Julia Duffy shares the struggle of aging in Hollywood

Julia Duffy criticizes stereotypical roles for older women in Hollywood, calling aging in the industry “very awkward.”

Julia Duffy, 73, known for her role as Stephanie Vanderkellen on Newhart, recently spoke out about the challenges of aging in Hollywood during an appearance on Steve Kmetko’s podcast Still Here Hollywood. Duffy described the experience as “very awkward,” noting how older women are often written into stereotypical roles. “It is very disappointing to me how much even younger writers seem to be writing Aunt Bee or something when they write an older person and not an individual,” she said, referencing the frumpy character from The Andy Griffith Show.

Duffy shared her frustration with a role she played in the show Melissa & Joey, where her character was named Myrna. She explained that many women her age—who could have attended Woodstock in 1969—were given more common names like Patty, Kathy, or Susie. “You have to write the person and not the type,” she urged, highlighting the need for more thoughtful character development for older women.

Duffy, who earned seven Emmy nominations for her role on Newhart, encouraged writers to think beyond stereotypes and to create real, nuanced characters for older women in Hollywood. “I hope they’re listening,” she added.