Hollywood is very quick to promote its new talent, but there is a certain charm in the veteran actors who have managed to survive through the changing trends, genres, and audiences for decades. These are the stars that have appeared on both the big and small screens for the last couple of years, thereby showing that talent, charm, and a sincere love for the art only grow with time. We celebrate the lives of 11 such legendary actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age who are still alive today.
11. Nancy Olson
The acting career of Nancy Olson is a true Hollywood success tale. While she is best remembered today for her Academy-nominated performance as Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard, she delighted fans with memorable performances in popular family films such as The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber. Though she retired as an actress during the 1980s, Olson periodically resurfaced as a special guest, including a role in a movie released in 2014, thus demonstrating that she had not lost her magic during these intervening years.
10. Mel Brooks
Few comedy names bring the same gravitas as Mel Brooks. From Blazing Saddles through Young Frankenstein, his films have set the standard for comedic filmmaking for decades. Brooks also counts among the select EGOT winners, having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Aside from writing and directing, Brooks started Brooksfilms, producing classics such as The Elephant Man and The Fly. With a career of over 75 years, his creative spark is still burning bright.
9. David Attenborough
David Attenborough’s voice is one that the world heeds. His pioneering Life series on a documentary set the benchmark for nature shows, combining breathtaking imagery with his warm, authoritative voice. More recently, Attenborough has been an outspoken champion of the environment, calling for action on climate change and conservation. His voice and vision have led generations to care for the world.
8. Dick Van Dyke
At 98, Dick Van Dyke retains the same energy that propelled him to household fame in the 1960s. From The Dick Van Dyke Show to his iconic role in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it has been one long masterclass in entertainment for the ages. With Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, and even a face-saving return cameo in Mary Poppins Returns, Van Dyke continues to demonstrate that art and joy have no shelf life.
7. Jimmy Carter
Most famous as America’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter has perhaps had an even greater effect on the world since leaving office. The current longest-living U.S. president has spent decades working on humanitarian issues, promoting peace, and working for the environment. His Nobel Peace Prize is only one of a number of awards that attest to a life dedicated to service and world improvement.
6. Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint has had a career that most actors can only hope for—lasting more than seven decades, touching film, stage, radio, and television. She received an Academy Award for On the Waterfront and mesmerized audiences opposite Cary Grant in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Most recently, she was seen in Winter’s Tale and provided voice work in The Legend of Korra, solidifying her status as a multi-generational star.
5. Ray Anthony
Ray Anthony is not only a bandleading legend but also the sole remaining member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Famous for his hit recording of “At Last,” Anthony has been on the scene for more than 80 years. At age 102, his Hollywood Walk of Fame star remains a living link to the golden era of big band music.
4. Frances Wessells
Frances Wessells demonstrates that dance keeps one young. Performing professionally well into her late 90s, she’s amazed audiences with her poise and energy, even taking on a role in the Latin Ballet of Virginia’s The Legend of the Poinsettia. As an instructor and performer, she’s influenced countless students to keep active and create at any age.
3. June Spencer
At 103, June Spencer just completed a record-breaking career as Peggy Woolley in the BBC radio soap The Archers, a position that she held for more than 70 years. Her remarkable career on the program has presented her with numerous lifetime achievement awards and a place in broadcasting history.
2. Caren Marsh Doll
One of the dying remnants of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Caren Marsh Doll contributed to many MGM productions and notoriously played Judy Garland’s stand-in for The Wizard of Oz and Ziegfeld Girl. The oldest living Hollywood actress, her life is an opportunity to experience the early days of movie magic.
1. Elisabeth Waldo
At 106, Elisabeth Waldo is the oldest living entertainment personality. A classically trained violinist, composer, and conductor, Waldo’s life has brought her from rural origins to concert halls around the world. Her distinctive blending of classical and Latin American music represents a lifetime of discovery and creativity.
What’s their secret?
Studies in the Blue Zones documentary identify shared practices: being active, maintaining close social connections, consuming primarily plant-based diets, and having a sense of purpose. Betty White attributed her longevity to optimism and a sense of humor, while legends such as Mel Brooks and Dick Van Dyke continue producing well into old age.
These incredible women demonstrate that passion, purpose, and a little determination can sustain the spotlight for a lifetime and beyond.