4. Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner spent years on the edge of recognition, building his craft through gritty roles and quiet determination. His searing performance in The Hurt Locker at age 37 finally turned the spotlight his way, earning him critical acclaim and Oscar buzz.
That late breakthrough didn’t just open doors; it launched him into blockbuster territory as a Marvel superhero and proved that patience, persistence, and raw talent can rewrite any timeline.