More Older Actors Needed In Hollywood Lead Roles

50+ Actors Still Capable of Carrying Big Budget Films

May 7, 2009 Teresa Wentz

Now is a great time for Hollywood to make more films with older actors in lead roles.

Older actors deserve more roles where they are the fulcrum of the film and not just a supporting character (one out of every two parts offered to Anthony Hopkins requires him to play the father). Roles that require an actor like Jack Nicholson to singe the screen with his growling, in your face sexuality (as opposed to his tired, on-the-way-out character in The Bucket List).

How about another role for Clint Eastwood where he saves the town, saves the girl, and makes you say “Hugh Jackman who?” (unlike the cranky old guy next door who is worried about someone stepping on his pansies in Grand Torino).

Ageism in Hollywood

The lack of three-dimensional, interesting, and sexually aware roles for older men and especially women in Hollywood has been bemoaned for years. The key is to making this concept translate to big box office now is to make sure the actor would be believable in the part.

When Jeremiah Johnson hit theatres in the 1970’s, it resonated for several reasons. With the post-hippie movement not quite at a close, the rugged individualism of the title character combined with his desire to coexist with nature spoke to a mass audience.

With today’s revised mass interest in ecology and Robert Redford’s track record as nature lover, environmental activist, and established box office sex symbol, how about a “Walden” type story with a little mature love thrown in for good measure? (Note to Mr. Redford: In this time of equality of the sexes, a little nudity would gain the respect of your fellow female thespians that have been taking it off for years onscreen – and give everyone else another reason to buy a ticket.) This theme worked in Bridges of Madison County, and it can work again.

Sometimes It's Hard to be a Woman

How about an Ocean’s Eleven type film with Catherine Deneuve, Sophia Loren, Joan Collins, and Julie Christie? If Summer 09’ is shaping up to be the season of remakes, how about having a Winter ‘09 of the Cougar! ROAR!

What happened to all those stories that required someone like Jane Fonda to be a crusader? Are those characters all under 45? Did Sharon Stone lose her ability to play sirens with homicidal tendencies once she hit 50? Was Lily Tomlin’s sense of humor revoked when she was issued a Social Security check? Big Hollywood producers should ask themselves these questions.

The teenage demographic might not be terribly interested in seeing a film where the main character is 50+ but there is a large sector of the population that would.

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