Aging used to be considered taboo in Hollywood; reaching a certain stage in life might mean that your career was over. But in recent years, some incredibly famous and fabulous A-listers have fought against that notion, not just continuing their career as in-demand actresses but starting second acts as entrepreneurs, activists and more.
Whether it's speaking candidly about menopause in order to help others feel less alone in the experience or cheering for the freedom that midlife has brought them, celebrities are embracing aging and bringing others on the journey with them. And as a result, all the old limits no longer exist, whether that means Martha Stewart is covering Sports Illustrated Swimsuit at 81 or June Squibb is starring in an action film at 94.
Read on for more stars who have stepped into their most authentic selves and are sharing the joy of their midlife spotlight moment.
Joy in the Journey
Loving Living
Embracing the Change
![Melissa Gilbert photographed in 2023.](https://people.com/thmb/IKWmKDsy82PMtf-OP1jPCurjf6c=/940x627/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/melissa-gilbert-11022389-36010891f37f4c228de4dab3441c8753.jpg)
![Halle Berry receives the Vanguard Award during the Hero Media Gala held at the Martinez Hotel on June 19, 2023](https://people.com/thmb/OMbUm4KImTPxaeZJfS03Q4VipqQ=/940x627/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/halle-berry-challenging-everything-she-thought-she-knew-about-menopause-080823-03-e4884450da48486c99053f08fd078289.jpg)
![Shania Twain attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.](https://people.com/thmb/6824eIfecUwXulz2J2VmMvnjeTQ=/940x627/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(734x126:736x128)/shania-twain-091423-828b7f231e044a879a9ab62438e8dd89.jpg)
![Vanessa Williams on Jennifer Hudson Show](https://people.com/thmb/AfenwvY68jWJc9ClLElUtyUwmos=/940x627/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(959x172:961x174)/vanessa-williams-051823-2-8d39933494d14dbfb01a75faf87a6d1f.jpg)