Belmont Cameli isn’t the only actor to have a breakout role in his late twenties. In fact, some of Hollywood’s brightest stars, across genres, began making waves close to their 30th birthdays. Here are a few who spent years developing careers that have since spent lifetimes dazzling us. 

Montgomery Clift, Red River (1948) 

The iconic actor Montgomery Clift began his career on the stage, becoming a star at just 17. Still, he had no interest in film for a long time, preferring to spend his time in theater. Clift made his first foray into Hollywood in 1946 with the film Red River, which wasn’t released until 1948, when he was 27. Film then learned what the stage already had: that Clift was an unstoppable talent. 

Marlon Brando, A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) 

Now known as a famed star of classic Hollywood, Marlon Brando first cultivated a reputation as a great theater actor. His breakout film was 1951’s A Streetcar Named Desire, a role he had played on stage. When it arrived on screens, the actor was 27 and it immediately sent his career into orbit.

Robert De Niro, Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets (1973)

Robert De Niro began acting on the New York stage, racking up roles in smaller films as his career progressed. He had been acting professionally for 10 years by the time he appeared in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both of which came out in 1973, shortly after De Niro’s 30th birthday, and launched him to stardom.

Harrison Ford, American Graffiti (1973)

By the time Harrison Ford met George Lucas, he was 29 and working as a carpenter and sometimes actor in Los Angeles. Lucas cast him in his second feature, American Graffiti, around the actor’s 30th year. Ford continued working periodically, but then Lucas cast Ford in his next film Star Wars, as Han Solo, and well, you know what happened next.

Sylvester Stallone, Rocky (1976)

When principal photography began on Rocky in January 1976, Sylvester Stallone was 29 years old. He had written the script for the film almost a year prior, but film executives didn’t originally want him to star in it; he ultimately convinced them, refusing to allow the picture to get made unless he played the titular character. It turns out he was right.

Denzel Washington, St. Elsewhere (1982-1988)

One of the finest actors in Hollywood, Denzel Washington got his big break at 28 in 1982 when he was cast on the hospital drama St. Elsewhere as Dr. Philip Chandler. The actor had done television and movies previously, but when the show became beloved, earning a wealth of Emmy awards and nominations, it put Washington on the map as an actor to know.

Steve Buscemi, Parting Glances (1986)

Steve Buscemi starred in his first film, Parting Glances, at 28. The film became not just a darling of independent cinema’s golden age, it also became one of the first films to tackle the AIDS epidemic on screen. Rave reviews for the young actor followed, and he’s been part of our cultural consciousness ever since.

Brad Pitt, Thelma and Louise (1991)

Brad Pitt was famously on screen for less than 15 minutes in the now-classic Geena Davis-Susan Sarandon vehicle, but that’s all he needed. Pitt had been making appearances on television and in supporting roles on film for years prior, but this is considered the moment he truly arrived.

Donald Glover, Community (2009-2015)

Donald Glover turned 28 during his time on cult classic sitcom Community, and dropped his debut album as Childish Gambino, Camp, in the same year, 2011. With his success, Glover continued to cultivate roles as both an actor and an auteur in comedy and drama moving forward.

Austin Butler, Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler’s career began as a teen actor in the Disney and Nickelodeon universes. As an adult, he was cast in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis at 28; it was a role he spent two years preparing for that ultimately garnered him a 2023 Oscar nomination and bonafi de star status

**Please note: This cover is a subscriber exclusive and is not available for individual purchase. Explore the available VMAN 57 covers below, and subscribe to VMAN for access to future subscriber-exclusive editions delivered directly to you.**

This cover story appears in the pages of VMAN 57: now available for purchase!

Photography Luigi & lango

Fashion Hunter Clem

Creative Director / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan

Grooming Amy Komorowski (The Wall Group) using CIRCA 1970

Casting Greg Krelenstein (GK-LD)

Tailor Abel Martirosyan

Editor Kev Ponce

Art Director Clément Condat

Fashion Market Editor Gabby Buchan

Producer Louis Guillemain (26 Management)

Luigi & lango Studio Manager Francisco Betancourt

Photo Assistant Francisco Betancourt

Styling Assistant Arut Arustamyan

Production Assistant Juliet Lloyd

Cinematographer Santiago Montes