Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
At 78, Dame Joanna Lumley radiates vigor, tracing her inexhaustible energy to the acknowledgment that time may be finite. Indomitable, the actress and humorist has savored roles in the BBC comedy series AbFabLand and is poised to impress in the Netflix thriller Deceive Me Once scheduled for 2024. Her recent expedition with ITV involves navigating the expansive Danube, a clear indication of her zest for life. Embracing the benefits of maturity, Lumley discussed with My Weekly readers why the apprehension of aging is unfounded.
Reflections on Mortality and Time
Contemplating life’s inevitable end, she shared: “As you approach the summit, you abruptly think, ‘Goodness, there isn’t abundant time remaining,’” adding thoughtfully, “Many of my cherished friends are beginning to depart. My time must be drawing near, and I don’t wish to have squandered a single moment of being on this magnificent planet.” Enriched with retrospective insight, she asserted: “I used to be anxious when I was young, but as I’ve aged, I’ve begun to truly live day by day. With advanced age, you discern what truly counts.”
The Desirability of Aging
“I constantly knew that excellent opportunities would present themselves as I grew older. When I was 18, I yearned to be 30. When I was 30, I yearned to be 50,” details reflecting an intrinsic age acceptance.
She passionately argued, “We should not be persuaded into believing that growing older is negative. Aging is a gift.”
Concerns for the Digital Generation
Lumley also addressed worries regarding the younger generation’s reliance on digital interaction, warning that teenagers today might forfeit the art of conversation due to social media’s dominant presence. She warned of the pitfalls of excess tech use on conversation skills. She voiced anxiety, saying: “My key message to the young is that you need time for introspection. I fear we might cultivate a generation who are disconnected from the world and struggle to communicate face-to-face.”
Iconic Roles and Enduring Legacy
The celebrated performer has enchanted viewers with performances in The New Avengers, Spanish Chest, Absolutely Fabulous, Go Finding Alice, and Mother Country, securing her status as a television icon.
Lumley’s debut in the vibrant 1960s punk scene secured her role as one of Coronation Gully‘s unforgettable characters, engaging in a romantic liaison with Ken Barlow. Subsequently, she glimmered on the big screen, sharing moments with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Financial Bandit.
Beyond the spotlight, Lumley treasures her familial bonds with her composer husband Stephen Barlow, aged 70, and adores her son Jamie, 57, and her granddaughters, Alice, 22, and Emily, 21.