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Hollywood is a brutal business. For aspiring stars, breaking into the industry is far from an easy task. Many might land background or supporting roles, but snagging a leading part is another story. Sometimes, it can take years or even not even happen at all. But it really is never too late to get that one big break — case in point: this star who just earned her first leading role at the age of 94:June Squibb.
June Squibb is no stranger to Hollywood. While people might not know her name, they’ve almost certainly seen something she acted in. She’s appeared in films likeAbout Schmidt, Nebraska, Alice, The Age of Innocence,andPalm Springs,among numerous others. But Hulu’sThelma,which first debuted at the 2024 Sundance,marked the now 95-year-old’s first time earning top billing. It’s surprising that it took this long, as Squibb has established herself as a reliable supporting player over her nearly 70-year entertainment career. And if her performance inThelmais any indication, she should have jumped to A-list status a long time ago. So let’s look at Squibb’s career, her title role as Thelma, and why it might have taken so long for her to get that “big break.”
June Squibb’s Debut and Early Roles
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Long before her career on screen, June Squibb started on stage. In the early 1950s, she starred in several local and off-Broadway productions.She upgraded to Broadway in the late ’50s and early ’60s with shows likeGypsyandThe Happy Time. The ’60s and ’70s were relatively quiet for Squibb, after which she made her first TV appearance in 1985. She starred in one of those oldCBS Schoolbreak Specialprograms, which earned her a SAG-AFTRA membership. She followed this up with a string of supporting roles in the ’90s, such asAlice, Scent of a Woman,In & Out,and Meet Joe Black.
Tom Cruise Gave His Blessing for Thelma to Use Mission: Impossible Footage
Tom Cruise himself approved the Mission: Impossible footage seen in Thelma, which features 94-year-old June Squibb performing most of her own stunts.
Squibb arguably first broke into the mainstream with her performance in 2013’sNebraska. Appearing as the wife of Bruce Dern’s character, Squibb earned rave reviews and multiple award nominations for her performance. Thenominations included an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG Award, Critic’s Choice Award, and Satellite Award, with Squibb winning the Satellite. But the best by far was an AARP Movies for Grownups Award nod, which recognizes films made for people over the age of 50.
This newfound recognition didn’t propel her to leading status just yet. She continued her string of film and TV guest appearances, though more frequently than in past years.One of these roles included “Meemaw” onThe Big Bang Theory, though Squibb admittedly looks nothing like the younger version played by Annie Potts onYoung Sheldon.
Squibb Is a Leading Name in ‘Thelma’
Squibb finally headlined the 2024action-comedyThelma. She stars as the titular figure, a grandmother who loses $10,000 after falling victim to a phone scam. But rather than give up, she sets out to hunt down the scammers who robbed her. Squibb stars alongside Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Malcolm McDowell, and Richard Roundtree (ofShaftfame) in his last role before passing. Squibb excels in the gig, even performingher own stunts! To be fair, she was 94, so most involved just rolling on and off a bed.
It helps that she looks just like everyone’s grandma, complete with a sweater, wrinkles, and white hair.The “elderly person is secretly a tough bada*s” is a trope we’ve seen before. But Squibb balances Thelma’s need for vengeance with those traditional grandmotherly traits, like an aversion to technology. The film pairs the absurdity of Thelma’s situation with the heavy realities of the aging process. For example, when trying to recruit some friends to help her reclaim her money, Thelma discovers most have passed away. The scene’s played for laughs, but under the surface, it’s a harsh reminder that growing old can be a lonely process.
Squibb picked up more nominations for this role, including an Independent Spirit Award and additional Satellite and AARP nods. Thelma isn’t a one-off opportunity for Squibb, either. She’s next set to lead Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut,Eleanor the Great. That film reportedly centers on a 90-year-old woman (Squibb) who forms a friendship with a 19-year-old college student. Things are looking up for Squibb, who unfortunately began her year on a low note with a two-episode arc onVelma.
So why did it take so long for Squibb to headline a project? Hollywood definitely hasissues with ageismand sexism, so that could be the reason. It’s also possible that Squibb just wasn’t seeking out leading roles. She had steady gigs as a supporting player, and that’s all that some stars ascribe to. But whatever the reason for the long delay, Squibb nailed it inThelma. She proved she could easily hold her own with stars 70 years younger than her, and we’re here for whatever other projects she’s able to headline.StreamThelmaonHulu.
