Hollywood loves to ride on the wave of the next big thing, but a select few have demonstrated that true staying power is the magic act. These all-time great performers endured shifting fads, technologies, and a little more than an industry or two restructuring—but they’re still here, shaping the story of entertainment in 2025. They lived through the Golden Age’s passage into legend, the dawn of TV, and the age of streaming, and they’ve been icons throughout. Let’s raise a toast (or at least a tub of popcorn) to the 10 longest-living actors still making waves in Hollywood this year.
10. James Hong (Born February 22, 1929)
If ever there were an award for “Most Likely to Make a Cameo in Your Favorite Movie or TV Show,” then James Hong would win hands down. With more than 600 credits to his name, his face—and voice—are familiar to us all. From Blade Runner to Seinfeld to voicing the iconic Mr. Ping in Kung Fu Panda, Hong’s body of work is a work of art in versatility. He also co-founded East West Players, opening doors for Asian American actors decades ahead of diversity being a buzzword. In 2021, he was finally given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to the elusive late-blooming award that was always worth the wait.
9. Mel Brooks (Born June 28, 1926)
Comedy as we know it simply wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Mel Brooks. The genius behind Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and Spaceballs has been having folks in stitches for more than seven decades. He started as a teenager doing stand-up, went off and fought in World War II, and eventually dominated television and film. Brooks is a rare EGOT winner, taking home his Tony for The Producers in 2001. Even in his late 90s, his humor is as sharp as ever.
8. Dick Van Dyke (Born December 13, 1925)
If sunshine took human form, it would probably look like Dick Van Dyke. Whether flying over rooftops in Mary Poppins, creating in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or tumbling into comedy on The Dick Van Dyke Show, he’s been entertaining audiences for decades. His list of credits includes five Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, and a spot in the Television Hall of Fame. And yes—he’s still acting, still smiling, and still proving that charm doesn’t expire.
7. Lee Grant (Born October 31, 1925)
Lee Grant’s life is its own Hollywood film. She was a kid actor at the Metropolitan Opera and weathered the notorious Hollywood blacklist before coming back with a vengeance in the ’60s with In the Heat of the Night and Valley of the Dolls. Off-screen, she also left her mark with the Oscar-winning documentary Down and Out in America. At nearly 90 years in the business, she’s still a force to be reckoned with.
6. June Lockhart (Born on June 25, 1925)
To millions, June Lockhart will always be the warm, wise mom of Lassie and Lost in Space. Her career began decades prior, however, making her first appearance in A Christmas Carol along with her parents. She has done everything from stage roles to voice acting in animated films and video games throughout her career. Two-time Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner, Lockhart continues to add to new projects well into her 90s.
5. Eva Marie Saint (Born July 4, 1924)
Ethereal, elegant, and unforgettable—Eva Marie Saint is the embodiment of Old Hollywood glamour. She won an Oscar for her breakout role in On the Waterfront with Marlon Brando and cemented film history with North by Northwest. She’s remained active from the 1940s to the current decade, even providing voiceovers for animated ladies in modern movies. With two stars on the Walk of Fame, both for the TV star and the film star, her legacy spans a generation.
4. Michael Caine (Born on March 14, 1933)
From The Italian Job to The Dark Knight, Michael Caine’s unique Cockney drawl and spontaneous charm have made him one of Britain’s longest-lasting exports. He’s won two Academy Awards, written a number of memoirs, and mastered both leading man and supporting roles. With his wit and quick humor, Caine has never hesitated to discuss aging with wit and poise—and continue working on projects that interest him.
3. Gene Hackman (January 30, 1930)
Although Gene Hackman retired from acting in 2004, his filmography is unTouchable. From The French Connection to Unforgiven, his roles are best remembered for their gritty intensity and depth. In “retirement,” Hackman has reinvented himself as a novelist, author of historical novels, and demonstrates that one’s creative spark does not vanish upon retirement from the big screen.
2. William Shatner (March 22, 1931)
Captain Kirk might have journeyed through the stars on television, but William Shatner has done it for real now—at age 90, becoming the oldest human being to fly into space. Star Trek fame aside, Shatner has also established himself as a host, musician, and pop culture icon. His distinctive delivery, acerbic wit, and insatiable curiosity make him the darling of each new generation decade after decade.
1. Clint Eastwood (Born May 31, 1930)
From the dusty roads of spaghetti westerns to the director’s seat of Oscar-winning epics, Clint Eastwood’s life has seen over 60 years of work. He’s acted, directed, produced, and even scored music for his pictures. Still working in his 90s, Eastwood continues to break rules, showing that in Hollywood, age is just another number.
These stars aren’t merely survivors—they’re storytellers, pioneers, and living connections to Hollywood heritage. In an industry that’s fixated on the new, they serve as reminders that certain legends are strengthened by the passage of time.