In an era where Hollywood reinvents itself with astonishing speed and entertainment trends come and go in the blink of an eye, there exists a small group of extraordinary performers who prove that true talent, unwavering purpose, and an enduring devotion to their craft can transcend the ebbs and flows of entire generations. These iconic figures, now nearing or surpassing 100 years of age, represent a bridge from the formative days of the entertainment industry to its vast, global reach as we know it today. Their influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of American culture that it’s impossible to imagine the history of entertainment without them.
What makes their longevity so remarkable isn’t just the sheer number of years they’ve lived. It’s the fact that they didn’t rest on their laurels, relying on past accomplishments to define them. Instead, they continued to create, perform, mentor, and shape the culture long after most people would have retired. They are living proof that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date, and that purpose doesn’t diminish with age.
Elizabeth Waldo, born in 1918, is a prime example of this enduring spirit — though her name is often overlooked in mainstream memory. Long before the term “world music” was coined, Waldo was traveling throughout the Americas, documenting indigenous musical traditions with both academic precision and artistic reverence. As a violinist, composer, and ethnomusicologist, she uniquely combined scholarly research with performance in ways no one else was doing at the time. Today, her research and recordings continue to inspire musicians, inform historians, and preserve cultural expressions that might otherwise have been forgotten.
Karen Marsh Doll represents a different but equally significant legacy. She serves as a living connection to Hollywood’s golden age, when massive studio productions dominated American cinema. Her work on films like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind places her among the last remaining witnesses to a time when orchestras on studio lots, Technicolor breakthroughs, and an industry driven by ambition and spectacle were the norm. Her stories form a bridge to a Hollywood that most people today have only read about.
On the musical front, Ray Anthony, now 103, stands as one of the last remaining giants of the big-band era. He wasn’t merely a participant in this influential movement — he was a leader. His orchestra helped define the American sound of the 1940s and 1950s, and even into his later years, he continued to perform, reminding newer generations of the vitality of the swing era. For him, it was more than nostalgia — it was living, breathing history.
But it’s not just historians and musicians who define this remarkable longevity. Actors who shaped the evolution of film and television have also proven that greatness endures with time. June Lockhart, best known for Lassie and Lost in Space, still radiates the same warmth and poise that made her one of the country’s favorite TV mothers. Eva Marie Saint, an Oscar winner for On the Waterfront and the elegant leading lady of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, continues to embody the timeless grace that defined the classic Hollywood era. Their performances remain relevant not because of their age, but because they are grounded, honest, and timeless.
Then there is Dick Van Dyke, whose career has spanned nearly every major shift in entertainment, from vaudeville-inspired variety shows to modern films and streaming-era appearances. Even in his late 90s, Van Dyke’s boundless energy, humor, and joy defy the expectations most people place on aging. His mere presence is a testament to the idea that delight, playfulness, and generosity are ageless.
Mel Brooks and William Shatner belong to the same exceptional class of unflagging creatives. Brooks, in his 90s, continues to write, narrate, and delight audiences with the sharp wit that has made him a household name for decades. Shatner, ever the eternal reinventionist, still performs, still surprises, and continues to work in ways that show his thirst for discovery hasn’t waned in the slightest. His curiosity and drive keep him relevant in a world that seems to change by the minute.
Barbara Eden, beloved for I Dream of Jeannie, remains a fan favorite decades after her series ended. She continues to attend events, share stories with humor and precision, and maintains the same radiant charm that captivated audiences in the 1960s. Her enduring presence reminds us that icons aren’t defined by beauty or fame alone, but by connection, endurance, and the ability to adapt without losing their core identity.
These aging legends are not just American treasures, though; many have left their mark on global cinema as well. Clint Eastwood, Sophia Loren, and Michael Caine exemplify how longevity and creative evolution can go hand in hand. Rather than clinging to the characters that made them famous, they shifted, grew, and explored new territory, even as the entertainment industry around them transformed. Their influence continues to be felt, not just because of the roles they played, but because of the ways they continued to innovate.
Julie Andrews remains an inspiration, now known not only for her singing and acting, but for her advocacy and storytelling. Her voice, whether speaking or singing, continues to move audiences. Shirley MacLaine, whose wisdom and humor fill every interview and appearance, proves that self-discovery and reinvention are not bound by age. Meanwhile, Al Pacino and Jane Fonda, both powerhouse figures in their own right, have embraced activism, mentorship, and creative risks well into their 80s and 90s. Their work is not merely long; it is layered, thoughtful, and transformative.
Each of these individuals embodies a truth Hollywood often forgets in its fixation with youth: artistry is not the domain of the young. It is a lifelong pursuit. It deepens with experience, failure, resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering refusal to stop caring.
That’s why these near-centenarian and centenarian icons still matter. They carry with them nearly a century of artistic evolution — from the first days of film cameras to the era of streaming platforms, from live orchestras to digital soundscapes, and from the classic studio system to the rise of independent productions.
They show us that creativity does not retire. Passion does not age out. And influence doesn’t disappear just because the world moves faster. Their lives reflect a broader story: one built on decades of hard work, on risks taken before the rest of the world caught up, and on persistence that outlasts trends.
These living legends don’t just represent Hollywood’s past; they embody its continuity. They stand as proof that storytelling, music, performance, and human expression can remain powerful across a lifetime. And with each passing year, their presence becomes even more significant — not as relics of a bygone time, but as guiding lights, reminding us of what talent rooted in purpose can truly achieve.
The entertainment industry will continue to evolve. Trends will rise and fall. But the impact of these icons will remain, alive in the films we still watch, the music we continue to study, the art we still celebrate, and in the careers that have been shaped by their example.
Their longevity is not only remarkable. It’s inspirational — a quiet, enduring lesson in how creativity, real creativity, transcends the eras that try to contain it.