By the 1990s and early 2000s, the situation had become a crisis. Studies from San Diego State University revealed that in the top 100 grossing films, only a fraction of characters over 40 were women. When mature women did appear, they were archetypes:
"There's a catch," Leo said, wincing. "They want you to audition. No tape. In person. With Celeste." By the 1990s and early 2000s, the situation
still exists. Mature actresses are often pigeonholed into playing the "mom of the star," even if the star is only fifteen years younger (e.g., Maggie Gyllenhaal being rejected for a role opposite a 55-year-old man because she was "too old" at 37). By the 1990s and early 2000s