Top 20 Oldest Actors to Play Teens in Movies
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Glicksman1
Age, to a point, is not the issue. When I see an obviously fully grown man who needs a shave by noon playing a kid in high school I wonder if - 1. He was left back seven times, or 2. they just couldn't find a younger actor to play the f'ing part. Either way, it's really creepy to see this adult interacting with high school kids.
Same for fully (well) developed women playing 16-year-olds. Sure, maybe a few real 16-year-old girls are well developed (I can recall a few, but really, that's not the norm or even the average. It just doest work for me. I expect her to go to into a room and teach a class.
So, age itself is not the thing, it's how they look.
Ralph Macchio was a bit tall but very boyish and it worked for the KC films.
Yeah, Depp didn't work as a high school kid.
Jennifer Grey looked 26.
Sean Patrick Thomas looked like one of the teachers.
Rachel True actually looked like a kid so it worked.
Kein Bacon actually pulled it off.
So did Michael J. Fox but not Patrick Swayze.
Gabrielle looked alright if a bit college grad.
Shirley Henderson does NOT look 14, 34 maybe.
No, not Denise Richards. She looked like her character's mother.
The brilliant Sissy Saceck made Carrie work and was super realistic as a kid, a tribute to her acting ability.
Same for Winona.
Judd, sort of O. K. like a tough kid who was left back a few times.
Stacy Dash was talented enough to make it work.
Andrew Garfield was way too old-looking to be a kid. His acting was very good, though.
Rachel McAdams looked like a kid. Women can do this easier than men.
Leanardo DC can do anything.
Alan Ruck worked as he is very youthful-looking.
Channing and all of the rest (except for Travolta) looked like they were their characters' parents. Grease did not work for me in any way.
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Age, to a point, is not the issue. When I see an obviously fully grown man who needs a shave by noon playing a kid in high school I wonder if - 1. He was left back seven times, or 2. they just couldn't find a younger actor to play the f'ing part. Either way, it's really creepy to see this adult interacting with high school kids.
Same for fully (well) developed women playing 16-year-olds. Sure, maybe a few real 16-year-old girls are well developed (I can recall a few, but really, that's not the norm or even the average. It just doest work for me. I expect her to go to into a room and teach a class.
So, age itself is not the thing, it's how they look.
Ralph Macchio was a bit tall but very boyish and it worked for the KC films.
Yeah, Depp didn't work as a high school kid.
Jennifer Grey looked 26.
Sean Patrick Thomas looked like one of the teachers.
Rachel True actually looked like a kid so it worked.
Kein Bacon actually pulled it off.
So did Michael J. Fox but not Patrick Swayze.
Gabrielle looked alright if a bit college grad.
Shirley Henderson does NOT look 14, 34 maybe.
No, not Denise Richards. She looked like her character's mother.
The brilliant Sissy Saceck made Carrie work and was super realistic as a kid, a tribute to her acting ability.
Same for Winona.
Judd, sort of O. K. like a tough kid who was left back a few times.
Stacy Dash was talented enough to make it work.
Andrew Garfield was way too old-looking to be a kid. His acting was very good, though.
Rachel McAdams looked like a kid. Women can do this easier than men.
Leanardo DC can do anything.
Alan Ruck worked as he is very youthful-looking.
Channing and all of the rest (except for Travolta) looked like they were their characters' parents. Grease did not work for me in any way.
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Buster
This reminded me of two high school friends of long ago. They were fraternal twins with very different maturity paths. The older, by 5 minutes, grew at a normal rate, while the younger was a very late bloomer. Our sophomore yearbook has a picture of them next to each other. The older is 5' 9and weighs about 160 pounds, the younger stands 5' 5 at a whooping 94 pounds. The older was mature for his age. Even in high school, he spoke like a man in his 30's and to this day, I consider him one of the most intelligent persons I've known. His brother is also very smart, but seemed to remain very youthful in his actions and thought. The younger still looked like a teenager well into his late thirties, and was constantly told his ID was fake. It was one of our gangs running gags to tell the older brother he shouldn't have brought his SON to the bar when he's only 19, just to watch the bartender or waitress's reaction to his ID. This still worked into his early 40's. It ended when they both went bald, in their 60's, but the younger still has a baby face. Genetics, I guess. The older brother always explained the size difference by saying, in the womb, he would pinch his brother's umbilical cord when he saw food coming.
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This reminded me of two high school friends of long ago. They were fraternal twins with very different maturity paths. The older, by 5 minutes, grew at a normal rate, while the younger was a very late bloomer. Our sophomore yearbook has a picture of them next to each other. The older is 5' 9and weighs about 160 pounds, the younger stands 5' 5 at a whooping 94 pounds. The older was mature for his age. Even in high school, he spoke like a man in his 30's and to this day, I consider him one of the most intelligent persons I've known. His brother is also very smart, but seemed to remain very youthful in his actions and thought. The younger still looked like a teenager well into his late thirties, and was constantly told his ID was fake. It was one of our gangs running gags to tell the older brother he shouldn't have brought his SON to the bar when he's only 19, just to watch the bartender or waitress's reaction to his ID. This still worked into his early 40's. It ended when they both went bald, in their 60's, but the younger still has a baby face. Genetics, I guess. The older brother always explained the size difference by saying, in the womb, he would pinch his brother's umbilical cord when he saw food coming.
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JP
First of all Patrick Swayze was not playing a teenager in the Outsiders but the older brother of 2 teenagers. Since you mentioned Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future 3 why not Ralph Maccio in The Karate Kid 3 instead of part 1. In part 3 he was 28 so was worse then the 22 he was in the original. Come on Mojo there are way worse offenders then some of these. The whole cast of Porkys were obviously in their 30s when the film was made and forget about their ages in Porkys the next day. Also how about a Richard Dreyfus and Cindy Williams in American Graffiti. You were out to lunch of this one Mojo.
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First of all Patrick Swayze was not playing a teenager in the Outsiders but the older brother of 2 teenagers. Since you mentioned Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future 3 why not Ralph Maccio in The Karate Kid 3 instead of part 1. In part 3 he was 28 so was worse then the 22 he was in the original. Come on Mojo there are way worse offenders then some of these. The whole cast of Porkys were obviously in their 30s when the film was made and forget about their ages in Porkys the next day. Also how about a Richard Dreyfus and Cindy Williams in American Graffiti. You were out to lunch of this one Mojo.
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WendyS
How old is too old? It would depend on what the actors were actually doing with the younger actors, but also if they could pass for their characters' ages. Most of the actors had youthful appearances and could pass as kids in their late teens, especially if the viewer can suspend disability. MOST. Point of fact, Darry Curtis was NOT a teenager. He was 20. Patrick Swayze looked young enough to pass for a stressed-out 20-ish older brother. You guys nailed the No. 1 pick, though. I even remember pointing out Olivia Newton-John's early wrinkles.
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How old is too old? It would depend on what the actors were actually doing with the younger actors, but also if they could pass for their characters' ages. Most of the actors had youthful appearances and could pass as kids in their late teens, especially if the viewer can suspend disability. MOST. Point of fact, Darry Curtis was NOT a teenager. He was 20. Patrick Swayze looked young enough to pass for a stressed-out 20-ish older brother. You guys nailed the No. 1 pick, though. I even remember pointing out Olivia Newton-John's early wrinkles.
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Jude
Hello! Barbra Streisand in Yentl. Yentl herself is meant to be in her late teens, while her alter ego, Anshel, was even younger. Streisand was 40. I feel that casting herself in what could have been a poignant film was one of the biggest career blunders in her life. Weekdays worse is then she cast other actors her age to work opposite her. Presumably to make it less obvious. It didn't work. But I do thank her for Mandy Patinkon running around wet and naked
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Hello! Barbra Streisand in Yentl. Yentl herself is meant to be in her late teens, while her alter ego, Anshel, was even younger. Streisand was 40. I feel that casting herself in what could have been a poignant film was one of the biggest career blunders in her life. Weekdays worse is then she cast other actors her age to work opposite her. Presumably to make it less obvious. It didn't work. But I do thank her for Mandy Patinkon running around wet and naked
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Roy
I am truly offended by the reference to the Rachel True segment, where she is referred to as an African American and is bullied by the popular White Girls. As a white boy I feel that you people are racists, by not referring the other girls in that scene as Caucasian, which is the only acceptable way to referer to females of that nationality. How dare you! You really hurt my feelings, and I expect a full apology from mojo.
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I am truly offended by the reference to the Rachel True segment, where she is referred to as an African American and is bullied by the popular White Girls. As a white boy I feel that you people are racists, by not referring the other girls in that scene as Caucasian, which is the only acceptable way to referer to females of that nationality. How dare you! You really hurt my feelings, and I expect a full apology from mojo.
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Tina
It's only really creepy when the costar with an actual teenager as a love interest. Times have changed for the better. No more love scenes with children. As an actor, wouldn't anyone being uncomfortable doing abuse scenes with children (not adult doubles. That's a different topic, but that was shocking that people once thought that was okay and a child actor could legally consent to even simulating that.
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It's only really creepy when the costar with an actual teenager as a love interest. Times have changed for the better. No more love scenes with children. As an actor, wouldn't anyone being uncomfortable doing abuse scenes with children (not adult doubles. That's a different topic, but that was shocking that people once thought that was okay and a child actor could legally consent to even simulating that.
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ThrottleVinnieModo
In Drunken Master (1978, 24-year-old Jackie Chan played a young Wong Fei-hung of unspecified age. From the way the character was portrayed, it really seems like he was supposed to be a teenager. Then the sequel came out in '94, which had loose ties to the original's continuity. Yet 39-year-old Jackie seemed to still portray a teenaged Fei-hung.
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In Drunken Master (1978, 24-year-old Jackie Chan played a young Wong Fei-hung of unspecified age. From the way the character was portrayed, it really seems like he was supposed to be a teenager. Then the sequel came out in '94, which had loose ties to the original's continuity. Yet 39-year-old Jackie seemed to still portray a teenaged Fei-hung.
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Denisa
Grease. ALL THE CAST. Stockard Channing looked like she was 40 in this. But I don't think we cared because the film was so great. I'd rather sing along and dance to We Go Together than be too picky about the age of the actors on screen. It's all in the acting and perception of how old they were. If you believed they were teens, they were teens.
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Grease. ALL THE CAST. Stockard Channing looked like she was 40 in this. But I don't think we cared because the film was so great. I'd rather sing along and dance to We Go Together than be too picky about the age of the actors on screen. It's all in the acting and perception of how old they were. If you believed they were teens, they were teens.
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John
The Hollywood Knights (1980) had a large part of the cast play teenagers despite being in their 20's and 30's.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Suzie Q) - 22
Tony Danza (Duke) - 29
Robert Wuhl (Newbomb Turk) - 29
Fran Drescher (Sally) - 22
Gary Graham (Jimmy Shine) - 30
Stuart Pankin, who played Dudley (the honor student, was 33
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The Hollywood Knights (1980) had a large part of the cast play teenagers despite being in their 20's and 30's.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Suzie Q) - 22
Tony Danza (Duke) - 29
Robert Wuhl (Newbomb Turk) - 29
Fran Drescher (Sally) - 22
Gary Graham (Jimmy Shine) - 30
Stuart Pankin, who played Dudley (the honor student, was 33
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Amy
That's right. Patrick Swayze was born on August 18th, 1952 and i was born on August 18th, 1972. We have the same birthday. He's 20 years older or would have been. As a super fan, our birthday's have always been something great for me. It's weird but i love him to pieces. It's nice to have something in common with him.
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That's right. Patrick Swayze was born on August 18th, 1952 and i was born on August 18th, 1972. We have the same birthday. He's 20 years older or would have been. As a super fan, our birthday's have always been something great for me. It's weird but i love him to pieces. It's nice to have something in common with him.
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Generic
You missed Garbrielle Cateris who played Donna on the original Beverly Hills 90210. Her and Ian Ziering were a running joke in the 90s bc they looked too old to be playing kids in high school. In fact Ian had male pattern baldness (before his subsequent hair plugs he presently has)
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You missed Garbrielle Cateris who played Donna on the original Beverly Hills 90210. Her and Ian Ziering were a running joke in the 90s bc they looked too old to be playing kids in high school. In fact Ian had male pattern baldness (before his subsequent hair plugs he presently has)
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Florica
I'm guessing 40 might be the age you have to reach in order to be too old to play a teen. On the other hand, that might depend on how old or young the actor/actress looks. I'm almost 31 but I could probably still play a teen because I look very young for my age.
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I'm guessing 40 might be the age you have to reach in order to be too old to play a teen. On the other hand, that might depend on how old or young the actor/actress looks. I'm almost 31 but I could probably still play a teen because I look very young for my age.
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Regan
Johnny Depp has a habit of playing parts that hes too old for. In the Fantastic Beasts movies, his character is supposed to be around the same age as Jude Laws character. In real life, hes 10 years older than Jude Law, and he LOOKS at least 20 years older.
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Johnny Depp has a habit of playing parts that hes too old for. In the Fantastic Beasts movies, his character is supposed to be around the same age as Jude Laws character. In real life, hes 10 years older than Jude Law, and he LOOKS at least 20 years older.
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Gingercat
Jason Earles was 29 when he began his role of 16 year old Jackson Stewart in Hannah Montana. I was shocked when I found out. and envious! It meant that he was in his early 30s when the movie came out, and his character was still a teenager.
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Jason Earles was 29 when he began his role of 16 year old Jackson Stewart in Hannah Montana. I was shocked when I found out. and envious! It meant that he was in his early 30s when the movie came out, and his character was still a teenager.
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James
I agree with Sissy Spacek, but for a different movie. The movie in question is Coal Miner's Daughter. True she wasn't a teen throughout the film, but in the beginning she was about 15. She was 30 years old at the time.
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I agree with Sissy Spacek, but for a different movie. The movie in question is Coal Miner's Daughter. True she wasn't a teen throughout the film, but in the beginning she was about 15. She was 30 years old at the time.
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Gianna
I hate that adults play teens because as a teen, we all try to act older because we aspire to look the actors we see on tv. I have friends my age who still play kids & middle schoolers on tv and they're 18!
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I hate that adults play teens because as a teen, we all try to act older because we aspire to look the actors we see on tv. I have friends my age who still play kids & middle schoolers on tv and they're 18!
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Petra
The most fascinating examples are Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft in The Graduate. They were only 4 years apart in real life, yet are completely believable as a 21-year-old young man and a woman in her 40s.
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The most fascinating examples are Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft in The Graduate. They were only 4 years apart in real life, yet are completely believable as a 21-year-old young man and a woman in her 40s.
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TOrockchick
Not sure if this has been mentioned but Shane West who was born in 1978 played a high school junior/senior in 2002's A Walk To Remember. At the time of filming he would've been 24-25 years old.
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Not sure if this has been mentioned but Shane West who was born in 1978 played a high school junior/senior in 2002's A Walk To Remember. At the time of filming he would've been 24-25 years old.
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Melissa
Well, if Romeo and Juliet were supposed to be teenagers (wasn't the character Juliet something like 13) then 1936's Romeo and Juliet with Leslie Howard (aged 43) and Norma Shearer (aged 34) wins.
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Well, if Romeo and Juliet were supposed to be teenagers (wasn't the character Juliet something like 13) then 1936's Romeo and Juliet with Leslie Howard (aged 43) and Norma Shearer (aged 34) wins.
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Summie
Well studios manly try to higher baby faced adults, then kids to advoid child labor laws. Especially since they have strict filming schedules, that arent as flexible as tv filming schedules.
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Well studios manly try to higher baby faced adults, then kids to advoid child labor laws. Especially since they have strict filming schedules, that arent as flexible as tv filming schedules.
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Chaotic
If it's a comedy you get away with the age differential a lot more. Mel Brooks' character in High Anxiety played his toddler self in a high chair in a childhood memory scene. He was 51!
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If it's a comedy you get away with the age differential a lot more. Mel Brooks' character in High Anxiety played his toddler self in a high chair in a childhood memory scene. He was 51!
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Errol
Glynn Turman was in his late 20's when he starred as a teenager in Cooley High(1975. Also Michael Warren was in his early 30's when he was a 19 year old preacher in Fast Break(1979.
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Glynn Turman was in his late 20's when he starred as a teenager in Cooley High(1975. Also Michael Warren was in his early 30's when he was a 19 year old preacher in Fast Break(1979.
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Lester
What about in not another teen movie the lady that played the undercover reporter. She was supposed to play the part of a teenager but she was like in her seventies LOL.
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What about in not another teen movie the lady that played the undercover reporter. She was supposed to play the part of a teenager but she was like in her seventies LOL.
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Farah
Im okay with patrick swayze being in is 30s in the outsiders, his character, darrel, in the outsiders is supposed to be 20-21 so he is not playing the role of a teenager
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Im okay with patrick swayze being in is 30s in the outsiders, his character, darrel, in the outsiders is supposed to be 20-21 so he is not playing the role of a teenager
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Martini. 68
there's also jessica marie garcia who played jasmine in the show on my block and she's 33 and her character supposed to be 16 and to be honest i though she's 19
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there's also jessica marie garcia who played jasmine in the show on my block and she's 33 and her character supposed to be 16 and to be honest i though she's 19
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Julka
Now Sigourney Weaver joins the club. Perhaps She is the oldest to Play a teenager. She plays Kiri in Avatar: The Way of Water (adoptive daughter of Jake and Neytiri.
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Now Sigourney Weaver joins the club. Perhaps She is the oldest to Play a teenager. She plays Kiri in Avatar: The Way of Water (adoptive daughter of Jake and Neytiri.
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AjH
Theres no need for a cut off age as long as the actress/actor looks whatever the age is. Age doesnt always have a look for some people. You can look a range of ages.
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Theres no need for a cut off age as long as the actress/actor looks whatever the age is. Age doesnt always have a look for some people. You can look a range of ages.
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Kent
Can you do oldest actors to play 20 something year olds? I know the guy who played the younger version of Will Smith partner was like 29 but that actor was over 40.
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Can you do oldest actors to play 20 something year olds? I know the guy who played the younger version of Will Smith partner was like 29 but that actor was over 40.
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Polina
I never knew how Dirty dancing was about teenagers, they don't look like teenagers for sure. I would never guess that they were even suppose to be teenager.
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I never knew how Dirty dancing was about teenagers, they don't look like teenagers for sure. I would never guess that they were even suppose to be teenager.
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