Rossellini on Hollywood Ageism: 'Never Old Enough'

Isabella Rossellini, daughter of screen legend Ingrid Bergman, has spoken about the peculiar challenges of aging in the public eye. Rossellini, who has had a multifaceted career as an actress, model, and farmer, noted a strange shift in Hollywood's perception of her age. She explained that whereas in her younger years she was often told she wasn't young enough for certain parts, she now finds that for current roles, she is paradoxically considered not old enough, or makeup is used to make her appear older.

Rossellini also reflected on her mother's experiences with ageism, recalling how Ingrid Bergman faced rejection from Hollywood well before her death at 67. Bergman experienced a significant setback when a scandal affected her career, and later, she was deemed too old for Hollywood after her divorce. While Bergman continued to work in theater and internationally, her age was a source of suffering, a sentiment Rossellini acknowledges persists for actresses today, though progress has been made.

The landscape for mature actresses has seen some changes, with women like Nicole Kidman becoming producers and developing their own material. The rise of streaming has also opened doors by reaching diverse audiences, including those who cannot easily access cinemas. Rossellini believes these developments have lessened discrimination against older actresses compared to her mother's era, but concedes that age-based bias still exists in the industry.