Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
As of 2026, data reveals a persistent decline in opportunities for women as they age, while male actors often see their career trajectories rise in the same period.
Not a single film in the 2025 top-grossing list featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading or co-leading role.
Recent studies from the Geena Davis Institute highlight that when mature women are on screen, they are often confined to specific archetypes: Study: Hollywood Discriminates Against Older Actors - AARP
Despite recent high-profile award wins for mature actresses, the entertainment industry continues to grapple with a significant "gendered ageism" gap. While audiences age 50+ make up over and express a strong desire for authentic representation, women over 40 remain vastly underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. 1. The Representation Gap: Statistics & Trends
In 2025, only four women over 45 played leads in Hollywood's top 100 films, compared to 31 men in the same age bracket.