11 Inspiring Actresses Over 60 Who Are Known for More than Their Looks

Female celebrities are often in the spotlight for how beautiful they look. So, perhaps it’s no surprise that when actresses over 60 are in the news, it is often behind headlines like “6 Actresses Over 60 Who Still Look Great!”

These articles typically go on to talk about how young these celebrities look and the magical treatments that they must be using to hold back the hand of time. This is a shame because there are plenty of older celebrities out there who deserve to be admired for more than their looks.

I don’t know about you but the celebrities that I admire most are the ones that are using their fame to make the world a better place. Some are starting charities. Others are speaking out on issues that are important. All of them have the potential to change the way that we perceive life after 60.

Let’s take a few minutes to celebrate some amazing actresses over 60 who deserve to get attention for more than their looks. Like us, these women have loved and lost. They have faced illness and tragedy. Through it all, they have found the resilience to keep working and tell the world, “I’m still here!”

Some of these addresses, like Helen Mirren, amplify the voice of women who want to be considered beautiful and stylish at any age. Others, like Joanna Lumley, speak on taboo subjects, shattering the myth that older women should “age gracefully” and keep their opinions to themselves.

Here are 11 inspiring actresses over 60 who are known for far more than their looks:

Joanna Lumley

Joanna Lumley is a British comedienne and actress who delights audiences with her honesty and authenticity. She is a supporter of the Born Free Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving wild habitats and promoting animal welfare. She has also spoken out about the Free Tibet Campaign and other human rights causes.

In 2001, she went on a charity tour to raise money for Mind, a mental health charity. She has also promoted “sustainable sharing” as a way to minimize the environmental impact of consumerism.

Joanna Lumley is known for her unvarnished opinions her willingness to speak on taboo subjects, such as funeral planning. For the record, she says that she wants to be buried in a cardboard coffin.

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is one of the UK’s most acclaimed and admired actresses, having appeared in The Queen (2006), RED (2010) and many theatrical productions in London.

In addition to her high-profile acting work, Helen Mirren supports many charities such as Oxfam, the Prince’s Trust and Meals on Wheels.

Despite her lofty title, she is famously unpretentious. Her charity work is not limited to fundraisers and public appearances. She also travelled to northern Uganda with Oxfam to generate media coverage for the crisis that killed 500,000 people and displaced 2,000,000 refugees.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver has had iconic roles in some of the biggest science fiction blockbusters of the past 30 years, including Aliens and Ghostbusters. But her commitment to charity is not “fiction.” She has also appeared in environmentally focused films such as “Gorillas in the Mist” and “Avatar,” and her charitable work reflects this same eco-consciousness.

Sigourney Weaver is the Honorary Chairperson of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which is dedicated to protecting endangered mountain gorillas. She has also spoken to the U.N. General Assembly about deep-sea trawling, a controversial fishing technique.

She has also hosted fundraising gala events for the Trickle Up Program (a non-profit that helps people in extreme poverty) and the Audubon Society’s Women in Conservation annual luncheon.

Judy Dench

Dame Judi Dench, like Helen Mirren, is another “Grande Dame” of the UK film and theatre world. She appeared as M in the recent Daniel Craig James Bond series, but, has also taken more artistic roles in films like “Philomena” and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

Judi Dench has dedicated her charitable work to health-related causes, such as Women Against Lung Cancer (her husband died of the disease in 2001) and Doctors Without Borders. She has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is well known for her great legs and natural grey hair. But, in my opinion, she should be celebrated for her active participation in children’s charities.

Curtis is an honorary director of Kidsave, a charity dedicated to finding homes for older foster children and orphans. She is also on the board of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which is dedicated to improving care for paediatric patients. She is also involved with the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

Angelica Huston

Angelica Huston has put her fame to good use, promoting human rights in Burma, also known as Myanmar, which suffered for decades under the hands of a repressive military dictatorship

In 2007, Huston was involved in an effort by the U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. She also serves on the Advisory Council of Save the Chimps, which provides a permanent sanctuary for chimpanzees who have been rescued from research laboratories.

Meryl Streep 

Meryl Streep, widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, is also a passionate philanthropist. She supports various organizations, including the National Women’s History Museum and Partners in Health. Streep is an advocate for equal pay and women’s rights, using her platform to address systemic inequalities in Hollywood and beyond. She also contributes to the arts by funding scholarships for aspiring playwrights through the Writers Lab program.

Jane Fonda  

Jane Fonda is an iconic actress and activist who has dedicated her life to environmental and social justice causes. Her Fire Drill Fridays protests have drawn attention to climate change, and she’s been arrested multiple times for civil disobedience while advocating for a greener planet. Fonda is also a vocal supporter of women’s rights and reproductive health, regularly contributing her time and resources to Planned Parenthood and other advocacy groups.

Read What Can We Learn from Jane Fonda’s Remarkable Life?

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is known for her commanding performances in films like *What’s Love Got to Do with It* and *Black Panther.* Offscreen, she is deeply committed to supporting education and health initiatives. Bassett works with the Royal Theater Boys & Girls Club to help underserved youth and serves as an ambassador for UNICEF USA, advocating for children’s welfare worldwide. She’s also a supporter of diabetes awareness campaigns after losing her mother to the disease.

Glenn Close  

Glenn Close is a powerhouse actress who has dedicated herself to destigmatizing mental health issues. Inspired by her family’s experiences, she co-founded Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit organization that creates campaigns to encourage conversations around mental illness. Close also supports the African Wildlife Foundation, lending her voice to conservation efforts and raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is a globally acclaimed actress known for her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Beyond her career, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on sustainable development and poverty eradication. Yeoh also works with Live to Love International, an organization dedicated to disaster relief and environmental conservation in the Himalayas. Her efforts extend to empowering women and girls through education and community programs.

These actresses over 60 are inspirational not because of their looks, but, because of what they have chosen to do with their lives. Even if we aren’t rich and famous, each of us can do more to make the world a better place. I hope that these women’s stories inspire you to make a difference.

Read How to Balance the 6 Dimensions of Wellness in Your Life After 60.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your thoughts on this? Which actresses over 60 do you admire the most? Please leave a comment and let us know and don’t forget to like and share this article if you enjoyed it.