Taking into account all one’s capabilities, 50 is the zenith in the life cycle of human beings. It is the highest point at which all the capabilities of someone culminate into one’s best after ripening and aging. Ripening or aging is an involuntary and natural phenomenon which allows the best of things to be manifest and exhibited in the most presentable form. It is a required prequalification in many countries for a head of state to be over 50, which is obviously to ensure maturity and rule out any emotional predominance. Whoever first said that ‘old is gold’ probably meant 50 years old. Those younger than 50 have an advantage of youth, and those older than 70 have the disadvantage of senility. But 50 is the neutral and testing point for anyone’s real capabilities. Quite a few ‘actresses over 50’ have achieved fame by virtue of their endeavors and dedication for their excellent roles.
*Age as of December, 2011

1. Shannon Tweed

Shannon Tweed (54) was born in St.John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada on March 10, 1957. She is one of the most successful actresses in her genre of erotic thrillers. Her physique is considered to be well endowed, shapely, and appealing to her fans. Her height is 5 ft. 10 in. and, according to her own statements, she measures 34B-24-35. At the age of 18 years, according to Celebrity Sleuth magazine, her measurements were 36C-25-36, while another source reported her measurements as: Bust: 36’B, Waist: 25’, Hips 36’. Compatible with her genre, her platinum blonde hair and voluptuous figure are a treat to the sight for many common men. She was a welcome figure when she appeared as a Playboy Playmate in November, 1981 and, on account of her popularity, she reappeared as Playboy Playmate of the year in 1982. In 1978 she represented the Ottawa Valley in the Miss Canada Pageant and ranked #4.

2. Carrier Fisher

Carrier Fisher (55) was born to the singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds in Beverly Hills, California U.S.A. on October 21, 1956. When she was only two, her father left her mother for his best friend, the famous actress Elizabeth Taylor. She was educated at Beverly Hills High School and later at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. At the age of 12 she had started appearing in Las Vegas, Nevada along with her mother. Fisher starred as Princess Leia in the famous science fiction film Star Wars in 1977. The way she played the role of Princess Leia earned her enormous popularity for the film, and Star Wars was a huge success. Princess Leia became a household name, and her model toys were available in general stores.

3. Bo Derek

Bo Derek (54) was born to Paul Collins and Norma Bass, in Long Beach, California, U.S.A. on November 20, 1956. Her birth name is Mary Cathleen Collins. She got her early education at Narbonne High School followed by her attending the George S.Patton Continuation School. In 1980 she rivaled famous Farrah Fawcett and gradually surpassed her. After her performance in Blake Edward’s 10, she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
She won a Golden Raspberry Worst Actress Award for Tarzan, the Ape Man and was nominated as Worst Actress of the Century. President George Bush appointed her to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is a horse enthusiast and owns excellent Andalusian horses.

4. Catherine Keener

Catherine Ann Keener (52) was born to Evelyn and Jim Keener in Miami, Florida, U.S. A. on March 23, 1959. She is Irish from her paternal side and Lebanese from her maternal side. She attended Wheaten College in Norton, Massachusetts. She was nominated for an Oscar in 2000 in appreciation of her role in being John Malkovich. She was nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and many others.

5.  Elizabeth Perkins

Elizabeth Perkins (51) was born to Jo Williams and James Perkins in Queens, New York, U.S.A. on November 18, 1960. Perkins was educated at Northfield Mount Hermon School and later on studied for three years at the Goodman School of Drama. She made her debut in About Last Night in 1986, and she is best known for her role in Big. Thrice she was nominated for an Emmy Award for the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Weeds, a comedy series. Perkins herself considers Celia Hodes as her favorite role.

6. Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson (52) was born in Paddington, London, England, U.K. She was educated at Newnham College, Cambridge. She won many awards in 1992, and they included an Academy Award and a  British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in appreciation for her excellent performance in Howards End; a British drama. She was an excellent scriptwriter and actress. Emma Thompson wrote the script of Sense and Sensibility as a film adaptation of Jane Austin’s Novel Sense and Sensibility. She played as a star in this film and won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

7. Geena Davis

Green Davis (55) was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, U.S. A. on January 21, 1956. She received her early education at Wareham High School and learned Swedish in Sandyiken, Sweden. She studied at New England College and graduated from Boston University earning a bachelor’s degree in Drama. In 1988 she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in Commander in Chief.

8. Annette O’Toole

Annette O’ Toole was born to Dorothy Geraldine and William West Toole in Houston, Texas, U.S.A. on April 1, 1952. She is best known for her role in Superman III (1983). She is a multidimensional personality and known as a writer, producer, composer, singer, dancer, and actress. She was Oscar nominated for her song ‘A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow.’ In 1999 both she and her husband were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in the movie A Mighty Wind.

9. Isabella Rosellini

Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini (59) was born to Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini in Rome, Italy on June 18, 1952. She attended Finch College in New York. She was operated on for appendicitis when she was only 5, and at the age of 13 she was treated for scoliosis, a spinal deformity in which the spine is curved. She is best known for her role in Blue Velvet. Cousins, Death Becomes Her, Immortal Beloved and Fearless are other films in which she played important roles.  Rosellini received an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Blue Velvet. She also received a Global Award and an Emmy Award nomination.

10.  Jane Lynch

Jane Marie Lynch (51) was born to Eileen and Frank Lynch in Dolton, Illinois, U.S.A. on July 14, 1960. She got her early education at Thornridge High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. She also studied a Cornell University. Lynch was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film on December 15, 2009 for her role in Glee. She is an animal lover and has two dogs and a cat.

Conclusion:

Age has nothing to do with beauty. There are people who are not beautiful or handsome even at the age of 20, and there others who are irresistibly attractive at 50 or beyond. An actress over 50 is seasoned and  has lot of accumulated experience. It is not difficult to infer that those who are over 50 and yet perform excellently are undoubtedly worth their salt and set examples for the rising stars.