Kirsten Dunst Only Gets Offered ‘Sad Mom’ Roles, Blames Ageism
Kirsten Dunst is joining a list of female actors who believe she’s being typecast in roles because of her age. In a new cover story for Marie Claire published Tuesday…
Kirsten Dunst attends the 2023 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California.
Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesKirsten Dunst is joining a list of female actors who believe she's being typecast in roles because of her age. In a new cover story for Marie Claire published Tuesday (March 4), the Bring It On star revealed she hasn't acted in two years. Dunst, who is a mother of two young sons, tells the publication the only roles she has been offered were "sad mom" roles.
Dunst, 41, is returning to the big screen in A24's forthcoming dystopian sci-fi film, Civil War. We last saw her star in 2021's The Power of the Dog, alongside her husband, Jesse Plemons, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. She opened up about how demoralizing it was to experience firsthand Hollywood’s gender-specific ageism. "To be honest, that’s been hard for me… because I need to feed myself,” she said. Dunst added that the hardest thing is being a mom and every mom not feeling like she has anything for herself. She then claimed, "There's definitely less good roles for women my age."
RELATED: Kirsten Dunst Says Kissing Brad Pitt as a Kid Was ‘Very Weird’
Instead of surrendering to sad motherhood, the award-winning actress hard-pivoted to what she calls “elevated action.” Reading the script for the Alex Garland-directed film, she felt was unlike any other work she's done before. Garland directed other sci-fi greats like Ex Machina and Annhilation. With mutual respect for each other's work, Garland praised Dunst's long acting career for her character in the upcoming film. He told the publication that Dunst has "a deep level of craft, and crucially for this role, she has soul. It's in her eyes, and her gaze, which felt perfect for a photographer."
Elsewhere in the interview, Dunst admits she would do another superhero movie? Not because she necessarily loves the genre, but she bluntly states, "because you get paid a lot of money, and I have two children, and I support my mother."
Dunst isn’t the only actress to talk about the challenges she’s faced in acting as she’s gotten older. Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway are just a few actresses who we have previously written about their experience aging in Hollywood.
Civil War hits theaters on April 12th. The film follows a dystopian US torn apart by a third-term president gutting governmental agencies (Nick Offerman) and 19 states have seceded, with California and Texas forging a "Western Forces" alliance. Dunst stars as steely photojournalist Lee Smith, who consistently risks her life covering the American war zone on a harrowing, bloody odyssey with press colleagues played by Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Wagner Moura. Dunst says the film is "a cautionary tale" of what happens when people stop seeing each other as human beings. Watch the trailer below:
These Celebrities Have March Birthdays
March signifies the month of rebirth as we exit winter and enter spring with a fresh start. There are so many celebrities who are born in March, being either a Pisces (March 1 to March 20) or an Aries (March 21 to March 31). March Pisces' energy is usually associated with being empathetic, competitive, and ethereal. This sign makes incredible artists and creatives. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, making it the most wise and psychic of all the other signs. There is much to be learned by Pisces, who tend to live half in a dream state. Represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, the constant division of Pisces's attention between fantasy and reality is seen as this yin-yang symbol. Half of the March Pisceans are co-ruled by the moon, the planet that governs our moods and sentiments. This makes March Pisces to be more sensitive and vulnerable to people's temperaments than the Pisces born in February. Pisces born in March need to protect their peace by staying away from energy suckers and toxic environments.
March Aries Traits
Meanwhile, Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so they tend to be raw with their needs, wants, and emotions. Fiery Aries are bold and ambitious, and when it comes to some of our favorite stars and directors, it is thrilling to watch. Represented by the ram, Aries are passionate, motivated, and confident leaders who build community with their relentless determination. When we think of Aries, we think of how they are very direct in their approach, sometimes too much that they often get frustrated by exhaustive details and unnecessary nuances. This sign is ruled by Mars, the dynamic red planet named after the Roman god of war. Accordingly, these courageous rams are always ready for a fight. Aries are known for their explosive temper, but when their emotional reactions do not get the better of them, they are inspiring, playful creatures who enjoy living life to the fullest.
See below which of your favorite stars have a March birthday!
Justin Bieber
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Justin Bieber attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Lupita Nyong'o
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for GreenSlateNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Lupita Nyong'o poses in the GreenSlate Greenroom At The 2022 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for GreenSlate)
Kesha
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian SirianoNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Kesha attends the Christian Siriano SS24 Runway Show at The Pierre Hotel on September 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Roger Daltrey
Tabatha Fireman/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Roger Daltrey switches on the Marylebone Christmas lights at Marylebone High Street on November 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images)
Javier Bardem
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty ImagesCANNES, FRANCE - MAY 28: Javier Bardem attends the closing ceremony red carpet for the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 28, 2022 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
Daniel Craig
Kate Green/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Daniel Craig attends "60 Years of James Bond" on November 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)
Luke Combs
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Luke Combs performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Method Man
Shy McGrath/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan performs at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Shy McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris Martin
Buda Mendes/Getty ImagesRIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 10: Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs at the Mundo Stage during the Rock in Rio Festival at Cidade do Rock on September 10, 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous festival Rock in Rio returns after two years of cancellation due to COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Jon Bon Jovi
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Jon Bon Jovi arrives to meet Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and members of the Invictus Games Choir at Abbey Road Studios on February 28, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Catherine O'Hara
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: Catherine O'Hara of "Schitt's Creek" speaks during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 13, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Eva Mendes
Phillip Faraone/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Eva Mendes speaks at Create & Cultivate Los Angeles at Rolling Greens Los Angeles on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal
Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: Shaquille O’Neal attends the 37th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
David Gilmour
Matthew Eisman/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: David Gilmour performs live on stage at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)
Tyler, the Creator
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc NationPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Tyler, the Creator performs onstage during 2022 Made In America at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Bryan Cranston
Robin L Marshall/Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Bryan Cranston attend "Confess, Fletch" screening at The West Hollywood EDITION on September 07, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)
Bad Bunny
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Bad Bunny attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Carrie Underwood
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Carrie Underwood attends the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on November 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )
Timbaland
Derek White/Getty ImagesATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 03: Timbaland attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 03, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images)
Olivia Wilde
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Olivia Wilde attends the Global Premiere Screening of "Babylon" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Jon Hamm
Robin L Marshall/Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Jon Hamm attends the "Confess, Fletch" screening at The West Hollywood EDITION on September 07, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)
Liza Minnelli
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 02: Actress Liza Minnelli attends the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
William H. Macy
Leon Bennett/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: William H. Macy attends A New Way Of Life 2022 Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on December 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Common
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Common attends the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on November 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )
Michael Caine
John Phillips/Getty Images for BFILONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Michael Caine attends a screening "My Generation" during the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI)
Bret Michaels
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesGLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Musician Bret Michaels performs during a half-time show at the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals # of the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions # of the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Nancy Wilson
Kristin Murphy/Getty Images for Operation SmilePARK CITY, UT - MARCH 14: Nancy Wilson of Heart attends Operation Smile's 4th Annual Celebrity Ski & Smile Challenge VIP Dinner on March 14, 2015 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Kristin Murphy/Getty Images for Operation Smile)
Jhené Aiko
Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for The Daily Front RowNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Jhené Aiko attends the The Daily Front Row 8th Annual Fashion Media Awards on September 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for The Daily Front Row )
Kurt Russell
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCMHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Special Guest Kurt Russell attends the screening of 'Escape from New York' at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM)
Adam Levine
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Beloved BenefitATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Adam Levine attends the Beloved Benefit 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 07, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Beloved Benefit)
Lily Collins
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NetflixNEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: Lily Collins attends the Emily In Paris French Consulate Red Carpet at French Consulate on December 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Netflix)
Queen Latifah
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Host Queen Latifah speaks onstage during the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Bruce Willis
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Bruce Willis attends the 17th Annual A Great Night In Harlem at The Apollo Theater on April 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Glenn Close
Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Glenn Close attends the 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Spike Lee
Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: Spike Lee attends the 37th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Chester Bennington
Christopher Polk/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 09: Singer Chester Bennington of Linkin Park performs onstage during Rock in Rio USA at the MGM Resorts Festival Grounds on May 9, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Reese Witherspoon
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Reese Witherspoon attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Prime Video's "Daisy Jones & The Six" at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 23, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Jessica Chastain
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: Jessica Chastain attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Elton John
Scott Dudelson/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Musician Sir Elton John performs onstage during the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at Dodger Stadium on November 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Sarah Jessica Parker
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for DisneyNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Hocus Pocus 2 World Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Disney)
Big Sean
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CoachellaINDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Big Sean performs at the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 22, 2022 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella)
Steven Tyler
Elyse Jankowski/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Steven Tyler attends the 5th Annual Jam For Janie GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party at Hollywood Palladium on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Elyse Jankowski/Getty Images)
Kenny Chesney
Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 08: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Kenny Chesney performs onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
Quentin Tarantino
Stefania M. D'Alessandro/Getty Images for RFFROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 19: Quentin Tarantino attends the close encounter red carpet during the 16th Rome Film Fest 2021 on October 19, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Stefania M. D'Alessandro/Getty Images for RFF)
Mariah Carey
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 13: Mariah Carey attends the premiere of Tyler Perry's "A Fall From Grace" at Metrograph on January 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Fergie
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Fergie attends the 36th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 30, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Reba McEntire
Noam Galai/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Reba McEntire attends Revels & Revelations 11 hosted by Bring Change To Mind in support of teen mental health at City Winery on October 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 03: Lady Gaga attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Celine Dion
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPARIS, FRANCE - JULY 01: Celine Dion attends the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 01, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Thomas Rhett
Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 20: Thomas Rhett performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
Eric Clapton
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Eric Clapton performs on stage during Music For The Marsden 2020 at The O2 Arena on March 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Christopher Walken
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NetflixNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Christopher Walken attends the Special Screening of the Netflix Film "Irreplaceable You" at The Metrograph on February 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Netflix)
Angus Young
Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty ImagesGREENSBORO, NC - AUGUST 27: Angus Young performs with AC/DC during the Rock Or Bust Tour at the Greensboro Coliseum on August 27, 2016 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty Images)
