Winona Ryder reveals that Jeff Bridges declined to kiss her in the 1994 film "Fearless" because she was "too young." She also discusses her audition experiences for "Jerry McGuire," "Fight Club," and "The Hudsucker Proxy."
Winona Ryder, a Hollywood icon with an illustrious career spanning decades, has opened up about a surprising experience she encountered during her audition for the 1994 film "Fearless." In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Ryder recalled that actor Jeff Bridges initially refused to kiss her due to her age.
"I remember because I was also auditioning for ‘Fearless’ with Jeff Bridges, and I remember that audition," Ryder recounted. "It was really around the same time, I think. Jeff Bridges, who I love, like, wouldn’t kiss me because I was, like, too young."
Winona Ryder's Confessions: A-List Actor Refused to Kiss Her Due to Age Gap
At the time of the audition, Ryder was approximately 21 years old, while Bridges was around 43. She expressed her disappointment, saying, "At the end of the scene, he was supposed to kiss me," but Bridges opted for a kiss on the forehead instead.
Ryder's revelation shed light on the unspoken age bias that existed in Hollywood at the time. Despite her talent and experience, her youthfulness hindered her from being considered for certain romantic roles. She acknowledged, "‘You’re like my daughter's age.’ And I was like, ‘Nooo, I love you!’"
Winona Ryder's Confessions: A-List Actor Refused to Kiss Her Due to Age Gap
Ryder's recollection of the "Fearless" audition prompted her to discuss her experience auditioning for "The Hudsucker Proxy," another 1990s comedy. She revealed that she auditioned multiple times for the film, but her preoccupation with the "Fearless" audition hindered her performance.
"My final callback was while I was doing ‘[The] Age of Innocence,' so I had to leave the set in a corset," Ryder described. "I was running late and still in costume. I felt so discombobulated that I completely blew the audition."
Winona Ryder's Confessions: A-List Actor Refused to Kiss Her Due to Age Gap
Throughout the interview, Ryder reflected on her audition experiences for other iconic films, including "Jerry McGuire," "Fight Club," and "The Hudsucker Proxy." She acknowledged that while she may not have landed every role she auditioned for, she remained grateful for the opportunities she received.
Ryder's latest film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," is set to hit theaters on Friday. She also has the final season of Netflix's "Stranger Things" slated to stream next year, showcasing her ongoing talent and enduring star power.
Winona Ryder's Confessions: A-List Actor Refused to Kiss Her Due to Age Gap
