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

Carol Burnett – 88

There’s practically no field where Carol Burnett hasn’t achieved success in the entertainment industry. That’s why she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Burnett originally became famous as a Broadway actress. She earned critical acclaim and her first big paychecks after her appearance on Once Upon A Mattress in 1959.

When it comes to television, everybody remembers her from her time as a host in The Carol Burnett Show which featured comedy sketches, music performances, and other projects. Burnett has also written numerous memoirs about her life, with one of them earning her a Grammy.

Sally Field – 76

Younger fans know actress Sally Field for being Aunt May Parker in The Amazing Spiderman movies. She has actually been in the industry for more than five decades already and she first became popular through her starring role in Gidget. Field discovered she has osteoporosis back in 2005 and this later led to her putting up the campaign, Rally with Sally for Bone Health. Today, Field still continues to pursue her acting career.

Sharon Gless – 79

As a famous American actress, her career started in 1970. Sharon Gless is perhaps best known from Switch TV series, which aired from 1975 to 1978, and from Cagney & Lacey TV series, which aired throughout the ’80s. Sharon is also famous from more recent shows as The Trials of Rosie O’NeillBurn Notice, and Queer as Folk. As a prominent TV actress, Sharon was nominated ten times for an Emmy Award, winning two, and seven times for a Golden Globe award, also winning two. She also has her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sharon is now seventy-six years old and married to Barney Rosenzweig, a prominent TV producer since 1991. She was most recently in the TV show Casualty, in 2018. Her net worth is $10M.

Dick Van Dyke – 97

Who doesn’t remember the lovable Dick Van Dyke in the famous Mary Poppins film? The multi-talented performer ruled musical films in his time with appearances in Bye Bye Birdie and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He is widely recognized by Brits for doing the worst English accent around, but they do love him for it too! Though he danced and sung his way to become an official Disney Legend, he did face some dangers too. At 87 he was saved from his car, which moments later was engulfed in flames. We hope he did some serious thinking with regards to car accidents and bought a safer car. He can definitely afford it with a $30 million net worth!

Annette O’Toole – 71

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.

Alexandra Breckenridge – 41

Alexandra Breckenridge began her career playing supporting roles to Amanda Bynes in teen movies like She’s the Man and Big Fat Liar. Now, she’s finally getting her shine as a lead star. The former American Horror Story actress plays nurse Melinda Monroe in the streaming TV romantic drama Virgin River.

Proving to be a hit among Netflix viewers, the program was renewed for a third season in 2020. And with the show being based on a book series by Robyn Carr that has 21 installments, Breckenridge might find herself busy shooting more seasons in the years to come.

Bo Derek – 66

A couple of years after John Derek divorced his first wife, Linda Evans, he tied the knot to the then-model and soon-to-be actress, Bo Derek in 1976. Together, their careers reached great heights. They collaborated in the making of films like Tarzan, the Ape Man and Ghosts Can’t Do It.

Since John passed away in 1998, Bo got together with John Corbett. Although she hasn’t been acting as much as she once did, in 2020 she played in JL Family Ranch 2. She is 63 years old and looks at least a decade younger!

Mel Brooks – 96

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.

Elisabeth Shue – 59

From Karate Kid to Back to the Future II and III, in the ’80s, Elisabeth Shue was always someone’s on-screen girlfriend. But being a daring and versatile actress, she did what it took to break that mold. So she decided to play someone’s escort lover in the film Leaving Las Vegas.

The role earned her a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination, and she also started earning more complex roles in films like The Saint and Hollow Man. She has also managed to maintain her youth, and while she doesn’t share any tips and secrets, she has been flaunting it in films like The Boys and Greyhound with Tom Hanks.

Ann-Margret – 82

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.

Jacqueline White – 100

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.

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.

Janis Paige – 100

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 – 98

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 – 97

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 Michael Glaser – 80

Paul Michael Glaser is well-remembered for playing the famous detective David Starsky in the popular show, Starsky & Hutch. By the 2000s, people knew him for portraying the role of Captain Jack Steeper in the show, Third Watch.

He tied the knot with activist Elizabeth Meyers back in 1980 and the couple had two sons together. Sadly, Elizabeth and their son Ariel died due to HIV after Elizabeth was infected during the blood transfusion she got during Ariel’s birth. This must have been the saddest news ever for our beloved Paul.

Barbara Eden – 91

Barbara Eden gained success in Hollywood with her undeniable charm and talent. She signed a contract with Century Fox at a young age and the rest is movie history. Eden’s role as the beautiful genie out of the bottle in I Dream of Jeannie made her one of television’s best-loved characters. Throughout the show, Eden portrayed multiple characters, wowing audiences with her versatility. The actress wrote a memoir about her rise to fame and her life in Hollywood, which reached the top 15 in best-selling lists. We can’t help but wonder if this feisty genie keeps her net worth of $10 million in a magical golden chest or has simply updated to an online savings account?

Christopher Walken – 80

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.

Bill Cobbs  – 88

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.

Kim Novak – 90

Kim Novak had a great career in Hollywood. The actress started working for Columbia Pictures in 1954 and appeared in films with many huge names of the era. She may be most famous for her work in Hitchcock’s Vertigo but performed in many other films too. Novak took a break from acting to focus on her visual art and her ranch.

She sadly fell during horse riding and hurt herself pretty badly, hopefully leading to her being more cautious in case anything like that happened again. After recovering, she continued working on her art and poetry in the quiet atmosphere of her own home, enjoying her $15 million fortune.

Linda Evans – 80

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!

BILLY DEE WILLIAMS – 86

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.

GEORGE HAMILTON – 83

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.

Marla Gibbs – 93

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!

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.

Bob Newhart – 93

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.

Robert Fuller – 89

Successful horse rancher Robert Fuller will always have a place in the acting world in the archives of the shows in which he was cast in. He was a noteworthy television star back in the day, featured prominently in shows like Emergency! in which he played Dr. Kelly Brackett.

He was more of a hit on television than in movies, although he put in a great performance for Maverick in 1994. A decade and a half ago, he found something else that he wanted to enjoy doing for the rest of his life. He pulled up stumps, changed courses, and is now loving life with his wife and horses.

Lee Meriwether – 87

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.

Terry Moore – 94

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. 

Jeri Ryan – 55

Jeri Ryan became a well-known actress for her role in the Star Trek: Voyager. Her portrayal earned her four nominations for a Saturn Award, successfully winning in 2001. She is also famous for portraying the role of Veronica “Ronnie” Cooke in the TV series Boston Public. 

In 1991, she and her first husband, Jack Ryan, got married but filed for a divorce eight years after. She eventually got married to chef Christophe Émé in France back in 2007. Now, they have a daughter named Gisele Émé. Recently, she appeared in the Amazon Prime series Bosch. 

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.

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.

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.

Paul Hogan – 81

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.

Bob Barker – 99

Bob Barker is a very popular television personality. Barker began his career in radio, where he showed his skills in talking to people and entertaining everyone with his charm. He started hosting game shows in 1956, with Truth or Consequences. His skills as a host also came in handy for beauty pageants, such as Miss USA and Miss Universe. He is most famous for hosting The Price Is Right. The host has been happily married to his high school sweetheart for years and years. He has been struggling with his health, though, recently, so hopefully, his $70 million net worth is more than enough to help him through tough times in retirement.

Claudia Cardinale – 83

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale made a name for herself and quite notable earnings mainly thanks to her role in legendary director Sergio Leone’s film, Once Upon a Time in the West. She co-starred there alongside big names Charles Bronson, Jason Robards and Henry Fonda.Despite the fact that she received compliments for her performance, she was actually dubbed in the film. Most of her films were European ones. She married film director Pasquale Squitieri and appeared in many of his movies. She’s now 81 years old, looks great and still plays in films.

Clu Gulager – 92

Clu Gulager first rose to prominence through his roles in TV shows like The Tall Man and The Virginian. He later started booking big-screen roles as well. Some of his most notable ones were in The Killers and The Last Picture Show. 

Being an actor was not the only thing that Clu showed a talent for and he pursued directing as well. He directed a short film titled A Day with the Boys and his work later earned a Palme d’Or nomination during the Cannes Film Festival back in 1969. Gulager appeared in the 2019 movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Susan Sarandon – 74

Just by taking a look at Susan Sarandon today, we can hardly believe that she’s in her 70s. She was born in New York City back in 1946. By the ‘70s, she was able to get her name heard. Today, Sarandon’s remembered by her roles in Thelma & Louise and Dead Man Walking.

So far, she has earned herself a $50-million net worth. Sarandon has no plans of retiring any time soon. In 2020, she’ll be playing in Tunnels, and she has already voiced a character for Rick and Morty! Sarandon has also announced some future projects like the Call Jane movie.

Meat Loaf – 73

Though his real name is Michal Lee Aday, he goes by the name Meat Loaf. He started his career as an actor and singer in the late ‘60s. The first film in which he ever played turned out to be quite legendary: The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975.

Two years later, he released his first album as a solo artist, called Bat Out of Hell. Meat Loaf’s last album might have been released in 2016, Braver than We Are, but he’s very much still around. In fact, in 2019 and 2020, he was all set to go on the Back Out of Hell Tour.

Jane Fonda – 83

80 years old Jane Fonda is a 2 times Oscar winning actress, social activist and former model and fitness guru. She won her Academy Awards for her roles in the movies Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978). Even today she’s still very active and isn’t planning to rest anytime soon. She participated in the 2018 movie Book Club, she lent her voice to Disney’s animated series Elena of Avalor and stars in Netflix’ TV show Grace and Frankie since 2015. Jane has extremely famous relatives who are also actors (although no one as famous as her) – her father is Henry Fonda, her brother is Peter Fonda and her sister is Bridget Fonda.

Maggie Smith – 86

With a career spanning almost seven decades, Maggie Smith has now become one of the most recognized English actresses out there. After all, she participated in some of the most iconic movies ever made. Some of them are The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and A Room with a View. Maggie, who’s been in all the Harry Potter films, was recently cast in 2019’s Downton Abbey, a movie made as a followup to the series. The 84-year-old is on top of looking amazing and is still incredibly active. An upcoming project of hers is the 2020 film titled A Boy Called Christmas.

George Takei – 84

He was born in Los Angeles back in 1937, and by the ‘50s, George Takei was able to start his career as an actor. Today, he’s known for his many projects, including playing Sulu in anything to do with Star Trek. He is 83 years old and has never stopped acting or keeping active.

In 2019, George did the mini docuseries called True Terror with George Takei. A year later, he started voicing a character for the Love Monster series. He’s been married to Brad Altman since 2008, but they’ve been together since around two decades earlier. He’s worth $12 million and lives in Los Angeles.

Carol Burnett – 88

There’s practically no field where Carol Burnett hasn’t achieved success in the entertainment industry. That’s why she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Burnett originally became famous as a Broadway actress. She earned critical acclaim and her first big paychecks after her appearance on Once Upon A Mattress in 1959.

When it comes to television, everybody remembers her from her time as a host in The Carol Burnett Show which featured comedy sketches, music performances, and other projects. Burnett has also written numerous memoirs about her life, with one of them earning her a Grammy.

Leigh Taylor-Young – 76

Leigh Taylor-Young hadn’t been acting for long before her big break came. She became a part of the already established TV show adaptation Peyton Place, where she met Ryan O’Neil, who would later become her husband. They were married for six years and had a son together, Patrick. Leigh’s career was affected by the birth of her child, as she would stay out of the spotlight for long periods in order to give more attention to her baby. However, she made it back to the industry in TV shows like Picket Fences, a role that earned her an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination.

Tippi Hedren – 91

Another one of Hitchcock’s discoveries is Tippi Hedren, who starred in The Birds. The actress appeared in many films during her time but also went through some hard times. She filed for divorce multiple times with various of her marriages ending badly. On top of that, an accident at work left her with a long and arduous lawsuit to attend to, which must have definitely complicated things. Meanwhile, she only wanted to raise enough funds for her activism. With her $20-million wealth, Hedren has set up some amazing charities, most notably for the preservation of wildlife. What a woman!

Leonard Whiting – 70

The very English Leonard Whiting is a well-known singer and actor, who is quite famous for playing Shakespeare’s Romeo on the big screen. In fact, Romeo and Juliet gave Whiting a decent amount of money. He co-starred in the 1968 version with Olivia Hussey who played Juliet. He was 17 then, and she, 15. The pair was interviewed in spring 2018 at the Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival, to mark the 50th anniversary of the said film. They revealed that they did have a crush on each other while filming, so the emotions expressed on film were real. Whiting is now retired.

Robert Duvall – 90

Getting nominated and winning awards is something that Robert Duvall is very used to already. Duvall’s acting career has been bringing him a ton of earnings for more than six decades. Some of his best performances were in movies like Tender Mercies, The Godfather, and Apocalypse Now. For Duvall’s performance in Tender Mercies, he was able to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. He also has a total of four Golden Globe awards under his name. Duvall’s most recent role is his portrayal in the 2018 heist film, Widows.

Richard Dean Anderson – 71

Richard Dean Anderson has been getting his earnings through acting and producing for three decades. He began appearing in TV in 1976 through the drama, General Hospital. His breakthrough came after landing a role in the series MacGyver, then he did films such as Through the Eyes of a KillerFirehouse, and Pandora’s Clock. Later, he had TV roles like that of the lead of Stargate SG-1 but soon left the show in 2005 to spend more time with his daughter. He is now 68 and looks incredibly different from his younger years; he lost the iconic ’80s mullet and shades. According to Anderson, he refuses to become a part of the 2016 MacGyver reboot.

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