Ah, turning 40.  It’s a big number for those of us that haven’t reached this milestone, but it’s especially significant for actresses in Hollywood.  The entertainment industry would like to think that it adapts so that actresses can find challenging roles as they age, but the reality is that opportunities shift as women get past 40.

Historically female actors have had a tough time working in an industry that does not value age and experience very well.  This year a number of major actresses turn 40 including Jennifer Aniston, Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones to name a few, and each are talented and box office popular in their own right for the movies they have starred in over the years. 

However in a youth obsessed culture will they continue to receive sought after, meaty parts that will utilize their skills?  40 is a birthday many female stars in Hollywood dread and agonize over and for good reason.  As their male counterparts get older they can comfortably play the “older good looking suitor” and hero for years to come without worrying about a few extra wrinkles, and can regard their grey hair as a sophisticated and sexy right of passage.  However women often find that they start to be cast in different roles to reflect their age, not their talent.

Happily a tide may be turning as the slew of actresses turning 40 this year are embracing their age, not hiding from it.  This generation could help change the old stereotypes about women in Hollywood and in a culture obsessed with entertainment this is undoubtedly a good thing. 

However industry experts will point out that while these stars will have more options to have long, distinguished careers thanks to independent films and television, opinions are mixed on whether they can sustain a big Hollywood presence.  Men are viable as box office leads far longer because they can continually draw big ticket sales worldwide.  Yet it seems like the opportunity for aging women to land lead roles in major studio films is running out.   

These days the movie industry is more obsessed with making comic book movies or big-action, special-effect films in which women are mostly decorative objects for their on-screen looks.  As a result, there are few lead roles in big-budget films for established female stars who crave dramatic and challenging opportunities. 

Regardless of the uphill battle actresses must face, there have been bright spots in recent years that show there’s an audience craving material that can be done well only by older women.  The Sex and the City movie last year was a smash hit, so much so that they are making a sequel.  Meryl Streep has broken every Hollywood glass ceiling multiple times and continues to wow audiences with her many juicy roles that amazes us with her talent.  In addition actresses of all ages are finding challenging parts on television, especially the cable channels.

It may not be a gigantic shift, but a tide is turning with regards to aging actresses (which in case anyone didn’t notice, everyone will eventually age so we might as well get used to it).  They remain popular, and it’s nice to see that 40 and 50 something actresses are still gracing the cover of magazines just like their 20 something counterparts. 

Perhaps Hollywood is finally realizing that women are living longer, healthier and more interesting lives and that being beautiful is not just reserved for those just out of college.  Thankfully audiences are realizing this too and the fan base has broadened for these actresses and the desire to see dynamic female characters in movies.   The stories you can tell about older women are deeper and more thrilling, and I look forward to seeing what this talented group of actresses do in the next phase of their careers.