The Older I Get, The More Fulfilling Life Becomes

Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore talks about motherhood, memories, and the secret to maintaining a happy marriage...

- Stephanie Van Der Plank

There’s no stopping Julianne Moore. Successful, smart and sensationally beautiful at 58, she’s one of those rare actresses whose career has gained momentum past 40. The Academy Award-winning star – for Still Alice – is busier today than at any other point in her career. This year alone, she has three films slated for release, including a biopic on the life of feminist trailblazer Gloria Steinem. This month, though, she stars as a different Gloria: the carefree divorcee in Sebastián Lelio’s latest romantic drama, Gloria Bell. Julianne lives in New York with her husband Bart Freundlich, a film director, and their daughter Liv, 17. Their son Caleb, 21, is at college in North Carolina.

Growing up, I wanted to be a librarian. I was a typical nerd with thick glasses who spent the day reading books. I certainly wasn’t the most popular girl in school, so I kept to myself. But whenever I climbed onto a stage, at a school function or for a school play, I was transformed. For me, acting feels like being inside a book, which is why I love it so much.

My parents were horrified when I told them I wanted to be an actress. My mom gave me a withering look and said, “Oh, Julie.” They insisted I go to university and finish my studies before trying to live the bohemian life of an artist. But I was a bohemian at heart! They switched between support and horror, letting it play out until they could see that I was serious. They just wanted what was best for me.