Notable mature women in entertainment:
Despite high-profile successes, the overall data on representation for mature women remains sobering. A 2025 study by Dr. Martha Lauzen of San Diego State University found that once actresses hit 40, leading roles become scarce, in stark contrast to their male peers. While 41% of female characters are in their 30s, that figure plummets to just 16% for those in their 40s. For men, roles increase as they age, with more than half (54%) of major male characters over 40, compared to only 29% of female characters. The disparity is even more pronounced for older demographics, where there are more than twice as many major male characters in their 60s as female characters. This scarcity is felt acutely by actresses who speak out about their experiences. Geena Davis, a longtime gender-equity advocate, flatly stated that things have not improved for women over 50. Jessica Lange echoed this sentiment, noting that sexism and ageism in Hollywood "certainly hasn't changed that much" since the mid-20th century. annabelle rogers kelly payne milfs take son top
While representation is a moral imperative, the driving force behind this shift is also economic. Hollywood has finally realized a simple truth: Women make the majority of household purchasing decisions, and they buy movie tickets. While 41% of female characters are in their