Hollywood doesn’t take risks on young actors like they used to

It’s hard to think of any really famous under 30s actors. But look how young these stars where when they became super famous:

Tom Cruise - 19 - Risky Business
Kiefer Sutherland - 19 - Lost Boys
Charlie Sheen - 21 - Wall Street
Julia Roberts - 22 - Pretty Woman
Johnny Depp - 24 - Platoon
Kevin Bacon - 26 - Foot Loose

It’s a bigger bet to go with someone young, especially for big movies. But Hollywood should take the risk, because they can get more out of their talents.

Look at Russell Crowe, considered a great actor and was a big box office pull, but only became very famous at 36 with Gladiator. I feel that he got old over night compared to a lot of other actors because he was literally pushing 40 by the time they took a chance on him (probably given that he’s not American.)

Hollywood is all about mitigating risks, that’s why there are so many movies that are based on books or reboots, it’s a lesser risk (built in audience.)