With respect to Oscars recognition for women 50+, just one of the female acting nominees at this year’s Oscars is 50-plus, while more than half of the male nominees are 50-plus. This discrepancy is not new. GDI’s research study, Missing in Action: Writing a new narrative for women in midlife on the big screen, reveals that women over 50 have been recognized less by the Academy over its 90-year history. At this year’s show, the average age of male acting nominees is 52, compared to 41 for female acting nominees. These numbers reflect a broader pattern in how women’s stories—and careers—are valued as they age.
To understand the full scope of this gap, explore our research here.