Photos Please Naked Australians' Viewers

By Susan King, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Why is it that out of shape and aging actors show no reluctance in doffing their duds while actresses who take it all off are criticized, scrutinized and even ridiculed unless they boast a pinup-perfect body?

Not convinced? Just look at Kathy Bates. The 59-year-old Oscar-winning actress isn’t waif-thin like every other Hollywood starlet, and she’s clearly comfortable in her own body. But audiences – mostly male moviegoers – made great fun of her nude hot tub scene with Jack Nicholson in “About Schmidt.” Yet Hollywood routinely turns its lens on less-than-perfect men: Most recently, audiences got an up-close-and-personal look at star Jack Black’s naked Pillsbury Doughboy-behind in the new film “Margot at the Wedding.”

Black’s nude scene vividly - maybe too vividly - illustrates the way actors and actresses are treated differently in Hollywood. If women have to watch the Jack Blacks of the world au natural, then movie audiences need to accept the Kathy Bateses going commando…

Hi,

Here's Kathy Bates, if only the link works:

http://members.fortunecity.com/noops219/fcnoops_about_schmidt_kathy_bates.html

If it doesn't work, just Google "Kathy Bates About Schmidt" and click on the first link.

Culebron

I totally agree with you Naked Australians Admin. Hollywood has many double standards when it comes to nudity, especially when it comes to males doing full frontal, with the exception of a few actors like the recent movie Sarah Marshall. I was thinking, "It's about time we see a male not censored." I know there are some movies where the Males are allowed to show full frontal, but for a very long time you would always hear alot of women here in the states say how unfair it was, when it was very common for a female to be allowed to show full frontal with nary a comment.

I argree that audiences should accept the Kathy Bates going commando, but i wonder if it is a simple thing as... with Jack Black it was all about comedy, to where Kathys was more like descretion or the fact that she seems to be looked at more serious and for her to be allowed to do a scene brings down her respect from viewers... either way.... we should accept them.