Heather Graham says Hollywood is ‘still pretty sexist’

Heather Graham talks about her long and successful career and the sexism she now sees reflected in her iconic roles.

The actress, 53, told People“some movies from that period were so sexist.”

“Nobody really thought about it or commented on it. At that point, people thought they really evolved and now we look back and say, “Whoa, that was so sexist.” I’m glad we’re growing as a culture,” she added.

But Graham – who has also spoken out about pressure for women to marry and have children – said the film industry still has a long way to go. “I feel like nothing has drastically changed,” she said.

“More people care, but it’s not suddenly right. It’s still pretty sexist, to be honest,” she continued.

Say it isn’t: “To get a female-driven narrative that appeals primarily to women in all this male-dominated business isn’t that easy,” she said; seen with Chris Klein in the 2001 movie Say It Isn’t So

She then got specific.

“Every stage of the company, whether it’s financing, distribution, the reviewers, all those people are mostly men. To get a female-driven story that appeals primarily to women in all these male-dominated affairs isn’t that easy,” she admitted.

As Heather reflected on her career, she realized that most of the stories were about men and their problems, which affected how she saw herself.

“I always felt like I was a supporting character in a man’s story,” the Extrapolations star said. ‘I didn’t always go, what do I want? I went, how can I please people another? My journey has been to get more clarity about what I want and go there.”

And she plans to do just that with her new projects. She wrote her new series Chosen Family, which she also directs and stars in, and is producing the television series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s Hypnotist’s Love Story.

“The most inspiring thing for me is seeing a lot of female writers and directors, and that’s something I’m starting to do,” said the Boogie Nights star.

“I like that very much,” she said. “And I like cool, hip female directors who tell humorous stories about female points of view. I’d like to be more into that.’

Change is needed: ‘I’ve always felt like I was a supporting character in a man’s story,’ said the Extrapolations star

Iconic roles: The 53-year-old actress has appeared in a number of blockbuster films, including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Supporting Character: She said her roles in the past were more to serve what the men wanted in the stories

“I really enjoy hearing female voices because I think we learn a lot about the world from the movies and TV we watch.

“If we are always told stories from a male point of view, it doesn’t help the women.”

In Heather’s latest film, On a Wing and a Prayer – out on Amazon Prime today – she plays Terri White, whose husband Doug – played by Dennis Quaid – has to land a plane on Easter after the pilot dies.

The movie is based on a true story from 2009, and the Twin Peaks alum calls it “an edge-of-your-seat story.”

“I love the hope of feeling like there’s a spiritual energy in the universe looking out for your highest good — that sometimes you think all hope is lost, but something good can still happen,” she said.

Taking charge: The actress wrote, directed and stars in the series Chosen Family

Adaptation: She also produces the television series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s Hypnotist’s Love Story

And the actress also recently reflected on another way sexism affects women — specifically women who choose not to get married or have children.

Heather said she “feels free” now that she’s decided never to marry or have kids with one of her former boyfriends: “And I sleep a lot!”

“I don’t feel like I’m missing out,” the Miss Conceptions star admitted.

“If you are meant to have children, then you have children. And if you are not supposed to have children, then the universe will give you something or someone to take care of. I sometimes feel like my projects are little kids; I’ve become more involved in producing and writing and directing.’

Heather continued, “I feel like as a woman, culturally, you shouldn’t say, ‘I didn’t want to have kids.’ Because it’s like, “What’s wrong with you?” I think as a guy it’s like, “Oh cool, you didn’t want to have kids.” Now women are given more freedom to make their own choices.’