According to World Data, the average American male lives to 74.5 years old while the average female age is 80.2. years old. Going by these statistics, if you manage to make it past these ages you are doing pretty well. But as we all know, age catches up to all of us eventually, including those who were once the brightest stars in the entertainment industry. While some much-loved elderly celebrities have sadly passed in recent years, such as Lucy “Sister André” Radon, Kirk Douglas, Betty White, and Angela Lansbury, there are many who continue to thrive and are challenging for the title of the oldest living celebrities in Hollywood.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the oldest living celebrities in the world today. These people have achieved great things in their chosen careers in the entertainment world and their longevity is a testament to their talent and resilience. Whether they are actors, musicians, former presidents, or artists, each has made a significant impact on the world and will be sadly missed when they depart from this Earth. But until then, let’s celebrate the oldest living celebrities and their wonderful careers.
14 Oldest Living Celebrities That Are Still Alive
1. Clint Eastwood – 92
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Born: May 31, 1930
Even at 92, Clint Eastwood is still out there getting it done. Having starred in and directed the 2021 drama Cry Macho, the Man With No Name is preparing to direct his 41st film, Juror #2. With a career spanning almost seven decades, Eastwood first made a name for himself in Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western Dollars Trilogy before becoming a Hollywood player with his role as Inspector Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry franchise.
The winner of four Academy Awards, Eastwood is a legend in the movie business who helped influence tough guy characters in film and gave us some of the best Westerns of all time.
2. James Hong – 94
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Born: February 22, 1929
After over 65 years in the entertainment business, James Hong is finally getting his flowers. Having appeared in over 600 films, TV shows, and video games, Hong has been receiving praise for his role in the 2022 smash hit Everything Everywhere All At Once. At the SAG Awards, his speech had the audience in tears as he talked about his career and how he is so happy Asian representation in movies is finally happening.
After starting out with small parts in TV shows such as The New Adventures of Charlie Chan, Hawaii Five-O, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Kung Fu, Hong found further success in mainstream movies Chinatown, Big Trouble in Little China, and Wayne’s World 2. He’s also a busy voice actor who features in the Kung-Fu Panda series and contributes to many video games. An absolute legend.
3. Caren Marsh-Doll – 104
Born: April 6, 1919
One of the last surviving actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Caren Marsh-Doll starred in 15 movies between 1937 and 1948. She is best known for being Judy Garland’s stand-in for the movies The Wizard of Oz and Ziegfeld Girl. Just as she was about to turn 30 and enter the prime of her career, Marsh-Doll turned her back on show business and became a professional dance teacher.
While nobody quite knows why she quit acting, it may have something to do with the plane crash she was involved in. Masch-Doll was one of 13 survivors of a 1949 passenger air crash. She nearly lost her left foot and was told she might never dance again but managed to recuperate and get back to dancing.
She shared what she gained from the situation speaking to Syracuse.com in 2011. “I’ll tell you one thing I learned,” she said. “I don’t let myself get stressed out about anything. I don’t worry about anything. Whatever comes, I just try to go with the flow.”
4. Mel Brooks – 96
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Born: June 28, 1926
One of only 18 entertainers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (known as an EGOT), Mel Brooks is one of the most recognized names in the industry. He’s famous for his parodies and satirical movies that include The Producers, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and History of the World, Part I.
Brooks served in World War II and then had a job as a clerk before entering the world of comedy. A writer, director, actor, and producer, Brooks juggles many roles and is much loved by both his peers and fans.
5. Dick Van Dyke – 96
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Born: December 13, 1925
There isn’t much 96-year-old Dick Van Dyke hasn’t done during his 70-year career. Working in both radio and television during the 50s, it was his starring role in the Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie that brought Van Dyke to the attention of audiences. This led to The Dick Van Dyke Show and roles in famous movie musicals Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
While he has certainly slowed down when it comes to acting, Van Dyke still pops up in things from time to time, having recently been on The Masked Singer.
6. Julie Andrews – 87
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Born: October 1, 1935
Along with Caren Marsh-Doll, Julie Andrews is one of the few remaining talents from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The star of My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music, Andrews’ career is stacked with award-winning performances and critically acclaimed roles.
She has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, two Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and six Golden Globe Awards, written several children’s books with her daughters, and was made a dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. Andrews is still active, but usually only features in animated fare these days.
7. David Attenborough – 96
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Born: May 8, 1926
The voice of nature documentaries such as Life, Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, and Natural World continues to fight the good fight against climate change. Earning a degree in natural sciences, David Attenborough was called up to serve two years with the Navy. Upon completing his duties, Attenborough got a job at the BBC and slowly moved up the ranks until he was gifted his dream project, the Life on Earth documentary series in 1979.
Since then Attenborough has appeared in over 300 different programs, TV shows, and documentaries speaking about the planet. While his early work focuses on the natural beauty of the world, his most recent shows and films are all about conservation and protecting the planet.
In a 2020 interview with 60 Minutes, Attenborough was asked what in life he would do over again, and he gave a poetic answer. “First time seeing the coral reef, watching a hummingbird, sitting alongside a gorilla, holding my firstborn baby,” he said. In the same interview, he was asked if he was scared of death. “No, not of the process,” he responded. “I’d just like it to be a quick process, thank you very much.”
8. Elisabeth Waldo – 104
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Born: June 15, 1918
Having lived through both World War I and World War II and witnessed the world change and grow for over a century, Elisabeth Waldo has pretty much seen it all. The famous musician and composer began singing at three and playing the violin at five. She received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and after graduating began playing and touring with various orchestras while also performing solo throughout South America.
Waldo also recorded several albums, toured China, and began scoring film soundtracks in the 70s. Founding the New Mission Theatre in 1987, Waldo continued to perform right up until 2008. Now at the ripe old age of 104, she is one of the oldest living celebrities in the world.
9. June Lockhart – 97
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Born: June 25, 1925
Another member of the Golden Age of Hollywood, June Lockhart made her film debut in the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. She appears in a long list of movies of varying quality (Troll anyone?) and is best known for starring in not one, but two hit television series. She appears in 200 episodes of Lassie as Ruth Martin and 84 episodes of Lost in Space as Maureen Robinson.
Lockhart has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one for motion pictures and one for television) and has been the recipient of several awards, including a Special Tony Award she won for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer in the Broadway musical For Love or Money.
10. Ray Anthony – 103
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Born: January 20, 1922
Cracking the ton is a pretty special milestone that few people ever achieve. Trumpeter Ray Anthony is one of the lucky ones who has lived for over a century and seen more than most ever will. Anthony played in Glenn Miller’s band, then formed his own group, The Ray Anthony Orchestra, and even had a short-lived TV series, The Ray Anthony Show.
Anthony might not be a familiar name to many, but you would undoubtedly have heard one of his biggest hits, “Hokey Pokey.” While he didn’t come up with the song (it’s been around since the early 1800s), his version made the song popular in the States.
11. Jimmy Carter – 98
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Born: October 1, 1924
The 39th President of the United States is alive and kicking. Jimmy Carter took office in 1977 and served one term before losing to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in 1980. Some of his biggest achievements as the big boss include creating the Department of Education and the US Department of Energy, dealing with the Iran hostage crisis, and helping bring peace between Egypt and Israel.
After his time in office, Carter devoted himself to humanitarian efforts and established the Carter Center, earning him the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. While he continues to promote and help various organizations, Carter spends most of his time at home with his family.
“I was an avid runner until I was 80 and my knees gave out,” he told The Washington Post. “I have two new knees, and those have worked well. Now I swim regularly at home and when I travel. I’m active around the house and with painting and woodworking.”
12. Eva Marie Saint – 98
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Born: July 4, 1924
Eva Marie Saint is the oldest living and earliest surviving Academy Award winner, having won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 1954 classic On the Waterfront. That also happened to be her film debut after spending the 40s on radio and television.
The early success meant New Jersey-born Saint was in high demand and she went on to star in some of cinema’s great movies, including North By Northwest, A Hat Full of Rain, Exodus, Grand Prix, and How the West Was Won. Saint’s last movie role came in 2014s Winter’s Tale. That same year she also voiced a character in The Legend of Korra.
Speaking on her acting career with NPR she had this to say: “The longer you live, I believe, you learn so much about life that you have more to give. It’s interesting, people say how, when you watch a film, how do you feel about it? What do you remember? And do you like watching the film? Well, after it’s been several years, many years, it’s almost another person up on the screen.”
13. Bob Barker – 99
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Born: December 12, 1923
The host of Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975 and The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, Bob Barker is a television veteran who is loved by American audiences. While best known for hosting gameshows, Barker also had his own radio show and presented the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants from 1967 to 1987.
Younger audiences will remember him best for his hilarious cameo in Happy Gilmore where he gets into a punch-on with Adam Sandler. It’s a hilarious scene that gifted us this classic quote; “Now you’ve had enough, bitch!”
14. Glynis Johns – 99
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Born: October 5, 1923
British stage and screen legend Glynis Johns’ career has spanned almost her entire life. As a child, she began performing on stage with her parents in her native South Africa where she displayed her skills as a dancer. Moving to the UK with her family, Johns made her film debut as a teenager in the 1938s flick South Riding and soon established herself as one of the country’s rising stars.
As well as appearing in successful movies like Mary Poppins, While You Were Sleeping, and The Sundowners, Johns also performed regularly in the theatre, winning a Tony Award in 1973 for her performance in A Little Night Music.
Married four times, Johns’ last film credit came in 1999 when she appeared in the comedy Superstar. While she has spent the past two decades out of the limelight, she is believed to be in good health and living at Belmont Village Hollywood Heights in Los Angeles.
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