Judy Greer Embraces Midlife with More Complex Roles

The veteran actress says she's been getting offered meatier parts as she's aged, and she's eager to tackle an action movie next.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:33pm

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Actress Judy Greer has been enjoying a career resurgence in recent years, taking on more layered and interesting roles as she's reached midlife. Greer told journalist Kara Swisher that she's been thrilled with the parts she's been offered, which she attributes to no longer feeling the need to adhere to a certain look. The veteran actress also revealed that she's eager to star in an action movie, saying she'd love to play a role where she gets to "save the day."

Why it matters

Greer's experience reflects a broader shift in Hollywood, where actresses are increasingly being offered more complex, nuanced roles as they age, rather than being relegated to generic supporting parts. Her desire to take on an action role also challenges traditional gender norms in the genre.

The details

Greer has taken on several high-profile roles in recent years, including a mother navigating her child's involvement in a dystopian survival competition in "The Long Walk" and facing off against Emma Thompson in the Alaskan wilderness in "Dead of Winter." The actress, who rose to fame in the early 2000s in films like "13 Going on 30," says she's been thrilled with the layered, interesting parts she's been offered as she's aged, no longer feeling the need to conform to certain beauty standards.

  • Greer was at SXSW on March 15, 2026 to promote her new film "Chili Finger," which premiered at the festival.
  • Greer has been acting in films and TV shows for more than two decades.

The players

Judy Greer

A veteran actress who has been working in film and television for over 20 years. She is known for roles in movies like "13 Going on 30" and has recently been taking on more complex, layered parts as she's aged.

Kara Swisher

A podcast host and journalist who interviewed Greer at the 2026 SHE Media Co-Lab @ SXSW.

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What they’re saying

“I've been so happy with the way personally things have been going for me. The roles I've been getting offered have been so much more layered and interesting, so I have loved this section of my life.”

— Judy Greer, Actress (theflowspace.com)

“One of the interesting things I've noticed as I've aged is because I don't have to adhere to a certain look anymore, I feel like that's why the roles are becoming more interesting to me. I personally am not worried about how I look or looking pretty in a movie.”

— Judy Greer, Actress (theflowspace.com)

“I've never done a super action movie. Dead of Winter is the closest I've come to an action movie... I really liked the being the villain. It would be really cool to be in a Jason Bourne movie, but I also think it would be really fun to play a role where I save the day.”

— Judy Greer, Actress (theflowspace.com)

What’s next

Greer's fans will be eager to see if she is able to land an action movie role in the near future, which could further showcase her range and versatility as an actress.

The takeaway

Judy Greer's career trajectory reflects a broader shift in Hollywood, where actresses are being offered more complex, nuanced roles as they age, rather than being relegated to generic supporting parts. Her desire to take on an action role also challenges traditional gender norms in the genre, showing that women can thrive in these types of parts.