Age is a funny thing in Hollywood. We spend so much time obsessing over the "next big thing" that we often forget the giants who are still walking among us, quietly outliving almost everyone they ever worked with. Honestly, it’s kinda surreal when you realize some of these icons were already established stars before the invention of the color TV.
People always ask me, "Who is the oldest living celebrity right now?" And usually, they expect a name they haven't heard in fifty years. But the truth is, many of the oldest living famous people are still remarkably sharp, occasionally working, and defying every medical statistic in the book.
Take Jimmy Carter, for example. As of January 2026, he’s 101. He entered hospice care back in early 2023. At the time, the world braced for the end within days or weeks. Fast forward nearly three years, and he’s still here. It basically proves that while medicine has its limits, the human spirit—and maybe a bit of Plains, Georgia, grit—doesn't always follow the rules.
The 100-Club: The Legends Still With Us
It’s not just politicians. The "Centenarian Club" in entertainment is actually getting a bit crowded lately.
Eva Marie Saint is currently 101 years old. Think about that for a second. She won an Oscar for On the Waterfront in 1954. She shared the screen with Marlon Brando when he was in his prime. She is effectively the last living bridge to the true Golden Age of Hollywood. When she talks about the industry, she isn’t reciting history books; she’s talking about her friends.
Then you’ve got the comedy legends. Mel Brooks and Dick Van Dyke are both hitting the 100-year mark in 2026.
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Dick Van Dyke is particularly mind-blowing. Most people his age are, well, not exactly "spry." But you’ve likely seen the clips of him still dancing, or at least moving with more grace than most 70-year-olds. He’s often credited his longevity to "not acting his age" and keeping his legs moving. It sounds like a cliché, but when you’re 100 and still have that trademark grin, people tend to listen to your health advice.
Mel Brooks is another one. He’s 99 right now, turning 100 in June. He’s still sharp as a razor. You’ve probably heard his recent interviews where he’s still cracking jokes that would make a writer half his age jealous. He’s basically the living embodiment of the idea that a sense of humor is the ultimate survival mechanism.
Why Clint Eastwood Still Matters at 95
While the centenarians get the headlines, the "youngsters" in their 90s are often the ones still calling the shots on set.
Clint Eastwood is 95. Most people retire at 65. Clint? He’s still directing. He recently mentioned in an interview that there’s "no reason why a man can’t get better with age." He’s not just sitting on a porch; he’s actively shaping modern cinema. There’s a certain kind of stubbornness required to keep making movies when you’ve already won every award imaginable.
And then there’s Sir David Attenborough. He turns 100 in May 2026.
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The man has spent the last seventy years explaining the natural world to us. He’s seen more of this planet than perhaps any other human being in history. What’s wild is that his voice—that calm, authoritative whisper—hasn't really changed. He’s still the gold standard for nature documentaries. He’s sort of become the grandfather the entire world shares.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
- Jimmy Carter: 101 (Born Oct 1, 1924)
- Eva Marie Saint: 101 (Born July 4, 1924)
- Dick Van Dyke: 100 (Born Dec 13, 1925)
- Mel Brooks: 99 (Turning 100 in June 2026)
- David Attenborough: 99 (Turning 100 in May 2026)
- Gene Hackman: 95 (Born Jan 30, 1930)
- Clint Eastwood: 95 (Born May 31, 1930)
The Secret to Making It This Far
Everyone wants to know the secret sauce. Is it the diet? The genes? The money?
Honestly, if you look at the oldest living famous people, the common thread isn't a specific green juice or a workout routine. It’s purpose. Gene Hackman (95) retired from acting years ago but reinvented himself as a historical fiction novelist. William Shatner (94) literally went to space a few years back.
Longevity seems to be tied to staying curious.
When you stop looking forward, that’s when the clock starts ticking faster. These people are still engaged with the world. They vote, they write, they complain about the news, and they occasionally show up on a red carpet just to remind everyone they’re still the boss.
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There’s also a sobering side to this. Being the oldest means you’ve said goodbye to almost everyone you started with. We lost icons like June Lockhart and Brigitte Bardot recently, reminding us that this list is constantly shifting. It’s a bit of a "Last Man Standing" situation, which has to be a strange, lonely kind of fame.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that these people are "fragile."
Sure, physically they aren't what they were in their 40s. But mentally? Many of them are still playing the game. When you watch a 94-year-old James Hong finally get his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (which happened recently), you realize that for these performers, the work never really stops. They aren't "living in the past." They are living in the present, just with a lot more context than the rest of us.
Another thing: people often assume these stars have some secret medical technology. While being wealthy certainly helps with healthcare access, you can't buy a 100-year-old heart that still wants to beat. A lot of it really is just luck and a refusal to quit.
Real Actionable Insights for the Rest of Us
If you’re looking at these legends and wondering how to get a piece of that longevity, here’s what the data—and their lives—actually suggest:
- Keep the brain moving. Whether it's writing novels like Hackman or directing like Eastwood, cognitive engagement is non-negotiable.
- Community matters. Jimmy Carter’s long-standing connection to his church and hometown has been a massive part of his resilience.
- Adaptability. If you can't act, write. If you can't run, walk. The ones who live the longest are the ones who don't let a physical limitation become a mental one.
- Humor. Mel Brooks isn't just funny for a 99-year-old; he's funny, period. Stress kills; laughter doesn't.
Pay attention to these names while they're still here. We are witnessing the very end of a specific era of human history. When these centenarians finally take their bows, we won't just be losing celebrities; we’ll be losing the last first-hand accounts of a world that doesn't exist anymore.
Take a moment to watch an old Dick Van Dyke clip or a Mel Brooks interview today. Seeing their energy at 100 is the best reminder that getting older doesn't have to mean slowing down. It just means you’ve had more time to get good at being yourself.