Although the Golden Age of Hollywood ended over 50 years ago, some of the actors from this time period are still alive today. Not only are these actors still alive, they are also still working in the industry. The Golden Age was killed by the television industry, but these actors stayed afloat by adapting and accepting television roles.
While there are some actors who may be older than the ones on this list, they have been retired for decades or had careers that lasted for a brief period of time.
For this list, we chose to highlight the ten oldest actors who are still active (at the time of this writing) or have been active within the last decade.
As of June 2022, the information on this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed.
10. Mel Brooks (June 28, 1926 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):95 years, 11 months, 9 days
Birthplace:New York City, New York, USA
Years Active:1947 – Present
Notable Works: Wrote for Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) and Get Smart (1965–1970); Directed The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974), Spaceballs (1987), and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
While Mel Brooks has acted a bit throughout his 75-year career, he is better known for directing some major comedic cult classics, includingBlazing Saddles,Spaceballsand Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Brooks was always interested in pursuing a career in entertainment and he began working when he was 14 and had his first performance as a comedian when he was 16.
During World War II, Brooks served in the U.S. Army. Following the end of the War, Brooks helped organize shows for captured Germans and American troops.
After returning home, Brooks worked as an entertainer at various resorts in the Borscht Belt in the Catskill Mountains. Eventually, Brooks became a comedy writer for TV and landed his first big gig as a writer for Your Show of Shows (1950–1954). Brooks’ other notable work as a writer was the showGet Smart.
Building on his writing career, Brooks began directing in the 1970s and many of his films were hits.
Did You Know?
In 2001, Mel Brooks became one of the few EGOT Winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) when he won some Tony Awards for the stage adaptation of The Producers.
9. Dick Van Dyke (December 13, 1925 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):96 years, 5 months, 24 days
Birthplace:West Plains, Missouri, USA
Years Active:1947 – Present
Notable Works:Bye Bye Birdie(1961 stage production and 1963 film), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966), Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971–74)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Dick Van Dyke is a beloved stage and film actor whose career has spanned over 75 years. Prior to starting his entertainment career in the late 1940s, Van Dyke served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a radio announcer and entertainer. He had originally tried to enlist as a regular soldier, but was denied enlistment several times for being underweight.
After leaving the military in 1946, Van Dyke worked as a radio DJ and also had a show on local television. In 1959, Van Dyke made his Broadway debut and a year later he landed his breakthrough role as the male lead ofBye Bye Birdie.After winning a Tony for his role, Van Dyke’s career took off and he landed his own TV show with CBS,The Dick Van Dyke Show, which aired from 1961 – 1966.
Throughout his career, Van Dyke had numerous iconic roles in some of the most famous movies ever, includingMary Poppies,Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the screen version ofBye Bye Birdie.Van Dyke is still very active and occasionally appears in movies.
Did You Know?
Dick Van Dyke has won five Primetime Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy Award, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995. He also received the SAG Life Achievement Award in 2013, which is the Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor.
8. Angela Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):96 years, 7 months, 21 days
Birthplace: Regent’s Park, London, England
Years Active:1942 – Present
Notable Works: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), Murder, She Wrote(1984 – 1996), and Beauty and the Beast (1991)
photo source: Flickr via Film Star Vintage
Angela Lansbury is one of best-known actors on this list and one of the most active. While she hasn’t appeared in any films or TV shows since 2018, she’s still active in the theatre. In 2019, Lansbury returned to Broadway portraying Lady Bracknell in a one-night benefit staging of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Currently, Lansbury voices The Narrator in the new Beauty and the Beast musical on its UK tour.
Lansbury had always been involved with acting as her mother was actress Moyna Macgill. In 1942, Lansbury followed her mother to Hollywood, who had moved there earlier in the year to resurrect her film career. Lansbury caught her break when John van Druten, an English playwright and theatre director who had co-authored a script for Gaslight (1944) around the time he met Lansbury. Van Druten suggested that Lansbury play a role in the film and while it received mixed reviews, Lansbury earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Following her role inGaslight, Lansbury went on to have a prolific career and has continued to work for over 80 years.
Did You Know?
Angela Lansbury is currently the oldest surviving Academy Award nominee.
7. June Lockhart (June 25, 1925 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):96 years, 11 months, 12 days
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Years Active: 1938 – Present
Notable Works: Lassie (1958 – 1964); Lost in Space (1965 – 1968); and Petticoat Junction (1968 – 1970)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
June Lockhart, the daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, is still active at the age of 95. Lockhart has a few acting credits in recent years, including a voice acting role in an animated film Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm. In 2013, Lockhart recorded voice lines for a video game called Tesla Effect.
Lockhart made her film debut opposite her parents in a film version of A Christmas Carol in 1938. She is best known for her work as Ruth Martin, the mother of Timmy, on 1950s CBS series Lassie. Lockhart also famously portrayed Dr. Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, which ran from 1965 to 1968 on CBS. As an homage to her work as Dr. Maureen Robinson, Lockhart had a cameo in the 1998 film Lost in Space, which was based on the 1960s TV show.
Did You Know?
June Lockhart is a two-time Emmy Award nominee and a Tony Award winner.
6. Eva Marie Saint (July 4, 1924 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):97 years, 11 months, 2 days
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Years Active: 1946 – Present
Notable Works: On the Waterfront (1954), North by Northwest (1959), Superman Returns (2006), and Winter’s Tale (2014)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Actress Eva Marie Saint has had a long career and is most famous for playing the lead female role in On the Waterfront (1954), opposite Marlon Brando. Saint’s work in the movie earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Saint’s next big role came when she was chosen by Alfred Hitchcock to star in North by Northwest.
Saint’s career began in television when she worked as an NBC page and she appeared on camera for the first time in 1946 on NBC’s Campus Hoopla. Although she has had periods of where she only appeared in smaller roles, Saint has never stopped working. Her most recent acting credits were in 2014 in the movie Winter’s Tale and as a voice actor in the animated series The Legend of Korra.
Did You Know?
Eva Marie Saint has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for television and one for motion pictures.
5. Leslie Phillips (April 20, 1924 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):98 years, 1 month, 17 days
Birthplace: Tottenham, London, England
Years Active: 1934 – 2012
Notable Works: Carry On (1958 – 1978, 1992); Doctor in the House (1954); three Harry Potter films
photo source: IMDB
Leslie Phillips is the oldest living non-American actor on this list and is best known for his role in the British comedy series Carry On as well as the film Doctor in the House. More recently, Phillips voiced the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter film series. Phillips’ other famous work was on the long-running BBC radio comedy series The Navy Lark.
Phillips began his acting career when he was just 10 years old and did several plays in London’s West End. During World War II, Phillips served in the British Army and rose to the rank of Lance-Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. Phillips caught his big break in the movies when he had a role in Gene Kelly’s musical Les Girls (1957). These days, Phillips is semi-retired, and only takes roles from time to time.
Did You Know?
Leslie Phillips is the only actor still alive who performed at London’s Pinewood Studios in its first week of opening in 1936.
4. Carole Cook (January 14, 1924 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):98 years, 4 months, 18 days
Birthplace: Abilene, Texas, USA
Years Active: 1956 – Present
Notable Works: The Gauntlet (1977); Sixteen Candles (1984); Cagney & Lacey (1986 – 1988); and Dynasty (1986 – 1987)
photo source: IMDB
Carole Cook has been acting since 1956 in TV, movies, and musical theatre. Cook recently turned 98 years old and has taken a bit of a break. Her last acting credit is from 2018 in the movie Still Waiting in the Wings.
Reportedly, Cook was a protégé of actress and comedian Lucille Ball and made several appearances on many of Ball’s shows. Cook’s real name is Mildred and Ball supposedly gave her the stage name “Carole” in honor of Ball’s friend Carole Lombard, who died in 1942.
Did You Know?
In her personal life, Carole Cook is an activist, primarily an LGBTQ+ and AIDS activist/supporter.
3. Mike Nussbaum (December 29, 1923 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):98 years, 5 months, 8 days
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Years Active: 1969 – Present
Notable Works: Fatal Attraction (1987); Field of Dreams (1989); Racing Demon (1997); and Men in Black (1997)
photo source: NPR
Mike Nussbaum’s career might not be quite as long as some of the other actors on this list, but he is still very active today. Nussbaum’s most recent acting credit is from 2020 for a film called Tom of Your Life, which hasn’t been released yet.
In addition to a long list of film and TV credits, Nussbaum is a stage actor. Nussbaum starred in the new production of “Hamlet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2019. Despite being over 96 years old, Nussbaum looks like he isn’t ready to slow down.
Did You Know?
Mike Nussbaum won a Drama Desk Award for his performance in David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross in 1984.
2. Larry Storch (January 8, 1923 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):99 years, 4 months, 29 days
Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
Years Active: 1939 – Present
Notable Works: F Troop (1965 – 1967), The Great Race (1965), and the Voice of Koko the Clown
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Larry Storch has never been a major film star, but has had a long career in television, Broadway, and voice acting. Originally, Storch was a stand up comedian who developed a popular comedy act. One of Storch’s first television appearances was on The Ed Sullivan Show in the late 1940s. This led to more TV appearances and Storch even starred in his own variety show for one summer.
Storch is perhaps best-known for his voice work on classic animated shows and films, including The Batman/Superman Hour, The Pink Panther, The Brady Kids, Scooby-Doo, Koko the Clown, and The Adventures of Batman (Storch was the first actor to ever voice the Joker). Outside of voice acting, Storch’s most famous live-action role was on the F Troop, which ran from 1965 – 1967.
Did You Know?
Larry Storch served in the United States Navy during World War II on the submarine tender USS Proteus with fellow actor Tony Curtis.
1. Marsha Hunt (October 17, 1917 – Present)
Age (as of June 2022):104 years, 7 months, 20 days
Birthplace:Chicago, Illinois, USA
Years Active:1935 – 2014
Notable Works: Born to the West (1937), Pride and Prejudice (1940), The Human Comedy (1943), and Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
At the age of 104, Marsha Hunt is currently the oldest living actor in the world.Hunt, who was born in Chicago, moved to New York when she was young and first began her career as a stage actress. She also modeled and did radio shows throughout her childhood. While she loved stage acting, Hunt was actually reluctant to pursue a film career, but she ended up a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures in 1935 when she was just 17 years old.
During her time with Paramount, Hunt starred in numerous films and became known for her roles in comedies, dramas, Westerns, and war movies. When her contract with Paramount was up, Hunt signed with MGM in 1941. However, just a few years later when Hunt became a member of the Committee for the First Amendment and spoke out against the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) — which investigated/accused private citizens, including several actors, of having either fascist or communist ties — she was put on the infamous Hollywood blacklist of 1950.
Hunt’s film career never really recovered after she was blacklisted. During the later part of her career, Hunt mostly starred in TV shows.
Did You Know?
In 1944, Marsha Hunt had a role in None Shall Escape, which is the very first film about the Holocaust.
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FAQs
Who are the oldest living actors now? ›
Marsha Hunt was born on the 17th of October, 1917 and is 104 years old as of 2022. She is one of the oldest actors still alive and among the few surviving actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She is also the oldest living member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Who is the most famous actor ever? ›- 1 Tom Cruise98%
- 2 Betty White98%
- 3 Bill Cosby98%
- 4 Eddie Murphy97%
- 5 Dwayne Johnson97%
- 6 Brad Pitt97%
- 7 Will Smith97%
- 8 Morgan Freeman97%
| Rank | Name | Worldwide Box Office |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scarlett Johansson | $14,522,750,835 |
| 2 | Robert Downey, Jr. | $14,396,065,966 |
| 3 | Samuel L. Jackson | $14,365,112,007 |
| 4 | Chris Hemsworth | $11,945,886,832 |
James Hong becomes oldest actor to receive star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. One of Hollywood's most prolific stars finally received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Who is the oldest American living actor? ›Marsha Hunt, 103
At 103, Marsha Hunt is considered the oldest living actor from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Ann Blyth is 91 years old and is considered to be among the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was born August 16, 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York, and got her first acting role in the early 1940s on Broadway in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine.
Who was the longest living actress? ›Jeanne Louise Calment (France, 1875 - 1997), portrayed herself at the age of 114 in the film Vincent and Me (Can 1990) —a modern-day fantasy about a young girl who travels through time to the 19th Century to meet Van Gogh.
Who is the oldest person in the world? ›The oldest known living person is Lucile Randon of France, aged 118 years, 261 days. The oldest known living man is Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, of Venezuela, aged 113 years, 156 days. The 100 oldest women have, on average, lived several years longer than the 100 oldest men.
Who is the richest actor in the world? ›As of August 2022, Jerry Seinfeld is the richest actor in the world with a net worth of $950 million. Who is the 2nd richest actor in the world? Tyler Perry with a net worth of $800 million.
Who is the best actor ever lived? ›- 8/10 Denzel Washington.
- 7/10 Marlon Brando.
- 6/10 Paul Newman.
- 5/10 Daniel Day-Lewis.
- 4/10 Dustin Hoffman.
- 3/10 Morgan Freeman.
- 2/10 Anthony Hopkins.
- 1/10 Tom Hanks.
Who is the most loved actor? ›
- 1 Betty White85%
- 2 Robin Williams84%
- 3 Morgan Freeman84%
- 4 Denzel Washington80%
- 5 Harrison Ford77%
- 6 Sean Connery77%
- 7 Keanu Reeves76%
- 8 Tom Hanks75%
As of July 2022, Samuel L. Jackson was the highest-grossing leading actor in the United States and Canada, which combined are known as the North American movie market. Movies featuring Jackson as a protagonist collectively amassed 5.7 billion U.S. dollars domestically. Robert Downey Jr.
Who is the oldest man alive 2022? ›Juan Vicente Pérez, from Venezuela, has been officially confirmed as the oldest person living (male) at 112 years and 253 days, as of 4 February 2022. Today he is 112 years 11 months and 21 days old, with his 113th birthday fast approaching.
Who is the oldest American living actor? ›Marsha Hunt, 103
At 103, Marsha Hunt is considered the oldest living actor from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Ann Blyth is 91 years old and is considered to be among the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was born August 16, 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York, and got her first acting role in the early 1940s on Broadway in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine.