Older actors

[Jeffbiscuits]

It's clear that when many actors reach a certain age they'll basically start to phone in their performances thinking that their glory days are all behind them. This can often mean a move to more lighthearted fare (Deniro in Meet the Parents etc.) or a move to films that are a poor imitation of their greatest achievements (Deniro again in Righteous Kill). Even the action heroes of the 80s are getting on a bit now with Harrison Ford proving that Indy can't really cut it anymore now he's of a pensionable age and the Governator has plans to revive some iconic roles whether we want it or not. Are there any actors who even though they're past their prime can still bring the goods? Any retired actors who you think were consistently good throughout their career? Or any that you think should just give up now before their hips do?

[Lizhawkins]

I hear what you're saying, Jeff. I hate De Niro's mugging in Meet The Parents. And I think he and Pacino both phoned in their performances in Righteous Kill. Pure tosh.

I wouldn't use the phrase 'past their prime' perhaps, but I think Richard Jenkins (64) is a pretty classy actor and even when Meryl Streep (62) is in more lightweight roles, she still brings her 'A' game...

Actors like Jeff Bridges (62), Morgan Freeman (74) and Tommy Lee Jones (65) are pretty darn cool, too.

[Ancient One]

Males I rate are Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood both of whom are capable of great things even now. For the females Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench are consistently fine.

[Jeffbiscuits]

I agree about Jeff Bridges. He still has a very distinct and individual acting style but is incredibly versatile at the same time and in recent years he's applied himself impressively to a variation of genres. I've got a feeling that his greatest performance is still to come.

[Porkchopexpress]

Brian Cox and Albert Finney are both legends in my eyes and, certainly Cox is as a fantastic actor today as he always has been.

Robert Duvall has also thrown out some great performances as he's aged and embraced his maturing years with grace.

Problem is it's often older actors cast in 'older roles', such as 'Gran Torino', 'Harry Brown' and it's less about their talent and more about lack of diverse roles, I imagine at a certain age you tend to get cast more as a Yoda-esque character or octogenarian vigilante.

Although actors like Michael Caine and Jack Nicholson both work a lot, they essentially play a version of themselves in everything they do so it voids their talent somewhat.

Harrison Ford's output has been shit of late, but I'm looking forward to him not taking himself too seriously in 'Cowboys Vs Aliens'.

[CaptainCrazy]

Remember them? I was a kid when I watched some of their films and to a six-year old their films was as funny as hell.

I intentionally never watched their films as an adult as I'm afraid that they might not live up to my rose-tinted memories.

Do you know their films? I for one wish they would remake their, ahem, hits.

[jaykays hat]

I remember seeing their films at the cinema when I was a kid. Watch out we're mad stands out for me. I didn't realise that they were Italian at the time.

[Jonesy]

What are we defining as old here, exactly? Being in your late fifties or early sixties doesn't seem to me to be particularly old. I would consider someone like John Hurt to be a truly ageing star, who continues to shine in film. He rarely gives a phone in performance.

[morris]

Clint is old now, and so is Harrison Ford.

[TomBeasley]

Meryl Streep is the one here I think. Despite her advancing years, she still takes on a huge variety of roles and is more or less flawless whatever film she's in.