Hollywood Loves To Cast Impossibly Young Mothers, And Here Are 11 Depressing Examples To Prove It

Are the misogyny and ageism in the room with us?

We all know Hollywood has a problem with women, especially older women. From Meryl Streep to Elizabeth Banks, numerous actors have spoken out about the way they've been mistreated by the industry because of their gender and age.

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As if it wasn't enough that there are plenty of women speaking on the issue, here are 11 almost unbelievable instances of women playing the mothers of men, when both actors are the same exact age or thereabouts.

1. Jennifer Robertson and Tim Rozon in Schitt's Creek

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Any fan of Schitt's Creek will know who Jocelyn and Mutt Schitt are, but did you know that the actors who play them are only five years apart in age? Despite this minuscule age difference, Jennifer was somehow cast to play Mutt's mother. Mutt's father, on the other hand, was played by Chris Elliott who was born in 1960 and is 62 years of age.

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Jocelyn also manages to become pregnant in season four while being in her 40s and having a son in his 30s, so I guess they would be pretty close in age on the show too. Of her role, Jennifer has said, "The day I found out I booked the role of Jocelyn was great for so many reasons, primarily because I loved the role... I was struggling to find work in LA. [so] I am full of so much gratitude for the last 6 years. It was a wonderful ride, and I will miss everyone."

2. Tom Hanks and Sally Field in Forrest Gump

Paramount Pictures

Despite being only ten years apart in age, Sally played the mother of the eponymous Forrest throughout the entire film, being "aged up" by make-up and costume in later scenes. The funny thing is, not six years before Forrest Gump was released, the pair had played opposite each other as love interests in Punchline.

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Though Sally's work is often cited as an example of ageism in Hollywood, she actually told Newsweek in 2022 that she thought this was not fair. "In Punchline… I play this slightly older woman… And then when we did Forrest Gump, I play a younger version of myself when he was a little boy, and then I age in the middle when he's a young man, and then to very old." She did add, however, that ageism towards women in particular "is still going on".

3. Angelina Jolie and Colin Farrell in Alexander

Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite a truly WILD one year difference in age, Angelina memorably played Colin's mother Queen Olympias in this historical drama from 2004. By contrast, his father (King Philip II) was played by Val Kilmer, who is 17 years Colin's senior.

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As with Sally Field in Forrest Gump, the Queen Olympias character "ages" throughout the film, but is always played by Angelina. Alexander, however, is played by three different actors at different stages in his life. Speaking at the time to Female, Angelina said, "I couldn't understand the aspects of the mother, who she was, how that would work, and I didn't really know what the history meant and didn't really know her... But I read it and really connected to her."

4. Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman in Aquaman

Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite being only 12 years old than him, the legendary Nicole Kidman was cast to play Jason's mother – Atlanna – in the 2018 film. Obviously this is the fantasy genre, so we can let things slide a little; however, it should also be pointed out that Jason's father is played by Temuera Morrison who is nearly 20 years older than him.

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Nicole has spoken out about her experience of ageism in Hollywood, telling Dujour that there's "a consensus in the industry that as a female actor, at about 40, you're done". Of her Aquaman role, Nicole told Variety that in "the context of the superhero world, it all evens out... Atlanna doesn't really age."

5. Jennifer Coolidge and Nicolas Cage in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

First Look Studios

Jennifer plays the step-mother of Nicolas Cage's character in this black comedy about a corrupt policeman. Obviously, we know that step-parents can sometimes be much younger than the biological parents of a person, but it says a lot that in a movie which doesn't really focus on this fact of life, Jennifer was cast.

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In an interview at the time of the film's release, Jennifer told reporters than Nic Cage couldn't be more brilliant and that movie had been exciting to make. Interestingly, Nic's love interest was played by Eva Mendes who is 10 years his junior. Jennifer recently also played Josh Duhamel's mother in Shotgun Wedding, despite being only 11 years older than Josh, who is 50.

6. Angela Lansbury and Laurence Harvey in The Manchurian Candidate

United Artists

It might be an iconic film, but did you know that the mother and son characters in this 1962 movie were played by actors only three years apart in age?! After taking a break to have her children, Angela returned to cinema in the early 1960s, and soon found herself becoming typecast as the older, maternal figure. It was later revealed in a biography of her life that the actor felt Hollywood made her old before her time, with Angela commenting that the would receive fan mail in her 20s from people who thought she was in her 40s.

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While many believe the role of Eleanor Iselin was a career high for Angela, it was nonetheless a challenge for the famed actor. "It was pretty foolhardy", she told TCM Classic Film Festival host Robert Osborne. "I was just beginning to do big drama, so put my faith in [John Frankenheimer, director] and that marvelous script by George Axelrod".

7. Samuel L. Jackson and Charlayne Woodard in Glass

Universal Pictures

If you can believe it, Charlayne is actually five years younger than her Glass and Unbreakable co-star, Samuel! Critics have praised her performance as Mrs. Price – who doesn't even have a full name – and the actor has described working on Glass as "a gift from Heaven".

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The age difference sparked controversy online with Twitter users pointing out that while Charlayne's casting worked in Unbreakable because she appeared in flashbacks, filmmakers should've cast an older actor for Glass. Of her role, Charlayne has said she felt indebted to the old age makeup she wore to play the part. "It was great... I'm older — had to wear prosthetics, which was a real challenge for me because I'm claustrophobic... but it also helped my work on the mother."

8. Elizabeth Taylor and Dennis Hopper in Giant

Warner Bros. Pictures

Dennis played screen icon Elizabeth Taylor's son in this 1956 western drama film. He portrayed the grown-up version of his character and, at the time of release, was 20 years old to Liz's 24. Rock Hudson, by contrast, was 31, which is still not much older than his on screen "son".

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Elizabeth was an outspoken reformer for many decades, especially around gay right and AIDS. On ageing in the industry, the Golden Age star once said in an interview, "I felt so proud of being 40... and I felt the same way when I was 50... I just thought it was a wonderful thing". She also added that she didn't want to become an actor who relied on work for her "mental stability" or to boost her "ego".

9. Mel Gibson and Glenn Close in Hamlet

Warner Bros.

Centuries ago, men and women did do certain things earlier on in life. Even so, I think the idea that Gertrude could've had her son Hamlet at nine years old is farfetched, to say the least. Because that's the age difference between Glenn and Mel! Ophelia, by contrast, was played Helena Bonham Carter who was 24 at the time of release, to Mel's 34 years of age.

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Somewhat perversely, in his review of the film, Roger Ebert described Glenn's performance as bringing "an element of true mothering that is sometimes absent from Gertrude." In regards to ageism in Hollywood, Glenn has said, it's "kind of ironic, because we're at the peak of our power... I think actually the advent of cable, and all the other places where people can express themselves, will hopefully be helpful for women."

10. Rachel Griffiths and Johnny Depp in Blow

New Line Cinema

In another instance similar to the Samuel L. Jackson/Charlayne Woodard example, Rachel played Johnny's mother in the 2001 crime drama despite being five years his junior. Again, Rachel plays his mother throughout the movie and ages from 21 to 70, meanwhile Johnny's character – George – is played by him and a younger actor.

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Rachel once told reporters she took some convincing to do the film, even turning it down in favour of having a break from acting. The director – Ted Demme – persisted, sending her the script to read. "I read it finally and was bewildered as to why he even wanted me for this, after all, she's too old and nasty", Rachel told FEMALE. She eventually agreed because she wanted to work with the rest of the cast.

11. Winona Ryder and Zachary Quinto in Star Trek

Paramount Pictures

Despite being only six years his senior, Winona was cast in the 2009 Star Trek movie as Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson. Outlets at the commented on the age difference, with Winona herself expressing that it was "wild" to join the film. She went to describe her co-stars Zachary and Chris Pine as "so young and so excited".

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Winona has told reporters she embraces her age. "I love getting older", she told The Edit magazine. Choosing to shun those who suggest she has cosmetic surgery, the actor said of her wrinkles, "I've been waiting so long for that to happen!" She did, however, admit that ageism is a thing and that getting hired as an older woman can be "tough".

Did any of these surprise you? Perhaps you have other thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments below!