When you’re young, it can feel like the entire world is stretched out right in front of you. The whole world is yours for the taking.

As many older people can tell you, that feeling does not last forever. Aging teaches people that they’re mortal, not invincible. But while there is a certain kind of liberation in growing older, aging is often looked down on by our society.

Even the talented and famous were not immune to this curse. Richard Fleischer, best known for films like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and Fantastic Voyage (1966), spoke up about ageism in the industry during an interview.

At the time the Knight Ridder Tribune News article was published, Fleischer was in his seventies and hadn’t directed a film for six years.

“I guess everybody thinks I’m too old,” said the Amityville 3-D director. “I’m over 35. It’s ageism. We suffer from that very much in this industry. It’s thought of as a young man’s business. I’ve had a very long career, much longer than most. I’m beyond the usual age limit. But as far as I’m concerned, I’m at the peak of my creative powers. My health has never been as good as it is now. I have all the vitality in the world. But there’s a general impression that he’s too old. It’s very hard to take.”

To Fleischer, it didn’t matter how old he was. What really mattered was how enthusiastic he was about his craft.

“What you need is passion about what you’re doing,” said the director. “You must care about it. You must absolutely believe in what you’re doing and be passionate about it - and violent about it if you have to be. And nobody can get in your way.”