Denise Richards has been a model, a Bond girl, a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, an in-demand TV and movie actress, a best-selling author, and a philanthropist. And she’s just getting started!
Manopause.com’s Mike Essrig and Larry Pollack had the good fortune to interview Denise Richards recently, and she has a lot to say about staying active, relevant, and inspired over 50. Her answers to the questions have been abbreviated–check out the full recording to hear it all!
11 Questions For Denise Richards
You’ve done so many movies and TV shows: is there a part that you regretted turning down?
How about if I talk about the parts that I auditioned for and didn’t get? One was “Clueless.” The movie did very well and the script was so cute. I did several auditions for it, but obviously lost out to the talented Alicia Silverstone. who did an incredible job. That was one that I was so devastated that I didn’t get.
Another one was “Dumb and Dumber.” I auditioned for Lauren Holly’s part and actually read for Jim Carrey. I was so nervous! I didn’t get the part, but I received a lovely letter from the directors!
I’ll skip the ones I turned down and regret!
Manopause.com is dedicated to men over 50, but 40% of our audience is women! Why do you think that is?
Women are interested in what goes through mens’ minds, what they think and how they feel. It’s the same for men–they want to know the same about women. Both ask themselves “How are they feeling” or “How can I make things romantic.” Women will take any help they can get figuring out what’s going on inside a guy’s head.
Is life better over 50 and if so, why?
Yes! The older we get the less we care about what people think and you just start to say “F&%k it, I’m me and take me or leave me!”
When I was doing interviews in my 20s, I was so careful to say the right things and hoped I wouldn’t say the wrong things. The older you get, most people become more secure about who you are. Basically I am who I am and it is what it is.
As you are getting older and better, what advice would you give to your younger self if you could and who would you want to cast to play the younger version of yourself in a biopic?
I think I would want one of my daughters to play me. They know me better than anyone, and they look like me!
As for my younger self, I would tell her “Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Do you think that Manopause is as real as Menopause, and have you seen it in the men over 50 that you know
I do think that men go through changes as they get older. I’m married to a man under 50, however I have noticed the changes that happen to a man and I would just say–I have no comment.
But let me say this: I think God gave us failing eyesight so we don’t see all the shit happening to us. My husband and I say we have CSS disease–Can’t See Shit!
How important is philanthropy in your life–you support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Feeding America to name a few.
Philanthropy has always been an important part of my life. No matter where we are economically, we can always give, whether it’s your time or money. And it’s especially important in these times. I’ve taught my children that from a young age.
*Check out all three charities at the end of this article.
Why do you think that this OnlyFans story involving you and your daughter is actually a story?
I actually did not know much about OnlyFans until my daughter joined. So I joined because I thought it was unfair that my oldest daughter was getting so much backlash for it. I think the criticism is hypocritical because on Instagram or Facebook people post swimsuit and other somewhat risqué pictures and it’s okay. On OnlyFans, though, you’re stigmatized.
People have a choice to be on OnlyFans or not. If you don’t like it, don’t go there.
Now that you’re on OnlyFans, what is the difference between being totally in control of the content you post versus being in a risqué Hollywood film?
While filming a movie, you have some control over what you want to show or not show, but at the end of the day, you have no control of the final cut. With something like OnlyFans, you control it and own it.
You were a Bond Girl at age 27–how did that change your life?
Before I did the Bond movie (“The World Is Not Enough”), I really had no idea about the magnitude of the franchise. It’s global. I was coming off filming “Wild Things” and “Starship Troopers” in the same year, but Bond took me to a different level. I’m very excited and proud that I was part of such an iconic franchise!
Who is your favorite James Bond?
I love Pierce Brosnan, and he was an amazing James Bond. But personally, there is no one else like Sean Connery and I’m sure Pierce would say the same thing.
Our final question is, what do you want to be doing 5 years from now?
I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow! No, I’m joking. Honestly, who would have known that we would be in lockdown for so long. It’s been crazy! So, I just want peace, health, and happiness.
We couldn’t agree more, Denise!
Some of Denise’s Favorite Charities:
Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
