So much for age being just a number! Aidan Gillen has revealed he struggled to get roles in his twenties because he looked too young for most of the parts he auditioned for.
The 47-year-old Irish actor who is best known for his role as Stuart in Queer As Folk, Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish in hit HBO series Game of Thrones, and John Boy in RTÉ One's crime drama Love/Hate, said that more work opportunities came his way as he got older.
“Frankly, I’ve looked forward to getting older. In my 20s, I knew I wouldn’t get those intense, powerful, dramatic roles till my 40s,” he told the Sunday World magazine.
“I knew I was going to have to wait. I was forever told I looked younger than I was, or too young for some parts.”
“It’s not the worst issue to have. Most people want forever youth, but I found it limiting,” he said.
“Age 40 to 60 for men is the really fertile golden time for drama – for acting," Gillen added.
Gillen, who is currently starring in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, insists he has no problem with getting older.
“I don’t have an issue with it. Getting older is good.”
The actor admitted that the last few years have been the highlight of his career and he has free reign to pick the parts he wants.
“It’s a good time right now. I’m getting opportunities and doors are opening.”
“One job leads into another job. I’ve a lot of freedom now, more choice.”
