: The lack of mid- and late-career roles directly impacts women’s ability to continue working and earning a living in an industry that still favors youth. Icons Leading the 2025 Landscape
: In 2024, only 8 of the 100 top-grossing films featured a woman age 45 or older in a lead or co-lead role. : The lack of mid- and late-career roles
and Judi Dench (91) : Both continue to be powerful presences in film, with Dench standing as one of the most respected senior artists as of 2026. she recently starred in The Substance
: Named the Most Beautiful Woman of 2025 by People Magazine, she recently starred in The Substance , a film that critiques the industry's obsession with youth. : The lack of mid- and late-career roles