40 never looked so good! Whether 40 or a year removed, this group proves that age is just a number

Ebony, Sept, 2005

The French have always known. And the rest of the world is finally beginning to catch on that a woman is most interesting, attractive and alluring when she is 40 and over. And for beautiful 40-something actresses Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, Robin Givens, Jasmine Guy and Veronica Webb, 40 is not fatal in fact, it is fabulous. They are at an age where traditionally in Tinsel Town life as a working actress would be waning.

In Hollywood's heyday, even legendary actresses like Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll and Ruby Dee fought for roles after their 40th birthdays. But for these five beautiful Black actresses, 40 may be considered "the new 30," because as they vividly illustrate, they are still acting, and many have delayed a family and are just beginning to raise young children.

So for those who thought it was all over at 40, think again! Life is just getting sweeter for these women, and their best is yet to come.

Vivica A. Fox is kicking off her 40s like her character in Kill Bill: Vol. 1&2--she's taking no prisoners. Not only is she a hot-in-demand movie actress, she is also starring in two TV shows, Lifetime's Missing, where she plays a gutsy female FBI agent, and she co-stars actress Faye Dunaway on WB's reality show The Starlet.

Jasmine Guy is as versatile and talented as she is lovely. The veteran actress of stage, screen and TV is a triple threat who can act, sing and dance. She is still remembered for her role as Whitley Gilbert on A Different World, but she ha also released an album, played a housewife-turned detective and starred in the Broadway stage musical, Chicago. This summer she is set to star in the play, The Fourposter, in Wilmingtl Del., opposite Tony Award nominee Keith David. also an author, publishing a biography of rapper Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary She is married to investment broker Terrence Duckette, and they have a 6-year-old daughter, Imani Guy Duckette.

Lela Rochon has played a bevy of beautiful women with depth and verve. Tall and shapely, she has garnered an impressive array of acting credits during her career. She debuted opposite Fred Williamson in 1985's Foxtrap, and she is currently scheduled to appear in a new film, Running out of Time in Hollywood in 2006. Rochon is married to director Antoine Fuqua and they have a daughter, Asia Rochon Fuqua, who is 3 years old.

Robin Givens is stunning and resilient. Few remember that she gave medical studies to enter the profession. Following a tumultuous marriage to boxer Mike Tyson, she has continued her acting career with a number of memorable feature roles, including co-starring with Chris Rock in 2003 in Head of State. Her most cherished role though is as mom to her two sons, Michael Givens and William Givens Jensen.

Veronica Webb is an internationally known model and actress who was the first Black woman to sign a major cosmetics contract (in 1992). Webb has been in feature films such as Malcolm X, Jungle Feverand 54. Currently, she is hosting Trend Watch for TV, giving viewers the latest inside scoop on luxury fashion and style. Webb is married to archaeologist George Robb Jr., and she is the mother of two young daughters, Molly and Leila. She has also worked as a journalist.