Jude Law, the 51-year-old British actor, has recently opened up about feeling “frustrated” by objectification during his early career in Hollywood in an interview with Variety.
Law revealed the double standards he faced compared to his female counterparts in the industry and expressed concern that his looks overshadowed his acting abilities.
The Albus Dumbledor actor highlighted a poignant observation made by a friend, who noted that such treatment would have been criticised if directed at a woman.
Law shared his frustration with Variety, stating: “I think it frustrated me because I was this young guy desperately keen to have an acting career and for people to talk about that, as opposed to what I looked like.”
He added that a friend had pointed out the double standard: “If you were a woman, people would have been told off for objectifying you.”
This revelation sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of male objectification in the entertainment industry and the pressure faced by actors, regardless of gender, to be valued for their talent rather than their appearance.
Jude Law admits to feeling objectified within his career
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A prime example of the objectification Law faced occurred during his 2004 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The host commented on his appearance, saying: “I know you hear all the time just how handsome you are.”
She then revealed: “When men go get their lips redone with plastic surgeons, your lips are the most requested. Did you know that?”
Law appeared visibly stunned, responding: “It’s kind of staggering that men go and get their lips redone, isn’t it?”
The actor has since learned how to keep the negativity at bay
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The show then zoomed in on Law’s lips, leaving the actor struggling to contain his laughter.
This incident highlights the focus on Law’s physical attributes over his acting prowess – something he has faced constantly throughout his life.
The actor has since moved on from that period in his life and added to the same publication: “That time is now over, and I’ve moved on from it. And so has, fortunately, the attention of the photographers and the prying eyes on me.”
The actor has learnt to manage his privacy and that of his family and revealed: “I’ve had to learn to live in a certain way that keeps them at bay.
The actor encountered an incident during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres
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“And I have to handle my kids’ and my partner’s privacy in the same way.”
Law is set to star in the upcoming action thriller “The Order”, which will be released on Prime Video in December.
