Shortly after I turned 50, both Ted Turner and the AARP came into my life. The only difference? With AARP, there were benefits.

You may be old, you may be in your third act, but you can still be vital and sexual and funny. Life isn't over.

It's hard for women at my age in Hollywood, but I'm not discouraged.

I wasn't pretty enough to be the pretty girl and I wasn't unattract­ive enough to be the dorky girl.

As I started getting older, I realized, 'I'm so happy!' I didn't expect this! I wasn't happy when I was young.

I have a confidence about my life that comes from standing tall on my own two feet.

I am still baffled by those who feel that criticizing America is unpatriotic, a view increasingly being adopted in the United States since 9/11 as an excuse to render suspect what has always been an American right. An active, brave, outspoken (and heard) citizenry is essential to a healthy democracy.