Amidst Hollywood's ranks, finding a late bloomer attaining success on television or in film was more the exception than the rule. For Emmy-winning actress Kathryn Joosten, however, paying her dues in numerous projects ended up paving the way for her later success. Joosten did not even catch the acting bug until middle age. And it was at that time that she hit big with recognizable roles on two of the most successful network programs of the new millennium: "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006), portraying the secretary to the President of the United States, and "Desperate Housewives" (ABC, 2004-2012), in which she essayed the ultimate snoopy suburban neighbor.