Lena Dunham: 'Hollywood Has to Change, and I'm Trying,' Actress Says
Actress Lena Dunham took to the stage at the SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival in Austin, Texas, to speak about the problem women face in Hollywood-- a problem that Dunham said she is trying to change.
"People are ready to see Adam (Driver, her co-star) play a million different guys in one year – from Lotharios to villains to nerds. Meanwhile, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, and Zosia Mamet are still waiting for parts they can get interested in," Dunham said. "Something has to change and I'm trying."
Dunham, whose hit series "Girls" has gained a solid following, has said that she might not continue acting once the show is over. Instead, she would like to do something different to empower other women and help them find their way in Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general.
"I just want to make people laugh," Dunham explained. "I want to be of service to the causes that are dear to me and to be an agent of change specifically for women and girls. There's no place for me in the studio system."
She echoed an earlier statement made during an interview in April's "Glamour" magazine.
"I don't know if I'm going to want to act anymore. I'm always relieved on the days I don't have to," she noted. "I'd rather give parts to other women than be the woman having the parts."
Dunham has been an outspoken advocate for women in Hollywood, in both word and deed. She has not let the ideal conception of an actress influence her weight or attire, choosing to be true to herself and hopefully providing an inspiration for others. However, it hasn't been easy for Dunham, who has received a great deal of criticism for her appearance and the work she does on "Girls."
She stunned on "Saturday Night Live" this past weekend, poking fun at herself and her character on "Girls" as well as another female lead – Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia Pope on "Scandal."
