June Squibb’s Surprise Stardom at 95: Acting Success and Youth Aspirations

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June Squibb, speaking from her LA residence, chuckles as she says, ‘I might just lose it if I’m referred to as an ‘icon’ again!’

This past year has been exceptionally fruitful for the 95-year-old actress. Last year, her first leading role in “Thelma” was a phenomenal success at the specialty box office, raking in over $12 million worldwide and breaking Magnolia’s two-decade-long record as their highest-grossing film. Moreover, she lends her voice to a character in “Inside Out 2”, which currently holds the title of the highest-grossing animated movie ever made. Such an impressive streak is something that even veteran entertainers like her could only fantasize about.

Despite appreciating the attention as Hollywood’s preferred nonagenarian, Squibb sometimes finds the excessive admiration a bit absurd: “A 70-year-old might say, ‘I want to be you when I grow up!'” In truth, Squibb is merely continuing the work she’s always done, from off-Broadway productions and cabarets to collaborations with directors like Martin Scorsese and Alexander Payne.

Despite ongoing success, Squibb is bound for Cannes Film Festival to premiere her new film, Eleanor the Great – Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut. When June was informed about this exciting news, she responded with delight, “That’s marvelous!” Having been there around a decade ago (for Payne’s Nebraska), she’s well-acquainted with the festival proceedings. Squibb couldn’t help but praise her, saying, “June, you’re exceptional.”

Squibb continues to enjoy success and is now off to Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Eleanor the Great – Scarlett Johansson’s first directorial venture. When June was told about this, she replied with enthusiasm, “That’s fantastic!” Given her previous experience at the festival (with Payne’s Nebraska), she knows what to expect. Squibb was quick to compliment her, saying, “June, you’re outstanding.

In the upcoming Sony Pictures Classics film, Squibb takes on the lead role as the titular character. This woman, following the demise of her dearest friend and roommate, relocates from Florida back to her birthplace, New York, in order to reconnect with her daughter and establish a fresh start for herself in the city.

For Squibb, stepping back into New York City after decades away felt more like a homecoming than a challenge. “I lived there for 65 years,” the actress shares, having made her mark on Broadway with productions such as the 1959 musical Gypsy. “Since then, I’ve been in California for around 20 years. Yet, I am well-versed in all that New York has to offer.” Filming took place across various city locations, from Brooklyn and Queens to the Meatpacking District and the East River. Even as a seasoned West Sider, Squibb was taken aback by the city’s transformation. “Brooklyn has undergone massive gentrification,” she notes, finding it intriguing because her recollections of Brooklyn were limited to Brooklyn Heights being the only popular destination.

Since Eleanor’s tale centers around Jewish traditions, as well as touching upon topics such as mourning and aging, Squibb had to remember more than just her lines. As she puts it, “I even memorized the bat mitzvah Torah readings and performed them on set! One morning, I woke up and exclaimed, ‘Oh my goodness, in my dreams, I was doing the Torah reading!'” The two of us were roommates in an apartment at the time.

Working with one of Tinseltown’s heavyweights, Scarlett Johansson, felt like a seamless connection from the get-go. I could sense right away who she was – authentic, not pretentious in any way. She didn’t put on an act or try to present herself as someone she wasn’t. It was just her, and that’s what made her direction so refreshing.

Working alongside another actress as her director was a novel encounter for Squibb, who remarks that Johansson intuitively understood the cues and room required to perfect the scene: “In fact, few directors can pull off what she did. She instinctively sensed my position or where I was heading, and how much time it might need.

Reflecting on my second visit to the glamorous Cannes Film Festival red carpet, a moment that stands out was when director Alexander Payne from Nebraska lent me a helping hand, alongside my fellow actor, the hilarious Will Forte.

Squibb recalls climbing those iconic red steps of the Palais, which lead to the Grand Auditorium Lumière,” he said. “I was in my eighties then. Will Forte and Alexander Payne each took one of my arms, and they helped me ascend those stairs, ensuring I reached the top.

The climb was definitely worth it, since Nebraska received a breathtaking 10-minute standing ovation upon its debut. “I can still vividly recall that, by the end of it, I found myself hugging Alexander and crying on his chest,” reminisces Squibb, who was nominated for an Oscar due to her outstanding performance in the movie.

The climb was well worth the effort, as Nebraska received a thunderous 10-minute standing ovation upon its premiere. “I can still remember that, by the end of it, I embraced Alexander and cried on his chest,” Squibb recalls, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role in the film.

Squibb refuses to slow down or even consider retirement, as she’s recently found herself swamped with scripts. The movie industry, traditionally captivated by youth and stories that revolve around it, has started focusing on projects about mature adults. “There’s a growing curiosity about aging now that our population is aging,” she remarks. “I believe people are starting to grasp the idea of 90-year-olds. With more of us reaching that age, I have friends who are a hundred! The audience wants to see aging stories. They want to know what lies ahead.

But not all of the material is the right fit.

The script was made for someone who’s 70 years old. It made me laugh because at 90, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do some things that I could at 70, like riding a horse! But then I thought, maybe if they put me on one, I might manage to hang on.” She chuckles and ponders briefly, “To be honest, I’m not sure I couldn’t ride it. I used to, so perhaps with a little help…

And if Squibb does happen to do it, please — don’t call her an icon.

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2025-05-19 17:25