Jennifer Coolidge Opens Up About Career Renaissance and Dating at 63: ‘Even Though I Play a Complete Weirdo in ‘White Lotus,’ Cute Guys Come Up to Me’

by

At age 63, Jennifer Coolidge shares that winning an Emmy for “The White Lotus” has not only boosted her professional career but also brought about changes in her personal dating experiences.

Despite portraying an eccentric character in ‘White Lotus,’ I’m still approached by attractive men,” Coolidge shared with The Sunday Times. “It’s more favorable than ‘American Pie’ as audiences were genuinely moved when Tanya met a tragic end on a boat. It seems these men appreciate you more because they perceive that you’ve experienced something. That show has significantly boosted my popularity.

After spending decades in Hollywood, the actor openly discussed the career downturn she faced between her early 2000s successes and being cast by Mike White in HBO’s popular series. From 2006 to 2021, Coolidge went through a period where she was often typecast or overlooked for roles.

She mentioned that the jobs she took were quite unusual, as she had no direction at all. She admitted she was clueless about navigating the system. This issue of typecasting continued, as casting directors mainly saw her as the character Stifler’s Mom from ‘American Pie.’ Consequently, she found herself repeatedly playing anxious, wealthy women. People began to think, ‘That’s just the kind of role she’s good at.’

The resurgence in her career was facilitated by her old companion, White, the mastermind behind “The White Lotus,” who developed the character Tanya McQuoid based on Coolidge’s peculiar behavior that they observed during a shared African holiday.

Reflecting during the interview, Coolidge mused, ‘I believe it’s unlikely that another director would’ve picked me for Tanya.’

Even though she has recently won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards, the actor openly shared about her ongoing battles with self-assurance. While publicizing their upcoming thriller “Riff Raff” together with Bill Murray and Pete Davidson, Coolidge admitted to feeling doubtful regarding her casting alongside such experienced actors.

She expressed her surprise, saying, “I’ve spent quite some time in this world, yet I find myself astonished by the individuals I’ve collaborated with recently. They are people I wouldn’t have imagined sharing a stage with.

During the interview for the premiere of “A Minecraft Movie” (releasing April 4), they delved into Coolidge’s sentiments regarding viewing the third season of “The White Lotus”, as her character met an end in the previous season.

She expressed a sense of unease and discomfort, mentioning that she’s concerned about everyone,” she stated, further clarifying, “In the opening episode, you’ll see Greg, who plays my on-screen spouse.” She then admitted, “I secretly hope something unsettling happens to his character.

One must maintain a sportsman-like spirit, but I found myself saying, ‘Is that true? Is that truly the case?’ After venting my frustration, I simply moved on.

In her reflections, Coolidge acknowledged past missed opportunities in her career. She stated, “I unintentionally undermined my own success, and I would warn any aspiring young person: when opportunity knocks, don’t hesitate to seize it.” She continued, “I had a promising future ahead of me, with one good job leading to another. I carry immense regret – I spent a significant portion of my life battling deep sadness.

Regarding dating at sixty, Coolidge pondered if she might have to seek companionship abroad. “European gentlemen seem to be more open to the idea of dating an older woman compared to their American counterparts,” she noted. “Perhaps I should consider seeking a partner overseas.

Read More

2025-03-23 19:16