Dangerfield - He sold aluminum siding for years while he struggled as a writer and comedian. He didn’t get his first big break until he was 42.
2. Al Jarreau - The famous jazz vocalist didn’t release his first album until he was 38.
3. Julia Child - Her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, was published when she was 49. Her television debut came a few years later when she was in her early 50s.
4. Charles Bukowski - The famous novelist/poet worked at the post office for years. He was 49 when his first book was published.
5. Laura Ingalls Wilder - Her first book, Little House in the Big Woods came out when she was 65. It was the first of her 8-volume Little House series.
6. Stan Lee - He was in his early 40s when he created Spider-Man and most of his other legendary superheroes. His partner, artist Jack Kirby, started drawing The Fantastic Four when he was 44.
7. Colonel Sanders - Didn’t franchise Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was 65.
8. Robert Duvall - He was 40 when he acted in The Godfather.
9. Raymond Chandler - The famous novelist published his first short story at age 45. His first book, The Big Sleep, came out when he was 51.
10. Buckminster Fuller - The visionary architect and inventor didn’t truly begin his career until he was 32. Instead of committing suicide after going bankrupt and losing his daughter to pneumonia, he decided to conduct “an experiment…to find what a single individual can contribute to changing the world and benefiting all of humanity.”
I wish I had more women on the list, but there’s a book by Prill Boyle called Defying Gravity: A Celebration of Late-Blooming Women that you might want to check out.
I’m always inspired when I hear these kinds of stories, aren’t you? Leave a comment!
Wow that was inspiring thank you! I needed that before I am off to pay bills…hahahaha…
Grandma Moses actually just checked web and her name was Anna Mary Robertson (”Grandma Moses”) I only knew her name as Grandma Moses. She was a self taught painter..very folksy style. Started painting in her 70’s. Died at age 101. Reminds me of book “Life 101″ Choose creativity and get rid of clutter. A Gift from the sea…to eat and place my dish in the sand by Anne Morrow Lindberg…Off to make dinner HA HA HA choooo.
Woah, I didn’t know that about Kirby and Lee. Both of them Geezers at the beginning of Marvel’s hey day, nuff said.
Great post Mark.
You’ve just totally made my day. I mean *totally*!
I’m 46, and sometimes wonder if all of my chances have passed me by, but at the same time, just can’t stop trying.
You’ve renewed my vigor!
@Dr. Nicole - you’re welcome!
@Kathy - thanks for the Grandma Moses mention. Unbelievably inspiring!
@Pete - I didn’t know that about Stan Lee or Kirby either until I started investigating the late bloomers. Excelsior indeed!
@Jodith - welcome! And no, you just made MY day! I’m so glad the post inspired you.
Thanks, Mark - what an inspiring way to start the day!
So much attention is given by the press to celebrities who are already at the peak of their careers by the age of 20 (sometimes younger!) that it can be easy to lose sight of the real stars - those people who follow their dreams regardless of their age!
Hi Mags - glad you liked the post. And you’re right. I was watching Annie Lennox on American Idol last night. The kids must have wondered who the heck she was, but she sang with so much soul. Very inspiring.
Another one - James Michener’s first book was published when he was 40, although he’d been writing magazine articles and other small works some time before that. The local art museum in the county seat is named after him as the town’s most famous son.
Great list.
Beth - welcome, and thanks for the post about Michener. Didn’t know that!
Another one–Jesus was 30 before he was baptised!
Being 32 myself, I find Buckminster Fuller’s story inspiring. I just might have to start an experiment of my own!
I Love stories like this because I am fifty-four and just finished my first book (on my life in the Australian jungles), with an agent now. I’ve done a LOT of living in my life but always considered myself a late bloomer. So I LOVE reading things like this. There is hope for me yet. Thanks!! : ) : )
Inspiring and encouraging post. Being a late bloomer myself at age 60, I’ve often wondered what do I want to do when I grow up.
This blogging thing has captured my attention and I’m discovering a new passion for writing. I’m not a Laura Ingalls Wilder but, you never know, there may be some things I can share with the world.
Who would’ve thought. Thank you for the lift today!
@Hunter - How could I forget Jesus!? Thanks!
@Pat - Everyone has something to share with the world. Your writing is lovely. Keep going!
Robin - welcome to the cafe! Way to go! Your blog & life are amazing and inspiring. Congrats on your book!
Thank you - I really needed this. I am also feeling like quite the late bloomer. It’s good to get this encouragement. Very inspiring!
This article was inspiring and wonderful.
In our culture that is focused on youth and materialism, it is an affirmation to discover that not all that glitters is focused on youth.
Sometimes the greatest acts of our lives occur when we have finished with our growing pains.
Thank you.
This post will really allow me to sleep better tonight..
@Ophelia - welcome! I’m so pleased the post inspired you.
@Tanya - so glad you stopped by! Thanks for your kind comment.
@BostonKnucklehead - welcome…I’m glad to hear that. Me too.
Hi Mark,
Such an inspiring post. That means there’s still hope for us mature (I didn’t say old
bloggers.
From reading the comments, it appears the list of late bloomers is ever growing.
He received the highest honor in his field, the Pritzker Prize, months after his 80th birthday. … At 97, architect Oscar Niemeyer is eagerly watching one of his most ambitious projects take shape, a mile-long seafront esplanade.
~ ~
“Staying young is very overrated in our culture. I think we are meant to hang around and grow and change. .. I feel less obliged to protect any made-up version of myself. When you’re young, you want to make a good impression in Hollywood. But I’ve kind of moved on from caring very much about other peoples’ judgments of me.” Tyne Daly
From the Maturity page on my site.
Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State, is a late bloomer too. How is that for making up for lost time?!! My Real Estate mentor began her first paid career (she raised a family prior) as a Realtor as age 35. She is now 66 and still going strong. She has been our top producer in the office for years! If that wasn’t inspiring enough - my broker is 82 yrs. old and still comes into the office every day! As far as I am concerned, we can brave new challenges and frontiers till the day we die…the rules have changes gang - there are no rules anymore!
Douglass & Michelle - welcome to the cafe! Thanks for the inspiring comments!