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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 17:34:51 GMT
Flicking around the 'net while I have the West Wing on, I've just learned that Kathryn Jooston (Mrs. Landingham) only started acting in community theatre at 42.
Any notable careers you can think of that started late? Any benefits or disadvantages it brings to a performer? etc...
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5,707 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 17, 2017 17:40:20 GMT
I think the ' story ' of Mrs Langingham was a stroke of genius.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 17:45:27 GMT
Two actresses no longer with us come to mind: Beryl Reid and Liz Smith. Both a bit eccentric. Both brilliant really...
Beryl Reid had been in Spring Awakening. (The play not the musical.) For the NT back in the seventies.
A pity Liz Smith didn’t do more theatre.
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1,972 posts
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Post by sf on Nov 17, 2017 18:12:32 GMT
John Mahoney was 37 when he became a professional actor, I think.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 18:19:40 GMT
Alan Rickman didn't begin his training until his mid-twenties if I remember rightly? And even then, his big break didn't come until he was well into his 30's?
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Nov 17, 2017 19:24:22 GMT
I'm sure either Grandad or Uncle Albert from Fools and Horses was new to acting. (Sorry, can't remember which one - I'm sure someone will know.)
Also, I think Lesley Joseph was a late starter, unless I dreamt that!
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Nov 17, 2017 21:14:30 GMT
I'm sure either Grandad or Uncle Albert from Fools and Horses was new to acting. (Sorry, can't remember which one - I'm sure someone will know.) Also, I think Lesley Joseph was a late starter, unless I dreamt that! Yeah good shout, uncle Albert. Retired banker, Buster Merryfield not uncle Albert
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2017 1:23:20 GMT
Buster Merryfield was a very late starter - mid 50's at least. Beryl Reid was listed as starting in 1940 when she was only 21. Lesley Joseph had TV appearances going back to mid 1970's when she was late 30's.
The great Margaret Rutherford was well into her 30's when she started. More recently Ricky Tomlinson must have been 40 when he switched to acting, Leslie Grantham likewise was in his 30's when he took up acting both after spells inside.
Freddie Jones was a lab assistant for a decade before he took up acting too.
The oldest person to take up acting who became well known was probably Harold Bennett who played Young Mr Grace in Are You Being Served. He only took up acting after retiring as an architect and he was in his mid to late 60's when he played his first roles of note.
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