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The 11 Oldest Actors to Play Teenagers

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (102)



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Honorable Mentions: Max Casella in “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and Benjamin McKenzie in “The O.C.”


11. Taylor Kitsch (28 Years Old), “Friday Night Lights” (2009) (Tim Riggin’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 10 years


10. Charisma Carpenter (27 Years Old), “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997) (Cordelia Chase’s Age: 16)

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Age Differential: 11 years


9. Alison Lohman (27 Years Old), Flicka (2006) (Katy McLaughlin’s Age: 16)

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Age Differential: 11 Years


8. Stacey Dash (29 Years Old), Clueless) (1995) (Dionne’s Age: 17)

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Age Differential: 12 Years


7. Alan Ruck (30 Years Old), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) (Cameron Frye’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 12 Years


6. Keiko Agena (30 Years Old), “Gilmore Girls” (2003) (Lane Kim’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 12 Years.


5. Michael J. Fox (29 Years Old), Back to the Future III (1990) (Marty McFly’s Age: 17)

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Age Differential: 12 Years


4. Henry Winkler (29 Years Old), “Happy Days” (1974) (The Fonz’s Age: 29)

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Age Differential: 12 Years


3. Gary Burghoff (32 Years Old), “M.A.S.H.” (1972) (Walter Eugene O’Reilly’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 14 Years


2. Gabrielle Carteris (32 Years Old), “Beverly Hills 90210” (1993) (Andrea Zuckerman’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 14 Years


1. Stockard Channing (34 Years Old), Grease (1978) (Betty Rizzo’s Age: 18)

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Age Differential: 16 Years.

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Comments

Yes, but Stacey Dash is Stacey Dash and so everything she does is proper and right. I love that you used a shot from her Playboy spread, which might be the last time she's appeared in public.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at August 20, 2009 3:55 PM

4.? Do math much?

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 3:56 PM

How about EVERYONE in the cast of 'Grease'?

Posted by: OldSchool60 at August 20, 2009 4:00 PM

I would do things to Charisma Carpenter that would make her gynecologist cry himself to sleep.

Posted by: Xtreme at August 20, 2009 4:04 PM

Only one entry from Grease? I was under the impression that entire school existed in some sort of time warp.

Posted by: Mrcreosote at August 20, 2009 4:04 PM

For whatever reason, the only one that surprised me was Alan Ruck/Cameron.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 20, 2009 4:05 PM

I need to start stalking Stacey Dash, ASAP.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 20, 2009 4:07 PM

I was never a M*A*S*H fan, but I had a vague awareness of it as a kid. I had no idea O'Reilly was supposed to be only 18. Of all the ones on this list, I think he might sell it the least credibly. Henry Winkler/The Fonz is also sort of ridiculous.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 20, 2009 4:08 PM

Oh, and Charisma Carpenter is really pretty.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 20, 2009 4:09 PM

Holy shit. LANE? Really?! she acted young way better than Alexis Bledel did! Wow.

And Rizzo was the hottest thing ever. Stockard Channing RULES.

Posted by: figgy at August 20, 2009 4:10 PM

This list is BOLD!

Taylor Kitsch is 28? Ugh. Taylor Kitsch just became too old for me.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 20, 2009 4:11 PM

AvB-HA!

Charisma is super pretty. And Alan Ruck wins at everything.

Posted by: Julie at August 20, 2009 4:13 PM

At least the adults they cast to play teenagers these days actually kinda look like teenagers. Seriously. Compare Winkler and Channing to Lohman and Kitsch. Until a few years ago, I had no idea Fonzie was MEANT to be a teenager. I always assumed he was a slightly backwards adult, and Mrs. C had a soft spot for the mentally challenged.

Posted by: Landon at August 20, 2009 4:14 PM

Posted by: Xtreme at August 20, 2009 4:04 PM

That line is so good I MUST rip it off for parties. Well played, Xtreme.

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at August 20, 2009 4:16 PM

And Rizzo was the hottest thing ever. Stockard Channing RULES.

I agree, however, I never bought her as a teenager.

Henry Winkler (29 Years Old), “Happy Days” (1974) (The Fonz’s Age: 29)

Damn, how did he sell that?

Age Differential: 12 Years

One of us has to go back to school.

Posted by: Cindy at August 20, 2009 4:25 PM

Wasn't Dante Basco around 30 when he was in that teen dance movie with Antonio Banderas? His face hasn't aged at all since he was Rufio.

But you know, that's how the Filipinos roll, yo.

Posted by: Annie UhOh at August 20, 2009 4:27 PM

Ug, Dustin, you forgot to close the bold tag on:

2. Gabrielle Carteris

Basic HTML fail man.

Posted by: Vi at August 20, 2009 4:30 PM

Man, Stacey Dash is (was? haven't seen her lately) gorgeous, and Keiko was 30 when that show was on? Damn. Must be nice to have those genetics.

RE Grease: I tried to watch that about a month ago, and the idea of any of those women being teenagers, even in the 1950s, was so ridiculous to me that I couldn't continue watching it (the fact that it is one of the corniest movies ever produced had something to do with it, too). Stockard Channing was very lovely in that movie, but she was obviously not a teenager.

I agree with Landon, at least most of the "teenagers" in TV and movies now look closer to teenaged. If I had to guess Lohman's age, I'd have guessed 20, 21 (not that 27 is elderly).

Posted by: Slash at August 20, 2009 4:33 PM

Wasn't Angela Bassett in some movie about Rosa Parks where she briefly played her as a teenager?

Posted by: Lucie at August 20, 2009 4:33 PM

Fonzie was supposed to be a teenager? Really? Are you sure?

AvB - HA!

Posted by: tamatha at August 20, 2009 4:34 PM

Who picked the fug header photo?

Posted by: Jay at August 20, 2009 4:37 PM

I was always confused about Stockard (who names their kid that, anyway) Channing in Grease. I thought she was 35 at the time, and I guess I wasn't far off.

If we're doing an entire cast, how about the entire cast of Happy Days, right around "jump the shark" time.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 4:38 PM

Hello? Does nobody remember the opening scenes of The Natural? Robert Redford was 48 fucking years old! I love that movie, but that part always bothered me.

Posted by: Opie Curious at August 20, 2009 4:39 PM

Is it me or is that photo of Charisma Carpenter really way out of proportion? her head looks tiny. Are her breasts really that huge? or is it just the weird angle?

It just looks very bizarre for some reason.

Posted by: figgy at August 20, 2009 4:39 PM

Taylor Kitsch is 28? Hmmm. Might have to bump him up on the hottie list, now that I know he's not a child. And yes, anyone under 25 counts as a child in my book. One should not waste one's sexual peak years on those not mature enough to appreciate it.

Posted by: Reba at August 20, 2009 4:43 PM

Wow, I'm surprised about Alan Ruck as well. Damn.

I think honorable mention should also go to Gabrielle Union. She played Chastity in 1999's 10 Things I Hate About You at age 27. She was also a teenager in Bring It On in 2000, when she was 28. She's a lovely girl and STILL looks super young.

Posted by: Bre at August 20, 2009 4:43 PM

Meryl Streep is 60, and she played the mom in Momma Mia (age about 40) and Julia Child (age 40). Then again, she can pull it off (well, except for Momma Mia).

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 4:43 PM

Add me to the list of people who thought Fonzie was supposed to be old. Is it more or less weird that some greaser dude is living above a family's garage, popping over for dinner and giving out sage advice on how to get women if he's 19 or 29? Aaay?

Posted by: Carrie at August 20, 2009 4:45 PM

Figgy: Charisma's breasts really are that pendulous. Although I don't remember them being that big in the early Buffy's. They got big around Angel time. I really think they look out of proportion on her.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 4:46 PM

Once Charisma had her kid, her boobies could not be stopped.

Posted by: Julie at August 20, 2009 4:49 PM

Is it me or is that photo of Charisma Carpenter really way out of proportion? her head looks tiny. Are her breasts really that huge? or is it just the weird angle?
It just looks very bizarre for some reason.
Posted by: figgy at August 20, 2009 4:39 PM

Totally irrelevant. As long as she actually has a head attached (preferably still breathing). Anything beyond that is just being picky.

Posted by: Xtreme at August 20, 2009 4:57 PM

If Lauren Graham was Alexis Bledel's mom she would have been squeezing her out at 14. For Keiko Agena 6.

Posted by: lwoodpdowd at August 20, 2009 4:58 PM

Meh, Charisma's a tall lady, I always thought her boobs looks good on her frame. That particular picture is awkward, though.

Posted by: LowSlash at August 20, 2009 5:01 PM

30-year-old Scott Porter plays a H.S. senior in Bandslam.

31-year-old Eric Christian Olsen and 28-year-old Nicholas D'Agosto starred in Fired Up!, though that might've been part of the joke.

And 25-year-old Maggie Grace played the doofiest 17-year-old in Taken.

Posted by: William Goss at August 20, 2009 5:02 PM

What? No old-high schooler list is complete without Luke Perry. I don't care how old he really was, dude looked about forty.

Posted by: TWoP Fan at August 20, 2009 5:04 PM

Oh my god yes, Luke Perry! What was going on with his forehead? You could have grown potatoes in there!

I still loved him though. And his excellent acting when his dad got blown up but not really blown up. And when his girlfriend was murdered cos his dad hadn't really been blown up. Good times.

Posted by: Carrie at August 20, 2009 5:14 PM

I think the difference is that, nowadays, they're much more likely to cast actual young people playing the roles of teenagers. Look at Greek. Half of those kids really are the age they're playing, or are extremely close. I'm sure there are a hundred legitimate reasons why, but it's clear TV/Hollywood is much fonder now of genuinely young actors playing young characters than it used to be.

Posted by: vercordio at August 20, 2009 5:18 PM

Let's not forget Steve McQueen in The Blob. His character was supposed to be 16, but he was almost 30.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 5:22 PM

To the above poster, yep - Dante Basco was 30 when he played a 17 year old in "Take the Lead" with Banderas. Boy does not age.:)

And Alison Lohman has a history of these kinds of roles - wasn't she 24 when she played a 14 year old in "Matchstick Men?" Damn, I want those kinds of genes!:D

Posted by: luthien26 at August 20, 2009 5:25 PM

Vercordia: "I'm sure there are a hundred legitimate reasons why, but it's clear TV/Hollywood is much fonder now of genuinely young actors playing young characters than it used to be."

And look how well it's turned out. Britney Spears, Linsay Lohan, etc. etc.

Maybe they need to be hiring adults again.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 5:25 PM

Wow that's funny... they just did the same thing on collegehumor yesterday... not as well though

Posted by: just saying at August 20, 2009 5:25 PM

That's not TOO crazy, lwoodpdowd. Lorelai was supposed to have been 16 when she had Rory if I recall correctly.

(/gilmore girls nerd)

Posted by: figgy at August 20, 2009 5:26 PM

Jason Earles plays the older brother on Hannah Montana, and he is currently 32...when the show started he was supposed to be about 15 or 16 but was really around 29 or 30!

Posted by: Corina at August 20, 2009 5:27 PM

So can we all stop giving crap to the Harry Potter gang? Those kids are nowhere near as old as these people.

Posted by: Todd at August 20, 2009 5:28 PM

A very similar article appeared on Collegehumor.com yesterday:

http://www.collegehumor.com/article:1789493

Posted by: mc at August 20, 2009 5:38 PM

Meh, Charisma's a tall lady, I always thought her boobs looks good on her frame. That particular picture is awkward, though.
Posted by: LowSlash at August 20, 2009 5:01 PM

LowSlash, I'm a tall guy, and this pretty lady is only 5'7", so I'm going to say that even with big heels she's under 6'. Maybe taller than average, but not tall.

Posted by: Xtreme at August 20, 2009 5:42 PM

you also forgot jennifer jason leigh's segment in Palindromes. She was 42 playing a 13 year old. Now that's old.

Posted by: mae at August 20, 2009 5:46 PM

Stacy Dash is gorgeous.

Posted by: John W at August 20, 2009 5:47 PM

Shirley Henderson has a bigger age gap than any of these - she was 35+ when she played Moaning Myrtle (14) in the Harry Potter films.

Posted by: glendonwyne at August 20, 2009 6:29 PM

Wasn't Rachel McAdams like 27 when she played Regina in 'Mean Girls'? They were juniors at the very oldest, I think.

Posted by: Mimi at August 20, 2009 6:39 PM

BWeaves - I completely agree that a large number of the higher-profile youngsters have turned out to be rather tortured individuals (probably by no small amount due to the environment they grew up in). I realize, now, that when I said "legitimate reasons" that comment was misleading. I meant legit as in accurate, not as in acceptable. I'm not entirely certain if that's what your comment was intended toward, but I just wanted to be sure.

Also, it's vercordio, with an "o". I couldn't come up with a non-douchebag way of saying that, and I normally wouldn't say anything at all, but I swear every time someone calls me by name on this site they say "vercordia". That strikes me as being the feminine conjugation of the word, which would be more appropriate if I wasn't a guy.

Posted by: vercordio at August 20, 2009 6:42 PM

So can we all stop giving crap to the Harry Potter gang? Those kids are nowhere near as old as these people.

Posted by: Todd at August 20, 2009 5:28 PM
---

Seconded.

Posted by: ceejeemcbeegee at August 20, 2009 6:43 PM

figgy I got distracted between comparing the ages and actually making the post.

The point I wanted to make was that Keiko Agena is closer in age to Lauren Graham than Alexis Bledel.

I wonder how close in age hollywood has come when pairing actresses for mother/daugther roles. Any mothers younger than daughters?

Posted by: lwoodpdowd at August 20, 2009 6:52 PM

lwoodpdowd: Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur, Golden Girls

Posted by: Opie Curious at August 20, 2009 7:05 PM

What about Kevin Bacon?

In 1978 he was in college. (Animal House)

In 1984 he was in high school. (Footloose). One of the few times I wanted to get up and leave a movie. The soundtrack still gives me the willies.

Posted by: wsapnin at August 20, 2009 7:06 PM

Just a note - Stacey Dash also played Dionne in the TV spin-off of Clueless, which ran from 1996-1999. The finalé is called "All Night Senior Party", so we can assume she was playing an 18-year old at that stage, making her 33 (she was born in 1966), a differential of 15 years.

God, I love Wikipedia.

Posted by: Shay at August 20, 2009 7:20 PM

Charisma Carpenter and I went to the same high school, although she graduated 5 years before me. So really, I guess there is no relevance to my post other than the phrase "high school."

Posted by: JayJay at August 20, 2009 7:35 PM

Minka Kelly is even older than Taylor Kitsch- why is she not on here?

Posted by: oaklandcat at August 20, 2009 7:36 PM

But no one ever talks about "Moving"!

Posted by: Jay at August 20, 2009 8:06 PM

What about John C Reilly playing a 15 year old Dewey Cox?! Hilarious.


BWeaves: "And look how well it's turned out. Britney Spears, Linsay Lohan, etc. etc.

Maybe they need to be hiring adults again."

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2009 5:25 PM

But when hiring of age-appropriate actors for teenage parts is done well, and the actors are treated with respect and given good opportunities, we get masterpieces like Freaks and Geeks. Seth Rogen was his character's age (17 or so), now he's movie star. And he seems to have his head on straight.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at August 20, 2009 8:08 PM

Minka Kelly is even older than Taylor Kitsch- why is she not on here?

Because who would rather Dustin see shirtless and grinning deliciously on the beach, hair blowing gorgeously in the wind machine?

Posted by: S5aB8rina at August 20, 2009 8:08 PM

Whoa, S5aB8rina's going all out with the name and I LOVE IT.

Posted by: figgy at August 20, 2009 8:25 PM

Future addition:

Kristen Chenoweth (42 years old), Wicked (2010) (Galinda's age: 18)

Age differential: 24 (christ.)

Posted by: Ling at August 20, 2009 8:36 PM

Seth Rogen was his character's age (17 or so), now he's movie star. And he seems to have his head on straight.

To be fair, I think his current status as a movie star has less to do with him having his head on straight and more to do with him having Judd Apatow's 'head'...actually, I shouldn't finish this sentence. The last thing I need right now is another libel lawsuit.

Future addition:

Kristen Chenoweth (42 years old), Wicked (2010) (Galinda's age: 18)

Age differential: 24 (christ.)

I would be shocked if Chenowith and Menzel actually get cast in that movie. I'd also be shocked if that movie actually appears in 2010 since, from what I've heard, there's no proper script or director yet. I think this is another example of IMDb being full of shit.

Posted by: Shay at August 20, 2009 8:45 PM

One should not waste one's sexual peak years on those not mature enough to appreciate it.

On the other hand, there's something to be said for coupling with someone who is also at his sexual peak, and has the stamina and the energy of youth on his side so he can go, say, 4 or 5 times in the course of a long afternoon.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 20, 2009 8:59 PM

What about Ashton Holmes in A History of Violence? I need to check the facts, but he seemed very convincing and must have been about 26 or 27.

Posted by: Caspar at August 20, 2009 9:41 PM

Meryl Streep in The House of Spirits. I think she was in her 40's and played a 15-year-old girl in a flashback sequence.

Posted by: ecp at August 20, 2009 10:15 PM

I'd like to point out, as your resident musical theater homo, that the point of Grease is that it's supposed to be spoofing upbeat 50's movies (i.e. Frankie and Annette), and is usually cast with much older people, when not done by high schools who have no clue what it's about.

That's also why Rizzo gets all sad about impending baby and then, suddenly! *poof!* (or should I say *splurge!*) she get's her period and everything's ok.

Posted by: Rowen at August 21, 2009 12:48 AM

I'm 52 and I play 18.

+34

Fuck y'all.

Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at August 21, 2009 12:56 AM

Bah. Stop hyping that 18-year-old male sexual peak myth. I can still go 4 or 5 times in the course of an afternoon if the opportunity arises, and experience dictates I know a hell of a lot better what I'm doing now than I did then.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 21, 2009 2:13 AM

Oh my god yes, Luke Perry! What was going on with his forehead? You could have grown potatoes in there!

Thank you for a good laugh.

My husband and I have recently been watching the early seasons of Buffy, and as much as I like Cordelia (well, maybe "like" isn't always the right word), every time she's on screen I think, "There is no way she's a highschooler. No way."

It's interesting that someone mentioned Gabrielle Union in 10 Things I Hate About You. I didn't realize she was so old then. One of the things I really liked about that movie is that most of the highschoolers were played by actual, you know, highschoolers. Even Heath Ledger was only 20, which isn't that old.

Also, I am pretty surprised to find out Alan Ruck was 30 when he played Cameron.

Posted by: Corntree at August 21, 2009 2:28 AM

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 21, 2009 2:13 AM

I agree, 18 I could manage maybe 8 minutes and had no idea what the fuck I was doing. 27, last time I had sex went for 2 hours and I did everything...everything I could think of.

Man do I feel sorry for the woman I'm with when I'm 35...good lord...she'll probably die.

Posted by: Deistbrawler at August 21, 2009 3:08 AM

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Posted by: tallloving c o m at August 21, 2009 3:17 AM

Taylor Kitsch is 28? Ugh. Taylor Kitsch just became too old for me.

All the more for me then, Anna! I must admit it took me a while to get from number 11 to number 10 in that list. Nice pic choice, Dustin.

Alan Ruck was 30? Damn. Yeah, that one surprises me, too.

I'd have added Tom Welling to the list. How old is Clark Kent meant to be? I quit watching when they killed The Magnificent Bastard, but even then, Welling was wearing too much peach blush and lipstick, the usual way of more mature actors being passed off as teens.

Posted by: Tarn at August 21, 2009 4:19 AM

I'm absolutely in shock that Ralph Macchio is not on this list. It is my understanding that he was in his mid-20s when playing a 16/17 year old. (only estimated 7-year differential)

Course he is mid 40s now and could probably still play an 18-year-old.

Posted by: bombscribe at August 21, 2009 4:55 AM

Robert Redford was 48 playing 19-year old Roy Hobbs in The Natural.

Posted by: MrsK at August 21, 2009 8:39 AM

Roddy McDowall in "Lord Love a Duck." 38 playing 18. And any Pajiban who hasn't seen the movie doesn't deserve the title.

Posted by: brm at August 21, 2009 9:05 AM

Guess nobody watches Smallville?

Posted by: Jerry Colvin at August 21, 2009 9:23 AM

Here a list I put together a couple years back (recently updated) of about 30 old actors playing teens. Starting age was 26:

Old School! Too Old to Play Teens

Posted by: jeff at August 21, 2009 9:31 AM

I feel so much better about being hot for Taylor Kitsch knowing he is 28. Thank you, Pajiba!

Also, it should be noted that Andrea on 90210 also acted like she was 32. No surprise there.

But who knew Lane was so much older? That actress is awesome.

Posted by: Stella at August 21, 2009 9:45 AM

Corntree, I would think the exact same thing about Cordy while watching Buffy--gorgeous, yes; fun character, yes; good actress, yes; teenager? No fucking way. Especially in that scene where she arrives at the prom. Teenage girls do not look like that or carry themselves that way.

There was also an episode of Angel where he saves the life of a famous actor, who then becomes desperate to have him turn her into a vampire so she can stop aging and keep her looks and her job, and at one point she says to her manager "I'm twenty (something)," and I could hardly watch the rest of the episode, given that she didn't look younger than forty. I liked the actress and she was pretty and all, but I can only suspend my disbelief so much.

Posted by: DeadBessie at August 21, 2009 10:02 AM

Bah. Stop hyping that 18-year-old male sexual peak myth. I can still go 4 or 5 times in the course of an afternoon if the opportunity arises, and experience dictates I know a hell of a lot better what I'm doing now than I did then.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 21, 2009 2:13 AM
---
Agreed. I was making MYSELF happier at 18-20 (banging two girls a day and banging the bishop in between, that sort of thing) but I can make my WOMAN much happier now. And that makes me happy.

Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at August 21, 2009 10:25 AM

Ooh, I forgot Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility. She was 36 when that movie was made. In the book, Elinor is 19. I think they tried to downplay it by portraying her as more of an old maid, but it still bugs me. Every time she popped up, I said, "Thirty-six!" It started to get on my husband's nerves. :)

And DeadBessie, I definitely agree about the prom. Teenage girls do not look like that.

Posted by: Corntree at August 21, 2009 10:42 AM

I know this is kind of old school, but I always laughed at Ingrid Bergman playing a 14 year old Joan of Arc when she was 33.
Age differential: 19.

Posted by: CJ at August 21, 2009 11:07 AM

I don't really care what age Charisma Carpenter is playing as long as she keeps looking the way she does. She's incredible. Hell, I'm going to have to watch that idiotic 'Legend of the Seeker' crap because she's going to be a Mord-sith or whatever that hack called the dominatrix chicks in red leather.

Posted by: ponch at August 21, 2009 12:30 PM

I'm 52 and I play 18.
+34
Fuck y'all.
Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy)

Shouldn't that read "I'm 52 and I play with 18's"?

Posted by: Xtreme at August 21, 2009 12:38 PM

Stop hyping that 18-year-old male sexual peak myth.

Gentlemen, I understand your distress with that notion, and could not agree with you more, but my comment was to say that I am at my sexual peak in middle age and would not waste it on a youngster. Not that there are any beating down my door, but that may have something to do with the fact that my husband looks a good deal like an axe murderer when he doesn't shave, which is to say most of the time.

Posted by: Reba at August 21, 2009 1:15 PM

Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter. She played Loretta Lynn throughout the film, from when she was 13 (first 40 minutes of movie) to 40, all while she was 31 years old.

31 plays 13. That beats all, I think. And the strangest part is she carried it off.

Posted by: B42 at August 21, 2009 1:21 PM

I have to give Alison Lohman a pass on this one because unlike all the other actors on this list she looks fucking young! I remember when I saw Matchstick Men (another movie where she plays a 15 year old) I was SHOCKED when I found out how old she actually was. She'll be playing a younger person well into her mid thirties.

Posted by: citizen_cris at August 21, 2009 1:38 PM

Oh god, the photoshop disaster on CC. Shrunken head! Warped arm! And I think I detect a little tummy tuck, too...

Some people should not be allowed near image editing software.

Posted by: blue at August 21, 2009 2:11 PM

Alan ruck was 30 years old in 1986, I guess Principal Rooney wasn't the only "problem' in those days.

Posted by: Corey W. at August 21, 2009 4:13 PM

Listen, I'm not advocating for 18 year olds. They're far too annoying, and yes, there's that whole "18 seconds" thing as well.

23, though. That's a good age. They start realizing they don't know everything, and being more ...shall we say eager to learn, as well as having figured out some form of control. Yet, they still have the stamina, vigor, and youthful beauty.

I also think men in their later 20s, in their 30s, 40s, 50s are beautiful, just in a different way. And, agreed, more experienced. I'm just saying, there's an argument to be made for the young 'uns as well.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at August 21, 2009 6:29 PM

DeadBessie, that's bad news for the actress so, as she was only 31 when that episode filmed. (Tamara Gorski, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331341/) To be honest, I had no problem suspending disbelief with regard to her age - my problem was that she thought she could continue a successful career as an actress who can never go out in daylight or be near mirrors. Moron.

Just thought of another good one - Rachel McAdams playing Regina George, a high school Junior, at age 32. That said, I have serious trouble imagining anyone else in that role, so I guess it's worth letting it slide.

Posted by: Shay at August 21, 2009 7:40 PM

Ok let's fix that Henry Winkler thing. 29 minus 29 equals 0. I think...it's been a while since math class, but....well...I'm pretty sure.

Posted by: V Noir at August 22, 2009 2:33 AM

I am strictly dickly but I'd let Stacey Dash change that if she wanted to. Other than my momentary lapse in sexuality, cool list. I never knew Alan Ruck was that old.

Posted by: Brittany at August 22, 2009 9:35 AM

FTW: Brad Pitt's face on a baby.

+ 45

Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at August 22, 2009 4:43 PM

I keep seeing that picture of Charisma Carpenter on the front page. It's distracting, dammit.

Posted by: Lucas at August 22, 2009 7:23 PM

I'm 52 and routinely play a 13 year old on Dateline NBC. That's a difference of 39 years. I Win!!!

Posted by: Chris Hansen is Satan at August 23, 2009 3:54 AM

Cher and Dionne were 15 years old in the movie. That makes Stacy Dash's age differential 14. Actually.

Posted by: jkate at August 23, 2009 5:40 PM

Selma Blair -- she was I believe 27 or 28 in Cruel Intentions. In which she was supposed to be playing a 14 year old just starting high school.

Posted by: Antoinette at August 27, 2009 2:23 PM

Wow, can we get more middle-aged men desperately trying to get attention for their recently-discovered sexual "achievements"? Shut the FUCK up and stop creeping people out.

Posted by: Joe M. at August 28, 2009 2:41 AM

You missed the oldest. Robert Redford was 50-something playing an 18 year-old in THE NATURAL. Glenn Close was about 40 playing his 17-year-old girlfriend. And how about Streisand playing a teenaged boy in YENTIL when she was 43.

Posted by: rick at September 2, 2009 6:29 PM