June Squibb Reflects on Broadway Return at 96

The veteran actor discusses starring in "Marjorie Prime" and her lifelong passion for acting.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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At 96 years old, acclaimed actor June Squibb is returning to Broadway in the play "Marjorie Prime," which explores the role of AI in aging and grief. Squibb reflects on her early career in New York in the 1950s, including her breakout role in the off-Broadway hit "The Boy Friend" and her Broadway debut in "Gypsy." She discusses her lifelong love of acting, the evolution of her ambition over the decades, and the types of roles that still excite her today.

Why it matters

Squibb's career spans over 70 years, making her a living legend in the entertainment industry. Her return to Broadway at 96 highlights her enduring passion and talent, as well as the ways technology like AI is shaping the themes and narratives explored in contemporary theater.

The details

Squibb started her career in the theater in the 1950s, first at the Cleveland Play House before moving to New York, where she landed her big break in the off-Broadway hit "The Boy Friend." She made her Broadway debut in the original production of "Gypsy." Squibb's film and TV work didn't come until later, with her first movie role in 1990's "Alice" and her mainstream breakthrough in 2013's "Nebraska," for which she received an Oscar nomination. More recently, she has starred in films like "Thelma" and "Eleanor the Great." In "Marjorie Prime," Squibb plays an aging woman with dementia who interacts with an AI hologram of her late husband to preserve her memories.

  • Squibb started her career in the theater in the 1950s.
  • She made her Broadway debut in the original production of "Gypsy" in the 1950s.
  • Squibb landed her first movie role in the 1990 Woody Allen film "Alice".
  • Her breakthrough film role came in 2013's "Nebraska," for which she received an Oscar nomination.
  • "Marjorie Prime" is currently running on Broadway, with its final performance scheduled for Sunday.

The players

June Squibb

A 96-year-old veteran actor with a career spanning over 70 years across film, TV, and theater. She is currently starring in the Broadway play "Marjorie Prime."

The Boy Friend

An off-Broadway show in which Squibb had her big break in the 1950s.

Gypsy

The original Broadway production in which Squibb made her Broadway debut in the 1950s.

Woody Allen

The acclaimed filmmaker who cast Squibb in her first movie role in his 1990 romantic comedy "Alice."

"Marjorie Prime"

The Broadway play in which Squibb is currently starring, exploring themes of aging, memory, and the role of AI.

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What they’re saying

“I think we're all a little frightened of AI because we don't really understand it all the time, nor do we understand exactly what it can or can't do. There's nothing you can do to stop it. And the only thing we can do is learn how to work best with it, learn how it can help us.”

— June Squibb, Actor (Bustle)

“It's just very humbling, in a way, for me to have been with them.”

— June Squibb, Actor (Bustle)

What’s next

The Broadway run of "Marjorie Prime" will conclude this Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The takeaway

At 96 years old, June Squibb's return to Broadway in "Marjorie Prime" demonstrates her enduring passion for acting and her willingness to tackle complex, thought-provoking roles that explore the impact of emerging technologies like AI. Her decades-long career is a testament to her talent and resilience, inspiring other artists to pursue their craft with the same dedication.