Honestly, it feels like a glitch in the matrix. We live in a world where "vintage" usually means a TikTok filter or a pair of jeans from 2004, yet we have actual humans who shared soundstages with Marlon Brando and Alfred Hitchcock still walking among us. It's wild. When you look at the oldest living actors and actresses, you aren't just looking at a list of birthdays. You're looking at the last physical threads connecting us to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
People always ask "Who's left?" It’s a bit of a grim fascination, I get it. But there is something genuinely life-affirming about seeing a 100-year-old crack a joke on a red carpet. These aren't just survivors; they’re the architects of modern storytelling.
The Centenarian Club: Beyond the 100-Year Mark
Reaching 100 is a feat. Doing it while the world watches? That’s next level.
Eva Marie Saint is basically the reigning queen of this group. Born in 1924, she’s 101 now. Think about that for a second. She won an Oscar for On the Waterfront back in 1954. She was Hitchcock’s "cool blonde" in North by Northwest. Most of the people she worked with are long gone, yet she’s still here, representing a level of class and craft that feels almost extinct. She’s the earliest-surviving Academy Award winner, which is a title that carries some serious weight.
Then there’s Dick Van Dyke. The man is a literal marvel. He just hit the 100 mark in December 2025, and if you’ve seen him lately, he’s still got that "loose-limbed" energy that made him a star in the sixties. Mel Brooks recently paid tribute to him, and seeing those two—both legends—still interacting is enough to make any film nerd emotional. Van Dyke’s secret? Apparently, he just never stopped moving.
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Speaking of Mel Brooks, he turns 100 this coming June. The man who gave us Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein is still sharp, still funny, and still very much Mel Brooks. It’s hard to imagine comedy without his influence.
Why do we care so much?
Maybe it’s because they represent a time before CGI and social media took over the industry. Or maybe it’s just the comfort of seeing a familiar face last through the decades.
The Legends Closing in on the Century Mark
Not everyone has hit triple digits yet, but they’re close.
Clint Eastwood is 95. Most people at 95 are, well, not directing major motion pictures. But Clint is different. He’s famously quoted as saying there’s no reason a man can’t get better with age. He’s still working, still grumpy in the best way possible, and still proving that "retirement" is a choice, not a requirement.
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Then you have June Squibb. She’s 96. Most people didn't really "discover" her until Nebraska in 2013, which is hilarious because she’d been working for decades before that. She’s currently a darling of the indie film scene. It’s a great reminder that your "big break" doesn't have an expiration date.
- Tippi Hedren: 96 years old. The The Birds star and animal rights activist is still the matriarch of a massive acting dynasty (Melanie Griffith’s mom, Dakota Johnson’s grandma).
- James Hong: 96 years old. With over 600 credits, you’ve seen him in everything from Blade Runner to Everything Everywhere All At Once. He finally got his Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2021—better late than never, right?
- William Shatner: 94 years old. Captain Kirk actually went to space for real a few years ago. He’s still doing conventions and being... well, Shatner.
The Heavy Losses of 2025
We have to be honest—2025 was a rough year for the old guard. We lost Gene Hackman in February 2025 at the age of 95. That one hurt. He’d been retired for a long time, living quietly in New Mexico and writing historical fiction, but his absence feels permanent now. He was arguably one of the greatest actors to ever do it. No ego, just pure, raw talent.
We also said goodbye to June Lockhart, Brigitte Bardot, and Claudia Cardinale last year. Each passing feels like a library burning down. When these stars go, the firsthand stories of how those classic films were actually made go with them. It changes the way we view film history. It makes it feel more like "history" and less like a living memory.
What Most People Get Wrong About Aging in Hollywood
There’s this weird myth that once an actor hits 80, they just sit in a rocking chair in Malibu. That’s rarely true for the greats. For most of the oldest living actors and actresses, the work is what keeps them alive.
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It’s not about the money. Most of these people are set for life. It’s about the purpose. Whether it’s Mel Brooks working on a new project or Eva Marie Saint making rare appearances to keep the flame of the Golden Age alive, they stay engaged.
One thing that’s genuinely interesting is how the industry has shifted to accommodate them. We’re seeing more roles written for seniors that aren't just "the dying grandparent." Look at June Squibb. She’s getting lead roles in her 90s. That wouldn't have happened thirty years ago.
A Quick Reality Check on the "Oldest" List
Sometimes the internet gets it wrong. People still search for Marsha Hunt, who was a huge deal and a centenarian, but she actually passed away in 2022 at 104. It’s easy to lose track when these icons live so long that they seem immortal.
How to Celebrate These Icons Today
If you want to actually appreciate these legends while they’re still here, don't just read a list of their ages. Go watch the work.
- Watch the "Old" Stuff: If you haven't seen On the Waterfront or the original The Birds, do it this weekend. Seeing Eva Marie Saint or Tippi Hedren in their prime puts their longevity into perspective.
- Support Late-Career Projects: When someone like Clint Eastwood or June Squibb puts out a movie, go see it. We often complain about "too many sequels," yet these masters are still out here telling original stories.
- Follow the Preservation Efforts: Many of these actors are involved in film preservation. Organizations like The Film Foundation (founded by Scorsese, but supported by many veterans) ensure their work survives for another hundred years.
The most actionable thing you can do right now? Pick one actor from this list whose name you recognize but whose work you haven't seen lately. Rent one of their classics tonight. It’s the best way to honor a legacy that is, quite literally, one of a kind.