June Squibb is defying the norm by staying active in her career at a time when many are slowing down. The veteran actress, known for her work on stage and screen, is currently juggling her Broadway performance in Marjorie Prime with exciting film projects like Eleanor the Great, which is now available for streaming on Netflix.
For Squibb, Eleanor the Great was a special project from the start. “I fell in love with the script as soon as I read it,” she recalls. “It was a delight to film.” Set and shot entirely in New York City, a place she called home for 65 years before relocating to Los Angeles, the experience felt like a homecoming. “Being back in New York is always wonderful. We filmed everything right here, and we were very well looked after.”
Working with the film’s director, Scarlett Johansson, for the first time was a highlight for Squibb. “We really hit it off,” she shares. “We had a great connection, and we’ve stayed in touch, which doesn’t always happen after a project.”
Surrounded by a talented cast that included Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, and Rita Zohar, Squibb describes the set as a rare gem where everything clicked. “It was just a fantastic cast,” she says. “Those opportunities don’t come around often.”
When she’s not on screen, Squibb returns to her roots on stage. Taking on a leading role on Broadway was a deliberate choice—one that she is immensely grateful for. “It’s exhilarating, but it’s exhausting,” she admits with a chuckle. “It’s much more draining than filming. You might not do much in the morning, but once you’re on stage, it’s non-stop. There’s no downtime at all.”
Despite the fatigue, the joy of being back on stage outweighs it all. “I’ve always loved working on stage, and I hadn’t done it in a while,” she says. “It’s been a joy. I love being with a cast and seeing them every day. It’s a very positive experience. I feel really good about being part of the show.”
So how does Squibb maintain the energy needed for eight shows a week, especially during a harsh New York winter?
“I rest,” she states unequivocally. During rehearsals, she found herself sleeping up to 12 hours a night. “I just needed a lot of rest.”
Now settled into the performance routine, she aims for around nine hours of sleep and pays close attention to her body’s needs. “You get your body accustomed to it, and it becomes easier, but I do try to go to bed by 9 every night.”
Evenings are deliberately low-key for Squibb. After a show, she keeps things simple: a cup of tea, a few pretzels, or Japanese mochi ice cream. To unwind, she engages in calming activities like reading or solving crossword puzzles and Sudoku. “Nothing too stimulating,” she notes.
When it comes to beauty, Squibb takes a practical and modern approach. One product she highly recommends is Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty foundation.
“I dislike heavy foundation,” she explains. “As I’ve gotten older, it’s just not suitable. Heavy foundation is not the way to go.” Introduced to the lightweight foundation by a makeup artist during her stage work, it quickly became a staple in her routine. “It really solves my problem,” she affirms. “I use it when I’m out and about, and I wear it every night on stage. It’s truly a fantastic product.”
Her beauty philosophy is straightforward: makeup should enhance, not conceal. “I strongly believe in that,” she emphasizes.
With a career marked by longevity and versatility, Squibb’s advice to her younger self, and to anyone embarking on their journey, is both candid and hard-earned.
“Be true to yourself,” she advises. “It’s a challenging thing to do. But you have to realize that who you are is sufficient—in life and in acting. That’s where the magic lies.”
Attempting to conform to a mold, she believes, only distances you from your true potential. “It’s not about pretending to be someone else or feeling like you have to fit a certain mold. You have to discover yourself and allow others to see that.”
sentence: The cat chased the mouse around the house.
Rewritten sentence: Around the house, the mouse was chased by the cat.