With Emmy nominations right around the corner, let's hope voters respect their elders. Here are 10 TV performers, all 65 or older, who did some of the best work of their careers this past season.
Kathy Bates, 65
The role: Delphine LaLaurie in "American Horror Story," a 19th-century slave killer who is cursed with eternal life and buried alive. Lots of fun at parties.
Beau Bridges, 72
The role: Barton Scully in "Masters of Sex," a closeted provost who is anything but a sexual master. Bears a slight resemblance to Dad on "The Millers."
Charles Dance, 67
The role: Tywin Lannister in "Game of Thrones," the politically savvy lord who just got the world's worst Father's Day gift from his son.
Danny DeVito, 69
The role: Frank Reynolds in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," a schemer who always finds new ways to prove that he's bonkers.
Jane Fonda, 76
The role: Leona Lansing in "The Newsroom," a media mogul who would make an awfully nice match for Ted Turner.
Charles Grodin, 79
The role: Dr. Bigelow, the no-nonsense doctor in "Louie" who believes sarcasm is the best medicine.
Robert Morse, 83
The role: Bertram "Bert" Cooper in "Mad Men," the senior partner at Sterling Cooper who showed us how to succeed in business without really trying.
Ed O'Neill, 68
The role: Jay Pritchett, the beleaguered patriarch of "Modern Family," who still hasn't gotten a handle on being married with children.
Maggie Smith, 79
The role: Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey." Also known as the Don Rickles of pre-WWII England.
Jon Voight, 75
The role: Mickey Donovan, the short-tempered father in "Ray Donovan" whose 20 years in prison taught him more about revenge than rehabilitation.
