Patricia Heaton explains why her Carol's Second Act character is 11 years her junior

ETonline

The 61-year-old Heaton plays Carol Kenney, a 50-year-old woman who starts her life over by pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor after raising her children, going through a divorce and retiring from teaching. But why his character age 50? “Realistically, to be able to get into medical school, I would think they would take your age into consideration,” Heaton said at the TV press tour. “So, if you start at 60 and don’t get into your internship until 65…I am 61 and I don’t have a problem with that. I kept saying I don’t think people will really believe I’m in my 50s -- do I need gray in my hair? I really (think) I look like Angelina Jolie until I look into the mirror and realize I don’t. So, I thought it was realistic she’s in her 50s because I look like I’m in my 50s!”