Making truth and beauty isn’t just for idle young prodigies.
Toni Morrison published her first novel at age 40 as a single mom.
Morrison completed her first novel, The Bluest Eye, while she taught at Howard University and raised two children after a divorce. The novel tanked in sales and garnered mix reviews. It was only in her mid-forties that Sula and Song of Solomon set her on the track of becoming the only recent American author to win a Nobel Prize.
Via: Jason Reed / Reuters
Wayne Coyne was a fry cook through his twenties before The Flaming Lips hit its stride.
For 11 years after high school, Wayne worked as a fry cook at Long John Silvers. The Flaming Lips played small shows for eight years before Warner signed them, and Coyne waited 10 years working at the restaurant before "She Don't Use Jelly" became the band's first charted hit.
Via: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
Ang Lee's screened his first big movie at age 38.
For six years after graduate film school, Lee was a stay-at-home dad, sometimes working odd jobs for film crews. His molecular biologist wife encouraged him not to give up. His first movie screened in Taiwan when he was 38, and he was pushing 40 when The Wedding Banquet made him a surprise international hit.
Via: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
Peaches taught music to pre-school children for a decade before becoming Peaches.
She taught at a Jewish pre-school before moving to Berlin and becoming one of the most sexually outspoken indie musicians. The first Peaches album came out when she was 34. If you think it's too late to spit beer, wear dildo dresses and rock out after your twenties, get on her level.
Via: peachesrocks.com
