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Getting Old in Hollywood
Getting Old in Hollywood

Zero Conditional

Date: Mar 30 2011

Themes: Celebrity

Grammar: Zero Conditional

Intro

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Getting old is bad enough without having to worry about whether or not you’ll lose your job because of a couple of extra wrinkles. But in Hollywood, that’s exactly what can happen.

Actresses in particular have trouble getting roles as they age. Women who were once the stars of everything from dramas to romantic comedies suddenly find that they can only get cast as younger actresses’ mothers.

On the other hand, some stars don’t hit their prime until they become a little more mature. Find out what Marni and Mason think about getting old in Hollywood.

Dialog

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Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  Mason, do you think it’s true what they say, that you can’t get old in Hollywood?

Mason:  I don’t know. I actually think that some of the people, comedians particularly, that I have been following have not had a lot of success until they’re, you know, almost 40 or so. But what were you thinking about?

Marni:  Well I guess I was thinking of, you know, actresses in particular who find it harder to get roles as they age and start getting wrinkles.

Mason:  I mean, I find it’s really about if you start as a young actor or actress, it is very hard to sustain your career. Like think of Haley Joel Osment, the kid from A.I. and The Sixth Sense. I think he’s kinda done. And I think there are other people who don’t find their real success until later in life. There’s an actress I like a lot named Patricia Clarkson...

Marni:  She’s great.

Mason:  ...Who gets a lot of great work and great roles now, but like didn’t really have anything major until she was in her forties or so.

Marni:  So there’s always those kind of exceptions to the rule, and then you have those classic actresses and actors like Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson who don’t seem to have that problem, I mean they keep getting really interesting roles. So I think it’s all about, you know, the craft and about your talent, I guess.

 

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Discussion

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Marni thinks it is hard to get old in Hollywood, especially if you’re a woman. But Mason disagrees. He thinks that some actors and actresses’ careers get better as they get older. He says that this is especially true for comedians.

Mason also says that aging in Hollywood is harder for actors and actresses who became famous when they were very young. He mentions one actor who was a star as a child and now has a harder time getting good roles.

There are also some actors who are considered classic and who continue to get good roles despite their age. Marni mentions Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. But she thinks they are exceptions to the rule. In general, getting old in Hollywood isn’t easy.

Do you think Hollywood prefers younger actors and actresses? Is it hard to get old in your profession?

 

Comments

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whipiry

whipiry

South Korea

wrinkles may express many experiences and talent , but nowadays people, especially young people , tend to like young stars. but  I  want to see  as they age, they could hit their prime as many as possible.

01:54 AM Mar 30 2011 |

jackyavril

jackyavril

Taiwan

Well, the actors who became famous when they were very young should keep on hard working on their performances.  But it's the truth that they cant get good roles when they're getting older.  I'm wondering why?

01:27 AM Mar 30 2011 |

beov

beov

Brazil

I think hollywood prefers younger actresses, but i guess if they are good, they have to continue because a good actor independent of age. 

12:32 AM Mar 30 2011 |

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