Typically, it’s female actors who have to worry most about the effects of aging. Producers and casting directors tend to favor younger, and younger-looking actors for both genders, to be sure, but it tends to be more pronounced with women. There are more role niches for aging men than women. This is part and parcel of more general trends, where men are also allowed to be fat more frequently than women.
They don’t have to be young heartthrobs. Often, though, they are. Hollywood does like its hunks.
As a straight male, I’m not an expert at assessing male attractiveness to women. But I do read things, and I do have eyes and see some guys that I think have to be attractive to women.
Thomas Gibson and Benjamin Bratt are two such people. I see those guys and think to myself “Those are especially good looking guys.” Even by Hollywood standards. (Note, the picture of Bratt – left – isn’t the best.)
For such attractive men, it seems like both of them have aged particularly poorly. Neither of them are what I would consider unattractive, but there used to be a magic in their appearance that seems gone now. They seem less like “pretty attractive men” and more like “aging hunks.”
It is probably related to the fact that I got to “see” most of them when they were at their peak and it’s hard not to compare them to that.
Bratt is in Private Practice, which I’ve commented about a couple of times here. On the show, he is presented as being extremely attractive. He just doesn’t quite look the part anymore. It feels like the opposite of Carol on Growing Pains, where the writers just decided that she was fat even though the actress, Tracey Gold, wasn’t. Gold would later go on to develop a serious eating disorder.
Better this than the alternative, I suppose. If it were decided that Bratt were the unattractive character, he might have mutilated himself.
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Gold would later go on to develop a serious eating disorder.
I really don’t remember Growing Pains much at all, but that is sad.
Yep.
I knew I was old when I would refer to the singer of “Blurred Lines” as Jason Seaver’s son…
I think it is interesting that Alan Thicke’s actual child turned out much more successful than his TV children. Even more successful than him is his TV adopted son, Leonardo DiCaprio.
It’s interesting how the careers of some of the late-additions persevere past those of the kids who were there for a while. Olivia from the Cosby Show, another example, while I hadn’t heard from any of the other Cosby kids until Community. I’m sure there are other examples. Might not be a coincidence, though, as being a late addition can prevent you from being remembered for the particular role?
Maybe because both Leo and Olivia were not brought on as siblings. Leo was “adopted” by Mike and Olivia was Lisa Bonet’s stepdaughter.
As for a late arrival of Growing Pains, I just saw Ashley Johnson on TV, who played Chrissy Seaver. She was on an episode of Garfunkel & Oates. Looking at her bio, she has had steady work since Growing Pains ended.
That’s true about Chrissy, and she was a sibling.
@trumwill
Yes, I know. My point was that while Ashley Johnson has had a steady if unexpectacular career, she isn’t on the level of Leo or Raven.
Of course, the original Seaver children have fallen off the face of the Earth. As have Ben’s best friend Stinky Sullivan and Mike’s friend Eddie. And don’t forget poor poor Boner.
Carol didn’t seem to have friends, but her dead boyfriend Sandy seems to have done well for himself…
Was thinking earlier today about Michael J Fox. He is definitely one that made it. So did his girlfriend. Were there any late additions to that show?
Boner at least got to play The Joker before he died. Briefly.
@trumwill
I had forgotten that she played APK’s girlfriend the last season of the show.
As for late additions don’t forget their 4th child Andrew, who was born in season 3. The actor who played him starting in season 5 had a bit part in Star Trek:TNG but hasn’t been seen since.
I think I’ve seen Andy’s mugshot on one of those listicles.
@trumwill
Maybe because both Leo and Olivia were not brought on as siblings. Leo was “adopted” by Mike and Olivia was Lisa Bonet’s stepdaughter.
As for a late arrival of Growing Pains, I just saw Ashley Johnson on TV, who played Chrissy Seaver. She was on an episode of Garfunkel & Oates. Looking at her bio, she has had steady work since Growing Pains ended.
I always felt that Thomas Gibson, Charles Shaughnessy, and Eric McCormack looked enough alike in that Generic White Guy sort of way.
Shaughnessy has aged better. Hard to say since I’m neither gay nor female, but I still sort of see Gibson and McCormack as being attractive in different ways.
Good to see you again!