Actress At 37 Past Prime? Maggie Gyllenhaal Loses Role Of Lover To 55-Year-Old Male Star, Charges Sexism And Ageism

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is 37-years-old, was recently told that her age made her unsuitable to take on the role of a lover to a 55-year-old star. And now Maggie is fighting back by attacking the entertainment industry, in particular Hollywood, as guilty of sexism and ageism, reported Contact Music.

Gyllenhaal’s revelations follow the controversy that occurred when Rebel Wilson, who listed her age as 29, was accused of lying about her age, which some reports indicated is 35. But although Maggie accuses Hollywood of making it difficult for women to get roles as they get older, she’s trying to stay positive.

“A lot of actresses are doing incredible work right now, playing real women, complicated women,” said the 37-year-old actress. “I don’t feel despairing at all. And I’m more looking with hope for something fascinating.”

At the same time, Gyllenhaal admits that her emotions after being told that she was not qualified to act with a 55-year-old male star because of her age ran the gamut from anger to sorrow, reported the Wrap.

“There are things that are really disappointing about being an actress in Hollywood that surprise me all the time. I’m 37 and I was told recently I was too old to play the lover of a man who was 55. It was astonishing to me. It made me feel bad, and then it made me feel angry, and then it made me laugh.”

And Maggie isn’t alone in attacking the entertainment industry for discrimination. The ACLU issued a formal request to both federal and state agencies regarding gender discrimination. If they comply, the investigation by those agencies would include talent agencies, networks, and studios.

In a study by the San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, female characters comprise 12 percent of the leading roles in 2014. That number is four percent lower than in 2002.

However, Jane Fonda is continuing to find roles and says that she’s feeling fit and fabulous at 77, as the Inquisitr reported.

Jane has expressed concern that many women try to hide from the aging process, as noted in her book Women Coming of Age.

“Our lives end up consisting of three phases: being young, pretending to be young, and old age. The whole rich middle period is lost,” reflects Fonda.

And when it comes to staying in their prime, her advice to other women focuses on fitness.

“I believe in fitness. Whether you’re young, whether you’re old, whether you’ve been exercising or just starting. It’s important. Maybe the most important thing in having a successful, long life,” said the 77-year-old actress.

[Photo by Brian Harkin/Getty Images]