LONDON (Reuters) -- Kathleen Turner, the 45-year-old Hollywood star who strips naked nightly in ``The Graduate'' said on Wednesday it was ridiculous that women of her age were not allowed to be sexy.

Turner, sex personified 20 years ago when launching her film career in ``Body Heat,'' has won standing ovations for her London stage portrayal of the middle-aged temptress Mrs. Robinson, first made famous by Anne Bancroft in the 1967 hit film.

The show's London run has been extended and the play may embark on a world tour afterwards.

``Women my age aren't allowed to be sexy and I think that's nonsense. I'm really loving my character Mrs. Robinson. Each day she gets more interesting,'' the actress told Hello! magazine.

``More and more I find, in the USA anyway, when a woman is over 40 and attractive and strong, then she must be evil ... either she is that or terribly frustrated,'' said Turner, who created such on-screen electricity with Michael Douglas in ''Romancing The Stone.''

``Men don't really like the idea of us being fulfilled and happy and capable,'' she said.