Celebrities come and go and yet some of them almost never seem to age. We all idolize these personalities for their timeless beauty, incredible talent, and never-ending charisma. But let’s take our admiration to a whole new level by recognizing and celebrating some of the oldest surviving celebrities that have pulled off the remarkable feat of outliving the majority of their peers. From comedians and actors to musical veterans, here are the 20 oldest living celebrities you need to know about.
Oliver Jones: Age 103
As Canada’s oldest celebrity, Oliver Jones was born in Montreal in 1914 and has become a national treasure over his impressive 103 years of life. No stranger to the spotlight, he embarked on a six-decade-long music career in his late teens. Still going strong, Jones can be seen every summer at Montreal’s International Jazz Festival.
Irene Craigmile: Age 103
Born on June 2nd, 1917, Irene Craigmile is the oldest Hollywood megastar. Before her acting career, Craigmile graduated from Cornell University with a degree in English literature. She appeared in films during the 1940s and 1950s, such as “Classic Night” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Craigmile’s career ended when she turned 75 years old but has remained in the public eye throughout her 100+ years of life.
Alejandro Rey: Age 101
Alejandro Rey was born in Buenos Aires on August 16th, 1918 and is the oldest living Chilean actor. He began his career in show business in the 1930’s and continued acting in the U.S. until his retirement in 2003. In the United States, Rey starred in television series like Hogan’s Heroes and It Takes a Thief.
Lina Wertmüller: Age 97
The oldest living Academy Award winner, Lina Wertmüller, was born in Rome on August 14th, 1926 and is a world-renowned filmmaker. Wertmüller has made an indelible mark in the movie industry with her work on films like Swept Away, Seven Beauties and The Seduction of Mimi, which earned her an Oscar nomination for “Best Director” in 1977.
Jacqueline du Pré: Age 97
Cellist Jacqueline du Pré was born in Oxford, England in 1941 and is the oldest living member of the royal family. She is best known for her collaborations with the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra, and her iconic performance of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto. To this day, du Pré is a symbol of excellence in classical music and has been honored with numerous awards.
Connie Stevens: Age 85
The eldest Hollywood starlet, Connie Stevens, was born on August 8th, 1938 in Brooklyn and is still going strong after more than eight decades in the entertainment industry. Her 50-year-long career has seen her star in a myriad of films and television shows, from the short-lived Hawaiian Eye television series to her well-known roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Three’s Company.
Lauren Becall: Age 92
Known as one of the most iconic movie stars of all time, Lauren Becall was born on September 16th, 1924 in New York City and is best known for her work in the Humphrey Bogart classics To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep. Becall has starred in dozens of movies and continues to make appearances on television to this day.
Nancy Sinatra: Age 81
The oldest living member of the legendary Sinatra family, Nancy Sinatra was born on June 8th, 1940 and is a singer, actress and fashion icon. She rose to fame in the 1960s, thanks to her smash-hit single These Boots Are Made For Walkin. After a long break from the music industry, Sinatra returned to the stage in the 2000s and continues to perform around the world.
Burt Bacharach: Age 92
Music legend Burt Bacharach was born on May 12th, 1928 and is the oldest living songwriter in the music industry. He has composed countless hits for singers like Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Elvis Costello, and his work has made him an integral part of pop culture. Bacharach’s contributions to the world of music extend well beyond composing, as he has worked as an arranger and a producer as well.
Ringo Starr: Age 79
A cornerstone of the British Invasion, Ringo Starr was born on the 7th of July, 1940 in Liverpool. He was the drummer and one of the four lead singers in the world-famous Beatles. Starr’s recordings are some of the most iconic music in history, and he is still in active pursuit of creative projects at the ripe old age of 79.
Kirk Douglas: Age 103
The oldest surviving Academy Award nominee, Kirk Douglas was born on December 9th, 1916 and is one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood. Kirk is well known for his performances in The Vikings, Spartacus and The Bad and the Beautiful, and he has been featured in over 90 movies during his lifetime. As of January 2020, Douglas is 103 years old and his health is reportedly in good condition.
Alan Bennett: Age 87
Born on May 9th, 1934 in Newcastle, Alan Bennett is the oldest living member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Bennett is best known for his witty comedy sketches, which have been performed on television, radio and film. He is also a prolific writer and has written many novels, plays and screenplays. At the age of 87, Bennett is still actively working and recently provided the narration for the 2019 animated film The Gruffalo.
Glenda Jackson: Age 84
British stage and screen legend Glenda Jackson was born on May 9th, 1936 in Birkenhead and is known for her iconic performances in Women in Love and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Jackson was twice-nominated for an Oscar and won multiple awards, including a Best Actress BAFTA and an Emmy Award.
Vera Lynn: Age 103
World War II Battle of Britain singer Vera Lynn was born on March 20th, 1917 in East Ham. Lynn is known for her immense contribution to the morale of the British people during the war, thanks to her hit songs like “White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again.” Her influence was so great that she was nicknamed “the Forces Sweetheart.”
Tommy Bond: Age 94
The oldest living actor in Hollywood, Tommy Bond was born on October 5th, 1925 in Dallas and is best known for his roles as Butch in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) movies and as the bully Hawthorne in Superman and the Mole Men. Over the course of his five-decade-long career he has been featured in over 140 television episodes and films, and is currently working on the musical film The Hit Parade.
Maureen O’Hara: Age 96
One of the great Irish actresses of all time, Maureen O’Hara was born on August 17th, 1920 in Rooskey and is best known for her performance in John Ford’s The Quiet Man. O’Hara’s career is enduring and she has been featured in films such as Miracle on 34th Street and The Parent Trap.
Morton Downey Jr.: Age 87
American television personality Morton Downey Jr. was born on December 9th, 1932 in Manhattan and is known for his confrontational tactics in his talk show, The Morton Downey Jr. Show, which helped to popularize the “trash TV” genre. Downey left the early 90’s television series only to return in 2016 with a podcast and a YouTube channel.
Cloris Leachman: Age 94
Born on April 30th, 1926 in Des Moines, Cloris Leachman is the oldest living Emmy Award winner. She is best known for her role as Phyllis in the classic sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and has since then worked in films like The Beverly Hillbillies and Young Frankenstein.
Mario Cuomo: Age 91
Mario Cuomo was born on June 15th, 1932 in New York City, and is an American politician best known for his three terms as Governor of New York (1983-94). Cuomo worked with Robert F. Kennedy on the Nixon campaign, and was an idealistic messenger for the Democratic Party who was not afraid of speaking his mind.
Norman Lloyd: Age 106
Actor and television director Norman Lloyd was born on November 8th, 1914 in Jersey City and is the oldest living performer in the film industry. Lloyd began his career at the age of 12 and went on to appear in films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur and the television series St. Elsewhere. Lloyd’s career has spanned over nine decades and he is still going strong at the age of 106.
These 20 oldest living celebrities truly deserve our recognition. Not only have they sustained their momentum and relevance throughout the years of their respective careers, they have proved that age really is nothing but a number.
