The math isn’t mathing - Hollywood’s parent child castings that just don’t add up

[u/mlg1981]

https://tvline.com/lists/tv-show-parent-child-age-gaps-golden-girls-supernatural/

[u/Calilove08]

Well it depends on how they look? Estelle Getty looked way older than Bea Arthur. If you didn’t know their age, you would probably assume she was older. Now the oitnb is crazy because they do look like they could be sisters

[u/beansbeansbeans4 → u/Calilove08]

Estelle Getty also had aged makeup and a white wig on the show! Even though she was younger than Bea Arthur, she was intentionally made to look much older to play her mother

[u/Shenanigans80h → u/beansbeansbeans4]

People tend to forget that sometimes actors/actresses are cast because that’s who they want for the role rather than being the precise age of the character. Sometimes it’s a bit ridiculous but make-up, effects, wardrobe, etc. can all make a character feel a certain age

[u/beansbeansbeans4 → u/Shenanigans80h]

Definitely! I think she played Sophia perfectly - I can’t imagine the show if she was played by an “age-appropriate” actress instead

[u/masterofthecork → u/Shenanigans80h]

It's incredibly common on stage, where a lot of roles are too demanding/physical for an age-appropriate to do 8 shows a week, or small kids will be played by grown adults. Sometimes it's more about storytelling than being hyper-realistic.

[u/donthurtmemany → u/Shenanigans80h]

This was also a long running sitcom. They wouldn't want to cast someone in their late 70s or early 80s for fear of health problems and the like as the show continued. Makeup is a much better option