For his role as bear-battling frontiersman Hugh Glass in “The Revenant” (2015), Leonardo DiCaprio finally snagged his first Oscar at age 41—and he’s only one of the many middle-aged marvels rewriting the rules of aging in Hollywood, one unforgettable performance at a time. Here are 10 of the most successful actors in their 40s who are dominating the box office, sweeping awards shows, and inspiring the next generation of artists.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio (49)
DiCaprio has been in the spotlight since his breakout role in “Titanic” (1997), and his brand has done nothing but skyrocket ever since. With multiple Oscar nods, DiCaprio continues to be the poster boy (well, man) for the generational star. He often takes on complex real-life figures, such as aviation pioneer Howard Hughes in “The Aviator” (2004), fraudulent stockbroker Jordan Belfort in “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013), and murderer Ernest Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023). DiCaprio’s consistency, versatility, and commitment only seem to get better with age.
2. Jessica Chastain (47)
The Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated Chastain is the queen of transformation. She’s been a steely CIA analyst in “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012), the larger-than-life televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (2021), a country musician on “George & Tammy (2022–2023), and a recovering alcoholic in “Memory” (2023). Her dedication to advocating for gender equality in Hollywood further solidifies her trailblazer status.
3. Kerry Washington (47)
From fixing political misconduct on “Scandal” (2012–2018) to portraying Ray Charles’ wife Della Bea Robinson in the biopic “Ray” (2004), an enslaved woman in “Django Unchained” (2012), and a mother with a few secrets up her sleeve on “Little Fires Everywhere” (2020), Washington has continued to keep us on our toes. Next, she’s set to appear in the highly anticipated World War II drama “The Six Triple Eight” and the third installment in the “Knives Out” franchise, “Wake Up Dead Man.”
4. Oscar Isaac (45)
Isaac has crooned his way through “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013), got existential with AI in “Ex Machina” (2014), and even found time to save a galaxy far, far away in three “Star Wars” movies. He also costarred with Chastain on the miniseries “Scenes from a Marriage” (2021), which earned him an Emmy nod, and he’s set to appear as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in the upcoming sci-fi horror film “Frankenstein.”
5. Jake Gyllenhaal (43)
At the age of 19, Gyllenhaal was already making a name for himself in the film industry. With the critically acclaimed “October Sky” (1999) and cult classic “Donnie Darko” (2001) under his belt, he soon became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. For his portrayal of a complicated cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), Gyllenhall earned an Oscar nomination—and he keeps giving his all to complex roles, such as the creepy-crawly stringer in “Nightcrawler” (2014), dedicated army sergeant in “The Covenant” (2023), Florida man–battling bouncer in “Road House” (2024), and prosecutor-turned–murder suspect on “Presumed Innocent” (2024).
6. Emily Blunt (41)
Blunt is like a chameleon. She held her own against predatory extraterrestrials in “A Quiet Place” (2018), belted out tunes as the titular nanny in “Mary Poppins Returns” (2018), and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as nonconformist Kitty Oppenheimer in “Oppenheimer” (2023). Her natural comedic abilities also shine through in movies like “The Fall Guy” (2024) and, of course, the ever-iconic “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006).
7. Andrew Garfield (41)
Garfield’s ability to blend vulnerability with strength has made him a standout performer, as evidenced by his multiple Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominations. He’s been a Facebook co-founder in “The Social Network” (2010), a web-wielding superhero in “The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012), a troubled detective in “Under the Banner of Heaven” (2022), and a man grappling with his loved one’s cancer diagnosis in the upcoming drama “We Live in Time.” His role as “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson in “Tick, Tick... Boom!” (2021) had us all dancing and watching the clock.
8. Anne Hathaway (41)
Hathaway has come a long way since her days as awkward teen-turned-royal in “The Princess Diaries” (2001). Today, she’s an Oscar and Emmy winner, with powerful performances in films including “Les Misérables” (2012), “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), and “Interstellar” (2014). She even transformed into a terrifying (but fabulous!) Grand High Witch in 2020’s “The Witches” remake, as well as a single mom in her 40s who enters a whirlwind romance with a boy band hotshot in his 20s in “The Idea of You” (2024).
9. Adam Driver (40)
Known for his standout performances on the TV show “Girls” (2012–2017) and in films like “Marriage Story” (2019), “Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens” (2015), and “BlacKkKlansman” (2018), Driver’s journey is a testament to persistence. We think it’s fair to assume that the Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominee—and star of Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-in-the-making epic “Megalopolis”—is poised for even greater success.
10. Steven Yeun (40)
Yeun’s rise to fame began with his role on “The Walking Dead” (2010–2016), but he broke through with “Sorry to Bother You” (2018) and “Burning” (2018). He earned an Oscar nomination for his performance in “Minari” (2020) and took home an Emmy for his part on the hit Netflix series “Beef” (2023)—making his journey into his 40s a particularly exciting one to follow.