Hollywood is well-known for its obsession with youth and beauty. While some actors’ acting abilities are undeniable, ageism and physical appearance have hampered their careers.

Although there has been progressing in terms of female representation on the big screen, better late than never, older actresses are still being overlooked, and strange pairings are being made. It is one of the primary factors that casting directors consider when hiring an actor. The appearances of actresses do not always match the characters. The issue is accompanied by several surprising stories of great actresses who were fired from iconic roles.

Below is a list of 9 actresses who are so brilliant but had problems getting roles because of their looks.

#1 Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale, an attractive actress, has played many beautiful women on screen. However, it was thought that her beauty was insufficient for a role. The actress revealed that the director of the Pearl Harbor film didn’t think she was beautiful enough for the role of Nurse Evelyn. Despite getting the part, she followed a strict diet and exercised frequently.

#2 Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley’s beauty has sometimes cost her a role. When she auditioned for «Pride and Prejudice,» the director turned her down because she was so beautiful. In any case, she got the part.

#3 Emma Thompson

Because she was too old to play Hugh Grant’s love in «Sense and Sensibility,» the actress has faced ageism throughout her career. She was only a year his junior.

#4 Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried has been chastised for her body shape. Because of her weight, she almost missed out on several roles. To be cast in the film «Mamma Mia!» the actress had to work out a lot.

#5 Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer revealed that she would never get the role if she didn’t lose weight. She was told before filming «Trainwreck» that an actress should never weigh more than 140 pounds. Schumer gave in to peer pressure and lost a few pounds at the time. She stated that she would never do it again.

#6 Mädchen Amick

Mädchen Amick was almost cast as Lorelai in «Gilmore Girls,» but producers changed their minds because they thought she was too young to play a mother. Lauren Graham was eventually cast in the role, but she is only three years Amick’s senior.

#7 Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep thought her career was over when she turned 40. In a year, she was offered three roles as a witch. But she defied this stereotype by playing a variety of memorable characters. She did eventually play a witch, but it was at the age of 65.

#8 Emmy Rossum

Many might not know that Emmy Rossum almost didn’t star in «Shameless». Because she was too glamorous and beautiful to play a girl from a dysfunctional family, the producers refused to let her audition. She filmed herself as Fiona and sent it to the show’s producers. She got what she wanted after three more auditions.

#9 Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde missed the chance to become a part of “The Wolf of Wall Street”. The casting directors said she was too old to play the main character’s wife. Finally, Margot Robbie got the role and she was 6 years younger than Wilde.