Julia Louis-Dreyfus Says Saturday Night Live Was a ''Very Sexist Environment'' in the '80s

Actress opens up about sexism in Hollywood and politics

Julia Louis-Dreyfus may have kicked off her career on Saturday Night Live, but that doesn't mean her time on the show was necessarily the happiest period for her.

In fact, during an interview with The New York Times, the 55-year-old revealed some eye-opening things about what went on behind closed doors while working on the show in the '80s.

"I did not come out of SNL as any kind of name. I didn't do anything particularly great when I was there," she explained. "But I learned a tremendous amount. It was a very sexist environment. Since I've gone back, I can tell you it's much more of an equal-opportunity environment."

She decided to take the rocky experience as a learning opportunity and move forward in a more positive direction.

"I was on [SNL] for three years, and when I left, I made this conscious decision that I would not take any jobs that didn't seem as if they would be really fun," she said. "That's very simplistic and Pollyannaish sounding, but really, I noted that. I'm not doing this unless I can have a deep sense of happiness while doing it. I've applied that, moving forward, and it's worked. So in that sense, I have SNL to thank."

Despite landing huge award-winning roles on shows like Seinfeld and Veep, Dreyfus still doesn't see herself as a pioneer for women in Hollywood, especially with the deep-seated problems that still exist.

"Opportunity for women in television has increased. It's because the landscape has widened. More women got on the playing field," she explained. "But opportunity for women in film has not increased. I just think it's that simple. By the way, I'm certain that there's more much more in television that can be done. And I'm trying to do it. But I've certainly seen it change in my lifetime."

Hollywood aside, Dreyfus also opened up about her frustration with inequality across the political platform, too.

"I see it all over the place. With all female officials. Be it [Nancy] Pelosi, be it Barbara Boxer. [Elizabeth] Warren. Be it Ruth Bader Ginsburg," she said. "I watch these ladies with an eye—just thinking about this show. But not in a sense of parody. It's just interesting to watch behavior, people's reactions to women in power."

She continued, making an important note to consider: "A stern, decisive man is appealing. There are those who would say a stern, decisive woman is unappealing. Need you know any more than that?"

Read her full interview with the Times here.