June Squibb at 95: Her Inspiring Secrets to Staying Active and Vibrant

Squibb, at 95, only assumed a lead role in a film at 94. Following her remarkable turn as an action star in “Thelma,” she is once again stealing the spotlight in “Eleanor the Great,” Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut. Squibb’s presence affirms that Hollywood talent isn’t exclusive to the youthful.

“I believe much of this is because I never stopped,” Squibb shares with a laugh. “It never crossed my mind at 90 that I should decline work!”

Film festivals can be demanding, even for those decades younger than Squibb. Yet, during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, she radiated energy that defied her age. Recently, she had traveled to Cannes for the film’s premiere and was preparing for rehearsals for her role in the upcoming production “Marjorie Prime.” More than six decades after making her Broadway debut, Squibb is returning to the stage.

“I thought, ‘I truly want to do this,’” she says, recalling her last Broadway performance in “Waitress” back in 2018.

Defying Age in Showbiz

Squibb represents a paradigm shift in an industry where aging often results in sidelining talent. Since her acclaimed performance in “Nebraska,” she has relished a vibrant career, even past the so-called retirement age. What’s her secret to maintaining such vigor?

“I have no idea,” she responds, laughing while shaking her head. “I just gird my loins and go! If I were to stop, I might never get going again.”

Having auditioned throughout her life, Squibb hasn’t had to audition since her breakthrough in “Nebraska.” For an actress who didn’t make her film debut until she was 60, the late-blooming career serves as a gratifying validation of her abilities.

“It really confirms: They know who I am now,” she reflects.

In “Eleanor the Great,” her character finds herself navigating life after losing a close friend, moving in with her daughter in New York. Out of grief and a yearning to impress a young friend, she adopts her late friend’s experiences from the Holocaust.

This role highlights Squibb’s comedic flair along with her ability to portray deeper emotions. For director Johnson, witnessing Squibb’s impact at Cannes was pivotal in the film’s creation.

“The audience’s reaction, along with June’s to that reaction, will forever remain with me,” Johnson recalls. “Being part of that moment with June was unforgettable.”

Having converted to Judaism in the 1950s, Squibb cherishes her role in the film. “Eleanor is quite the character,” she says, reflecting on her own childhood memories from World War II and the real-life horrors that unfolded during that era.

Both of Squibb’s parents lived to 91, which prompts her doctors to comment on her genetics. “They say, ‘Oh, it’s in your genes,’” Squibb adds with a smile.

Following her work in “Thelma,” which showcased her in an action-packed narrative, she embraced her role as a woman pursuing justice after being duped in a phone scam, even featuring a chase scene on adult scooters.

In a humorous twist, she was awarded Best Female Action Star, alongside Tom Cruise as the male counterpart. “I like to think we have a lot in common,” she jokes.

Squibb’s success has led her to be selective about the roles she accepts. “If it requires me to dash across the room, forget it!” she states firmly before revealing her eagerness to take on new challenges.

She’s set to voice a character in Disney’s forthcoming “Zootopia 2.” Additionally, when Ryan Murphy offered her a role in “American Horror Story,” she couldn’t resist despite the travel involved.

“It was wild! I played a grandmother in a coven of leprechauns who drank blood,” she recalls with amusement. “I just had to say yes to that!”

Future Aspirations

With a plethora of opportunities ahead, it begs the question: What challenge remains for Squibb? She has a suggestion of her own.

“During an interview with Alexander Payne about ‘Thelma,’ I expressed my desire to act in a Western,” she recounts. “He said, ‘I’m writing one! I’ll include you!’ I used to ride when I was younger. If you put me on a horse, I might still manage, but perhaps I’ll be playing a brothel madam instead!”

Squibb grins, “I love that idea, as it’s something entirely new for me.”