10 of the Oldest Actors to Play Teens in Movies

You snuggle up on the sofa to watch a nice teen movie, hoping you can find solace in the trials and tribulations of others your age. However, about halfway in, you notice a fatal flaw: the characters look closer to middle age than middle school! These aren’t real teens – they’re imposters! You are sickened when you realize the romantic hero is old enough to be your father! So who are these fake teens? Read on to learn more about some of the worst offenders - and to find out which actors actually pull off these Benjamin Button-like feats!

10. Robert Pattinson - The Twilight Saga

Robert Pattinson in The Twilight Saga (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Onscreen age: eternally 17
Real age(s): 22 to 26
Age difference: 5 to 9 years

Now as tricky as it is to know where to place heartthrob Robert Pattinson on this list (he keeps getting older!), no Top 10 would be complete without an appearance from this tousled-haired vampire. Pattinson was 22 when he first played 17-year-old high-school student Edward Cullen in Twilight, and is without a doubt the most attractive vampire to ever grace the big screen. However, as all Twilight Saga aficionados know, these bloodsuckers never age. So while Pattinson will have reached the ripe old age of 26 by the time he stars in the fifth movie, Breaking Dawn - Part 2, due for release November 16, 2012, he will still be playing 17-year-old Edward! Will he pull it off? Who cares! He’s hot at any age.

Grade: A-

9. Kevin Bacon - Footloose

Kevin Bacon in Footloose (1984)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 26
Age difference: 8 years

Well, I’m sitting on the fence when it comes to 26-year-old Kevin Bacon playing 18-year-old Chicago city boy Ren McCormack, who moves to the small town of Bomont with his mother to find that - horror of horrors - the town has banned music and dancing. Yes, you heard me right! However, this doesn’t seem to stop McCormack, who with a super fit bod that makes him look like he has spent years in the weight room, steals the show with an amazing dance performance in the warehouse scene where he swings from ropes and moves like a devil dancing on hot coals. However, it was at this point I found myself asking, "Hmm… is this guy really supposed to be 18?" It's definitely a bit of a stretch. Now, if you told me he was a college sophomore, I would have bought it. Sorry, Kevin. Your bod’s too hot for high school.

Grade: C

8. Parminder Nagra - Bend It Like Beckham

Parminder Nagra (right) in Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 27
Age difference: 9 years

“Anyone can cook aloo gobi but who can bend a ball like Beckham?” A very good question, indeed. But here’s a better one: How on earth does a 27-year-old get away with playing the part of someone nine years younger than her? And more importantly, how can she be so damn good at it? Nagra plays protagonist Jess Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham, the spirited soccer player who struggles to achieve her goal of becoming a professional soccer player despite the fight her traditional Indian family puts up. I think part of Nagra’s success comes down to her youthful looks – she could have passed for 18 any day. But beyond her appearance, Nagra captures her character’s teenage attitude, frustration and boldness perfectly. It makes you wonder if the actress, a second generation Indian, experienced similar struggles in her own teen years.

Grade: A

7. Tobey Maguire - Spider-Man

Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man (2002)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 27
Age difference: 9 years

Shy and weedy Peter Parker is transformed into a superhero after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. When it comes to teen impostors, I think Spider-man is superb. Actor Tobey Maguire can get away with the nine-year age difference because of the supernatural element of this film. We know Peter/Spider-Man is supposed to be 18, but when you’ve been bitten by a genetically engineered spider, anything’s possible and reality loosens its grip. Furthermore, Maguire’s baby face helps him pull off the role of an 18-year-old with supernatural grace.

Grade: A

6. Alan Ruck - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Alan Ruck (left) in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Onscreen age: 17
Real age: 29
Age difference: 12 years

This classic comedy features a day in the life of charismatic truant, Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick). One of Ferris’ reluctant partners in crime is his best friend Cameron Frye, played by teen imposter Alan Ruck. Believe it or not, Ruck was actually 29 years old when he played 17-year-old Cameron! And had it not been for some swift Internet research, I wouldn’t have suspected fresh-faced little Ruck for one moment. Ruck looks and acts the part well, blending in with his younger cast mates – even though he may have been the parent backstage.

Grade: A-

5. Alison Lohman - Flicka

Alison Lohman in Flicka (2006)
Onscreen age: 16
Real age: 27
Age difference: 11 years

In this coming-of-age drama, Lohman plays strong-willed Katy McLaughlin who dreams of taking over the family ranch. However, her father (Tim McGraw) wants her to complete boarding school and would rather his son take over the ranch. Spoiler alert: Dad tries unsuccessfully to tame daughter, daughter tries successfully to tame wild black stallion, adversities are overcome, dad finally realizes he was on the wrong track and lets Katy take over the ranch. Happy ending! When I found out our Katy was being played by a 27-year-old, I considered whether or not it was obvious. Not really, I didn’t even flicka an eyelash. Lohman emotes her 16-year-old character’s feeling of anger and alienation just perfectly.

Grade: B+

4. Sean Patrick Thomas - Save the Last Dance

Sean Patrick Thomas (left) in Save the Last Dance (2001)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 30
Age difference: 12 years

In this movie, promising dancer Sara Johnson (Julie Stiles) finds herself giving up on her dream of becoming a ballet dancer at Juilliard after her mother dies in a car crash. She moves in with her father (Terry Kinney) in Chicago and it is there at her new high school that she meets Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas) who revives her interest in dance. Sara eventually gets into Juilliard and our friend Derek gets into Georgetown medical school. So, it’s a very upbeat movie with a happy ending. But, the big question is: does Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) age… wait for it… 31, pull off playing an 18-year-old? Incredibly, I had no trouble believing this guy was 18 years old. Thomas originally hails from Guyana, South America and I can only think that they must be eating some kind of super food there that has kept this handsome, baby-faced star impossibly youthful.

Grade: B+

3. Michael J. Fox - Back to the Future III

Michael J. Fox (right) in Back to the Future III (1990)
Onscreen age: 17
Real age: 29
Age difference: 12 years

In keeping with the theme of those in their twilight-20s taking younger parts, our next actor, Michael J. Fox, must be mentioned. Fox was 29 when he played 17-year-old Marty McFly in the third Back to the Future movie! As I’m sure you all know, this cult film series is about a teen bad boy who travels through time. I’m surprised this silver fox didn’t break his hip climbing into that time machine! That said, the eternally youthful Fox does a great job playing teenage Marty.

Grade: B

2. Curtis Armstrong - Better Off Dead

Curtis Armstrong in Better Off Dead (1985)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 31
Age difference: 13 years

In this cult classic, John Cusack plays underdog Lane Meyer who is dumped by his ambitious, shallow girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss). Meyer decides he’s better off dead. After this rejection, farcical, unsuccessful suicide attempts follow. Poor guy, it must really rip into your self-esteem when you can’t even successfully kill yourself. It doesn’t help much to have a druggie friend like Charles de Mar (Curtis Armstrong) who is so out to lunch we’re moving onto dinner. When de Mar’s not trying to snort freshly fallen snow or inhale nitrous gas from a whipped-cream can, he’s urging Meyer to attempt the treacherous K-12 ski course. Yep, with friends like that who needs idiots? However, while de Mar may try and fool himself into thinking he can get high on snow and whipped cream, he didn’t fool me about his age. C’mon, who was he trying to kid? At 31, he should be studying for his PhD, not fooling around in high school.

Grade: D

1. Stockard Channing - Grease

Stockard Channing in Grease (1978)
Onscreen age: 18
Real age: 34
Age difference: 16 years

Most of us know that lead actress Olivia Newton-John was nearly 30 when she played 18-year-old Sandy Olsen in Grease. But, believe it or not, she was not the worst age offender at Rydell High. That honour goes to Stockard Channing, age 34! Even though you don’t have to look too carefully to notice the 16-year age gap between the actor and her character, Channing plays her part well and has made Betty Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies, an iconic bad girl to this day.

Grade: C

Tom Hanks - Big

Tom Hanks in Big (1988)
Onscreen age: 13
Real age: 32
Age difference: 19 years

Although this age mismatch is intentional, I think it deserves an honourable mention: Tom Hanks in Big. Hanks plays Josh Bankin, a 13-year-old who wants the respect of someone who is “big” (hence the title). His wish is granted when a fortune-telling machine at the carnival turns him into a 30-year-old man. So, Tom Hanks portrays the personality of a kid thrust into a world of business, women and complications whilst being in an adult body. Hanks is just adorable in this role and his playful, carefree character is heartwarming. However adorable he may have been, I think that Hanks played the part a tad more immaturely than a 13-year-old really would act. Oh well, at least Hanks is in touch with his inner child.

Grade: C

Jamie Lee Curtis - Freaky Friday

Jamie Lee Curtis (left) in Freaky Friday (2003)
Onscreen age: 15
Real age: 44
Age difference: 29 years

Here is yet another example of an intentional age mismatch. This film features the story of a turbulent relationship between a busy mother (Curtis) and her rebellious teen daughter (Lindsay Lohan). However, after eating some questionable fortune cookies, they find themselves in one another’s bodies. And thus, Curtis is forced to show off her acting skills as she takes on the persona of a 15-year-old while stuck in the body of a middle-aged woman. I must say – she does a pretty damned good job! Curtis presents a great parody of a stereotypical teen, complete with whining and a secret love of Britney Spears.

Grade: A

Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Onscreen age: birth-death
Real age: 45
Age difference: varies

There is no doubt this is an iffy one to add to the list – in fact, it’s confusing to even consider – but we couldn’t resist. Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse. That’s right, he’s born a (weird) little old man, then ages backwards until he dies in infancy. This is one of the creepiest age-defying films ever made - when Benjamin Button is physically old, he’s mentally young and vice versa. So does Brad Pitt pull off playing Benjamin Button's teen years as a physically old man? Oh, who knows?

Grade: Pass