You ever sit there watching an old black-and-white movie and realize, with a weird shock, that the person on screen is actually still out there somewhere? Maybe they’re grabbing a coffee in Malibu or working on a script in London. It’s wild. We’re in 2026 now, and the "Golden Age" of Hollywood feels like ancient history, yet a handful of legends are stubbornly, beautifully still with us.
They aren't just "still alive." Many are actually working.
But let’s be real—the list is getting shorter. We lost Gene Hackman just last year in 2025, which honestly felt like the end of an era for that gritty 70s realism he basically invented. Even so, the ones who remain are defying every biological rule in the book.
If you're looking for famous old actors that are still alive, you aren't just looking for a list of names. You’re looking for the secret to how they did it. Is it the California sun? Good genes? Or just the refusal to stop moving?
The Centenarians: Dick Van Dyke and Mel Brooks
Can we talk about Dick Van Dyke for a second? The man turned 100 in December 2025. 100!
He recently told Al Roker that he still doesn't want to retire because acting is his "hobby." He's out there in Malibu, dancing with his wife Arlene and promoting a book called 100 Rules for Living to 100. Honestly, his main advice is just to keep moving. He’s frustrated that his body is "diminished," but he’s still cracking jokes about wanting to play Scrooge. He’s the literal embodiment of "age is just a number," even if that number is now triple digits.
Then there's Mel Brooks.
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Mel hits the big 100 this June (2026). HBO just dropped a documentary about him called Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!—which is a classic Mel title if I’ve ever heard one. He’s still the sharpest guy in the room. When you think about the fact that the guy who wrote Blazing Saddles is still around to see how much the world has changed, it’s kinda mind-blowing.
The Director Who Won't Quit: Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood is 95, turning 96 this May. Most people thought Juror No. 2 (which came out in late 2024) was going to be his swan song.
Nope.
The latest word around Hollywood is that he’s already in pre-production on something new. He’s 95 and still calling "action" on film sets. He says he’s in good physical shape and doesn't see any reason to stop. It’s that old-school work ethic. You don't retire; you just keep going until the wheels fall off.
Why the "Still Working" Mindset Matters
Gerontologists often point to "purpose" as a key to longevity. It’s not just about eating kale. For people like Eastwood or Rita Moreno—who is 94 and still showing up at film festivals like the Plaza Classic—the work is the medicine.
Rita Moreno is actually the last surviving main cast member of Singin' in the Rain. Think about that. She’s the final bridge to one of the greatest movies ever made, and she’s still out there talking to fans and looking incredible.
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Dame Judi Dench and the Reality of Aging
It isn't all red carpets and tap dancing, though. Honestly, it’s important to acknowledge the tougher side of this. Dame Judi Dench, who is now 91, has been very open about her struggle with macular degeneration.
She recently admitted she can’t really see on film sets anymore. She can’t recognize faces, and she needs people to read scripts to her. It’s a "crusher," as she put it. But here’s the thing: she’s still reciting Shakespeare from memory. She might not know what she’s doing tomorrow (her words!), but she can give you a sonnet on command.
There's a lesson there about what stays and what goes. The craft stays. The passion stays.
A Quick Look at the Legends Still With Us in 2026
I hate those perfectly formatted tables that look like a spreadsheet, so let’s just walk through a few more names you might be wondering about.
William Shatner is 94. He went to space a few years ago and basically hasn't stopped talking about it since. He seems to have more energy than most 40-year-olds. June Lockhart (from Lost in Space) and Eva Marie Saint (North by Northwest) are both over 100 now. It’s staggering to think Eva Marie Saint worked with Alfred Hitchcock and is still here to tell the tale.
James Hong is another one. He’s 96 and has over 600 credits to his name. If you’ve watched a movie in the last 70 years, you’ve seen James Hong. He’s the ultimate "hey, it's that guy" actor who finally got his Hollywood Star a few years back.
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What This Means for the Rest of Us
When we search for famous old actors that are still alive, we’re usually looking for a bit of hope. We want to know that life doesn't just end at 65 or 70.
These icons show us a few things:
- Movement is non-negotiable. Whether it’s Dick Van Dyke dancing or Eastwood walking a set, they don't sit still.
- Community keeps you young. Many of these actors emphasize their friendships and their families.
- Adaptation is key. Judi Dench can’t see the script? She has a friend read it to her. She adapts.
If you want to keep up with these legends, the best thing you can do is actually watch their work. Don't just read the headlines about their age. Go watch The Dick Van Dyke Show or a Mel Brooks classic.
Actionable Insights for Movie Lovers:
- Check out the new docs: Keep an eye out for the Mel Brooks HBO special airing this month.
- Support the archives: Many of these stars, like Lee Grant (who is 100!), have moved into directing and documentary work. Their later-career stuff is often more personal and daring.
- Follow the festivals: Events like the TCM Classic Film Festival are the best places to see these legends in person before they’re gone.
The 2020s have been a decade of transition for Hollywood. As we lose the giants of the mid-20th century, the ones who remain become even more precious. They aren't just actors; they are living libraries of cultural history.
Keep an eye on the trades for Eastwood’s next project. It sounds like he’s got at least one more story to tell.