June Squibb, 95: ‘Rules Are Meant to Be Broken’—Why The Oscar Nominee Isn’t Slowing Down (EXCLUSIVE)

At 95 years young, June Squibb is living proof that age ain’t nothing but a number. The Academy Award-nominated actress stars in two films this fall and is gearing up for a new Broadway show. “Rules are meant to be broken. That’s how I’ve always lived my life,” June tells Woman’s World as our cover girl (get your copy here!). “I don’t think I’ve ever felt that there were rules that would dictate what my life was going to be. I grew up feeling that way. The first time you do anything is frightening, and rightly so, because you are walking into the unknown, but you have to try. You have to step out, take that chance, and dare yourself to do it.”

June, who will celebrate her 96th birthday on November 6, started her career on Broadway in 1959 in the musical Gypsy and later made her film debut in Woody Allen’s comedy Alice. Since then, the Academy Award-nominated actress has starred in films such as The Age of Innocence, Meet Joe Black, About Schmidt, Nebraska and Thelma. Her numerous TV credits include The Big Bang Theory, Shameless, Good Girls and Grey’s Anatomy.

June Squibb talks ‘Eleanor the Great’ and Scarlett Johansson

The Vandalia, Illinois, native has no plans to slow down anytime soon. June stars as the title character in Eleanor the Great, Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, which hits theaters September 26. “She was great,” June says of working with Scarlett. “She is exactly who you think she is. When you meet her and spend time with her, she’s just so honest and open, and she’s that way as a director. What I loved is she used all her knowledge as an actress in directing me. She knew what I was doing. We didn’t even have to talk about it.”

Eleanor the Great also stars Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht and Chiwetel Ejiofor. “It was such a joy working with everyone,” she says. “We had so much fun because you are relaxed. It was one of the most relaxed sets that I’ve ever been on.”

When asked what she thought people would take away from the film, June responds, “I feel the main thing is that grief has to be dealt with, and people deal with it differently. There’s no one way that you are going to feel better about what has happened to you. I thought one of the most important aspects of the story was taking grief and showing that it could be dealt with this way or that way. I don’t think there is a right or wrong.”

Even though the story chronicles the aftermath of Eleanor losing her longtime best friend, there’s a lot of humor in the film too. “I’m like Eleanor more than most people know,” she admits. “Everybody thinks I’m sweet June, but sometimes I get snarky, and I appreciated Eleanor’s sense of humor. Her taking people down with her humor always tickled me.”

What’s next for June Squibb

Later this fall, June can be seen in Lost and Found in Cleveland, which co-stars Martin Sheen and Stacy Keach. “They got the idea from Antiques Roadshow on PBS,” she says. “It happens in Cleveland, and different people bring their things in, and my husband [played by Keach] and I bring a platter that he’s had for years. Each story is its own little movie about each person bringing something in. It’s wonderfully cast. I will say they did a marvelous job casting it.”

Squibb hits Broadway once again

In November, the acclaimed actress will return to Broadway in Marjorie Prime, starring alongside Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein and Christopher Lowell. “I have doctors, and they are all like, ‘You are doing what?’” June laughs. Even though she’s in good health, her doctors are often surprised at how busy she stays. “They can’t believe I’m still doing what I’m doing. They are wonderful and committed to keeping me going.”

When asked about her tips for longevity, movement is part of her life. “It certainly is not what I eat and drink,” June laughs. “I don’t eat as much meat anymore as I used to, but I grew up eating lots of meats. I’ve always used my body. I danced for years and then exercised. I swam every day for years, so I’ve used my body a lot, and I think that has helped. I do have two fake knees because of all my years of dancing, but I do Pilates once a week at a studio with a trainer for an hour, and I do some stretches every morning.”

Additionally, June finds joy and vitality in maintaining friendships with folks of all ages. “Younger people’s attitudes towards almost everything are are not what I was at that age or what I learned, but it’s helping me now,” the actress shared during a conversation with Scarlett Johansson for AARP Movies for Grownups. “I mean, I feel I’m more open now to almost everything because of that. I learned so much from them.”

June encourages other women to reach for their dreams and take time for themselves. “We need to have a life of our own even with husbands, children, parents and grandparents,” she says. “So often women feel the need to take care of everybody and be the solidness in a situation, and I think we have to think of ourselves more. It would be better for everyone if we did. I don’t think it’s selfish.”