Dame Helen Mirren recently expressed her belief that she could have excelled as a racing driver, had her career in film taken a different turn. The acclaimed actress, who turned 80 in July 2023, shared her thoughts during an interview with People magazine. Mirren described herself as “foolishly vain” about her driving skills, asserting, “I’m sure I could have been a racing car driver.”
Despite reaching this milestone age, Mirren remains focused on her work and prefers not to celebrate birthdays extravagantly. She mentioned, “Honestly, I don’t celebrate birthdays. I don’t recognise them because life just rolls on.” Instead, she expressed a desire for simple pleasures, such as “a cup of tea in bed” on her birthday. Yet, she admitted that even that would not justify a late start to her day, saying, “If I’m still in bed after 8 o’clock, I start feeling guilty. There’s always stuff to do.”
Challenging Ageism and Stereotypes
Mirren also addressed societal attitudes toward aging, particularly how older generations are often dismissed by younger people. “People who are retired have had extraordinary, productive, challenging, difficult, professional lives, and they’re not finished,” she noted, emphasizing that life does not come to an abrupt end after retirement.
The Oscar-winning actress expressed frustration with being perceived as “sweet” due to her age. She remarked, “One thing that I find galling as I get older is the sort of patronising condescension: ‘Oh, that’s so sweet.’” Mirren also expressed her disdain for labels like “feisty,” insisting that they undermine the complexity of her experience. “I’m alive. Don’t give me those sort of awful labels,” she stated.
A Busy Creative Schedule
Looking ahead, Mirren is far from slowing down. Throughout late 2024 and into 2025, she is set to engage in multiple projects, including 1923, MobLand, and The Thursday Murder Club. She described her upcoming schedule as “intense,” but one that she embraces wholeheartedly. “Sometimes you have what I call a bit of a ‘car crash of projects,’ and they all want to go at the same time,” she explained.
As she continues to navigate her career, Mirren remains a potent voice against ageism while balancing personal reflections with her professional commitments. With her unwavering spirit, she exemplifies a passion for life and work that defies conventional expectations of aging.
