Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the celebrated actress known for her iconic roles in “Seinfeld’ and “Veep”, has taken on a new challenge in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the upcoming “Thunderbolts” film, Louis-Dreyfus enters the superhero realm as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a role that has not only piqued her professional interest but also added a layer of personal motivation — impressing her sons.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus On Joining Marvel
During a recent press event for Thunderbolts, Louis-Dreyfus spoke with PEOPLE about the excitement of joining the Marvel franchise. At 64, the actress reflected on why she was particularly eager to take on the role of de Fontaine, stating, “Well, I mean, I was intrigued to do it because, of course, it’s iconic, but really because it was…well, you wouldn’t have necessarily thought of me for it. And I also wanted to impress my kids.”
The chance to work in such a high-profile franchise was appealing to Louis-Dreyfus for a number of reasons, but she emphasized that the opportunity to wow her sons, Henry, 32, and Charlie, 27, was a key motivator. “So they’re coming to see the premiere in L.A. this week. And so hopefully I will impress them,” she laughs, reflecting on the excitement of sharing this moment with her family.
Louis-Dreyfus, who has enjoyed a decades-long career filled with critical acclaim and accolades, has always been known for her comedic chops. From “Seinfeld’s” Elaine Benes to “Veep’s” Selina Meyer, she’s made her mark on television. Yet, despite her professional achievements, the actress has never shied away from the challenges of balancing work with motherhood. In a recent episode of her Lemonada Media podcast, Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, she opened up about the struggles of being a working mother, especially when raising two sons during the peak of her career.
She discussed how the patriarchal culture of society affected her own life in ways she hadn’t fully realized. “You know it’s funny because I was thinking about how even in my own life, the patriarchal culture that we live in has sort of crept into my own life in a way that I almost didn’t realize until I was sort of living it,” Louis-Dreyfus said. She recalled how difficult it was to juggle full-time work with motherhood, admitting, “I had to intellectually remind myself that working, being a mother who worked outside of the house was good for them to witness. But it was a struggle for me.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is one of the most successful and celebrated actresses in television history. She has won an impressive 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the most awarded actress in Emmy history. Louis-Dreyfus first gained fame with her iconic role as Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld”, where she earned multiple accolades. Her success continued with “The New Adventures of Old Christine”, for which she won an Emmy, and her unforgettable performance as Selina Meyer on “Veep”, which earned her six Emmys. Her career showcases unparalleled versatility, blending comedy, drama, and sharp wit to solidify her legacy as a television legend.
Louis-Dreyfus’s sons, who have followed in her footsteps into acting, have found their own successes in Hollywood. Henry recently finished a series for Amazon, while Charlie has appeared in “Single Drunk Female” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls”. As a proud mom, she’s become somewhat of a “momager,” helping her kids with auditions and offering advice. “I’m a little bit of a momager,” she admits with a laugh, adding, “I’m happy helping them with auditions and reading scenes when they get hired. I’m very supportive and proud.”
As she continues to navigate her career, Louis-Dreyfus remains committed to her family and her advocacy for gender equality, embracing each new chapter with humor, humility, and a deep sense of purpose.
