Rare throwback photos of a young June Squibb are gaining attention just as the 96-year-old actress reaches a remarkable new milestone in her career.
The stage and screen veteran made history this week as the oldest performer ever nominated for a Tony Award in an acting category, thanks to her role in Marjorie Prime. Reacting to the news, Squibb said she was “thrilled” and eager to share the recognition with the entire team behind the production.
She also celebrated her co-star Danny Burstein, who set a separate record as the most nominated male actor in Tony Awards history, saying she was “over the moon” for him.
A record-breaking moment
Squibb’s nomination surpasses the previous record held by Lois Smith, who was 89 when she earned her nod in 2020 for The Inheritance. This year, Squibb is nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play alongside Betsy Aidem, Marylouise Burke, Aya Cash, and Laurie Metcalfe.
In Marjorie Prime, she plays an elderly woman living with dementia who interacts with an AI-generated version of her late husband—an emotional role that has earned widespread praise.
From humble beginnings to Broadway
Long before the spotlight found her later in life, Squibb built her craft on stage. She began performing at the Cleveland Play House in the 1950s and appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions.
Her Broadway debut came in 1959, when she portrayed Electra in the original production of Gypsy. Over the years, she continued working steadily in theater, appearing in productions like The Happy Times, Waitress, and Gorey Stories.
A late but powerful rise on screen
Although she spent decades in theater, Squibb didn’t become widely known to mainstream audiences until later in life. She eventually lit up the screen in films such as Nebraska and Meet Joe Black, along with television roles including All My Children.
More recently, she appeared in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, further cementing her status as a late-blooming powerhouse.
Looking back—and forward
As news of her nomination spreads, fans have been rediscovering vintage photos from her early career. Squibb herself has shared nostalgic glimpses on social media, including moments from her time performing in the 1950s and 1960s—offering a rare look at the beginnings of a now-legendary career.
Despite only becoming a household name in her later years, Squibb sees her success as part of a broader shift in the industry. She has noted that there is now more demand for stories about aging and more opportunities for older actresses than ever before—something she’s clearly proving, one historic role at a time.
End of an era
As for whether she will retire from the stage and screen, June isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.
“I do keep wondering: ‘Well, gosh, how much longer will I keep doing this?’ I have no answer for that,” she said. “I’m not saying I don’t want to retire, but people keep asking me to do things, and so I do them.”
