Charlize Theron dismisses Hollywood ageism claims: 'I work more at 41 than 20 years ago'

She's heard the outcry over actresses scrounging for roles once they hit 40, and Charlize Theron isn't buying any of it.

The 41-year-old Oscar winner challenges the very idea that Hollywood is ageist against women in a new interview with Italy's Vanity Fair.

"The time has come for women to realise that the way we look outside is not the most important thing, and it's not true we are worth less when we age," she said.

"Now that I'm 41 I work much more than 20 years ago, and I enjoy it even more," she adds. "And all the women I know say the same thing, so it's time to stop this cliché."

Forget that fortysomethings like Leonardo DiCaprio, 41, Will Smith, 48, and Bradley Cooper, 41, are constantly cast opposite fresh-faced twentysomethings like Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie, both 26.

Forget that a fortysomething Oscar nominee like Laura Dern, 49, gets stuck playing mum to thirtysomethings and fortysomethings like Reese Witherspoon, 40, and Andrew Garfield, 33.

Forget all that because Charlize remains gainfully employed in her 40s. So enough with all those cries of ageism.

"I don't agree with that, and I'm not happy to hear people talking like that about Hollywood," Charlize said of the ageism talk. 

"Movies are just the mirror of society; the real problem is there. Hollywood's gender problem is nothing compared to the society's problem."

While we're happy to see Charlize embracing her maturity (unlike her character in Young Adult), it will be interesting to see if she still sees things the same way when she enters her late 40s and 50s.

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