June Squibb, This Summer’s Geri-Action Star

Published Aug 12, 2024, 7:01 AM

At age 94, June Squibb is starring in her first leading role in this summer’s geri-action comedy film, “Thelma.” She plays a mischievous woman who gets scammed and goes on a mission to reclaim the thousands of dollars that as stolen from her by someone pretending to be her grandson. June joins The Bright Side to chat about her decades-long career, finding balance between love and craft, and how it never occurred to her to give up.

Hey, fam, Hello Sunshine. Today, on the bright side, we have a Hollywood actress who has seen the industry in almost every decade. OSCAR nominated actor and star of the new movie Thelma June Squib is here. At ninety four years old. She's taking on her very first leading role. And get this, she's an action star. You won't want to miss her incredible stories of perseverance and pearls of wisdom. It's Monday, August twelfth. I'm Danielle Robe.

And I'm Simone Boyce, and this is the bright Side from Hello Sunshine, a daily show where we come together to share women's stories, laugh, learn and brighten your day. All Right, it's Monday, Danielle. Let's kick things off with On My Mind Monday, our opportunity to share stories that motivate us, inspire curiosity, and provide a fresh perspective for the week.

What you got today?

Okay, So you know everybody's been talking about a brat summer, right, Yes, well, you almost can't get away from it on the internet. But did you know that this is not our first brat summer?

Really tell me more.

Okay, before I tell you about the past version, I think we have to talk about where this one came from, just so we're all on the same page, because the origin of this summer's hottest word, brat comes from the singer Charlie XCX. She had this hit album called Brat, which came out on June seventh, and it quickly became one of the most talked about albums of the summer. And then when Kamala Harris announced that she was running for president as a Democratic nominee, Charlie XCX tweeted, Kamala is brat, So it took on this whole political meaning. But everybody was like, what does what does a brat mean? What does brat Summer mean? So Charlie XCX describes the concept of brat Summer to be all about being that girl who's a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes and is also very honest and very blunt. And when it comes to fashion, brat Summer is all about that nea lime shartchuse green. It's about aerial fonts and white tanks and baby teas.

That's the Y two K of it all. That's the y two K portion exactly. That's so well said, well this summer. The word bratt has galvanized this sense of community and belonging and saying brat, I think has made everybody feel like they're a part of something.

And here's what I find interesting. I came across this article in the UK publication The Standard, and it lays out these summer trends throughout history. So this article is saying that naming these summers kind of started in the sixties because that was the summer of love. It was all about peace and love and music. And then there was the og Bratt Summer, which dates back to the nineteen eighties, and it was when this group of young actors known as the Brat Pack began to dominate the coming of age teen movie genre. You remember that, yeah, of course, like the Summer of the Brat Pack was Emilio Estevez and Rob Low and Molly Ringwold. It was that era.

It was Breakfast, Claus Saint almost Fire.

Sixteen Candles exactly. And then, of course, if we fast forward to current day, twenty nineteen was the Hot Girl summer that took off. It was inspired by Megan the Stallion's hit by the same name. There was even kind of this funny one in twenty twenty one called hot Vax Summer aka the summer after the vaccine started being available and people were social again, like taking selfies with their vax cards. But this whole idea of naming summers, they seem particularly guided toward women. What do you think that is.

I think that just speaks to the economic power that we know that women have. I mean, we saw women consumers, female consumers make huge waves in the economy over the past year or so, between Barbie and Beyonce's tour and Taylor Swift's tour. So I think at the end of the day, advertisers know that having a catchy, memorable, sticky name for a period of our lives where we all feel connected is actually going to make them more money, you know, if they can hop on this trend and sell products to us under this label.

I mean it makes sense.

That's funny. I think of it more community based. I feel like it gives us this timestamp, like you talked about Barbie and Beyonce and Taylor Swift, like that music or a certain look or an outfit. It takes us back to a spirit of something that we felt at the time. And I almost think speaking of Barbie. It's like reclaiming femininity and redefining it for whatever moment we're in.

So I like your take much better.

I actually, I actually think that us coming up with these cute little names for our summer experiences. I think that just speaks to how joyful we are too. Yeah, like the fact that I mean, it's no secret that, like in summer week experience improved mood and mental health benefits, and so I think that this just speaks to like the overall excitement that people feel during It's a real phenomenon.

I agree. But the aspect that I find so interesting is that it's particularly female, and I almost feel like it's reclamation, Like by naming it something, we're redefining what femininity means at that time on our own terms, and so no one can tell you you're not having a bratgirl summer exactly.

You know.

It's powerful.

Yeah, I think it's like an embrace of our identity. It's interesting. I'm not sure men have the same thing. Men need to have more fun. Y'all need to y'all need more to things. You need more things, You need more cute names for things. Y'all need to have more fun. Okay, loosen up well.

Speaking of women defining moments over time, our guest today is doing just that. I mean, it might as well be June's Squib Summer, because, at ninety four years old, June is the leading lady of the new Jerry Action comedy film Thelma, and this role marks her first ever leading role in her decades long career Jerry Action.

I love that. Yeah, June Squib really is the epitove me of never giving up on yourself. She started her acting career over seventy years ago, first on stages on Broadway and then auditioning for film and TV roles, especially with the encouragement of her second husband, who was an acting teacher. She's best known for her Oscar nominated role in Alexander Payne's movie Nebraska, where she played a family matriarch, and in her most recent role in Thelma, she plays a mischievous ninety three year old woman who gets scammed and goes on a mission to reclaim the ten thousand dollars that was stolen from her by someone pretending to be her grandson.

She even did a lot of her own stunts, which just blows my mind. And for all of our Inside Out fans out there. June Squib actually voiced the character nostalgia in Inside Out too, and people, there are no signs of this woman slowing down anytime soon, because later this year she'll be starring in Eleanor the Great Scarlett Johanson's directorial debut, Hot Eyes on that one.

I can't wait to chat with her about her career and ask her for some of her reflections. So after the break, we're talking Hollywood through the decades and balancing the love of your craft with the love of a partner. All that up next, June, Welcome to the bright Side.

Thank you, thank you.

I can't tell you how excited Simone and I were to have you here. We're so grateful that you came in person and shared your time with us.

Lovely, No, I enjoy this.

So we want to start out with something really serious. It sounds like you have a big beef with a movie star named Glenn Powell.

He's gorgeous.

We're gonna play a quick clip from your Instagram.

Okay, hey Glenn Powell, you think you're so cool with your big fancy Twisters movie. Oh I could kick your ass.

So what's going on there, dude. Is this like the type of thing where someone's so cute that you have to make fun of them.

No, not really. It was like, just prove to everybody that you're an action star. That's what it's all about.

I like that.

It's so I went up. I guess every action star we could think of.

That's funny, very funny.

Well, you have proven yourself to be an action star through and through because in your latest project, Thelma, you.

Play a grandma on a mission.

Thelma is determined to track down the criminals who scammed her and retrieve her money. And I'm sitting here watching this film. It's so entertaining, and yet I'm struck by the fact that storylines like this are so rare. How does it feel to know that you and everyone behind this film are literally helping pioneer a new genre, which the internet is calling jerry action film.

Oh, I haven't heard that. That's wonderful. Well, I think we have to give Josh Margolin a great deal of applause for this. It was his idea and he directed it, so he was the leader while we were shooting the film, and I'm very, very very proud of it. I am very proud of it. But I must say, when I read that script, I thought I've got to do this. The script was really wonderful. He's a great writer. So I don't know what to say. I'm thrilled. We're all giddy with what has happened to the film because everybody's loving it.

I can sense the pride in your voice when you talk about it. Why are you so proud of this one?

Well, I'm in my nineties, so to be doing a film about a ninety year old and to realize that in my nineties, I'm doing the lead role in a film that's doing well, that people are seeing that everybody's liking a lot, So that's exciting.

I mean, just making a film number one, it's like it's like huge congratulations are in order because it's such an impossible feat. Then to make a film that people like, that's a whole other thing. And then to make a film that people are enjoying when you're in your nineties. It's such a beautiful story too. You actually do your own stunts in this film. How would you rate the process of doing your own stunts out of ten?

Would you do it again?

Oh? Yeah? Now, when you get to my age. Every year makes a difference, so I think it would be harder for me to do some of them, But there's a lot I could still do.

I think, what were some of the most thrilling stunts to film?

Oh?

Driving that scooter? That was I knew when I read the script that this was gonna be great fun, and it was. It was. And then with Richard behind me all the time, Shafts sitting there behind me on the scooter.

Now, you've dedicated your life to the craft of acting. I have the numbers here. You've been in for twenty five films, over thirty five TV shows, countless Broadway shows. I would venture to say you've been a part of over eighty productions. Oh, I'm sure it could be more than that. Honestly, how does it feel to be starring? You mentioned a leading lady? How does it feel to be starring in a film?

Well, it doesn't feel any different. I look at each script the same way. Do I want to do it? Is there something in there that makes this woman interesting to me? And I never think in terms of how big the role is or what it's going to mean. It's what the script is telling me.

Really, if you feel called to it.

Yeah, And I have said this that if Josh had given me this script it said come on work for one day, I probably would have done it because it impressed me so his writing and the script what he.

Was saying, Yeah, this character that you play Filma is not only just taking us on this wild ride, but she's also serving up some really important lessons that I think moviegoers today and just everyone in our society needs to see. And at the core of one of those big lessons is this idea that she's underestimated by her family, especially at her age. I'm really curious if you have ever felt underestimated in your career.

Oh god, yes, yes, of course.

When do you think you felt most underestimated?

Well, when I auditioned for something. When you're young, you're auditioning constantly, and it's you know, do you think you really can do this role, because prove to me that you can. Yeah, that's what you're being told, yeah, constantly, and then things happen and you don't get it, and oh my god, sometimes that's very painful.

There's this moment in the movie. I'd venture to say it's my favorite quote. You say, there comes a time in life when you can't listen to anyone but yourself.

I've always felt that. I've always sort of thought, even when I was a kid, I fought what was supposed to be. It was like, why do I have to do what somebody else tells me to do. I've had that with me forever.

How did that show up when you were a young actress? Audition?

Oh?

I did?

I did strange things.

Tell me, what do you mean?

Well? I remember this one audition and I had worked for the director before, and he said, just come in and sing, and you've got the job. Don't ask me why I did this. I went in and sang the Battle him a Republic as an audition. So I mean, that's really ridiculous. Then I decided I will not look at them. I will look to the side and up. Well, there was this awful silence when I got through. I walked out of the room and this director chased me out. I said, what in the f were you doing in there? And I said, well, I was doing my audition. He says, you just lost your job. But I would do and it never occurred to me that I'm was supposed to be doing something else.

Jusie do you think that's a secret to your longevity in this industry, your contrarian spirit.

It might be I'm very stubborn and if I decide I'm going to do something, I do it.

Hey, we can all use a little bit more of that.

No, but I think that is a lot of it, because I think you have to be determined. You have to be so I think you have to get anywhere in this business anyway.

Well, especially thinking about how much the industry has changed since you started performing in this industry, and how yes, we still have some more work to do, more progress to be done, but it is much more open. There are more opportunities for women. Now, how have you seen the opportunities available to women change over the course of your career in Hollywood.

I don't know that I've seen women. I've seen age, though age certainly has changed tremendously. I feel. What do you mean by that, Well, the fact that I'm doing a leading role in my nineties. I shot another leading role in my nineties after this one, which will be coming out next year, and that just isn't done. Yeah, but they're writing, they're writing for this now. There's an interest in age, there's an interest in how an older person maneuvers in life. You know, how they live their life.

Do you see that when you are reading the scripts that come across your desk.

Well, I only get them if there's a over a ninety year old in so I don't really see that many. But what I see is kind of wonderful. I mean the fact that I've had two leading roles coming up of a ninety year old that just did not happen. And I think also we have a lot of wonderful actresses in their fifties sixties still doing leading, really leading lady roles, and that's amazing me. Every time I see.

You, it's amazing. June. Okay, we have to take a quick break, but we'll be right back with more from the ninety four year old star of Thelma, June Squib.

And we're back with more pearls of Wisdom from Oscar nominated actress June Squib.

You have an upcoming role in Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut about a woman who decides to relocate at the age of ninety after losing her best friend. I just learned that you relocated at the age of eighty four, so you kind of know what that feels like. When I think about friendships. As you're coming up in Hollywood, you said you lived with a friend as well. They bring so much to our lives. Is there a girlfriend whose friendship has been really enduring for you?

Yeah? I would say there are two women who I've known for years, and I'm very close to both of them. The Evette Freeman, who is an actress and a director. She's directing more now, and Kitty McMillan. And Kitty actually was a part of the group that helped me through the award season on Nebraska because she worked for my agent at the time. But I've known her for years from years back in New York.

That's fun when work in friendship cross is over. Yeah, that's special.

I also should mention I have a wonderful assistant, Kelly Sweeney, who's younger. She's in her fifties. I have her as a close friend. I always think of that as a little different because of the age. The other two women are much closer than my actual age. Strangely enough, I have other young friends. Chris Colfer I met during Glee and we became bonded at the hip and have been ever since. And that was probably I don't know, over fifteen years ago that I met him, I suppose. And Fred Heckinger, who is from Thelma, we became very close. He lives in New York, but when he's in LA I always see him. He comes over for dinner or lunch or whatever.

Who cooks.

I don't cook, I mean it's brought in. Usually. I have someone for my complex that cooks for me a few meals a week.

They are friends with Margot Martin Day. Yeah, she cracks me up. She's a great actress.

Yes, it's wonderful to have her as a friend. We lived next door to each other in New York for about thirty some years. Wow, that last apartment I had in New York. She lived next door to me. And I don't know why, but we have the same feeling towards acting. What each of us recognizes is the same. And so it's wonderful to talk to her about acting because I know that it's going to be somebody that I understand and that understands what I'm saying.

You know, what is that philosophy?

If you don't mind sharing that you both have in common when it comes to acting.

Well, I think we both want reality and that's something that's very important to me. And also my husband, who was very important to me as a teacher, pounded into me. And less is more. That's another one, because the less you do, the better off you are.

You're so dedicated to your career. How did you balance love and your husband and then later your second husband with that love of craft? Did they understand it very much?

So?

I think, well, that's probably why the first marriage didn't work. I don't think there was that understanding my second husband, because he taught acting. He was the one that wanted me to change and wanted me to give up musicals and work as an actress and it was very important to him. And also I think being the father of my child I made a big difference in our relationship. So I don't know quite what the answer is. I guess you just learned to sort of handle everything all at once. You know, there was never a question that if I wanted to do a job that was not in New York City, that I would do it. He would handle taking care of their child.

Did you just sort of know when you met Charles, your second husband, Yes.

Because we were married thirty years before he died.

And you had that spark.

Yeah. And I also recognized that he had this ability to explain something that I felt I wanted explained, and that was acting. That was a part of what I found so great about him.

What do you think he found in you?

I think I had a love of life that he did not have. I think that always fascinated him. Yeah, I really do.

You actually credit your second husband, Charles, with giving you that push that you needed to explore cinema and TV roles. Right When I look at your career, I think about the power of reinvention and how you're someone who has constantly pivoted and reinvented themselves and rediscovered themselves. Is there a secret to getting through each one of those reinventions?

I think you have to want something, and I think each time I wanted this, I wanted what the shift was, and so I did it. I don't know what you made. It sounds yell and I you know, I could remember when I first went into his class. Oh, I was crying and screaming and yelling at it. Everybody was laughing and he and I because he was saying, you're going to You're going to do it. I say I can't. I can. I mean, we went through shit together to get there. But he was determined, and I guess I was determined too, that this was going to happen.

How did you find the faith, that trust, the belief in yourself to keep going.

It never occurred to me to give up. It just simply never occurred to me. And I think that, and I've said this I from the time I remember I was an actress, and I have no idea why. I don't know where it came from. But it never occurred to me that I was anything else, but that that was it.

I think a lot of younger generations of women today are constantly butting up against these arbitrary deadlines that society has imposed on us. You know, you got to have everything figured out by by the time you turn thirty, and then you need to have your next reinvention at forty, or you need to be in the C suite by fifty. What you want to say to anyone out there who believes it might be too late for them to accomplish whatever it is that they're after.

I just don't think it's ever too late. I really don't. And it's not me sitting here in my nineties because of the film. I just believe that I think that we each have our own road, and some take longer. It's as simple as that. And also, if you want to do something, it's important enough, you'll stick at it and do it well.

June, we're going to wrap this up.

It has been such a treat having you here in the right side studio with us.

Thanks for joining us, Thank you for including me.

June Squid is an OSCAR nominated actor and star of Selma in select theaters and on vod.

That's it for today's show. Tomorrow, the multi talented performer Mikayla Hey Rodriguez is here with us. She's talking about her iconic roles in Pose and Loot, her new music, and so much more.

Listen and follow the bright Side on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Simone Boice.

You can find me at Simone Voice on Instagram and TikTok.

I'm Danielle Robe on Instagram and TikTok.

That's r b A Y See you tomorrow, folks. Keep looking on the bright side.

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