When It’s Your Time, It’s Your Time: 10 Women Who Didn’t Get Their Big Break Until 40-Plus

Every so often, when one of those 20 under 20 or 30 under 30 lists hits the web, I feel a way -- about myself.

Sigh, I missed the mark. What have I been doing with my life? Maybe there's still hope for 40 under 40? It's arbitrary pressure that (usually) passes as soon as the fanfare over said lists does and I get back to answering question number two up there: Living my life and laying the groundwork for something amazing that is to come. But every time I forget that I'm not working against a clock, I feel defeated. I feel like I should've started sooner. I question whether it's too late. In my core being, I'm not an "It's never too late" person. I am, however, a person that believes sometimes you can't get to some place amazing without experiencing some things that spark a flame inside you and inspire you to act. And, honestly, I don't believe there's a time limit on that. So if you're busy chipping away at life bit by bit, wondering when your big break is going to come, be encouraged by the women on this list who didn't see their hard work pay off on a major scale until after 40 -- some of whom didn't even break into their fields until their late 30s. Not everyone is on the same path, so stick to yours and know a payday is coming. Here's proof. Photos: WENN [caption id="attachment_787061" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The 89th Annual Academy Awards Pressroom
Featuring: Viola Davis
Where: Los Angeles, California, United States
When: 27 Feb 2017
Credit: Apega/WENN.com[/caption]

Viola Davis

Today, Viola Davis is considered one of the best actresses -- and orators -- of our time. She's 51. Do you know when she got her big break? In 2008, with the release of Doubt for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was 44 at the time. It was only this year that Davis became the first Black actor to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting (a competitive Emmy, Tony and Oscar in acting categories) after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Fences. [caption id="attachment_832530" align="aligncenter" width="600"] 32nd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals
Featuring: Ava DuVernay
Where: Santa Monica, California, United States
When: 25 Feb 2017
Credit: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com[/caption]

Ava DuVernay

Ever since Ava DuVernay won the Best Director Prize for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and became the first African-American woman to win the award, the opportunities haven't stopped rolling in. She turned 40 that same year. DuVernay didn't even make her directorial debut until 2008, switching from an interest in journalism to a career in public relations, and finally, film. After accepting an offer to direct "A Wrinkle in Time" last February, DuVernay became the first Black woman to direct a live-action film with a budget of more than $100 million. She'll be 45 in August.

Madeleine L'Engle

Speaking of "A Wrinkle in Time," did you know the author, Madeleine L'Engle, didn't complete the book until she was 42? In fact, L'Engle vowed to stop writing on her 40th birthday upon receipt of yet another rejection notice, but a cross-country camping trip inspired what became her most note-worthy book. It, too, was rejected more than 30 times before being published in 1962. Now it's being turned into a feature film. [caption id="attachment_832533" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Time 100 Gala - Arrivals
Featuring: Leslie Jones
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Apr 2017
Credit: Patricia Schlein/WENN.com[/caption]

Leslie Jones

"Saturday Night Live" is the Holy Grail of career success for comedians and Leslie Jones, 51, didn't get her chance to join the show's writing team until 2013. On October 20, 2014, she was promoted to the cast as a featured player becoming, at the age of 47, the oldest person to join the show as a cast member. From there, she landed a lead in "Ghostbusters" in 2016; covered the Olympic Games in Rio, and this summer she's hosting the BET Music Awards. [caption id="attachment_832534" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Figure Skating in Harlem's 20th Anniversary Champions in Life Benefit Gala honoring Sasha Cohen and Curtis McGraw Webster and presenting Scott Hamilton with The Power of Inspiration Award Held at 583 Park Avenue - Arrivals
Featuring: Vera Wang
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 02 May 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Vera Wang

Vera Wang didn't even begin designing bridal gowns until she was 40. Prior to that, she spent 19 years as an editor, 17 of which were spent at Vogue. Today, Wang's gowns can be seen on everyone, from A-list celebs walking the red carpet to everyday women walking down the aisle. In June 2005, she won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award at 56. [caption id="attachment_832535" align="aligncenter" width="600"] NBC Universal Summer Press Day at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA on March 20, 2017
Featuring: Sherri Shepherd
Where: Beverly Hills, California, United States
When: 20 Mar 2017
Credit: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com[/caption]

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd was a familiar face on sitcoms for years, but it wasn't until she landed the role of co-host on "The View" that she became a household name. And she didn't do that until 2007 when she was 40. [caption id="attachment_786551" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo: Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/WENN.com[/caption]

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer may have made her film debut in "A Time to Kill," but her breakthrough didn't come until she landed the part of Minny Jackson in in 2011's "The Help." When Spencer received the Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA, and Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Supporting Actress for that role she was three months away from her 40th birthday. This year, she, again, received Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Dorothy Vaughan in "Hidden Figures." [caption id="attachment_746025" align="aligncenter" width="600"] 74th Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
Featuring: Naomi Harris
Where: Los Angeles, California, United States
When: 08 Jan 2017
Credit: WENN.com
**Not available for publication in Germany**[/caption] Naomie Harris Naomie Harris isn't new to acting, but by most accounts 2016 was certainly her year. Last year, the British actress earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Academy Award nominations for her role as Paula in "Moonlight." She was 40 at the time. [caption id="attachment_832537" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Kathryn Bigelow
'The Hurt Locker' press conference held at SLS Hotel
Los Angeles, California - 07.07.09
**NO USA SALES FOR 90 DAYS**
Featuring: Kathryn Bigelow
Where: United States
When: 07 Jul 2009
Credit: Avik Gilboa/Wenn.com[/caption]

Kathryn Bigelow

When it comes to film writing, producing, and directing, Kathryn Bigelow isn't new to this. But it wasn't until 2009 that she broke records. With The "Hurt Locker," Bigelow became the first woman (and only so far) to win each of the following: the Academy Award for Best Director, the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing, the BAFTA Award for Best Direction, and the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director. She was 57 at the time. [caption id="attachment_832540" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Isabelle Huppert attending the photocall for 'Happy End' during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.
Featuring: Isabelle Huppert
Where: Cannes, France
When: 22 May 2017
Credit: Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/WENN.com
**Not available for publication in Germany**[/caption]

Isabelle Huppert

French actress Isabelle Huppert has starred in more than 110 films since her debut in 1971. Do you know when she finally received international acclaim, via a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress? In 2016 for her work in "Elle." She's 64.

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