Introduction to the Wisdom of Older People
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of older people’s wisdom, stating that they have a lot to teach about navigating uncertainty, solving conflicts, and building solidarity across generations. On the International Day of the United Nations, Guterres highlighted that older people are powerful agents of change.
The Enduring Appeal of Older Actors
A look at some of the top assessment films and recent history shows that older actors can have a lasting attraction. The Netflix film "The Thursday Murder Club" (2025), based on the best-selling novel by Richard Osman, features four pensioners who enjoy solving cold cases. The film boasts a veteran lineup, including Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren, who recently turned 80, and Ben Kingsley, who is a year older. Pierce Brosnan and Celia Imrie, both in their 70s, also star in the film.
Comic Legends Leading the Streaming Charts
The television series "Only Murders in the Building" has been running since 2021, with experienced comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short leading the show. Now 80, Martin and his co-star Short continue to entertain audiences with their comedic talents. The show has been a huge success, with Hulu announcing in 2021 that it was the most viewed comedy on the platform. Steve Martin and Martin Short play two baby boomers who team up with a young millennial, Selena Gomez, to solve a whodunit.
The Power of Aging
Meryl Streep, now 76, also has a supporting role in "Only Murders in the Building" and has spoken about aging. "One day you wake up and notice that your youth has disappeared, but with it, so has uncertainty, hurry, and the need to please," she said. Steve Martin, who also published a book of his letters this year, was interviewed by Jimmy Kimmel in July when he turned 80. "I feel very comfortable," he said. "Be honest with yourself… I decided to hug it."
Older People on the Big Screen
As early as 1993, two 70ish Hollywood legends, Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau, played in the summer holiday hit "Grumpy Old Men," reviving the art of comedic timing with great cash success. Clint Eastwood has also continued his career behind the camera, directing and starring in films like "Gran Torino" (2008) at the age of 78. In his late career, Eastwood has combined the most important topics of his filmography, including family, war, loss, faith, and unexpected human connection.
Embracing Mortality
Hollywood A-Listers like George Clooney, the 64-year-old star of "Jay Kelly" (2025), have recently started to confront their mortality. "If you can’t make peace with aging, you have to get out of the business and just disappear," said Clooney recently. However, as Helen Mirren and Steve Martin illustrate, the show can continue for many older people. "My spirit is the age I am in," said Mirren in a recent interview. "If you say ‘youthful,’ I’m not full of young people. I am full of life that I’ve lived up to this point. I prefer this sentence. You are so full of life."
