Don’t Give Up, Waiters and Waitresses! Snakkle Highlights 10 Stars Who Hit It Big After Age 30

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Breakthrough Role: Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 1999

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Mariska Hargitay, Today

Then 35, Mariska Hargitay definitely earned her role as badass detective Olivia Benson in 1999. She had put in time on Falcon Crest, ER, and lots of TV movies and failed pilots by the time Dick Wolf came calling. She also met husband Peter Hermann on the set of SVU! The two were married in 2004 and have three children together. Hargitay continues to lock up the perps on SVU every Wednesday night.

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Breakthrough Role: Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, 1976

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Sylvester Stallone, Today

Before Rocky, 30-year-old Sly was making the rounds in smaller movies and popping up on shows like Police Story and Kojack. Luckily, Rocky had so many sequels that Stallone didn't even need to do all those other projects like the Rambo movies, The Specialist, or Daylight. But he did, and he has a couple movies in the works for 2015.

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Breakthrough Role: Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack, 1980

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Rodney Dangerfield, 2004

The late great Dangerfield wasn't always the cigar-toting wiseacre we know and love. Rodney (Jacob Cohen) tried and failed early in his career and actually sold aluminum siding to support his family well into his 40s. While Dangerfield was popular in the stand-up scene after that, his movie career took off after 1980's Caddyshack, and we know he got no respect after that. No respect at all.

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Breakthrough: Martha Stewart on Martha Stewart Living, 1991

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Martha Stewart, Today

Homemaking maven Martha Stewart started out as a model and dabbled in entrepreneurship, but it wasn't until she reached the age of 50 that her showbiz career took off. She started her magazine, Martha Stewart Living, in 1990, and the show grew from there. In addition to merchandizing deals and multimedia, Martha hosted her eponymous talk show, which ended in 2012.

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Breakthrough Role: Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing, 1999

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Kathryn Joosten, Today

"Mrs. Landingham!" West Wing fans know that President Bartlet cherished his faithful (and delightfully sour) assistant until her demise in the show's second season. Prior to playing Mrs. Landingham, Kathryn Joosten was a character actress who didn't get into the business until her late 40s. Before acting, Joosten was a psychiatric nurse in Chicago. After Wing, her roles got a bit juicier. She's been spotted on The X-Files, Gilmore Girls, Grey's Anatomy, and as a regular on Desperate Housewives.

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Breakthrough Role: John Mahoney as Martin Crane on Frasier, 1993

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John Mahoney, Today

Okay, so John Mahoney had a solid career as a character actor long before Frasier, but he didn't start acting until well into his 30s. Before that, British-born Mahoney was an editor and military man. His role as Martin Crane, Frasier's gruff cop father, vaulted him into pop culture stardom. Today, Mahoney continues his beloved stage work and appeared on Hot in Cleveland and In Treatment.

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Breakthrough Role: Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars, 1977

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Harrison Ford, Today

After putting in some solid bit part time in things like The Virginian, American Graffiti, and Love, American Style, Harrison Ford landed the role of a lifetime at age 35. Since Star Wars, Harrison Ford has become part of the cultural lexicon and was most recently seen in Ender's Game. He'll be revisiting his iconic role as Han Solo in 2015.

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Breakthrough Role: Danny Glover as Albert in The Color Purple, 1985

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Danny Glover, Today

Danny Glover was almost 40 when he got his role in The Color Purple. Before acting, he worked in city government. After his big break, Glover starred in the Lethal Weapon movies and many more. Most recently, he starred in the TV series Touch. He has no fewer than seven upcoming films for 2015.

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Breakthrough Role: Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg on The West Wing, 1999

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Allison Janney, Today

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Allison Janney struggled to find a place for herself in Hollywood, starting out on the stage in New York. Over the years, she built a solid resume, showing up in things like Law & Order, Private Parts, and The Ice Storm. Eventually her persistence paid off, and at age 40, she landed the sweet role of White House press secretary C.J. Cregg on The West Wing. Today, she double- and triple-books herself, with a starring role on the CBS sitcom Mom and a heartbreaking guest role on Masters of Sex.

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Breakthrough Role: Alan Rickman as Jamie in Truly Madly Deeply, 1990

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Alan Rickman, Today

Sure, we got to know him as Hans Gruber in 1988's Die Hard, but Alan Rickman shot to A-list Brit status in 1990 after his performance as Jamie in Truly Madly Deeply, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA and took home a British Film Award. The man who played Snape in the Harry Potter series worked as a graphic designer before beginning acting classes in his mid-20s. Rickman won several awards for his work in Truly Madly Deeply and since has gone on to great success in his second career.