[Article] Naomi Watts and other actresses over 40 have better careers now

Naomi Watts and fellow actresses have better careers as they age

by Joe Pascente, collegenews.com

Naomi Watts, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock and Annette Bening are just a few of the actresses who are happy about the roles they are getting after turning 40. Many of these actresses in Hollywood are starting to produce their own films, such as Nicole Kidman, and get to play new roles. Also, studios are paying attention to who is buying tickets these days in the movie theaters: women older than 40 are buying 55 percent of the tickets sold.

Naomi Watts, 42, said, “There was a time where people weren’t interested in female-driven dramas. But Sandra Bullock winning … had an effect, and we’re in a good place right now. My career is, in a way, better than ever. When you’re over 40 that’s not supposed to be the case, but it is.”

Nicole Kidman, 43, said, “Unless I produce, it’s rare that I get to read scripts of substance. I read books and go, ‘OK, let’s option this.’ The expectation on the budget needs to be realistic, but it can be done.”

Tilda Swinton, 50, believes after 40 she was taken more seriously. “By 40, people know what you can do,” Swinton says. “And when you’ve been working for a fair amount of time, there’s a confidence in your own ability.”

Actresses that are in their 20’s and 30’s usually play the “girlfriend” role. When they reach 40, they are finally seen as “real people” with real problems and concerns. Hellen Mirren, 65, said, “I was very lucky when I was no longer the juicy young thing anymore. That was when I was asked to do ‘Prime Suspect,’ and that took me into the next generation of work. Sometimes you have to make an effort to find that bridge for yourself.”

Our take: It seems as though these actresses have amazing careers that continue to grow and expand beyond their wildest dreams into their prime ages. In Hollywood, age can definitely be a factor of either getting the job or not, but times seem to be changing for the better. Actresses don’t have to worry as much about not getting a role because they aren’t the newest sexy 20-something anymore. There are quality roles to be had as an actress ages and they should look forward to challenging roles as they age.