Celebrities You Thought Are Long Gone But They Are Still Alive & Kicking!

 

Jane Birkin – 74

Most folks have no idea that the highly sought-after Hermès bag is named after the ever-beautiful Jane Birkin. The now 74-year-old star became an international name because of her decade-long musical partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, also her romantic partner.

It’s been about two decades since she got diagnosed with leukemia, which is now in remission but still causes recurring health concerns for the star. Despite this, Birkin surprised everyone in late 2020 when she came out with her first collection of original songs in over a decade. The album is called Oh! Pardon Tu Dormais.

Richard Chamberlain – 87

Richard Chamberlain was a teen idol from the 1960s thanks to the role he had in the series, Dr. Kildare. He also takes credit for being the first actor in Hollywood who was able to give life to the role of Jason Bourne. He has also pursued a Broadway career and appeared in productions like Scrooge: The Musical, Spamalot, and The Heiress. Chamberlain has been openly gay since 2003 and currently has a net worth of $20 million.

Caren Marsh-Doll – 104

Caren Marsh-Doll started working as a dancer from a young age. Her resemblance to Judy Garland landed her the part of dance double in The Wizard of Oz and Ziegfeld Girl. For the former, she was gifted the famous ruby slippers to thank her for her hard work, for which she wouldn’t get a film credit. The actress continued working as a dancer and actor, but an airplane crash led to devastating results. Though she was covered by a good health insurance plan and managed to slowly get back into dancing, she focused on being an instructor instead.

Jacqueline White – 101

Jacqueline Jane White only had a short career as a lead actress, but she definitely left her mark. As a UCLA student, she was spotted in a play and the rest is history. She’s known for showing off her talent and gorgeous looks in The Narrow Margin, as well as many other MGM and RKO films. With 5 children and many grandchildren to spend time with, her retirement investment is definitely paying off.

 Philip Michael Thomas – 72

Some people are blessed with genes that see them aging like fine wine. There’s no better example than Philip Michael Thomas. Just take a look at these photos. It’s almost as if a grey beard was photoshopped into a photo from his younger years.

The retired actor and musician gained widespread stardom after portraying detective Ricardo Tubbs in the ’80s hit, Miami Vice. After being involved in a series of movies and television series over the decades, the now 70-year-old Thomas lives comfortably in retirement. He surely can’t be bored as he is a father of eleven children.

Ted Donaldson – 88

Yet another successful child star is Ted Donaldson. He started in radio acting, playing parts in A Christmas Carol and Father Knows Best. Elia Kazan cast him in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn after seeing him star in Once Upon a Time. Donaldson quit acting at the age of 19, when his steady salaries had stocked his bank account full enough to start the rest of his life.

Janis Paige – 101

Janis Paige made a name for herself as a singer and actress. She rose to fame on Broadway, with Remains To Be Seen and The Pajama Game. Soon she was starring in films and television shows, leading to her very own star on the Walk of Fame. Yet it wasn’t always easy for her: she lost her voice for months due to bad vocal coaching, fearing she might never sing again. Her health insurance covered a good professional who coached her back to health. What a strong woman!

Eva Marie Saint – 99

Eva Marie Saint’s career has been an incredible journey. She has been in the business for 7 decades, achieving success after success and creating a $20 million fortune. Saint started out in television and quickly moved to big leading roles starring opposite Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront.

Though Hitchcock’s North By Northwest launched her into huge fame, she always remained humble. The actress always chose roles because she found them interesting, rather than focusing on money. She also never needed any divorce attorneys, as she was married to her husband for 65 years. What a true romance!

June Lockhart – 98

June Lockhart is another American actress who was very big in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Her most famous performances are in television series Lassie and Lost in Space. She has also appeared on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her performance. Lockhart’s talents were recognized with not one, but two stars on the famous Hollywood Boulevard. Sadly, she did need a divorce attorney twice in her life, but she still has a net worth of $10 million. She keeps herself busy with interesting projects, like video games and guest appearances.

Paul Hogan – 84

In July 2021, Paul Hogan sadly had to say goodbye forever to his Crocodile Dundee collaborator, John Cornell, who passed away after 20 years of having Parkinson’s disease. Hogan himself is now 81 years old but was still able to take part in the 2020 movie The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.

The Aussie star has already earned a Best Actor Golden Globe for playing the iconic outback adventurer Michael “Crocodile” Dundee in the Crocodile Dundee film of 1986, the first from the franchise. Hogan endeared audiences with his earnest, amiable, and down-to-earth personality, showcased in the movie series.

GEORGE HAMILTON – 84

You may know him for his hunky looks, for his legendary tan, or maybe for one or two of his impressive 123 acting appearances. Either way, you’ll probably find it amazing that George Hamilton is still active and looking good at the advanced age of 82. Known for The Godfather Part III, Zorro, The Gay Blade, Doc Hollywood, and many others, Hamilton even has a new project lined up for 2022.

Next year, this tireless film/TV icon will appear in the action flick All Terrain. It’ll be his first performance since 2019, the year he appeared in the American Housewife sitcom, portraying the character of Spencer Blitz.

Linda Evans – 81

The last time we saw Linda Evans performing was back in 1997 when she played in The Stepsister film. Since then, the only news we’ve gotten from her was her arrest for a DUI incident in 2014, when she was caught driving under the influence of her prescription pills.

We were glad not only to hear about her comeback with Swan Song in 2020 but also to see her looking as amazing as she does. Many years have gone by since she was playing in Dynasty, but it seems as though time has treated her well!

Christopher Walken – 90

Even at 78, Christopher Walken is still cool in our eyes, with his unique style of speech and his evident on-screen mystique. These have made his portfolio as impressive as it is today, starring in classics like Pulp Fiction and Sleepy Hollow and appearing in other projects like King of New York and A View to a Kill.

These days, Hollywood casting directors still adore Walken, and he has two TV shows on their way: Severance, a drama-thriller, and The Offenders, a comedy-crime flick. He is also a tenured stage actor, writing/starring in the 1995 production about his idol, Elvis Presley, titled Him.

Marla Gibbs – 92

Marla Gibbs is definitely a multitalented woman, who, during her five-decade career managed to become a successful actress, comedian, singer, writer, and producer. Gibbs is known for her role as Florence Johnston in The Jeffersons, for which she also received five nominations for Emmys. In 1981, she also starred in the show’s spin-off Checking In and the NBC sitcom, 227.

Gibbs was also the co-producer of the latter series while at the same time she also played the lead role and sang the theme song! Gibbs has won a total of seven NAACP Image Awards. Later in her career, Gibbs played supporting roles in films such as The Meteor Man, Lost & FoundThe VisitThe BrothersMadea’s Witness Protection, Grantham & Rose, and Lemon (2017). And after all that, she still shows no desire for retirement!

Max Baer Jr. – 85

If you were a fan of The Beverly Hillbillies then you definitely remember Max Baer Jr. as the goofy Jethro. Max Baer is currently 81 years old and even though he might have stuck in our memories as Jethro, acting was not his only thing! He also directed a TV series of his own after having acquired the rights to use the name of a song as the title, thus creating a new model of TV series name-giving! He also ventured in the gambling business yet he found many obstacles that, as of 2017, withhold the realization of his business plans.

Annette O’Toole – 70

Comic book fans first got to know Annette O’Toole and her signature red hair color as Lana Lang in 1983’s Superman III. Then a new generation of viewers became familiar with her once again when she starred as Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Clark Kent, in Smallville during the ’00s.

Over five decades into her career, O’Toole is still charming viewers. Her latest appearance is in the TV series Virgin River. She’s also ventured into other forms of performing. In 2021, she was cast to star in a Play-PerView reading of the play The Typists.

Tim Matheson – 73

Before he got cast as the irritable Doc Mullins on Virgin River, Tim Matheson was a young star who played the role of the smooth-talking Eric “Otter” Stratton in the funny flick National Lampoon’s Animal House. Eventually, the California-born celeb moved on to bigger and better projects.

Through NBC’s The West Wing, Matheson got to play real-life Vice President John Hoynes. He was so good at his portrayal that he received a Primetime Emmy Award twice. Now, we’re lucky to still see him in action, with one of his latest projects being the TV show This Is Us.

Bob Newhart – 91

Bob Newhart is the American king of deadpan comedy. His stand-up routines made him wildly popular with TV audiences and Newhart became America’s favorite comedian. His comedy albums were number one and two on the Billboard charts, selling extremely well to American audiences. He also had two sitcoms and performed in front of audiences worldwide, leading to a $65 million net worth. Sadly, he suffered from his health as his life-long smoking habit caught up with him. He gave up smoking, took a seniors health insurance specialist by the hand and made sure he was covered in the future.

BILLY DEE WILLIAMS – 84

In show business, you don’t get anything without talent and hard work. But it’s fair to say that Billy Dee Williams hit the mother lode when he was cast to play Lando Calrissian in the hugely popular Star Wars film series. The sci-fi franchise keeps Williams active today: in the last five years alone, he’s appeared in a Star Wars movie, a Lego Star Wars TV series, and two Star Wars-inspired video games!

Next year, Williams will appear in another animation show, and yes, it’s also part of the Star Wars franchise… Still making the big bucks at 84, Williams has a net worth of $9 million.

Ann-Margret – 80

Ann-Margret, just like Van Dyke, conquered many hearts with her work in musical films. Her gorgeous Swedish looks immediately catapulted her to global stardom as she appeared in Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. The actress is the proud owner of no less than 5 Golden Globes, as well as having a successful music career and a $20 million net worth. She recorded many songs and albums, ranging from musicals to gospel songs. The beauty is also known for having an affair with the one and only King of Rock ’n Roll, Elvis Presley.

Bolo Yeung – 75

Bolo Yeung may have been born in Guangdong, China, but he achieved worldwide success in America. The Hong Kong-raised action superstar was able to impress audiences with his masterful martial arts ability, showcased in notable films like Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon. He also got to play the ultimate antagonist in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Bloodsport.

Yeung hasn’t officially entered retirement yet, but he hasn’t acted since last participating in a 2015 action-adventure film titled The Whole World at Our Feet. Fans would be glad to know that a documentary about his life is in the works, as announced in 2021.

Jane Powell – 92

Jane Powell was a local star in her native Portland before she decided to aim big and move to Hollywood. She succeeded and quickly starred in in Hollywood musicals opposite Fred Astaire and Elizabeth Taylor. Some examples of her work are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Royal Wedding, and Hit the Deck. Powell then returned to live performances in the theater, and she still plays a role in her community theater now. Clearly, she isn’t one for retirement planning!

Bill Cobbs  – 87

Bill Cobbs is an American actor popular for his acting in movies like Night at the Museum, Air Bud, and Oz the Great and Powerful. Cobbs began acting at the age of 36, and success didn’t come easy to him. After relocating to New York, he worked as a cab driver, toy salesman, and did other odd jobs before he got his break with Ride a Black Horse. Today, Cobbs is 85 years of age. Although he isn’t as active in his career, he hasn’t officially retired yet. His last appearance was in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, in 2014.

Jane Birkin – 74

Most folks have no idea that the highly sought-after Hermès bag is named after the ever-beautiful Jane Birkin. The now 74-year-old star became an international name because of her decade-long musical partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, also her romantic partner.

It’s been about two decades since she got diagnosed with leukemia, which is now in remission but still causes recurring health concerns for the star. Despite this, Birkin surprised everyone in late 2020 when she came out with her first collection of original songs in over a decade. The album is called Oh! Pardon Tu Dormais.

Loretta Lynn – 89

If you’re a country music fan, then this golden lady needs no special introduction. Loretta Lynn is the most highly awarded female country singer/songwriter and has a glamorous career spanning over 60 years to show for it. This here, ladies and gents, is one self-made musical phenomenon, having single-handedly achieved the American dream of fame, money, and success. Still wondering how? Well, there are 45 million reasons we could give you, as many as the albums she’s sold worldwide. Today at age 86, her voice still enchants her fans all over the globe, and if you’ve heard her sing, there’s no surprise there…

Lee Meriwether – 86

After becoming Miss America in 1955, Lee Meriwether entered the world of show business and became notable for acting in projects like Barnaby Jones. Her performance in this ’70s crime-drama earned her a Golden Globe nomination twice and an Emmy nod once. Perhaps attending high school with iconic singer Johnny Mathis was a sign that she’s also destined for greatness.

Science fiction/fantasy cult productions also helped Meriwether establish her name. She even played Catwoman in the Batman film of 1966 and had a co-starring role in The Time Tunnel series. The last time we saw her on the screen was in the 2019 movie Love & Debt.

Barbara Mandrell – 72

Barbara Mandrell is another popular country singer who managed to have a fruitful acting career as well. The 1970s and 1980s were a really good time for her career. Mandrell was the first-ever singer who bagged the Entertainer of the Year Award of the Country Music Association twice. She is also a two-time Female Vocalist of the Year award winner. Mandrell encountered a setback in her career when she was involved in a major car crash in 1984. She is already retired today and her old mansion in Tennessee is now a tourist attraction featuring a hotel, indoor shooting range, restaurant, and an outdoor music venue.

Terry Moore – 92

Terry Moore started out on the radio before moving on to the silver screen. Her tomboyish looks made her stand apart from other actresses and she starred in many films during the ’50s. Sadly she faced a lot of controversy after a rocky relationship with Howard Hughes, which ended in a public court case.

It was solved with both sides settling, which meant a huge figure added to Moore’s fortune. Yet, turning a profit isn’t everything, as the actress sadly lost her husband in 2001. In 2018, she appeared in the film Saving Flora, and she’s got more projects coming up in 2019 and 2020. 

Mel Brooks – 94

Mel Brooks is one of those exceptional talents who can proudly say they are an EGOT: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. The actor started off as a comedian, with his black observational humor capturing the hearts of many.

One of his most famous works is The Producers, an incredibly popular Tony-winning Broadway musical. With his $100 million fortune, the actor probably has a decent lifestyle in retirement after all that hard work! He can be proud of his work and his son has also become an actor and a writer. Talent clearly runs in the family.

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