The Longest-Living Celebrities From The Golden Age Of Hollywood (Mel Brooks Is 98!)
The Golden Age of Hollywood was a time of innovation and wonder in storytelling. Movies brought new narratives to the world. An audience could suddenly be transported to anywhere around the globe without leaving their seat and movie stars became the heroes we grew up with. Of course, as we got older, so did they. Here are all of our Golden Age favorites who lived to see the modern era!
Not Even The Birds Can Stop Tippi Hedren
Like Clint Eastwood, Tippi Hedren just won't stop making movies. She's most famous for her role in The Birds, the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock thriller about homicidal birds. After that movie made her famous, she refused to quit. Working in everything from movies to television shows, not a year has gone by that we haven't seen Tippi Hedren on our screens.
In 2017, she starred in The Ghost and the Whale, a movie set in Bodega Bay about a man trying to convince the world that a whale killed his wife.
Bob Newhart Was Introduced To A New Generation On The Big Bang Theory
In the '70s, Bob Newhart was known for his hilarious show The Bob Newhart Show. The show ran for six seasons and was rebooted in 1982 as Newhart. In 1994, he made a guest appearance as the same character on Murphy Brown.
By 2013, Newhart was able to introduce himself to an entirely new audience thanks to The Big Bang Theory. On the show, he plays Professor Proton, the science show host who Sheldon Cooper grew up idolizing. The character proved so popular he also appeared in the pilot for Young Sheldon. Unfortunately, Newhart passed away on July 18, 2024 at the age of 94.
Mel Brooks Is Still Splitting Sides
Mel Brooks never met a story he couldn't parody. In 1974 he gave the world the gifts of Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. Both films earned him an Academy Award nomination, but neither won him the trophy. It's okay, though, he had previously won in 1967 for writing The Producers.
The last film Brooks directed was Dracula: Dead and Loving It. The movie bombed when it hit theaters, but has found a loyal fanbase since. Brooks has continued to act, lending his voice talents to several projects, including the upcoming Blazing Samurai.
Eva Marie Saint's Career Spanned 70 Years
Born in 1924, Eva Marie Saint has a career that has spanned 70 years. She won one Academy Award in 1955 for On The Waterfront. From 2012 to 2014 she lent her voice to The Legend of Korra, playing Katara. She also starred in Winter's Tale as Willa.
Saint officially retired after her 2014 roles, and we hope she's enjoying every second of it. We don't know what her secret to staying healthy is, but you can see from the picture above she's still stunning.
Jacqueline White Hasn't Acted since 1952
Jacqueline White's career in Hollywood was brief but magical. She starred in her first film, Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant, in 1942. He final film appearance was The Narrow Margin, which came out in 1952. After that, she moved to Wyoming with her husband.
She didn't set foot in Hollywood again until she gave birth to her first child. These days, she's happily retired, although she still makes appearances at events. Most recently, she was spotted at the TCM Film Festival in 2013.
Sidney Poitier Broke Many Barriers
In 1963, Sidney Poitier starred in Lilies of the Field, and his performance led to him becoming the first black male actor to win an Academy Award. Fifteen years earlier, Hattie McDaniel became the first black actress to ever win an Oscar. By the end of the '60s, Poitier was the biggest draw at the box office.
He stepped into the directing arena with Buck and Preacher, which he also starred in along with Harry Belafonte. He was later given the great honor to direct Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in Stir Crazy. Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022.
After Acting, Honor Blackman Had A Career In Politics
English actress Honor Blackman is best known for her work in the James Bond franchise and in The Avengers. Born August 22, 1925, Blackman made her film debut in 1947 in Fame is the Spur. She also had roles in 1963's Jason and the Argonauts, 1968's Shalako, and the television series The Upper Hand from 1990 to 1996.
Blackman was also a singer and had a hit with the single "Kinky Boots," which she recorded with her Avengers co-star Patrick Macnee. She was politically active and declined a CBE in 2002. Here, she stands in front of a photo of herself and Sean Connery. Sadly, the world lost Honor Blackman in April 2020, when she died of natural causes at the age of 94.
Jerry Lee Lewis Had An Unusual Life
Jerry Lee Lewis released the song Great Balls of Fire in 1957. Today, it's remembered as one of the greatest pop songs ever written. It was originally featured in the movie Jamboree and was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.
Surprisingly, the song never reached the number one spot on the United States singles chart, peaking at number two. It did top the Hot Country Singles chart, however. Lewis passed away on October 28th, 2022 at the age of 87.
Olivia De Havilland Lived To Be 104 Years Old
Winner of two Academy Awards, Olivia de Havilland was one of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. From 1940 to 1950, no actress was as decorated. She was first nominated for an Academy Award for Gone With The Wind. She didn't win, but it wouldn't be long before she would.
In 1947, she took home the award for her role in, To Each His Own. It was her third nomination. Three years later she would win again for The Heiress. After retiring in 1988, she still remained active in Hollywood. Sadly, de Havilland passed away on July 26, 2020. She was an amazing 104 years old and will be missed.
Clint Eastwood Won't Quit
Clint Eastwood directed and starred in The Mule in 2018. The surefire Oscar contender is about a 90-year-old war veteran who becomes a drug runner for a Mexican cartel. It was Eastwood's first film in four years and his 72nd credited role.
In 1955, Eastwood made his debut in Revenge of the Creature. He played a man named Jennings in the science fiction film about men who capture the creature from the Black Lagoon. Over the next 60 years, Eastwood was nominated for 11 Oscars, winning four.
Jane Withers Was Famous For Being Josephine The Plumber
Jane Withers rose to prominence playing Josephine the Plumber in commercials for Comet Cleanser. The cleaning products used Withers through the '60s and '70s. While earning a living as Josephine, Jane got into voice acting and made several cameo appearances on television shows.
Amazingly, Progressive spokes-character Flo bears an uncanny similarity to Josephine. The actress has even said Flo, "is a weirdly sincere, post-modern Josephine the Plumber who just really wants to help. She has: The brand is flourishing." Jane Withers passed away on August 7, 2021.
Jackie Mason Is More Than Just His TV Shows
When you hear the name Jackie Mason, you instantly recall memories of his television roles. With a simple inflection of his voice, he could make you laugh like you've never laughed before. The truth is, Mason is more than just those television roles, he's one of greatest living comedians alive today.
Comedy Central even went as far as listing Mason as the 63rd greatest comedian ever. Whether you were first introduced to him on The World According to Me or The Simpsons, it's impossible to deny the impact Mason has had on your life in some way. Sadly, Mason died on July 24, 2021.
Dick Van Dyke Still Has That Goofy Smile
Dick Van Dyke started his career in radio and on the stage in the '40s. At the start of the next decade, he began making small television appearances. In 1961, Van Dyke won a Tony Award for his performance in The Girls Against the Boys.
The funnyman debuted The Dick Van Dyke Show on CBS in 1961, which ended five years later. By the end of his career. Van Dyke kept his workflow light, only making guest appearances, like on Scrubs in 2003.
Norman Lloyd's Career Spanned Nine Decades
Actor Norman Lloyd first started his career in 1923 and has appeared in over 60 films and television shows since. He's also worked as a director and producer, including Alfred Hitchcock's TV show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which he produced and directed in the '50s, '60s, and '70s.
His experience during the Depression motivated Lloyd to work from a young age to help the family. Instead of "paying tuition to get a degree to be a lawyer, when I could see lawyers that had become taxi drivers." After getting his start in New York City, Lloyd was offered a role and headed to Hollywood in 1939. He played Bodalink in Limelight, Mr. Nolan in Dead Poets Society, and Dr. Daniel Auschlander in St. Elsewhere, for six seasons. Lloyd passed away May 11, 2021.
The Less Remembered Hickman
Darryl Hickman had a younger brother by the name of Dwayne Hickman. Between the two, Dwayne is the one who many would remember better but Darryl was the more popular sibling. When they were both children, Darryl was thought of to be more talented.
Some of the grade "A" films that Darryl was in include Men of Boys Town, The Human Comedy, and The Grapes of Wrath. In his later years, Darryl would go on to become a respected acting coach in Los Angeles. Darryl died in May of 2024 at the age of 92.
Nehemiah Persoff's Appeared In Over 200 Projects
Nehemiah Persoff appeared in over 200 film and television shows during his career. Some of his more notable credits include The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Harder They Fall, and Yentl.
In those films and so many more, Persoff shared the screen alongside other silver screen legends, including Humphrey Bogart, Barbra Streisand, and Rod Steiger. He passed away in 2022 at the incredible age of 102.
Angie Dickinson Was A '70s Staple
Angie Dickinson began her acting career in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the '70s that she was cast in her most iconic role - Sgt. Suzanne Anderson in Police Woman. She was nominated for Golden Globes four times for the role, winning once.
After Police Woman ended, Dickinson continued to work steadily in television and in movies until her final starring role in Mending Fences in 2009.
William Smith Did It All
William Smith's first documented film came in 1942 with an uncredited role as the "village boy in courtroom." Since then, he went on to do it all essentially. He's been a vampire hunter, cowboy, Bee-Girl fighter, and bare-knuckle brawler.
Smith was quite the scholar, graduating cum laude at UCLA. Before that, he went on to the Air Force once he finished high school. Smith's best-known role is as Falconetti in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). He passed away July 5, 2021.
Shirley MacLaine Is Still A Big Deal Today
In 2016, it was announced that Shirley MacLaine was cast in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Obviously, she's not playing Ariel. Still, she's reportedly taking on a sizable role, a feat she still relishes doing at 87-years-old.
Over the course of her career, MacLaine has been nominated for six Academy Awards. Her first nomination came in 1959 for her role in Some Came Running. Her final nomination- and only win- came in 1984 for Terms of Endearment, one of the great tearjerkers of the 1980s.
Collins Was In High Demand
Cora Sue Collins got her start back in 1932 as a beautiful child actress. Once she got her shoe in the door, Collins was in high demand during the '30s. All it took was her first film in 1932, The Strange Case of Clara Deane.
One of Collins' stand-out roles was The Scarlet Letter from 1934 when she played the illegitimate daughter of Colleen Moore. After starting when she was just five, Collins ended up retiring from acting at the age of 18.
Hal Holbrook Won Five Primetime Emmy Awards
Beginning his career as a Mark Twain impersonator, Hal Holbrook went on to experience much success in film and on television (although Mark Twain is his most well-known role).
Holbrook made his film debut in The Group in 1966. He also starred as the informant named "Deep Throat" in All the President's Men and has made appearances in such varied works as Into the Wild, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, Hawaii Five-0, Wall Street, The Firm, Hercules, and Men of Honor. Sadly, on January 23, 2021, Holbrook passed away. The cause of death was not revealed by his family.
Huge Stardom Eluded Marsha Hunt
Actress Marsha Hunt was blacklisted in the early '50s. Mix that with that the low-level profile and that can explain why this highly gifted actress never reached a higher level of stardom.
Hunt played the role of Mary Lee Calvert in her 1935 screen appearance for The Virginia Judge. When the '60s strolled around, Hunt was pretty much retired as her focus shifted to stage and TV. She had also become devoted to civil rights. Hunt died in 2022 at the age of 103.
She Made It To Be The Oldest Golden Age Performer
The great Julie Gibson, whose birthday is on September 6, 1913, made it to be one of the oldest Hollywood stars still alive. Sadly, she passed away in 2019. Gibson started her career in 1942 and wouldn't retire until 1984.
Gibson's appeal came when she sang with the Jimmie Grier orchestra. It wouldn't be until 1944 when Gibson would make her first featured role appearance in the movie Lucky Cowboy. She would also go on to appear in the Three Stooges.
Norman Lloyd Wasn't Boxed In
For someone who' was in the industry for over nine decades, Norman Lloyd was sure he touched bases with every aspect that he could. Lloyd has done radio, TV, theater, and film during his career that started way back in 1923.
His last film to date was Trainwreck back in 2015. His earliest documented role came in 1932 from Liliom as the uncredited stretcher bearer. He sure did accomplish a lot. Sadly, he died on May 11, 2021.
Dancing Talent Marge Champion
It's one thing to be great at acting. It's a completely different ball game when you're fantastic at dancing and choreographing in movies and on stage. That was the life for Marge Champion, best known as the former wife of Gower Champion.
Born in 1919, Champion saw her first role back in 1939. She worked together with Gower and the two were highly successful on the screen while dancing in the MGM musical years. After retiring, Champion became a dance teacher in New York. Champion lived to be 101, passing away on October 21, 2020.
The Film And Stage Star
June Lockhart is the daughter of Kathleen Lockhart and Gene Lockhart, who were both actors. June would make her appearance in acting when she was only eight-years-old in a Metropolitan Opera version of Peter Ibbetson.
If none of that rings a bell, Lockhart also appeared in some big television shows. She co-starred in series like Lost in Space and Lassie as well. She is a Tony winner and two-time Emmy nominee. She was primarily active in the '50s and '60s.
Starting In His Teenage Years
Born on May 30, 1923, Jimmy Lydon's debut on screen came in 1939. The fifth of nine children, Lydon was born in New York City where he would overcome a birth defect and his alcoholic father to start a career in Broadway in 1937.
During the early '50s, Lydon worked extensively in television and went on to help produce some of the biggest shows. These shows included 77 Sunset Strip and M*A*S*H. He's still active in writing and producing.
The Renowned Fleming
Making her big debut in 1943, Rhonda Fleming would go on to become one of the most popular actresses of her time. Appearing in more than 40 films, mainly during the '40s and '50s, Fleming earned the nickname of the Queen of Technicolor (mainly because of her red hair).
Back in 1991, Fleming and her husband at the time made the Rhonda Fleming Mann Clinic at UCLA Medical Center for Women's Comprehensive Care. Fleming has had six spouses in her lifetime. She passed away in October of 2020, at the age of 97.
Making A Child Star
Back during the Depression, life was tough for a lot of people which helped make the child stars the icons during that time. After the success of Shirley Temple in the early '30s, studios were trying their best to bring in a child commodity.
That's where Jane Withers comes in. Withers remained on the side while Temple was the main course. As time went on her roles grew and she wasn't just trying to steal attention by being the kid star. Sadly, Jane Withers died on August 7, 2021.
From London To Hollywood
Terry Kilburn was born in London and would move to Hollywood when he was only ten. We bet he wasn't aware that his childhood life would change forever once he landed in Los Angeles.
Kilburn is most known for his roles as a child actor in movies like Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and A Christmas Carol (1938). His rise through Hollywood wouldn't stop there as he would go on to have two leading roles in Freddie Bartholomew: Lord Jeff and Swiss Family Robinson (1940).
The Multi-Talented Carpenter
Carleton Carpenter was more than just your average actor. In his prime, he was a novelist, songwriter, magician, and stage actor. His debut on screen came in 1949 when he played in Lost Boundaries as Andy.
As far as his other paths go, Carpenter made many records during his time. He made material for Kaye Ballard, Marlene Dietrich, and Debbie Reynolds! In 2012, the Hollywood film organization Cinecon acknowledged his work and honored him with a lifetime achievement award.
Renée-Jeanne Simonot Was The Matriarch Of A Prestigious Acting Family
Jeanne Renée Deneuve, who worked under the name Renée-Jeanne Simonot, is part of a prestigious line of actors. She is the mother of Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac and is also the grandmother of Christian Vadim and Chiara Mastroianni.
Deneuve began working in the theater when she was just seven years old, and later worked as a voice actress who dubbed American films into French. Some of the famous names she voiced were Olivia de Havilland, Judy Garland, Sylvia Sidney, Donna Reed, and Esther Williams. She resided in Paris before her death in 2021.
Carl Reiner Tweeted Up Until The End
At 98-years-old, Carl Reiner was one of the oldest celebrities to be active on Twitter. The funnyman got his start in the military, performing French plays while serving during World War II. When he returned to the United States he began performing on Broadway, getting his big break with the lead role in Call Me Mister.
Reiner was never afraid to let the world know how he feels. Years before campaigning for Bernie Sanders in 2016, Reiner came out as a Jewish Atheist. Defending his conflicting beliefs, he said, "I have a very different take on who God is. Man invented God because he needed him. God is us." Reiner passed away on June 29, 2020. He was at home with his family by his side when he died.
