Thinking Of Starting A Second Career? 5 Celeb Examples To Inspire You

Have you been thinking about starting a second career? If so, you might have plenty of conflicting voices in your head.

You can find inspiration and motivation, but it’s also common to feel a little scared. Especially if you’ve already dedicated years of your life to another profession. Those doubts might threaten to creep in and derail your efforts. But we want to encourage you to stay the course.

It’s never too late to take a different road on your professional journey. Some of the most prolific figures of our time rose to prominence only after they rerouted their careers. And, many did so far later than you’d imagine.

We’re sharing the stories of 5 celebs who eschewed traditional timelines and followed their passions whenever and wherever they emerged!

1 - Ken Jeong

You may know him as Ben Chang from the T.V. show Community. Or, the infamous Leslie Chow from The Hangover movie series. Before Ken Jeong became an entertainer, he worked as a licensed physician for more than 10 years. Talk about starting a second career!

He participated in comedy contests and landed brief television appearances during his medical career. But it wasn’t until 2006 when he pursued acting full-time. The next year, he had his breakout role at age 37, starring as Dr. Kuni in his first feature film, Knocked Up.

In an industry where 20 is always the new 40, Jeong was a latecomer. That hasn’t stopped him from carving out a respected and steady career in Hollywood.

2 - Jula Child

When you think of French cuisine, one name definitely comes to mind: Julia Child.

The prominent American chef, cookbook author, and television personality made an indelible mark on the culinary world. Her influence continues to this day. However, Child’s name might have been lost to the history books if she’d stuck with her first career. When she was 30, she enrolled in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). She first enrolled as a typist and later as a top-secret researcher.

She would have remained firmly planted if it hadn’t been for one particular task. Her higher-ups asked her to figure out a way to deter curious sharks from interfering with OSS underwater explosives. And she concocted a homemade repellent. Whether the accolades she received from that recipe kickstarted her cooking career, we’ll never know.

At age 36 she dined at La Couronne in Rouen, France. It was then she decided to make a transition into the culinary arts. At age 39, she graduated from Paris’ illustrious Cordon Bleu cooking school. 10 years later, she co-authored her first cookbook. The 726-page Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which has sold approximately 1.5 million copies to date. At age 51, Child debuted The French Cooking Show. It ran for 10 years and earned her multiple Peabody and Emmy awards. She remains one of the most cherished chefs our nation has ever produced. Her influence lingers long after her death in 2004.

If you love watching The Food Network today, you have Child to thank for paving the way. And to think, it may have all started with shark bait.

3 - Viola Davis

Today, actress Viola Davis has more than hit her stride. Time magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world TWICE. She was the first and youngest Black woman to win the Triple Crown of Acting — an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony.

Though she participated in minor theater productions when she was younger, she didn’t graduate from the prestigious Juilliard School until age 28. Afterward, she went on to star in minor projects throughout the late 1990s and early 200s.

Her breakthrough role didn’t come until 2008, when 43-year-old Davis starred as troubled mother Mrs. Miller in the movie Doubt. The part earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout the 2010s, her career kept taking off, with her starring role in How to Get Away With Murder. The show was both a critical and mainstream success and kept her momentum going.

4 - Bob Ross

Artist Bob Ross’ television series, The Joy of Painting, aired on PBS from 1983 to 1994, introducing millions of viewers to the transformative powers of happy little trees.

While you may associate him with his soothing presence and incredible painting talent, did you know that Ross didn’t grow up with dreams of artistry? He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 18, where he worked as a medical records technician. For a while, it appeared as though the military would be his crowning achievement. He rose to the rank of first sergeant.

During his lunch breaks, Ross started dabbling in painting. He even took an art class through a USO club in Anchorage, Alaska. While in the Air Force, he worked as a part-time bartender. It was there that he discovered the television show The Magic of Oil Painting. This show shared the wet on wet” technique. Inspired, Ross started honing his talent and soon began selling Alaskan landscapes, created on gold-mining pans. Before long, his art sales began to eclipse his military salary. Ross decided to retire from the service and pursue painting full-time. This is the definition of starting a second career.

He was 41 when the first episode of The Joy of Painting debuted! Reruns continue to air today. Though he died in 1995 at age 52, his legacy lives on in pop culture. His fans celebrate Ross as much for his iconic perm and laid back style as his impressive landscapes.

5 - Alan Rickman

English actor and director Alan Rickman had one of the deepest, most recognizable voices in Hollywood. It was that voice, coupled with his charm and natural talent, that propelled him throughout his impressive acting career.

From 1965 to 1968, Rickman attended Chelsea College of Art and Design. He continued his studies at the Royal College of Art from 1968 to 1970. Rickman found drama school insensible, so he found work as a graphic designer and artist. He even opened his own design studio, called Graphiti. After years of pursuing and studying visual art, he finally decided to try acting. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1972 to 1974, enrolling at age 26. 

Upon graduation, Rickman starred in various productions around England. His breakout role didn’t come until 1982 when the BBC cast him in a show called The Barchester Chronicles. 6 years later, he starred as antagonist Hans Gruber in the feature film Die Hard at age 46. His iconic run as Severus Snape earned him global recognition. Hogwarts fans, for one, are glad that he pursued his passion!

These are WAY more celebrities who found massive success years after their so-called first calling. Starting a second career is SO in season! There isn't a timeline on achievement or potential. We’re here to help change that stereotype that there is and help you overcome ageism in your own career. At Uvaro, we know that anyone can follow their dreams, and we want to help you get started.

Use our Career Success Catalog as your roadmap. You can learn all about the courses, workshops, and resources we offer. Jumpstart your second calling in tech. Where will you go and what will you pursue? You’re in the driver’s seat here, so let’s get started together!