Veteran actors dominate Emmy awards

Young actors are doted on by televiewers, but when it comes to awards, veteran stars get the lion’s share of the honors. When push comes to shove, nothing beats experience and maturity in coming up with textured, believable and insightful portrayals that touch viewers in their heart of hearts.

For proof positive, we need to look no further than the recent Emmy awards for exceptional achievement on television. These days, Kevin Costner isn’t at the top of his acting game and popularity, but he turned out to be the big “veteran” winner at the Emmys, rewarded with a glittering trophy for his performance in the TV movie, “Hatfields & McCoys.” We hope that Costner’s victory will reenergize his flagging stellar career in the movies as well!

An even more august presence and winner was Maggie Smith, best supporting actress in a drama series (“Downton Abbey”). Unlike Costner, Smith doesn’t have to worry about the periodic reversals that a stellar career is subject to.

As an acting icon for many years, she has transcended those serial glitches, and her reputation remains reassuringly secure. Thus, her latest award only serves to affirm what TV-film buffs already know, and Smith has attained the admired status of an actress for all ages.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is much younger, but in the field of comedy, she is a similarly acclaimed presence. Her comedic “cred” was established early on with the hit “Seinfeld” sitcom, where she was the only rose among the prickly and witty thorns.

But, when Jerry Seinfeld opted to stop coming up with new episodes of the show and quit at the height of its popularity, she felt lost and adrift.

What could she do as a follow-up project, so viewers wouldn’t forget her? She went into this and that production, but she couldn’t reclaim lost territory and stellar shine—until “Veep” came up and challenged her to be believable and funny as a female vice president!

The actress took full advantage of the challenge, and last week, she got a best actress in a comedy series award.

Also a big winner was Julianne Moore, best actress in a miniseries or movie for “Game Change.” Tasked to take on the controversial persona of Sarah Palin, Moore felt quixotically “validated” when Palin turned her nose up at her satirical characterization.

Like Maggie Smith, Moore has transcended acting trends and styles and has her pick of the best roles available to mature actresses—hence her many awards and triumphs.

Instructively, other senior stars have moved up even higher, and now make important things happen—not just as lead actors, but as show creators and producers.

For instance, Steven Spielberg has become so bankable that he initiated many projects, not for himself, but for a number of younger TV-film directors. That way, he has increased his influence and power exponentially, and has shown the way for other ambitious luminaries to be similarly influential.

Last week, the big winner in this regard was Tom Hanks. No, he didn’t come up with an “awardable” portrayal, but the production he mentored, “Game Change,” won a number of honors.

Could this be a vigorous sign of things to come?