Virginia Madsen on the ‘Joy’ of working with Jennifer Lawrence: ‘She’s a hell of a broad’

Even her costars are in awe of J. Law.

Virginia Madsen gushed about Jennifer Lawrence, who played her daughter in David O. Russell’s Joy, on Dirty, Sexy, Funny with Jenny McCarthy on Tuesday, praising her authenticity and talent.

“She’s a hell of a broad. She’s really like a guy’s gal and a girl’s girl,” said Madsen, 54. “And she’s really tough as nails, and I was very surprised to watch how well someone of that age could handle herself on a set. I was maybe being a little ageist because she was only 24, and she was already more like me. And I thought, ‘Wow, she doesn’t need me.’ I was ready to be like her mentor and stuff. You know, ‘Oh, she’ll probably ask me stories or advice.’ And it was like no, she’s doesn’t need my advice. She’s already there, so it was great.”

Lawrence, 25, went on to score an Oscar nod for her portrayal of a housewife turned self-made inventor of the Miracle Mop.

“That’s nice that you respected that instead of trying to tear her down, like some actresses would,” McCarthy, 43, told Madsen.

“She’s someone who needs our support and our encouragement,” Madsen said. “She has a lot on her plate doing these enormous films and being in the position she’s in, and doing it so beautifully. That should be celebrated.”

Listen to the clip below for more of Madsen and her mom Elaine’s thoughts on aging in Hollywood:

Dirty, Sexy, Funny airs weekdays from 10 am to 12 pm ET on SiriusXM Stars (Ch. 109).

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