How Emma Thompson Responds To Anyone Who Says She's Too Old

When 36-year-old Emma Thompson starred alongside 35-year-old Hugh Grant in 1995's "Sense and Sensibility," there were comments made about the relatively small age difference. “I remember somebody saying to me that I was too old for Hugh Grant, who’s like a year younger than me," Thompson said in a recent interview with Vulture . "I said, ‘Do you want to go take a flying leap?’”

And it's a problem in Hollywood that hasn't improved, according to the 56-year-old actress. “The age thing is insane," Thompson said. "I remember saying years and years ago, when I was 35, that they’d have to exhume somebody to play my leading man … Nothing’s changed in that regard. If anything, it’s got worse.”

Indeed, while actors at Thompson's age often find themselves paired with love interests in their 20s, Thompson's latest film, "A Walk in the Woods," matches her up with veteran actor Robert Redford, 79. 

Thompson is in good company with numerous other actresses who have bemoaned Hollywood's problem with aging women. Earlier this year, 37-year-old actress Maggie Gyllenhaal spoke out on the issue when she revealed execs had told her she was "too old" to play opposite a 55-year-old. Gyllenhaal's comments only seemed to pave the way for other actresses to speak out. In June, outspoken actress Helen Mirren said the problem was "outrageous" and "annoying." "We all watched James Bond as he got more and more geriatric," Mirren said at a press event in June. "His girlfriends got younger and younger. It’s so annoying."

Quite right.

Also on HuffPost: