I have been fortunate to be invited as a guest to the Television Academy for screenings, receptions, and other events. What’s been exciting is that more shows are featuring fabulous older actresses in leading roles. Below are just some of the events we attended that featured them.
Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie (Netflix) stars Jane Fonda (age 77) and Lily Tomlin. (age 75) Both of their husbands, played by Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston, are long-time law partners who come to the realization that they’re gay. They leave their wives and move in together. Grace and Frankie also move in together and deal with suddenly being single in their later years. Anything with Lily Tomlin in it is bound to be hysterical and she doesn’t disappoint. Jane Fonda shows off her excellent comedy chops and together they’re a winning team.
We watched an episode where Grace (Fonda) is encouraged to try online dating and gets the hots for her doctor played by Corbin Bernson (LA Law). Frankie (Tomlin) freaks out during a small earthquake and hides under a table paralyzed with fear until her ex (Sam Waterston) shows up to calm her down. Just the act of crawling under a table is hard for most people 75 years old, but she crawls under there as if she were 30.
Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (in her 50s) knocks it out of the park in Veep (HBO). As President of the United States Selina Meyer, is irreverent, takes no prisoners, is potty-mouthed, and divorced. She started out as Vice President and became President for 8 months before seeking re-election again.
I can see why she won the Emmy for best actress in a comedy series for 3 years straight. My question is; How the hell does she still look 25? She and Sally Field must have a secret they aren’t sharing that we all need to find out.
American Horror Story Freak Show
click on images to view full size
American Horror Story Freak Show (Hulu) stars Jessica Lange, (60s) Kathy Bates, (60s), and Angela Bassett. (50s) They are all “past their prime” in Hollywood terms but that hasn’t stopped the show from becoming a hit.
Jessica Lange, who looked perfect when I saw her in King Kong (1976) isn’t afraid to swing her arm flaps and can still play a sexy, alluring, and ferocious character. She channels Marlena Dietrich as a psycho bitch who owns a carnival freak show in season 4. Each year the show unravels a new scenario with many of the same actors playing different characters. Last year I loved her as a New Orleans supreme witch who rules a coven.
Kathy Bates can do no wrong in my book. She’s an accomplished and fearless actress who’s been able to succeed in Hollywood, despite the fact that she looks like a REAL woman. She bravely took it all off in “About Schmidt,” when she went skinny dipping with Jack Nicholson. That took guts.
Angela Bassett is exotic, sensual and intense. I haven’t seen her yet as a 3 breasted performer in “Freak Show” but she dug her heels in as Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau in “Coven.” I’ll have to watch my screeners from season 4 as soon as I have a chance.
Warning: American Horror Story Freak Show is gory. I’m not into blood and guts myself, but the show is beautifully photographed and the characters are fascinating. You may have to look away several times during an episode and it’s not recommended to watch at dinner time.
It’s exciting to see older actresses rocking it on the big screen and I don’t mean in a rocking chair. Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep are not the only women over 50 who can carry a show and crush up and coming starlets in the same category.
Who is your favorite actress over 50 and why? Please leave a comment and let’s shout her out.
One actress over 50 I liked was Lillian Gish. She was a pioneer in the early das of film and was a tough 90s born chick(1893) and while she played innocent virgin roles of surviving harsh times in the 20s, she was a firecracker and played tough chicks in her 50s and beyond. I’ve seen a bunch of great films by her from the silent era (Birth of a Nation, Intolerance, Broken Blossoms, The Wind, Orphans of the Storm) and her strong older roles like Night of the Hunter and the Whales of August. She died after roughly 100 years(if you count her 9 months in her mom) and was bada55 and tough and strong to the end.
Hi Chris,
I love Lillian Gish. She was a survivor and was able to make it through when talkies came in. She worked into her 90’s. Since I write often about longevity and what people do in their lives to help them make it to 100 or more, it’s nice that you brought her up. She stayed busy. It’s a key to living a long and fulfilling life.
What fun! You’re quite lucky to get to go to such events. So cool!
I love all the ladies here and can’t even begin to venture who my fave actress over 50 might be. I love Frances McDormand. And Catherine Keener. Plus Helen Mirren. And all you’ve listed here… plus many, many others I can’t even think of at the moment. Admirable women all!
Frances McDormand is amazing, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of Catherine Keener but she’s been nominated for an Academy Award twice. I’ll have to watch out for her. Thanks for the mentions.
I’ve been wanting to sit down and watch Grace and Frankie, but these other two look good as well! I will definitely be looking for these next season!
Hi Rena,
You definitely should watch Grace and Frankie. It’s so funny. We’re going through all our screeners now that most shows are in reruns. It’s so much fun. So many wonderful shows.