If you close your eyes and think of the late seventies, you probably see a bright orange Dodge Charger flying over a creek while a Waylon Jennings track blares in the background. At the center of that whirlwind was a guy with a rugged smile and a blue flannel shirt. Today, fans are constantly asking how old is Tom Wopat, usually because they’ve just seen him pop up in a gritty indie film or caught a clip of him singing jazz on a late-night talk show and realized he doesn't look—or sound—anything like the "good ol' boy" they remember.
Tom Wopat is 74 years old. Born on September 9, 1951, in Lodi, Wisconsin, he’s officially entered his mid-seventies, but he hasn't exactly slowed down to sit on a porch in Hazzard County. While many actors from that era faded into the "where are they now" files, Wopat carved out a second and third act that would make most performers half his age exhausted.
The Wisconsin Roots Behind the Duke Boy
You can't really talk about his age without looking at where he started. Wopat wasn't some Hollywood kid. He grew up on a dairy farm. Honestly, that's probably why he looked so natural behind the wheel of the General Lee; he was used to hard, physical work. He was one of eight kids. Can you imagine that dinner table?
He went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but he wasn't there for a desk job. He was a music man from the jump. Most people don't realize that before he was Luke Duke, he was a trained singer. He actually started in off-Broadway productions in the late seventies. By the time The Dukes of Hazzard premiered in 1979, he was 27.
That’s a specific kind of magic age for a leading man. He was old enough to have some grit but young enough to do his own stunts (well, most of them). For seven seasons, he and John Schneider defined a very specific era of American masculinity. But when the show ended in 1985, Wopat was 34—and he had a choice to make.
From Hazzard to Broadway: A Career Pivot That Worked
Most TV stars from massive hits get typecast. They spend the rest of their lives at conventions signing hubcaps. Wopat did the opposite. He went to New York.
✨ Don't miss: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
It’s kind of wild when you think about it. One day he’s outrunning Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, and the next he’s on a Broadway stage. And he wasn't just a "celebrity guest." He was the real deal. He’s been nominated for two Tony Awards.
- 1999: Best Actor in a Musical for Annie Get Your Gun (opposite Bernadette Peters).
- 2008: Best Actor in a Musical for A Catered Affair.
He also did Chicago, 42nd Street, and even a dramatic turn in Glengarry Glen Ross. By the time he was in his fifties, he had completely redefined himself as a sophisticated leading man of the stage.
What is Tom Wopat Doing in 2026?
So, what does 74 look like for him?
He’s still incredibly active. Just recently, in late 2025 and early 2026, he’s been making the rounds with his Dukes co-stars. There was a bit of a scare recently involving Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), who had a health complication after surgery. Wopat and Schneider were right there, publicly supporting her, showing that the "family" bond from forty years ago isn't just PR fluff. They’re actually friends.
Music is still his main squeeze. He released an album called Simple Man not too long ago, and he’s been touring small venues and jazz clubs. His voice has aged like a fine bourbon—it’s deeper, smokier, and has a lot more character than the country-pop hits he was putting out in the eighties.
🔗 Read more: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
He’s also leaned into some "tough guy" roles in film. If you haven't seen the County Line trilogy on the INSP Network, you're missing out. He plays a vet/sheriff type, and honestly, the white hair suits him. He looks like a guy who has lived a lot of life, which, let's be real, he has.
Addressing the Struggles
It hasn't all been jumps over Barnette’s Creek and standing ovations. Wopat has been open about his struggles with substance abuse. Back in 2017, there was a pretty messy incident involving an arrest and some serious allegations during a rehearsal for a play.
He didn't hide. He went to rehab. He took "personal time" to get his head straight.
It’s a reminder that being 74 isn't just about how many years you've lived, but how you've handled the rough patches. He seems to have come out the other side with a lot of humility. Fans still show up for him because he’s stayed human through the whole thing.
The Legacy of a 74-Year-Old Icon
People still care about how old is Tom Wopat because he represents a bridge between "Old Hollywood" TV and the modern era. He’s a guy who can drive a muscle car and sing Cole Porter.
💡 You might also like: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
He’s also stayed busy with:
- Voice Work: He’s done stuff for Phineas and Ferb.
- Film Cameos: Remember him in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained? He played U.S. Marshal Gill Tatum.
- Convention Circuits: He still does Hazzard Fest and other fan meets because he knows where his bread is buttered.
Reality Check: The Aging Action Star
Let’s be honest. Seeing your childhood heroes hit their seventies can be a bit of a gut punch. It reminds us that time is moving for all of us. But Wopat carries it well. He doesn't try to look 30. He’s not pumped full of filler. He looks like a 74-year-old man from Wisconsin who has spent a lot of time outdoors.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate his career or just want to see what he’s up to now, here is what you should do:
Listen to his 2023 album Simple Man. It’s probably the best representation of who he is today—a storyteller with a guitar and a lot of perspective.
Check out County Line: No Fear. It’s a 2023 film that shows he’s still got the acting chops to carry a movie without needing to slide across a car hood.
Follow his official social media. Unlike some stars who let an agency run their pages, his often feels like he’s actually the one posting, especially when he’s talking about his music or his "brothers" John Schneider and Ben Jones.
Wopat is a survivor. Whether he’s 74 or 94, he’ll likely still be "bouncing around in different mediums" as he puts it. He’s a reminder that you don't have to stay in the box people built for you when you were twenty.