Here Are 9 Frustrating Times Actors Played Another Actor's Mum, When They Were Basically The Same Age As Them

CBC

CBC

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, despite 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."

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 particularly towards women "is still going on".

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."

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."

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 old than Josh, who is 50.

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 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".

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 the film 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."

Warner Bros.

Centuries ago, men and women did do certain things earlier on in life. Even so, I think the idea that Gertrude could have 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, is 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, the star 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."

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 get hired as an older woman can be "tough".