Until 45 I can play a woman in love. After 55 I can play grandmothers. But between those ten years, it is difficult for an actress.
I've seen young actresses have major falls from their career, and that's just not what I want.
This was an actress who, for twenty years, had the world at her feet. She kicked it away, and the ball rolled out of her reach.
I never thought I had a career. I think Meryl Streep has a career. I have jobs that I am lucky to get... I'm one of those actresses who never turns down a part, no matter how small. I don't have the luxury of picking and choosing. I take everything.
Believe me, it's not easy being an actress and a producer, especially with no big daddy to support you.
It's very hard as an Asian actress to get seen for anything which isn't specifically Asian in England.
Unfortunately, I was branded as a glamour actress and was forced to do only glamour roles.
What is the difference between an actress over 50 and an actress with a disability? Nothing. They both can't find work.
The terrifying thing in my life is that I am just an actress. And I have to keep pushing it and getting approval, approval, approval or I don’t think I’m worth two cents. And I am starting to get over it, thank God. And I’m just sad because I don’t have many years left and I wish I had a longer space of time to think that Elaine Stritch is okay.
I have drive, for sure. You have to. It's a tough business; there are a lot of actresses and not a lot of great roles. I don't want to complain because I'm so grateful.
I was not treated like a serious young actress, and that was very hard. It sent me into psychotherapy, which is one of the smartest things I ever did. It taught me that I had to find value in myself.
Acting in a heroine-oriented film is a tough job.
I feel very protective of younger actresses, because it was so hard for me in the business.
Viola Davis is a perfect example of somebody who's so much better than the parts she has the opportunity to play.
The whole subject with weight pressure worries me because a lot of young actresses are really unhealthy. It didn't happen to me when I was younger because I grew up in South Carolina in a very safe and secure environment.
I'm not skinny for the wrong reasons. It's not because I'm bulimic or anorexic or doing drugs. Compared to a lot of actresses my age, I'm actually overweight.
After Halle Berry does her films and Queen Latifah does her films, it's left to all the black, Latino and Asian actresses to fight over a couple of roles. I opted for some TV. There's just not a ton of work in film.
It's difficult to find an actress prepared to play a fading star.
If you are an actress in L.A., on your 40th birthday they should just hand you the keys to the lunatic asylum.
It's always possible as an actress that your last job could really be your last job.
I feel strongly for the younger actresses when a lot of their career is based on how they look. That must be hard when your looks begin to go and you haven't built up the wealth of character parts to get into something else.
I've been trying to get cast as a lesbian for years.
I've always had this American-pie face that would get work in commercials... I'd say things like, 'Hi, Marge, how's your laundry?' and 'Hi, I'm a real nice Georgia peach.' Sometimes this work is one step above being a cocktail waitress.
I once literally had a casting director ask my agent, 'Can she play anything other than a drunk?'
People assume that I'm this trashy motel girl, and that those are the only roles I can play, but I really take it seriously, and I know that I can do more.
