Natasha Lyonne’s Cheeky Take on Hollywood’s Ageism in New Film Role

Natasha Lyonne took an epic swipe at Hollywood’s view of women ageing as she revealed film bosses compared her to her latest character.

The actress, 46, is best known for her roles in But I’m A Cheerleader, American Pie, Orange Is The New Black and is appearing in the new Fantastic Four film.

However, it is Natasha’s new voiceover role in the 2025 Smurfs movie that left her questioning Hollywood’s viewpoint on women ageing in the industry.

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she revealed how she jumped at the chance to voice a character in the animation, not knowing who she would play.

Though she thought she would play a character similar to 37-year-old Rihanna’s glamorous Smurfette, Natasha admitted the bosses had another idea in store.

Natasha explained: ‘So, they said, ”You wanna be a Smurf in a picture?”

Natasha Lyonne took an epic swipe at Hollywood’s view of ageing women this week as she revealed film bosses compared her to the one-toothed Smurf she plays in the new film

The actress, pictured in 1990, is best known for her roles in But I’m A Cheerleader, American Pie, Orange Is The New Black and is appearing in the new Fantastic Four film

‘It’s an email, I say, reply all, ”Sure, who doesn’t?” I mean, it’s not Strawberry Shortcake, but I’ll take it.’

Natasha revealed she then discovered she had been cast as Mamma Poot, who is much less glamorous than she expected and boasts just one bottom tooth. 

Taking a cheeky swipe at Hollywood, Natasha joked: ”I’m a character called Mama Poot. Well, it’s okay. I’m older now, and that’s what they mean.

‘Women, don’t age in Hollywood or you’ll become Mama Poot. The character they showed me is a hairball with one bottom snaggle tooth, not even a top (tooth).

‘They’re looking at me like, ”Isn’t this charming that you guys seem so similar?” I said, ”Yeah, no, it’s definitely going to help me get dates, I’m sure”.’

Natasha then reminded fans that she has a ‘full set of real teeth’, quipping: ‘I’m really proud of that. Not Mama Poot, though!’

Based on the iconic animated 80s series, the latest Smurf film in the franchise also stars James Corden, John Goodman, Xolo Mariduena, Octavia Spencer and Kurt Russell.

It hit cinemas on Friday and is directed by Chris Miller, the creative mind behind Shrek, Puss in Boots, and Madagascar. 

Natasha’s new voiceover role in the Smurfs movie left her questioning Hollywood’s viewpoint on women ageing in the industry, she revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Though she thought she would play a character similar to 37-year-old Rihanna’s glamorous Smurfette, Natasha admitted the bosses had another idea in store – Mama Poot (pictured) 

Based on the iconic animated 80s series, the latest Smurf film in the franchise also stars James Corden, John Goodman, Xolo Mariduena, Octavia Spencer and Kurt Russell 

At the heart of the new story lies a rescue mission with universal consequences and some very tiny heroes.

When the wise and beloved Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is kidnapped by the sinister duo of wizards Razamel and Gargamel, the peaceful Smurf Village is thrown into chaos.

Their only hope is none other than the fearless and fabulous Smurfette, played with dazzling flair by Rihanna.

Elsewhere, earlier this week MailOnline exclusively revealed how Natasha was attempting to lobby the Trump Administration as she tries to outlaw sinister uses of AI in the film industry.

She worked earlier this year to secure signatures for a letter to the White House advocating against policies allowing AI to take over the media.

Nabbing over 400 signatures from icons like Paul McCartney, Ben Stiller and Ron Howard, the memo called on the White House to protect Hollywood’s intellectual property from being gobbled up by AI companies without proper compensation.

‘We firmly believe that America’s global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries,’ the March letter stated.

But Natasha is facing a problem she couldn’t have anticipated – as no one knows who she is on Capitol Hill, or in the White House, for that matter.

Multiple top aides on Capitol Hill working on AI issues with the White House told the Daily Mail they had not heard of Natasha – or her lobbying efforts.