20 Actors Who Hit Their First #1 After 40
Sometimes a career milestone arrives later than people expect, and the number one spot at the domestic box office is a perfect example. Plenty of actors spent years building steady credits before finally starring in or contributing to a film that claimed the top position on a weekend chart. Hitting that first number one after forty proves how much persistence and the right project can change a trajectory.
This list looks at actors whose first taste of a box office weekend at number one came after they had already celebrated their fortieth birthday. For each name, you will see the title that delivered the breakthrough, the age when it happened, and a bit of helpful context about what came before and what followed.
Robert Downey Jr.
His first number one arrived with ‘Iron Man’ when he was forty three. That release put him at the center of a new superhero era and marked the first time a film he headlined finished a weekend in first place.
Before that moment he had appeared in acclaimed movies that opened below the top spot. After ‘Iron Man’ he anchored a long run of chart toppers in the same franchise and in other large scale releases.
Paul Rudd
He reached his first number one with ‘Ant-Man’ at forty six. The film gave him his first weekend at the top after a long run as a reliable supporting and ensemble player.
Earlier hits he appeared in did not open in first place. Following ‘Ant-Man’ he returned in sequels and crossovers that regularly finished weekends at number one.
Jackie Chan
His first US number one came with ‘Rumble in the Bronx’ at forty one. That release introduced his Hong Kong action style to a wide American audience and took the top weekend position.
Before that he had cult favorites that never led the domestic weekend chart. The success of ‘Rumble in the Bronx’ set up a wave of mainstream studio projects that frequently performed at or near the top.
Anthony Hopkins
He scored his first number one with ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ at fifty three. The thriller opened at the top and remained a central title in his filmography.
Prior to that he had prestige roles in films that did not debut in first place. Afterward he alternated between dramatic leads and major supporting turns in franchises that often hit number one.
Christoph Waltz
His first number one happened with ‘Inglourious Basterds’ at fifty two. The film launched him into global recognition and gave him his first weekend atop the box office.
Before that he had an extensive European career without a US number one. Subsequent roles included villain turns and supporting parts in event films that reached the top spot again.
Ian McKellen
He reached his first number one with ‘X-Men’ at sixty one. That ensemble blockbuster put him in a marquee franchise and delivered the first weekend he topped the domestic chart.
Earlier dramatic roles and independent work never produced a number one weekend. Continued appearances in major franchises brought repeated first place finishes afterward.
Patrick Stewart
His first number one came with ‘Star Trek Generations’ at fifty four. The film carried the television cast onto the big screen and landed the top weekend position.
Before that he had film credits that did not open at number one. He later added more first place weekends through additional ‘Star Trek’ entries and other franchise appearances.
Viola Davis
She reached her first number one when ‘The Help’ climbed to first place in its second weekend at forty six. That ensemble drama became her first film to hold the top weekend slot.
Her earlier films had strong runs without taking number one on opening weekend. Later she appeared in large scale releases that debuted in first place and expanded her streak of top finishers.
Tilda Swinton
Her first number one arrived with ‘Vanilla Sky’ at forty one. That project brought her into a high profile studio release that finished the weekend at the top.
Before that she was known for independent and art house work that rarely led the weekend chart. She went on to join major franchises and effects driven films that returned to number one.
Dave Bautista
He earned his first number one with ‘Riddick’ at forty four. The action sequel put him on a weekend winning film before his later ensemble breakout.
Earlier roles were smaller parts that did not reach first place. After ‘Riddick’ he joined franchise entries that frequently opened at number one and raised his box office profile.
Donnie Yen
His first number one came with ‘Rogue One’ at fifty three. That entry in a long running space saga gave him his first weekend atop the domestic chart.
Before that he was a major star in Asia without a US weekend number one. The appearance broadened his international casting and led to further roles in global blockbusters.
Benedict Wong
He reached his first number one with ‘The Martian’ at forty four. The space survival drama ended its first weekend in first place and marked his debut on a top weekend film.
Earlier appearances were in critically regarded titles that opened below the top spot. He later became a regular presence in a superhero franchise that repeatedly finished weekends at number one.
Mark Rylance
His first number one was ‘Dunkirk’ at fifty seven. The war film dominated its opening frame and gave him his first weekend in the top position.
Before that he appeared in prestige pictures that did not debut at number one. Afterward he continued balancing awards oriented work with studio productions that placed high at the box office.
Jim Broadbent
He earned his first number one with ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ at fifty nine. That franchise entry arrived in first place for the weekend and added his name to a long running adventure series.
Prior films included acclaimed roles that did not start at number one. He later appeared in fantasy and franchise projects that also reached the top of the chart.
Brian Cox
His first number one came with ‘X2: X-Men United’ at fifty six. The sequel opened in first place and marked his first weekend at the top.
Earlier credits covered dramas and thrillers without a number one debut. The momentum from that role led to more work in popular franchises and studio projects with strong openings.
Sam Neill
He reached his first number one with ‘The Hunt for Red October’ at forty two. The submarine thriller opened in first place and delivered his first weekend leading the chart.
Prior releases included suspense and adventure titles that started below number one. Later he appeared in additional large scale films that returned to the top spot across multiple weekends.
Richard Jenkins
His first number one happened with ‘Me, Myself & Irene’ at fifty three. The comedy led the weekend and became his first film attached to a number one finish.
Before that he had steady work in films that did not claim the top weekend position. The milestone preceded more appearances in studio hits that performed strongly on opening frames.
John Turturro
He scored his first number one with ‘Anger Management’ at forty five. The comedy opened in first place and represented his first weekend at the top.
Earlier collaborations with respected directors often opened lower on the chart. He later joined effects heavy and franchise productions that also reached number one.
Stephen Lang
His first number one came with ‘Avatar’ at fifty seven. The science fiction epic dominated the box office and gave him his first weekend in the top slot.
Before that he worked across stage and screen without a weekend number one. Following ‘Avatar’ he returned to franchise and genre films that continued to draw wide audiences.
Toby Jones
He reached his first number one with ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’ at forty four. His voice performance helped power a franchise entry that opened in first place.
Earlier roles spanned biopics and dramas that did not top a weekend. He later added more number one weekends through appearances in superhero and fantasy franchises.
Share your favorite examples of late breaking box office firsts in the comments and tell us who else belongs on this list.