Ginny MacColl
Ginny MacColl | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 (age 74–75) |
| Occupations | Actor, athlete |
| Known for | Oldest competitive female Ninja athlete |
| Children | 2, including Jessie Graff |
Ginny MacColl (born 1951) is an American athlete and actress best known for holding the Guinness World Record for oldest competitive female Ninja athlete. She has appeared on American Ninja Warrior 4 times. She is also an actress who has appeared in numerous commercials for products including Sizzlean, Mr. Clean, Wonder Bread, and Folgers and played Evelyn in 2019 movie Poms.
Biography
[edit]MacColl was born and raised in Knoxville and became a dancer from a young age. She attended college for dance education, but dropped out to move to New York, where she worked as a dancer on Broadway[1], notably serving as the understudy for main antagonist Fastrada in Pippin for two years. She went on to appear in commercials for products including Sizzlean, Mr. Clean, Wonder Bread, and Folgers.[2][3] She has spoken about how she didn't ever think of working out because of beauty standards when she was young.[4]
When jobs began to dry up after 25 years, she moved to the Poconos and worked as a dance teacher and in sales at a local radio station, before moving back to North Carolina.[2][3]
She began working out, entering a gym for the first time at 63,[5][6] after seeing her daughter, Jessie Graff, compete in American Ninja Warrior. It took her a year to become able to do a pullup.[7] She was also inspired by her daughter to compete in American Ninja Warrior.[8]
In her first appearance in Ninja Warrior, she fell at the first obstacle.[3] In a later appearance, though, she became the oldest woman to pass an obstacle in American Ninja Warrior, holding the Guinness World Record.[9] As of 2026, she has competed four times.[10][11]
She played Evelyn, a member of the main cheerleading troupe, in 2019 cheerleading movie Poms.[8] She also played MawMaw in You're Cordially Invited, where she did her own stunts,[12] and played Agnes Miller in Stars Fall On Alabama.[13]
She is also notable for her social media, in which she shares her fitness progress and strategies. She has over 130,000 followers.[10][3]
References
[edit]- ^ Ladish, Lorraine C. (2024-03-19). "Ginny MacColl, 72: Redefining age with every pull-up". Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ a b "Meet Ginny Maccoll". Old Lady Gains. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ a b c d Cocozza, Paula (2025-05-12). "A new start after 60: I did my first pull-up at 63 – then fought to be a ninja warrior". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ Cuneo, Michael. "'You're never too old:' Southport's 71-year-old American Ninja Warrior sensation makes history". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ Ratcliff, Kim (2023-10-17). "Get Fit with 6: Southport woman is oldest competitive female ninja athlete". WECT. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ "She was on American Ninja Warrior in her 70s. How is she ageing so well?". South China Morning Post. 2025-04-13. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ Schewitz, Kim. "A 73-year-old who did her first pull-up at 63 works out six times a week. 3 simple things helped her get into shape". Business Insider. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ a b Bolder, Growing (2024-03-22). "The 72-Year-Old American Ninja Warrior". Growing Bolder. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ "This 74-year-old did her first pull-up aged 63 – now she can do 17. Here's her message on strength and ageing". Women's Health. 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ a b "Woman Takes On 'American Ninja Warrior' in Her 70s". AARP. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ Bobo, Anaiya (June 1, 2025). "Knoxville native and Guinness World record holder to compete in fourth season of American Ninja Warrior at 72". WBIR. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
- ^ Richards, Annesophia (2023-10-23). "The Heart of a Warrior | Life in Brunswick County, NC". lifeinbrunswickcounty.com. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ^ "Stars Fell on Alabama". Moviejawn. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2026-06-24.