Older Stars Who Are Still Living Their Best Lives and Have Thriving Careers
Anthony Hopkins, a Legend at 85
Most people know him as Anthony Hopkins, but did you know that his full name is
actually Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins? It is no wonder that he is so legendary in
the film industry with a name like that! He is a Welsh actor, director, and
producer who has a very long list of achievements to discuss and commemorate. If
you’re that successful it is no surprise that you want to continue your career
for your entire life!
Some of the works you have probably heard of are The Lion in Winter, A Bridge
Too Far, and Red Dragon, and appearances in the Thor franchise, although the
list is extensively longer than that. You can’t work into your 80s and now have
plenty of things to be famous for.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Columbia Pictures/Getty Images
Johnny Mathis Is Almost 90 and Still Singing
Passion gives life meaning. Not everyone in this world gets to find their
passion, the thing that makes them excited and happy. Johnny Mathis is someone
who was lucky enough to find that passion and work in it his entire life (even
into his 80s). John Royce Mathis is an American jazz singer and songwriter who
is still performing and singing even has he comes close to his 90th year.
He started out his career by singing in a church choir, but an audition in 1955
changed his life, gave him a recording contract, and brought him to fame.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons
Dianne Wiest Continuing Her Career at 75
Dianne Wiest, an exceptionally talented actress, has left an indelible mark on
the world of film and theater. Her career spans several decades, and she has
consistently delivered captivating performances that showcase her remarkable
range and versatility. Wiest’s breakthrough came with her collaborations with
director Woody Allen, earning her critical acclaim and two Academy Awards for
her roles in Hannah and Her Sisters and Bullets over Broadway. However, she is
most famous for her roles in Edward Scissorhands and The Birdcage.
Even today Dianne Wiest continues to amaze audiences with her exceptional acting
skills and remains a true icon in the industry. One of her latest films was in
2020 and was highly acclaimed.
Fonte: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images | Shutterstock
Pat Boone Is the Voice of an Era at 89
Pat Boone has the voice of an era and he knew it. Famous for his hit songs in
the 1950s, there is hardly a person who wouldn’t know at least one of his
classic hits. Although he was most famous for his singing voice, he also would
use his voice for radio and television shows and even dappled a bit in acting.
If you’re lucky, you’ll still see that he makes occasional appearances in media
even now as he is in his 80s.
He has also aged very gracefully. Maybe that is what happens when you do what
you love for your entire life!
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons
Barbara Mandrell the Jack of All Trades Is 74
When it comes to the diversity of talent in the entertainment industry, it’s
unlikely that you will find someone more talented and diverse than Barbara
Mandrell. In the 70s and 80s she was most famous for her country music and even
made it to the number 1 hit list multiple times (six times to be exact).
However, she was also famous for being an actress and an author as well.
In case her list of talents was not enough, Barbara was also able to play a
variety of musical instruments, with her favorite being the guitar.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Jocelyn Wildenstein, 83, Is Famous for Being Herself
Unlike most of the other celebrities on this list, Jocelyn Wildenstein did not
work as an actress or a singer but was famous for her unique appearance and
eccentric lifestyle. She started her journey in the fashion world as a socialite
and eventually gained notoriety for her extensive plastic surgeries, which led
to her being dubbed “Catwoman” in the media. Through the years, Wildenstein
shifted gears and began exploring her passion for art.
She honed her skills as a sculptor and exhibited her work internationally,
receiving critical acclaim for her artistic talent. She did have some scuffles
with bankruptcy over the years, but she managed to keep her appearance up to her
standard the entire time.
Fonte: Shutterstock | Craig Barritt/Getty Images for FENDI
Legendary Max Baer Jr. Is 85
It’s crazy to think sometimes how long a career can last. People work for so
many years and you can only hope that you love and enjoy what you do. Max Baer
Jr. appears to have truly loved his work since he retired later in life, only in
1991. He was very active for all the years of his career and was most famous for
his role in The Beverly Hillbillies.
Like many actors, Max Baer Jr. knew that he had other talents as well and
decided to delve into the world of directing and producing. He was successful in
all of his endeavors!
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Steve Granitz/WireImage
Victoria Principal Looking and Acting Amazing at 73
Victoria Principal is a well known name in the entertainment industry. She is
best known for her portrayal of Pamela Barnes Ewing in the iconic television
series “Dallas”, but there are countless other films which she appeared or
starred in such as Dallas, Vigilante Force, and Earthquake. Her career really
began and stook off starting in the 70s, and it’s impressive to see her
continuing it strongly as she reaches her 70s.
Although she looks amazing even as she reaches her 70s, she is more famous for
her works with the planet and her large donations to nonprofits like Oceana and
those that help with disaster relief. Beautiful inside and out!
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Loni Anderson, 78, Keeps Our Spirits High
According to this picture, it looks like Loni Anderson, who is now 77 years old,
has hardly aged a bit over the years. Maybe she has found the secret to eternal
youth and it lies in this haircut. If that is the case, maybe more people should
give it a try! Loni has had a long and happy career in the entertainment
industry and is most famous for her part in the series Loveboat.
As of September 2021, Loni Anderson was still active in the entertainment
industry in some form or fashion and is happily married with a large family.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Iris Apfel – A Fashion Icon Even at 102
There aren’t too many people in the world who are lucky enough to celebrate
living 100 years on this earth. Iris Apfel is one of the lucky ones and it looks
like (knock on wood), she has many more years to enjoy life. Her career in the
textile and fashion industry eventually took her to great places with one of her
most famous contracts being with the White House.
Although she retired from the business world officially when she hit her 90s,
she is still renowned for her style and works as a model for one of the top
agencies in the world.
Fonte: Shutterstock
Billy Dee William Still Acts at 86
It is so refreshing to see people living their absolute best lives even as they
age. They don’t let anyone or anything slow them down. However, Billy Dee didn’t
have the easiest start in the world of Hollywood and it took him about twenty
years to get his career off the ground. It’s no wonder that, as a result, he is
not eager to stop his career anytime soon.
He probably feels that a good portion of the best years of his career were taken
away from him due to the initial lack of success, so now, even in his 80s, he
continues to act.
Fonte: Shutterstock | Wikimedia Commons
Ann Margret Is a Lifetime Actress at 82
Sixty years is a long time to work in an industry. It seems like nowadays people
work a few years in every job and are not expected to stay much longer than that
in one industry. Ann Margret worked (and is still working) in the film industry
and is loving it even into her 80s. She has a long list of famous actors and
actresses that she has worked with as well, the most famous of which being
Elvis.
The movie Bye Bye Birdie is the one that really put her name on the map. 1963
was the year for Ann Margret as that is when her career was really launched.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Wayne Newton Then and Forever at 81
If you ask someone about Wayne Newton some of the people may think of his acting
and some may think of his singing. He was fortunate enough to have a career in
both, as he is a very talented man. This talent was seen and discovered from a
very early age (only six years old) when he was a part of a rock duo with his
brother in the rock and roll days of the 1950s.
It wasn’t long before Wayne’s career took off and he was making more than $1
million dollars a month on his musical skills and acting. And the best part is
that he is still active today, at 80 years old.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Paul Hogan Is Still Acting at 83
Some people think that just because you are aging, you have to stop living your
best life. That is not the case at all with Australian actor Paul Hogan. He rose
to fame when he played in a movie called Crocodile Dundee (fitting for
Australia) and has been famous and acting ever since, beloved by all of his
fans. Many years later (Paul is now in his 80s), he is still acting and
appearing in movies and shows.
His latest movie and appearance was something created in 2020The Very Excellent
Mr. Dundee. Everyone is still thrilled to see him active even as he ages.
Fonte: Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images | Shutterstock
Michael Caine 90 and Acting
There aren’t many actors who can boast that they have been in over 100 films.
However, Sir Michael Caine can top that even as he has reached over the 130
mark. He started his career in the early 60s, but the film Alfie is what made
him internationally acclaimed. As can be expected from the number of films he
acted in, there were quite a few hits in his days.
Not surprisingly, due to his skills and just a pure numbers game, Caine has won
two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for an Academy
Award for acting in five different decades.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Christopher Walken Is 80 and yet Still Acting
Even if you are not automatically familiar with the name, you are most
definitely familiar with the face of actor Christopher Walken. Not only is he
famous for his performances, which began almost 70 years ago, but his unique
look and features make him hard to forget. Some of his most famous films
are Pulp Fiction, Sleepy Hollow, and Barman Returns, but you have likely seen
him in many others as well.
He is famous for both his early year’s performances and also his later year’s,
which continue even until today. It’s no surprise that he has won many awards
including Emmys, Tony Awards, and Academy Awards.
Fonte: Jack Mitchell/Getty Images | Shutterstock
Marla Gibbs Still Working at 92
Marla Gibbs is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Whether you were
watching movies and television in the 70s or are watching them today, you surely
know Marla Gibbs and some of her most famous productions. She has a personality
to remember and is a very talented actress. Although she is probably most famous
for her role as Florence Johnston, she is also well known for the fact that
fifty years later she is still acting.
It’s impressive for anyone to continue a career for that long of a time and over
that many years. Kudos to her for continuing her passions even into her 90s.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Gene Hackman Going Strong Even at 93
You might think that just because someone retires that they become a bit
irrelevant in their field. However, that is not really the case, especially with
celebrtiies like Gene Hackman. With a career spanning over five decades, Hackman
has portrayed an array of memorable characters across various genres. He gained
widespread recognition for his captivating performance as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle
in The French Connection, a role that earned him an Academy Award for Best
Actor.
Now, at 93 years old, the retired actor is appearing healthy and happy on his
ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also surprised the world by writing a few
novels and publishin a few books.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Marc Andrew Deley/FilmMagic
Sir Cliff Richard Is King of the Entertainment World at 82
Sir Cliff Richard, in case you couldn’t tell by the name, is a legendary British
singer, and musician. He has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning several
decades and it is no doubt that he is very talented. Can you imagine that he has
sold over 250 million records? That isn’t even to mention that he is a talented
singer as well as being a talented actor. That is quite impressive!
His fame seems to live on even as he grows older. In 2021 it was confirmed that
he is still taking part in musical pursuits. What else could you expect from the
British Elvis Presley?
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Bob Newhart a Comedian for Life at 94
Bob Newhart, a comedic genius, started his career as a stand-up comedian in the
1960s. His deadpan delivery and witty observations gained him a devoted
following in the blink of an eye. After all, who could resist his humor?
Newhart’s success in stand-up comedy opened doors for him in television, where
he starred in popular sitcoms like “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart” and
became a household name in a short amount of time.
Even in his later years (well into his 90s), Newhart remains active in the
entertainment industry, making guest appearances and sharing his comedic talent
with new generations.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
84 and Going Strong – George Hamilton
Although his career began in the 1950s, George Hamilton didn’t become a
household name into the 1960s when he became famous for his one of a kind
charisma and good looks. Some of his most famous films are Love at First Bite
and Crime and Punishment. He has dappled in many different aspects of
entertainment and even in more modern years, he is making appearances in sitcoms
such an American Housewife.
It’s always great to see someone enjoying their lives to the fullest even as
they get a bit older. After all, why let age stop you from doing what you love?
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Bill Cobbs Is 89 Years Old
Bill Cobbs, a seasoned and immensely talented actor, has graced the screen with
his remarkable presence and memorable performances. With a career that spans
several decades, Cobbs has left an indelible mark on both film and television.
He is known for his ability to embody a diverse range of characters, bringing
depth and authenticity to each role he undertakes. Some of his most well known
films are Night at the Museum, The Color Purple, and Oz the Great and Powerful.
He has continued to act even as he ages, however, it is clear that the process
of aging has slowed him down a bit. But at least the world has his films to
watch and rewatch continuously.
Fonte: Orion Pictures/Getty Images | Shutterstock
Billie Lourd – Granddaughter of Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds was a beloved star that performed mainly in the 50s and 60s and
was world famous for performances such as the ones in Singin’ in the Rain and
How the West Was Won. Her charm and talent were clearly passed down through the
generations to her daughter Carrie Fisher, who was most famous for her role in
the Star Wars series as she portrayed Princess Leia.
The genes are strong and Billie is also working successfully in films and has
appeared in shows like Scream Queens, and American Horror Story.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Linda Hunt Is One of the Longest Active Hollywood Actresses at 78
Although Linda Hunt is quite young compared to many of the celebrities on this
list, she is one of the actresses that has performed and participated in the
Hollywood life for the longest period of time. Her career has spanned decades
and has been very diverse. She is not one of those actresses that play the same
role in every single movie that they do. On the contrary, she plays countless
different types of parts.
One of her most shocking parts was where she played a male character in the film
The Year of Living Dangerously. Not surprisingly, she won an Academy Award for
this performance.
Fonte: Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr. | Shutterstock
Legendary Blythe Danner Is 80
It is no secret that the genetic pool of the family of Gwyneth Paltrow is a
strong one. Her mother, Blythe Danner seemed to start it all out with beautiful
and impressive doe eyes and the skills and talents that were passed down to her
children and grandchildren. Blythe herself was also apart of the entertainment
industry (where do you think her children and descendants got it?) and has been
thriving even as she ages.
Blythe is now in her 70s and yet she has made it clear to the world that she is
not stopping anytime soon. That family is going to take over the entire industry
soon with their talents!
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Dree Hemingway – Granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway
In case you couldn’t tell just by the last name, the world famous and legendary
writer Ernest Hemingway had a family that is surviving him until this day. His
great granddaughter Dree Hemingway is also on track to becoming a famous star
and celebrity. Perhaps it will not be in the same way as her great grandfather,
as she is not a writer, but the legacy (and the name) will live on.
Dree is famous as a model and has worked with many international and famous
brands. Who would have thought that Hemingway would also make you think of
modeling not just literature?
Fonte: Wikimedia Common | Shutterstock
75 Year Sold Cindy Williams Started With Commercials
If you have ever seen the famous sitcom called Happy Days, then you will
definitely recognize the face of Cindy Williams. And in case you haven’t seen
Happy Days, then you can rest assured that you’ve seen her in Laverne and
Shirley. Long story short, there is practically no way you have never seen Cindy
Williams in a series or film before. Her career began with a humble start, one
of TV commericals mainly, but fate had big plans for her.
Cindy Williams is still acting today, but she has also set aside time for
writing and published a memoir called Shirley, I Jest!, in recent years.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Loretta Lynn, 90, Has Been Singing Her Whole Life
If you have ever enjoyed and sang along to classics such as “You Ain’t Woman
Enough (To Take My Man)” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, then you will most
definitely know of Loretta Lynn. She was famous for years in the country music
world and in the general world of music. No one could deny her talent as she
released 50 albums, with the 50th one being released in 2021.
She is the definition of someone who did not let age stop her. She quite
literally performed until her body would not let her anymore and she suffered
from a stroke. However, she still composed and wrote music after, even if she
stopped performing.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Emma Ferrer Is Audrey Hepburn’s Granddaughter
Sometimes you may hear the phrase, like mother like daughter. However, for this
one, you need to change it up a bit and say like grandmother like granddaughter.
After all, no one can deny the striking resemblance in mannerisms and looks
between Emma Ferrer and her grandmother Audrey Hepburn. Of course, she was
posing for this picture probably to look similar, but it’s no surprise that the
talent blood runs through her veins.
Emma’s career focuses mostly on modeling (lucky genes she inherited from Audrey)
and has continued in her grandmother’s footsteps of working with UNICEF to
better the world.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Andrew Toth/FilmMagic
Tony Goldwyn Continues His Acting Career at Age 63
Hollywood is never an easy business to break into. Although Tony Gloldwyn was
featured in many different films and movies, it took one famous movie to really
propel him into starhood. That all started in 1990 when he appeared in the film
Ghost and he has been acting ever since. It looks like all it took to really
become famous and get a foot up in Hollywood is work with other famous actors
like Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.
Even in his 60s, Tony Goldwyn remains dedicated to his craft, delighting
audiences with his performances and continuing to leave his mark in the
entertainment industry.
Fonte: Shutterstock | Wikimedia Commons
Lee Meriwether, 78 Was Initially a Model
The Miss America pageant of 1955 is where it all began for Lee Ann Meriwether.
Even she probably never thought that this would jump-start her career in an
unprecedented way. It wasn’t long after winning this pageant that she started
her film career, a career which is still going strong today. She is most famous
for her films such as Batman: The Movie (1966) and The Undefeated (1969).
However, she didn’t stop in the 60s. She has continued her career even until
today and recently acted in the 2019 film Love and Debt.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Linda Gray Is 83 and Still in the Entertainment Industry
It looks like nothing can slow down Linda Gray. Even though she has reached the
ripe age of 81, she is still going strong with her career. It all started for
her when she landed the role of Sue Ellen Ewing on the drama series Dallas. It
wasn’t long after that that she became famous around the world. Before her
acting days, she also worked as a model, which gave her a bit of a leg up when
auditioning for the role that was her big break.
Linda has appeared in countless films and series since her debut and is also
famous for her role in the beloved The Bold and the Beautiful (her history as a
model helped a lot there).
Fonte: Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images | Wikimedia Commons
Richard Simmons, 75, Made People Healthy and Is Staying Healthy Himself
Before fitness and gym culture was such a big thing, there were people who paved
the way…and those people, at least one of them, is known as Richard Simmons.
He was the go to person for fitness and overall wellness and without him who
knows where the world would be. His famous cassette series Sweatin’ to the
Oldies was all the rage in the 70s and the 80s, and for good reason!
He enjoyed his time in the spotlight, however, he has decided to live a
different lifestyle as he aged. He is now in his 70s and is enjoying a private
life in a fancy mansion far away from everyone.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Nehemiah Persoff Was Active Until the Ripe Old Age of 102
Nehemiah Persoff was born in Jerusalem in 1919 but moved to the US with his
family when he was just a young child. Life was not easy for immigrants in those
days, however, but Nehemiah somehow managed to make it and have a very
successful career. He lived until the ripe old age of 102 and was working for
the majority of that time as well! It’s no shock that he has over 200 acting
credits in his name.
It took him some time before his big break came in the entertainment industry.
Now he is most famous for classics like Some Like it Hot and The Greatest Story
Ever Told.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Tippi Hedren Is 93 and Thriving
Tippi Hedren started her career as a model and she was very successful in
various commercials in the 1960s and in different lifestyle and glamor
magazines. It’s no surprise then that she was soon spotted out and offered to
work as an actress and expand her career into the film industry. She soon
starred in classics such as The Birds, which propelled her career into stardom
within a short period of time.
In later life, she decided to do something about her love of animals and she
stared the Roar Foundation which would help with the preservation and care of
lions and tigers.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Acting Runs in the Family – Grace Van Dien – Granddaughter of Chris Mitchum
Sometimes it is just clearer than day that the acting and performance genes run
in the family. After all, how else can you explain the fact that Grace Van Dien
is a successful American actress, just like her grandfather and great
grandfather? That is not just a coincidence. She started her career out at the
young age of 21 and started it off strong, appearing in multiple successful
films already.
Her grandfather. Chris Mitchum was also a famous actor, who appeared in over 60
films in his career. It looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Gregory Peck’s Grandson Ethan Peck
Sometimes you would think that genes would be diluted a bit over the years.
After all, grandchildren don’t always look that much like their grandparents.
However, that is not the case with Ethan Peck and he is the spitting image of
his grandfather and legendary star Gregory Peck. That’s quite a compliment too
as Gregory Peck was not only considered one of the best actors of his time, but
also one of the best looking!
Ethan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and is making a name for himself
in famous films such as 10 Things I Hate About You. Maybe they could do a remake
of his grandfather’s famous film Roman Holiday with Ethan playing the part.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Granddaughter of Roxie Roker, Zoe Kravitz
Following in the footsteps of her ancestors, Zoe Kravitz seemed to have the path
paved for her. With a father like Lenny Kravitz, the famous singer, and a mother
like Lisa Bonet, an actress famous for her part on the Bill Crosby Show, it
seemed like it would be smooth sailing from there. Oh, and was it mentioned that
her grandmother is Roxie Roker? She has quite an impressive family tree, it’s no
wonder she is as successful as she is!
Zoe is most well known for her films and appearances in The Divergent series and
The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Shutterstock
Mick Jagger and His Granddaughter, Amba Isis
Maybe it is just the chosen photo, or maybe these two really do share a lot of
traits. But either way, the resemblance between Amba Isis Jackson and Mick
Jagger is impressive. Mick Jagger, in case you do not know,m is the famous
singer of The Rolling Stones. His granddaughter, Amba, is not yet that famous in
the world of entertainment so it is yet to be seen if she will follow in her
grandfather’s musical footsteps.
Amba’s mother, (Mick’s daughter), is well know, albeit not famous for some of
her modeling work and for her jewelry and home designs.
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images
Jane Powell Was Successful Even at 90
There are some celebrities who leave no room for imagination when it comes to
why they are famous. Jane Powell is one of the prime examples. If you have ever
seen any of her films, it is immediately clear. Not only can she act
wonderfully, but she is also a very talented dancer and singer as well, a woman
who has been gracing the world with her talents since the 1940s.
Nearly sixty years past her debut in film, Jane is still appearing in various
movies. That is something to be quite proud of!
Fonte: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Fonte content: juststarz