June Squibb Celebrates 96th Birthday, Starring in New Film Eleanor the Great

Los Angeles, CA — Actress June Squibb celebrated her 96th birthday last Thursday. Born a week after the 1929 stock market crash, Squibb began her theater career in 1951 at age 23. She transitioned to television in 1985, and made her film debut in Woody Allen’s Alice at age 62.

Over the decades, Squibb has appeared in numerous supporting roles, earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in Alexander Payne’s Nebraska (2013), which she filmed at age 85. Recently, she took on her first lead role in the 2024 film Thelma at 94. This makes her the oldest actress to play a leading role in a feature film, breaking the previous Guinness World Record held by Lillian Gish, who starred in The Whales of August at 93.

Squibb’s latest project, Eleanor the Great, features her in another lead role. The film, written by first-time screenwriter Tory Kamen, centers on an outspoken Jewish grandmother, modeled after Squibb’s own experiences, set against the backdrop of a declining generation of Holocaust survivors.

Eleanor Morgenstein, played by Squibb, lives independently in Florida with her friend Bessie Stern, played by Israeli actress Rita Zohar. Although Squibb converted to Judaism nearly 70 years ago, her casting has stirred discussions about authenticity and identity in Hollywood.

The film explores themes of loneliness and intergenerational connections, highlighting the complexity of Eleanor’s relationships with her estranged daughter Lisa and her grandson Max. Eleanor’s quick-witted nature contrasts with her softer friend, Bessie, and drives the plot, particularly after Bessie’s sudden death.

After Bessie’s passing, Eleanor moves to New York to live with her estranged daughter. Their relationship is strained, complicated by Eleanor’s candidness and strong personality. Eleanor accidentally joins a support group for Holocaust survivors, leading to an intriguing plot twist as she grapples with her identity and connections to the past.

While the film aims to honor Holocaust survivors through its narrative, the execution has received mixed reviews for its writing and direction. Critics point to predictable story arcs and a lack of depth in character development.

Despite its shortcomings, Eleanor the Great was created with good intentions and offers a poignant perspective on loneliness and the search for comfort. As Squibb continues to break boundaries in her acting career, the film stands as another testament to her enduring legacy.