We Ask Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones 'Can Passion Last?'

"We've been lucky"

You both have had long film careers. You've managed to continue to be creative and productive. Has it ever been tough — have you ever been frustrated trying to keep going in an industry that often celebrates youth?

MS: I think there's not a sell-by date on actors. If they want to, they can keep going, like Chris Plummer. But I do think we've been lucky [glances at Jones], speaking for the group.

TLJ: I've been lucky — and happy. I've made some bad movies. And I really enjoyed it! [Laughs.] I've made some good movies. I enjoyed that, too. I like being an actor.

MS: Yeah, I do too. But you also understand what a crapshoot it is and how serendipity plays a huge part in somebody's ability to do the thing we do and love. It's not a piece of cake by any means, but when I say I'm lucky, I do appreciate that.

Meryl, three of your four children are now working in film and theater. And Tommy, your daughter is also pursuing a career in acting.

TLJ: She's an acting student at the State University of New York in Purchase, a very good acting school.

Do you have these kinds of conversations about luck with her?

TLJ: Well, I'm delighted that we can share some things and that I have some experience that can be of comfort to her. She sometimes struggles, but she's very good, and that makes me very proud.

MS: It makes you feel good when your kids choose to do the thing that you do, even as much as you come home and complain about it. They go undaunted into the fray, which is pretty amazing, considering all the things lined up against them that they don't even know about.

Do you ever think, "I'm going to stop doing this at some point"?

MS: I think that every year! [Laughs.]

TLJ: I like being a director, and I'm never going to stop being an actor.

Next: When will we see Streep in the director's chair. »