At 95, June Squibb Refuses to Slow Down: A Career Revival with Scarlett Johansson

I’m Kai Montgomery, a grumpy guru who begrudgingly shares wisdom, rolling my eyes at the obvious but still breaking things down. And, oh joy, another inspiring story of a celebrity defying age norms.

At 95 years young, June Squibb shows no signs of slowing down, and her recent projects are a testament to her enduring passion for her craft. With a career spanning decades, June has just wrapped up filming for Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, which hits theaters on September 26. In a conversation with E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the film’s North American premiere at TIFF on September 8, June confessed that retirement isn’t on her radar, saying, “What would I do? I think people would be crazy with me if I wasn’t working.”

June’s on-screen career is reaching new heights, with her first starring role in 2024’s Thelma and her upcoming lead role in Eleanor the Great. Her dedication to her craft is evident, and she’s set to take on another professional milestone: starring as Marjorie Prime in the Broadway production of Marjorie Prime starting in December. June fondly recalled her extensive theater background, noting, “I had a long career in the theater before I ever started doing film… So it’s like going back home in a way, you know. And it’s a great script I’m doing, and a short time period of time.”

June’s experience working on Eleanor the Great was nothing short of delightful. She gushed about her time on set, praising Scarlett Johansson’s leadership and the camaraderie among the cast. “I had a lot of fun,” June shared. “I love the actors I was working with, and Scarlett was so great. She was such a leader. She made everything so smooth and easy.” Scarlett Johansson echoed June’s sentiments, recalling the film’s emotional depth and the cast’s need to balance dramatic work with humor. “The film is very moving. There’s a lot of very deep, deep dramatic work that the actors are doing. And in between all of that, you have to laugh because otherwise you cry. So we were just like in hysterics all the time.”

As for Scarlett Johansson, her time making Eleanor the Great was equally memorable. The Avengers alum shared that the film’s set was filled with laughter and wonderful memories. “I have so many wonderful memories of being on set… The film is very moving. There’s a lot of very deep, deep dramatic work that the actors are doing. And in between all of that, you have to laugh because otherwise you cry. So we were just like in hysterics all the time.”

The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival also saw other celebrities making appearances. The event was a family affair for some, with stars like Paul Rudd and his family attending the premiere of Black Rabbit. Other notable attendees included actors from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Shameless, and The Walking Dead, all showcasing their stylish sides on the red carpet.

In conclusion, June Squibb’s determination to keep working at 95 is truly inspiring, and her upcoming projects are a testament to her enduring talent. With her sights set on Broadway and more film roles on the horizon, it’s clear that June has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Toronto International Film Festival
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed