10 Actors Who Had to Wait for Fame

Fame is not something that happens for everyone overnight. Here is a list of ten extremely talented actors and actresses who had to wait to achieve fame, but they're hotter than ever now.

1. Viola Davis

Davis was primarily a stage actor, with some minor film and television credits before landing the role of Mrs. Miller in 2008's Doubt. This led to her greatest role to date in 2011's The Help. At 47-years-old, she has two Oscar nominations and a bright future on screen.

2. Jon Hamm

Hamm is an icon today thanks to Mad Men. After years of playing bit parts in TV and film, he achieved instant notoriety at age 36 when he signed on to play Don Draper.

3. Connie Britton

Britton is 46 years old and the lead in ABC's Nashville. After years of starring in various TV shows and movies, she is now a household name. TV's Friday Night Lights and a stint on American Horror Story brought her career to a new level.

4. Patrick Dempsey

Patrick "Dr. McDreamy" Dempsey is the definition of a late bloomer. After starring as the stereotypical nerd in several 80s films, he officially became a heartthrob in 2005 with Grey's Anatomy.

5. Sofia Vergara

Vergara is the bombshell on ABC's Modern Family. But it hasn't always been this way for the Colombian beauty. After years of playing bit parts on TV shows and in movies, she found a niche for herself as the hilarious Gloria Prichett. Now she's everywhere.

6. Laura Linney

Linney is an accomplished actress, and currently the star of the soon to be canceled The Big C. She has won numerous accolades over the course of her career, including three Oscar nominations. At 49-years-old, she's still going strong.

7. Josh Brolin

Brolin is the son of actor James Brolin. After a mediocre career, his star went into overdrive with 2007's No Country for Old Men. He was almost 40-years-old and since then, he's been a hot property.

8. Megan Mullally

Mullally was 40 when she won the career defining role of Karen Walker in Will and Grace. Today, she is 54-years-old and still making audiences crack up.

9. Tommy Lee Jones

Jones is the guy who's rough around the edges. Working since the early 1970's, he didn't win his first major awards until 1993's The Fugitive. By then he was pushing 40, and he hasn't slowed down since.

10. Carla Gugino

At 41, Gugino has been in the business since age 17. She has worked in every possible genre. In my opinion, she is the best, most underrated actress in the business. Hopefully someday, she will get the acclaim she deserves.