Actors You Won’t Believe Are Turning 50 Next Year

Time really flies in Hollywood, and it shows when you realize how many familiar faces are about to hit a big milestone. These actors have been headlining blockbusters, anchoring award winners, and stealing scenes on TV for years. From action heavyweights to prestige favorites and international standouts, here are the men who will be celebrating the big five zero next year.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch broke out on television with ‘Sherlock’ and quickly moved into major films like ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘Doctor Strange’. He trained at LAMDA and built his reputation on stage before global recognition arrived. His screen work spans historical drama, science fiction, and animation. He has multiple nominations from top awards bodies and continues to balance franchise roles with character driven projects.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds first gained wide attention through ‘Van Wilder’ and later headlined ‘Deadpool’ which turned into a signature role. He has long worked across comedy and action while also producing projects through his own banner. His credits include ensemble hits like ‘The Proposal’ and ‘Free Guy’. He is known for frequent collaborations with streaming platforms and big studio partners.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell emerged from Dublin with early acclaim in ‘Tigerland’ and went on to lead films such as ‘Phone Booth’ and ‘In Bruges’. He has alternated between studio projects and independent dramas while working with directors like Martin McDonagh and Yorgos Lanthimos. Television audiences saw him in ‘True Detective’ which expanded his range on the small screen. His character work in titles like ‘The Batman’ showed a committed approach to transformation.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy began in theater and independent cinema before wider notice in ’28 Days Later’. He became a frequent collaborator with Christopher Nolan in films like ‘Inception’ and ‘Oppenheimer’. On television he headlined ‘Peaky Blinders’ which grew into a global phenomenon. His filmography covers thrillers, period pieces, and psychological dramas.

Alexander Skarsgård

Alexander Skarsgård found early TV success with ‘True Blood’ and later earned acclaim for ‘Big Little Lies’. His film roles range from the intense saga ‘The Northman’ to blockbuster adventure in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’. He comes from a family of actors and started acting as a child in Sweden. He has received major television awards and continues to work in both English and Swedish language projects.

Michael Peña

Michael Peña built a steady career with standout turns in ‘Crash’ and ‘End of Watch’. He brought sharp timing to ‘Ant Man’ which introduced him to a wider audience. His roles often highlight everyday professionals as seen in ‘The Martian’ and ‘Narcos Mexico’. He regularly shifts between dramatic features and mainstream comedies.

Seann William Scott

Seann William Scott became widely known through ‘American Pie’ and later expanded into action comedy with ‘The Rundown’. He has voiced characters in the ‘Ice Age’ series which added long running franchise work to his resume. Television appearances include ‘Lethal Weapon’ where he stepped into a leading role. He continues to work in independent films alongside commercial projects.

Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan launched his career in Hindi cinema with early titles like ‘Refugee’ and earned recognition in ‘Guru’. He has appeared in successful ensembles such as ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ and the ‘Dhoom’ series. His work spans drama, comedy, and sports themed stories including ‘Bob Biswas’ and ‘Dasvi’. He also serves as a producer and frequently engages with streaming releases.

Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello drew attention as a series regular on ‘True Blood’ and later joined superhero fare with ‘Justice League’. Comedy fans know him from ‘Magic Mike’ and ‘Pee wees Big Holiday’. He has produced documentaries and participated in fandom communities including tabletop gaming. His career includes theater, voice roles, and action features.

Wagner Moura

Wagner Moura became internationally known for portraying Pablo Escobar in ‘Narcos’. Before that he led acclaimed Brazilian films like ‘Elite Squad’ and its sequel. He moved into English language cinema with roles in ‘Elysium’ and ‘The Gray Man’. He also directs and continues to work across Brazil and the United States.

Sam Worthington

Sam Worthington vaulted to global prominence with ‘Avatar’ and returned for its sequels. He has led action thrillers such as ‘Clash of the Titans’ and appeared in dramas like ‘Hacksaw Ridge’. His television work includes limited series that highlight historical and true crime subjects. He splits time between franchise commitments and smaller character pieces.

Glenn Howerton

Glenn Howerton co created and stars in ‘Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. Beyond that long running series he led the workplace comedy ‘AP Bio’. His film credits include ‘BlackBerry’ where he portrayed a real life executive. He also writes and produces which keeps him active behind the camera.

Charlie Day

Charlie Day is a co creator and star of ‘Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. He has voiced characters in animated hits like ‘The Lego Movie’ and appeared in ‘Pacific Rim’. He wrote, directed, and led the satire ‘Fool’s Paradise’. His body of work covers live action television, features, and voice acting.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prinze Jr. became a teen era favorite with ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and ‘She’s All That’. He has continued to work in television with roles in ’24’ and voice work in ‘Star Wars Rebels’. His career includes producing and writing, including projects tied to wrestling entertainment. He has made frequent guest appearances and reunion specials tied to beloved franchises.

Dominic Monaghan

Dominic Monaghan gained worldwide recognition as Merry in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. He followed with the ensemble drama ‘Lost’ which cemented his TV presence. His later work includes ‘Moonhaven’ and a variety of independent features. He also hosts nature and travel themed programs that reflect personal interests.

Jon Bernthal

Jon Bernthal built a tough screen persona with ‘The Walking Dead’ before headlining ‘The Punisher’. His film credits include ‘Fury’, ‘Baby Driver’, and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. He often works with acclaimed directors and balances franchise roles with gritty dramas. He also hosts the conversation series ‘Real Ones’, keeping a strong presence outside scripted projects.

Mike Colter

Mike Colter became widely known as the title hero in ‘Luke Cage’ after appearing in ‘Jessica Jones’. He led the procedural thriller ‘Evil’ and appeared in features like ‘Plane’ and ‘Men in Black 3’. His early career included roles in ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘Ringer’. He continues to move between network television, streaming series, and theatrical releases.

Scott Caan

Scott Caan starred as Detective Danny Williams in ‘Hawaii Five-0’ following supporting turns in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’. He wrote and directed independent projects while maintaining steady acting work. Later TV credits include ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit’. He is known for alternating between crime dramas and indie character pieces.

Ryan Kwanten

Ryan Kwanten earned international attention as Jason Stackhouse in ‘True Blood’. He later appeared in genre titles like ‘The Hurricane Heist’ and ‘Glorious’. Earlier work included the Australian series ‘Home and Away’. He frequently collaborates on independent thrillers and horror projects alongside television appearances.

David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo drew praise for playing Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’. His filmography spans ‘A Most Violent Year’, ‘Jack Reacher’, and ‘Interstellar’. On television he led ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ and voiced characters in animated features. He also produces through his own banner, developing stories across film and TV.

Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi made his mark in Hindi cinema with ‘Company’ and ‘Saathiya’. He featured in the action franchise ‘Krrish 3’ and biographical drama ‘PM Narendra Modi’. His work extends to regional films and major streaming releases. He serves as a producer and participates in philanthropic initiatives tied to education and health.

Haaz Sleiman

Haaz Sleiman broke through with ‘The Visitor’ and later joined the Marvel universe in ‘Eternals’. Television audiences know him from ‘Nurse Jackie’ and ‘Jack Ryan’. He appears in both English and Arabic language projects. His roles often highlight immigrant stories and cross cultural perspectives.

Michel Brown

Michel Brown is a familiar face in Spanish language television thanks to ‘Pasión de Gavilanes’ and ‘La Piloto’. He moved into streaming thrillers such as ‘Hernán’ and ‘Who Killed Sara?’. Early work in Argentina led to a broader career across Mexico and the United States. He continues to headline series across multiple networks and platforms.

Ethan Suplee

Ethan Suplee became widely recognized through ‘My Name Is Earl’ and films like ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘American History X’. He later appeared in ‘The Hunt’ and ‘Motherless Brooklyn’. His podcast ‘American Glutton’ chronicles a well documented health and fitness journey. He frequently takes on character roles in crime dramas and comedies.

Corey Stoll

Corey Stoll stood out in ‘House of Cards’ and later led the horror series ‘The Strain’. His film credits include ‘Ant-Man’, ‘First Man’, and ‘Midnight in Paris’. He joined the ensemble of ‘Billions’ and appeared in prestige limited series. Stage work and New York based productions remain a steady part of his career.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott gained global recognition as Moriarty in ‘Sherlock’ and earned further acclaim with ‘Fleabag’. He led ‘Ripley’ and appeared in films such as ‘1917’ and ‘All of Us Strangers’. A celebrated stage actor, he has headlined major productions in London and New York. He regularly alternates between television, film, and theater.

Scott Adkins

Scott Adkins built a strong following in action cinema with ‘Undisputed III’, ‘Ninja’, and ‘Accident Man’. He worked in studio titles like ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. His background in martial arts shapes demanding stunt heavy performances. He also produces and co writes select projects in his action franchises.

Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda earned critical notice with ‘Highway’ and ‘Sarbjit’. He appeared in international titles including ‘Extraction’ and has led series such as ‘CAT’. Early roles in ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’ and ‘Jannat 2’ showcased range across crime and drama. He balances Hindi features with streaming projects and biographical roles.

Song Seung-heon

Song Seung-heon rose to fame in Korean dramas like ‘Autumn in My Heart’ and later starred in ‘Black’ and ‘Voice’. His film work includes ‘Obsessed’ and ‘The Scent’. He maintains a steady presence across romance, thriller, and fantasy series. Collaborations span major broadcasters and streaming platforms in Korea and abroad.

Chad Lindberg

Chad Lindberg made early waves with ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and appeared in ‘October Sky’. Television fans know him from ‘Supernatural’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’. He continues to book roles in indie features and genre TV. He also engages with docu series and paranormal themed programs tied to fan communities.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown earned widespread recognition for playing Randall Pearson on ‘This Is Us’, winning major television awards for the role. He portrayed prosecutor Christopher Darden in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’. His film work includes ‘Black Panther’, ‘Waves’, and ‘American Fiction’. He trained at Stanford and NYU and continues to work across film, television, and voice acting.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman became a global star as T’Challa in ‘Black Panther’ after acclaimed portrayals of real life figures in ’42’, ‘Get on Up’, and ‘Marshall’. His final performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ earned top honors posthumously. He trained at Howard University and studied at the British American Drama Academy. His legacy includes scholarships and foundations supporting young artists.

Dan Fogler

Dan Fogler won a Tony Award for ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ before moving into films like ‘Balls of Fury’ and ‘Fanboys’. He joined the Wizarding World playing Jacob Kowalski in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series. Television audiences know him from ‘The Goldbergs’ and ‘The Walking Dead’. He also writes and illustrates graphic novels that have been published internationally.

Paul Scheer

Paul Scheer is a comedian and actor known for ‘The League’ and ‘Black Monday’. He co created and starred in ‘NTSF:SD:SUV::’ and has appeared in films such as ‘Piranha 3D’ and ‘The Disaster Artist’. He co hosts the popular film podcast ‘How Did This Get Made?’ with June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas. His credits extend to voice roles in animated series and guest arcs on network comedies.

James Roday Rodriguez

James Roday Rodriguez headlined ‘Psych’ as Shawn Spencer and later returned for multiple reunion films. He starred in ‘A Million Little Things’ and directed episodes across several television series. His film work includes ‘Gravy’ which he also directed. He trained at NYU and maintains parallel careers in acting, writing, and directing.

Joseph Sikora

Joseph Sikora is best known as Tommy Egan in ‘Power’ and the spin off ‘Power Book IV: Force’. He appeared in films such as ‘Jack Reacher’ and ‘Safe’. His career includes guest roles on ‘True Detective’ and ‘Ozark’. He began acting as a child and has continued with stage and screen work in Chicago and New York.

Jang Hyuk

Jang Hyuk rose to fame in Korea with series like ‘Successful Story of a Bright Girl’ and later led ‘Chuno’, ‘Voice’, and ‘Wok of Love’. His film credits include ‘Volcano High’, ‘The Flu’, and ‘The Swordsman’. He is also known for action heavy roles that feature martial arts training. He remains active across network dramas, cable series, and features.

Rodrigo de la Serna

Rodrigo de la Serna gained international attention portraying Alberto Granado in ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’. He joined ‘La Casa de Papel’ as Palermo and appeared in Argentine hits such as ‘Cien años de perdón’. His work spans theater, television, and film across Latin America and Spain. He has won multiple awards in Argentina for lead and supporting roles.

Bret McKenzie

Bret McKenzie is one half of ‘Flight of the Conchords’ with Jemaine Clement and starred in the HBO series of the same name. He contributed music to films including ‘The Muppets’ and ‘Muppets Most Wanted’. As an actor he has appeared in projects like ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and ‘Two Little Boys’. He continues to tour and release music while taking on select screen roles.

Oliver Hudson

Oliver Hudson starred as Adam Rhodes in ‘Rules of Engagement’ and later joined ‘Scream Queens’. He played a key role in ‘Nashville’ and led the ensemble of ‘The Cleaning Lady’. Earlier credits include ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and the comedy ‘Walk of Shame’. He also co hosts a podcast that features interviews with actors and creators.

Seamus Dever

Seamus Dever played Detective Kevin Ryan on the long running series ‘Castle’. He has guest starred on ‘Titans’, ‘NCIS’, and ‘Legion’. His stage background includes classical training and regional theater across the United States. He continues to appear in television movies and genre series.

Tim Heidecker

Tim Heidecker co created and starred in ‘Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!’ and ‘Beef House’. He acted in films such as ‘The Comedy’ and ‘Us’ and appears in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’. He releases music as a solo artist and with the band Heidecker and Wood. He also hosts podcasts and live streams that feature interviews and comedy.

Rodrigo De la Serna

Rodrigo De la Serna is best known for playing Palermo in ‘La Casa de Papel’ and for his award winning role in ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’. He appears frequently in Argentine cinema with titles like ‘El Lobista’ and ‘Camino a la Paz’. His work has been showcased at international festivals. He remains active in theater and television across Spanish speaking markets.

Share the names you were most surprised by in the comments and tell us who else belongs on this list.