When I signed on to my first agent four years ago, she told me that there was a need for "older" actors, yet today I simply see very few roles for those past 60. I am 71, live in Texas and am represented by agents in Austin and Dallas. Does this trend seem to exist elsewhere?
Acting : Roles For the Elderly by Ray Watters
Roles For the Elderly
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Hi Ray, Elderly?? You're a spring chicken yet. My grandma in south Georgia is 90 and still kickin! Maybe one of the agent/managers on this site will see this and respond. But I imagine its market specific to some degree. My thinking is that most elderly roles are going to show up in TV (where most roles of any kind are). TV shoots 90% in LA. Thus thinking most elderly roles would be casting in LA. And tv casting is rarely going to see a self tape from Texas. Their turn around time is too fast. They're often casting today to shoot tomorrow for these co-star/guest star roles. Anyway, I'm not elderly nor an agent, but as an ongoing student of the business of acting, that is what comes to mind for me. Maybe others will have more specific data. Keep pushing Ray! Chris actorbasics.com
Thanks, Chris! Yep...last year I was sitting in makeup trailer on the set of "Dallas". I commented that I hoped the makeup lady could get rid of my wrinkles. Judith Light was sitting two chairs away and said, "If she could do that, we'd make billions!" I replied that at age 70 I earned every wrinkle I had. Linda Gray had just walked in, got right in my face and said, "How old did you say you are ?" I said 70. She said, "You're just a kid!" Loved it!
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Haha. that's awesome Ray. Good stories :)