Hollywood’s latest action star (and stuntwoman) is a kick-ass 95-year-old grandma
Hands down, June Squibb is one of the most badass women we have ever met.
After winning our hearts and an Oscar nomination for the 2013 film Nebraska, the endlessly talented actress has flipped Hollywood’s obsession with youth on its head. Starting with her first leading film role in the summer hit Thelma and moving toward her next leading role in Scarlett Johansson’s 2025 directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, it’s undeniable: Squibb is having her moment.
Playing a tenacious, strong-willed grandmother dodging danger and delivering laughs, Squibb’s journey to Thelma didn’t follow a fast lane. After over seven decades in theater, TV, and film, Thelma brings out something entirely new in her. This isn’t just any role—Squibb is performing her own stunts, bringing a fierce energy that proves she’s not only a Hollywood gem but a bona fide action hero. “There’s something liberating about a role where I can throw myself in entirely without having to ‘play nice,’” Squibb shared. “Thelma’s got a fire in her, and I think that’s what makes her so relatable.”
In discussing Thelma and her director, Josh Margolin, Squibb’s admiration was evident. “He was great,” she said, describing the energy and respect he inspired on set. “A director becomes like the leader of the pack, and he became that. We all looked to him, we all listened to him.” This wasn’t just a first-time director learning the ropes; according to Squibb, Margolin displayed a natural command. “I’ve worked with a lot of first-time directors, and Josh had such command of what he was doing. His script, his direction—it was phenomenal,” she shared, expressing how his portrayal of an older woman’s power made her feel she had to be part of the project. “He took this older woman and gave her a great deal of strength and the ability to say, ‘I’m going to do something,’ and then do it. That just completely took me away.”
Reflecting on her costar, the late Richard Roundtree, Squibb’s tone softened. She shared a deeply personal memory, recounting how Roundtree had planned to attend their first studio screening but canceled at the last minute due to feeling unwell. “He passed about a week later,” she recalled. The news of his illness and passing came as a shock to the entire cast. “He was so alive on set…he was only 81. He could have worked so much longer,” she noted. She spoke of the privilege of sharing his final performance, expressing her gratitude for being part of his last film. “I’m thrilled that I was able to do the last film with him. If it had to happen, then I’m glad that I was there for that.”
As the conversation turned to awards season, the actress’s characteristic humility shone through. “It would be lovely…a bit of a surprise,” she admitted, her excitement tempered by modesty. Recalling the overwhelming response at Sundance, she was moved by how audiences embraced Thelma. “The reaction blew me away. I had no idea people were going to love it so much,” she said, smiling. For Squibb, awards season isn’t just about recognition—it’s about affirming that her work has connected deeply with viewers. “It would be exciting to have people say, ‘Yeah, you really did a good job,’ because that’s what awards season is really all about.”
Recognition is something this incredible woman deserves. With Thelma, Squibb is challenging Hollywood’s long-standing ideals of what makes a leading lady. And let’s be real—this shift away from outdated standards of youth and beauty couldn’t come soon enough. For years, we’ve seen an industry that too often disregards women over 40, yet thanks to Squibb and like-minded colleagues’ tenacity, we bear witness to a new trend in casting that celebrates resilience, talent, and unapologetic femininity over any bias about age.
Thelma isn’t just about laughs and action scenes (though Squibb brings a killer mix of grit and humor). It’s a film about aging with agency, staying fierce, and rewriting the rules. “Women don’t fade with age; they only get stronger,” she tells us. Balancing her screen roles with family off-screen, Squibb signals that the stories of older women aren’t just worth telling—they’re vital.
While her performance makes her a frontrunner for awards, it’s her exuberant shattering of the glass ceiling that makes her a role model for women of every generation. For younger women, Squibb’s journey is a beacon. She’s proof that careers don’t have to peak before middle age. For older women, she’s a reminder that there’s no age limit on strength, vitality, or a good laugh. While she doesn’t hold back on her humor, she’s serious about paving the way. “Stay true to yourself, and keep pushing boundaries,” she says. “The industry might love youth, but real power lies in experience. Don’t ever let anyone tell you it’s not enough.”
As we wrapped up, Squibb shared advice for all women: “Don’t be afraid to stand your ground; don’t apologize for your voice.” For those of us cheering her on, her words echo what we see in her work—a role model who fights not just for herself, but for the women who will follow.
In a world that equates aging with invisibility, June Squibb’s leading presence on screen isn’t just refreshing; it’s revolutionary.
Author’s note: When our Zoom interview began, I was on edge. My one-year-old daughter, Briar, had decided her nap could wait and burst into the scene with enthusiastic waves to the patient star. I was totally mortified, but June–an experienced grandmother– put me at ease right away, waving back with such warmth that it filled the screen. Before long, Briar drifted off to sleep in my lap, allowing the actress and I to dive into this incredible conversation. The honor of my daughter sharing a moment with a feminist icon such as June is something neither my little one nor I will ever forget.
