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Study: Films Favor “Chris” Leads, Older Women Rare

5/26/2026

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Summary

Emma Thompson Urges

The University of West London study found six top-grossing 2023-2025 films had a lead named Chris, while only five featured a woman over 60.
Films were four times more likely to feature a talking-animal lead than an older-woman lead.
Emma Thompson said older women deserve more screen stories and urged industry change.
A poll found 39% of women think there are too few older-female leads, and 16% would be more likely to watch them.

Summary

Yeoh Wins

Michelle Yeoh won the Best Actress Oscar in 2023 at age 60.
Observers view the win as a possible turning point for older actresses.
Only seven actresses over 60 have ever won the Best Actress Oscar.
Jessica Tandy and Katharine Hepburn are the only two who won after age 70.
The average age of Best Actress nominees has risen from 33 in the 1940s to 44 today.

History

Historical Context

At the 1994 Oscars, 80-year-old Jessica Tandy became the oldest actress to win Best Actress for *Driving Miss Daisy*, capping a career that featured a 1948 Tony for *A Streetcar Named Desire*. Her victory underscored a decades-long journey from London stages to Hollywood’s highest honor and inspired future generations of performers.

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Emma Thompson Urges

The University of West London study found six top-grossing 2023-2025 films had a lead named Chris, while only five featured a woman over 60.
Films were four times more likely to feature a talking-animal lead than an older-woman lead.
Emma Thompson said older women deserve more screen stories and urged industry change.
A poll found 39% of women think there are too few older-female leads, and 16% would be more likely to watch them.

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