Hollywood’s sexist age gap? | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Entertainment
Movies
Television
Celebrity
More
Movies Television Celebrity
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Movies
Television
Celebrity

Follow CNN
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Entertainment

Hollywood’s sexist age gap?

Published 12:52 PM EDT, Fri May 22, 2015
Link Copied!
Hollywood has long paired aging male stars with much younger female love interests. Take Jack Nicholson, who was 60 when he romanced Helen Hunt, 34, in 1997's "As Good As it Gets." Here's a look at some other big movie age gaps.
Hollywood has long paired aging male stars with much younger female love interests. Take Jack Nicholson, who was 60 when he romanced Helen Hunt, 34, in 1997's "As Good As it Gets." Here's a look at some other big movie age gaps.
From Tristar pictures
These big age gaps date back to Hollywood's so-called Golden Era. In 1942 Humphrey Bogart, then 43, was coupled with Ingrid Bergman, 27, in "Casablanca."
These big age gaps date back to Hollywood's so-called Golden Era. In 1942 Humphrey Bogart, then 43, was coupled with Ingrid Bergman, 27, in "Casablanca."
TURNER THEATRICAL LIBRARY
There was a 32-year age gap between Liam Neeson, then 61, and on-screen lover Olivia Wilde, 29, in "Third Person." Maybe that's why they look so disconnected.
There was a 32-year age gap between Liam Neeson, then 61, and on-screen lover Olivia Wilde, 29, in "Third Person." Maybe that's why they look so disconnected.
Harrison Ford, then 55, with Anne Heche, 29, in the romantic comedy "Six Days, Seven Nights." Critics panned the movie for the couple's lack of chemistry onscreen.
Harrison Ford, then 55, with Anne Heche, 29, in the romantic comedy "Six Days, Seven Nights." Critics panned the movie for the couple's lack of chemistry onscreen.
From Caravan Pictures
Johnny Depp, then 48, starred with Bella Heathcote, 24, in "Dark Shadows." Depp's heavy makeup helped mask the age difference.
Johnny Depp, then 48, starred with Bella Heathcote, 24, in "Dark Shadows." Depp's heavy makeup helped mask the age difference.
From Warner Bros.
Denzel Washington was 57 when his alcoholic pilot romanced Kelly Reilly, 35, in "Flight."
Denzel Washington was 57 when his alcoholic pilot romanced Kelly Reilly, 35, in "Flight."
From Paramount Pictures
Sure, Tom Cruise still looks youthful. Even so, he was 50 when paired with Olga Kurylenko, 33, in "Oblivion."
Sure, Tom Cruise still looks youthful. Even so, he was 50 when paired with Olga Kurylenko, 33, in "Oblivion."
From Universal Pictures
Financier Richard Gere, then 63, and Laetitia Casta, 34, in "Arbitrage." She played his mistress.
Financier Richard Gere, then 63, and Laetitia Casta, 34, in "Arbitrage." She played his mistress.
From Green Groom Films
Steve Carell was 45 when he co-starred with Anne Hathaway, then 25, in "Get Smart."
Steve Carell was 45 when he co-starred with Anne Hathaway, then 25, in "Get Smart."
From Warner Home Entertainment
Colin Firth, 53, and Emma Stone, 25, in "Magic in the Moonlight." She eventually fell for him in the movie, of course.
Colin Firth, 53, and Emma Stone, 25, in "Magic in the Moonlight." She eventually fell for him in the movie, of course.
From Gravier Productions
Leading roles for actresses in Hollywood often dry up before they turn 40. Michael Douglas, then 54, was paired with Gwyneth Paltrow, 26, as husband and wife in 1999's "A Perfect Murder." We haven't seen Paltrow, now 42, in many romantic parts lately.
Leading roles for actresses in Hollywood often dry up before they turn 40. Michael Douglas, then 54, was paired with Gwyneth Paltrow, 26, as husband and wife in 1999's "A Perfect Murder." We haven't seen Paltrow, now 42, in many romantic parts lately.
From Warner Bros.
Bradley Cooper was a youthful-looking 37 when he appeared in "Silver Linings Playbook." His co-star, Jennifer Lawrence, was a much more youthful 22.
Bradley Cooper was a youthful-looking 37 when he appeared in "Silver Linings Playbook." His co-star, Jennifer Lawrence, was a much more youthful 22.
From The Weinstein Company

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Entertainment
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.