Legendary Celebrities Who May Have Already Peaked But Are Still Alive Today
Bob Newhart – Born in 1929
Bob Newhart is an actor and comedian known for his deadpan delivery and slight stammer. In 1960, he gained widespread recognition when he released his comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.” It became a best-seller and is the 20th-highest-selling comedy album in history. It also won a Grammy Award the following year.
Newhart’s subsequent album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” also performed excellently, and the two albums held the first two spots on the Billboard chart. In 2013, he made a guest appearance on the show “The Big Bang Theory,” for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award. He voiced Bernard in the Disney animated film “The Rescuers.”
Mel Brooks – Born in 1926
Actor and comedian Mel Brooks has been in the entertainment industry for over seven decades and has written and directed several successful parodies. His career began as a writer for “Your Show of Shows,” and he went on to direct movies like “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “History of the World, Part I,” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.”
In 2001, Brooks won a Tony Award and joined the exclusive list of EGOT winners after previously winning an Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar. In 2010, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; in 2017, he received a National Medal of Arts.
Jacqueline Bisset – Born in 1944
Jacqueline Bisset began her career in 1965, but it wasn’t until three years later that she came to prominence by starring in “The Detective” and “The Sweet Ride,” the latter for which she received a Golden Globe Award nomination. She ended the year by portraying the character of Cathy in “Bullitt,” which was one of the year’s highest-grossing movies.
In 1973, Bisset starred in the French movie “La nuit americaine,” which translates to “Day for Night,” and the film won an Academy Award. She continued appearing in several other movies and series, and in 2010, she was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government.
Katharine Ross – Born in 1940
Katharine Ross is an actress who has appeared in numerous movies, theatre productions, and television series since she began her career in 1962. She received critical acclaim in 1967 when she starred in “The Graduate,” which saw her get nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and winning a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year.
In 1969, Ross starred in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here,” for which she won a BAFTA Award. She continued to star in other movies throughout the following decades and spent most of the ’90s semi-retirement before fully retiring in 2019.
Debbie Harry –Born in 1945
Debbie Harry is a singer, songwriter, and actress most recognizable for being the lead vocalist of the band “Blondie,” which she formed in 1974. She previously worked as a dancer and secretary before pursuing a musical career. In 1976, her band released its first album, “Blondie,” and it was certified Gold in the United Kingdom.
Their third album “Parallel Lines” was a global hit, and the single “Heart of Glass” became the second highest-selling single of 1979. The group split in 1982, and Harry began a solo career and combined it with acting by starring in the 1983 movie “Videodrome.” In 2019, she released a memoir, “Face It.”
Ann-Margret – Born in 1941
Ann-Margret is a singer, dancer, and actress and is recognized for her roles in “Pocketful of Miracles,” “Carnal Knowledge,” “Taxi,” and “Going in Style,” and has won five Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. In 1994, she released her autobiography, “Ann-Margret: My Story,” which detailed intimate and vulnerable moments from her life.
Ann-Margret’s music career has spanned over six decades since 1961, and in her younger days, she was noted for her sultry, contralto voice and was usually referred to as a female version of Elvis Presley. In 1962, she was nominated for a Grammy Award; in 2001, her gospel album “God is Love” was nominated for another Grammy.
Kim Novak – Born in 1933
Retired actress Kim Novak began her career in 1954, and she quickly became one of Hollywood’s biggest box-office stars by appearing in movies like “Picnic,” and “The Man with the Golden Arm.” She also had a role in the 1958 movie “Vertigo,” which is recognized as one of the greatest movies ever made.
In 1966, Novak withdrew from acting and only sparingly appeared in movies before retiring in 1991 after the disappointing experience she experienced while filming “Liebestraum.” She has won two Golden Globe Awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has since become a painter and visual artist.
Stephanie Beacham – Born in 1947
Stephanie Beacham is best known for playing characters like Sable Colby in the series “The Colbys” and Dr. Kristin Westphalen in the science fiction series “seaQuest D.S.V.” She began her career in 1967 by appearing in British television. In 1970, she made her movie debut in “The Games.”
In the ’70s, Beacham gained a reputation for being a “scream queen” because she appeared in several horror movies like “Dracula A.D. 1972” and “Schizo.” In 2011, she released an autobiography, “Many Lives,” where she discussed her life and career, and she appeared on reality shows like “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2007 and 2010, respectively.
Victoria Principal – Born in 1950
Victoria Principal is an actress best known for portraying Pamela Barnes Ewing in the “Dallas” series from 1978-1987. She began her career in 1971, and the following year, she got her first role in “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
In addition to acting, Principal became the author of four books, “The Body Principal,” “The Beauty Principal,” “The Diet Principal,” and “Living Principal.” She also founded her own production company, which focused on television films, some of which she featured in. She was also a successful skincare business owner before another company acquired it.
Cindy Williams – Born in 1947
Cindy Williams became a television icon in the ’70s when she starred in two popular television series, “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley.” She began her professional career by appearing in national commercials for Foster Grant sunglasses and Trans World Airlines, and her first role came in the series “Room 222.”
In 1973, Williams starred in “American Graffiti,” which earned her a BAFTA nomination, and she also appeared in stage productions of “Deathtrap,” “Grease,” and “Moon Over Buffalo.” She also made appearances in series like “Getting By” and “8 Simple Rules” in the ’90s, and she made her Broadway debut in 2007 by starring in “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Tim Matheson – Born in 1947
Tim Matheson has come a long way since first starring as Johnny Quest in 1964 in the series of the same name. In 1978, he portrayed the character of Eric’ Otter’ Stratton in “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” The following year, he was cast in the movie “1941.” In 1989, he and his business partner bought the National Lampoon magazine but sold it two years later.
Matheson also had a recurring role as John Hoynes in the series, “The West Wing,” which ran from 1999 to 2006, and he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. Since 2019, he has starred in the series “Virgin River.”
Tony Bennett – Born in 1926
Tony Bennett is a retired singer who was launched into the limelight in 1951 when he released the song “Because of You.” He was at the peak of his powers in the late ’50s when he released albums like “The Beat of My Heart” and “Strike Up the Band,” which were very popular.
Throughout his seven-decade career, he has received numerous accolades, like 20 Grammy Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards, and he was praised for continuing to release critically acclaimed works. In 2014, Bennett and Lady Gaga created a joint album, “Cheek to Cheek,” which they promoted by touring various countries in 2014 and 2015.
Tom Selleck – Born in 1945
Tom Selleck is instantly recognizable for his famous mustache. The actor had a breakout role in 1980 when he portrayed the character Thomas Magnum in the television series “Magnum P.I.,” for which he won an Emmy Award in 1985. He has also appeared in numerous movies and series like “Three Men and a Baby,” “Mr. Baseball,” “Lassiter,” “The Rockford Files,” and “Friends.”
Since 2005, Selleck has portrayed Jesse Stone’s character in nine movies adapted from the books of Robert B. Parker. He has also had the long-standing role of Frank Reagan in the series “Blue Bloods,” and in 2021, he was featured on Nicholas King’s album, “Act One.”
Lorenzo Lamas – Born in 1958
Lorenzo Lamas’ most significant role was as Lance Cumson in the soap opera “Falcon Crest,” for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as Best Supporting Actor. His other notable roles include Reno Raines in the series “Renegade,” Hector Ramirez in the series “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and Dr. Hollywood in the Nickelodeon series “Big Time Rush.”
Lamas is also a theatre actor and has been a part of plays like “The King and I,” which was shown at the Ogunquit Playhouse, and “The Fantasticks” at the Casa Manana Theatre. In 2015, he appeared in the reality show “Celebrity Apprentice,” and in 2016, he became a helicopter pilot.
Max Baer Jr. – Born in 1937
Not to be confused with his father, Max Baer Sr., a professional boxer, Max Baer Jr. is an actor, comedian, and director best known for playing Jethro Bodine in the sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies” that ran from 1962 to 1971. He began his professional career in 1960 and made minor appearances in series like “Maverick” and “Cheyenne.”
Following the end of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Baer Jr. wrote and produced “Macon County Line” in 1974, which was a critical and commercial success. He is recognized as one of the first to use the name of a song as the name and plot of a movie.
Paul Hogan – Born in 1939
Paul Hogan is an actor and comedian whose most famous work is playing Michael “Crocodile” Dundee in the 1986 movie “Crocodile Dundee,” which was a commercial success. The following year, he won a Golden Globe Award for his performance. He began his career in 1971 by appearing in a talent show, “New Faces,” followed by his comedy sketch program, “The Paul Hogan Show,” which ran from 1973 o 1984. In 1973, he won TV Week Logie Award.
Hogan also appeared in advertisements for Winfield, Foster’s Lager, and the Australian tourism industry. In 1985 he appeared in “Anzacs” alongside many other very popular actors of that time.
George Hamilton – Born in 1939
George Hamilton is known for his elegant style, suntan, and for appearing in various Ritz Crackers commercials. Still, he is a very prolific actor who has starred in over 110 movies and television series. He began his career in 1952, but it wasn’t until 1959 that he appeared in his first movie “Crime and Punishment U.S.A.” for which he won a Golden Globe.
In 1960, he starred in “Where the Boys Are,” which was a hit, and he has appeared in several other movies like “Home from the Hill,” “The Godfather Part III,” “Love at First Bite,” “8 Heads in a Duffel Bag,” and “The Congressman.”
Sandie Shaw – Born in 1947
Sandie Shaw was one of the most successful female British singers in the ’60s, and during that period, the singles “There’s Always Something to Remind Me,” “Long Live Love,” and “Puppet on a String” became the U.K. number one singles. The latter won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967.
Shaw began her career in 1964, and she appeared in various popular Television programs performing barefoot, which endeared her to the public audience. In 1968, she started a fashion label and sold her clothing and jewelry, and that same year, she hosted her T.V. show “The Sandie Shaw Supplement.” In 2013, she retired, and in 2017, she was awarded an M.B.E.
Richard Chamberlain – Born in 1934
Richard Chamberlain is an actor and singer who became a teen idol when he starred in the series “Dr. Kildare” from 1961 to 1966. After that, he appeared in other series like “Shōgun” and “The Thorn Birds” and also starred as Jason Bourne in the 1988 movie “The Bourne Identity.”
Chamberlain had some singing ability, and his song “Three Stars Will Shine Tonight” reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also appeared in theatre productions like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “My Fair Lady,” and “The Sound of Music,” and in 1969, he became the first American to play the title role in “Hamlet” since John Barrymore did in 1925.
Christopher Walken – Born in 1943
Christopher Walken is a very recognizable face in Hollywood, as he has starred in numerous movies and television series since he began his career in 1952. His films have grossed over $1.6 billion in the United States, and he has received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The movie “The Deer Hunter,” which was released in 1978, pushed Walken to a broader audience, and he has gone on to appear in films like “The Dead Zone,” “King of New York,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and “Percy,” which cut across various genres. He is also a stage actor and has appeared in multiple Shakespeare plays.
Marla Gibbs – Born in 1931
Fans of the popular series “The Jeffersons” can surely remember Marla Gibbs, as she portrayed Florence Johnston from 1975 to 1985, a role that earned her five Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She began her career in the early ’70s by appearing in movies like “Black Belt Jones” and “Preacher Man.”
After the cancelation of “The Jeffersons,” Gibbs was cast as Mary Jenkins in the N.B.C. sitcom “227,” for which she was also the co-producer. In 2021, she bagged the role of Olivia Price in the drama series, “Days of Our Lives,” and that same year, she was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Billy Dee Williams – Born in 1937
Billy Dee Williams made his movie debut in 1959 with the movie “The Last Angry Man,” but it wasn’t until 1971 that he gained national attention by starring in “Brian’s Song,” for which he received an Emmy nomination. His most famous movie role was that of Lando Calrissian in the 1980 movie “The Empire Strikes Back.”
In 1985, Williams was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk. He is credited with over sixty appearances in television series, with his most recognized being in “General Hospital” and “Gideon’s Crossing.” He is also a painter whose works have sold for an average of $50k.
Bill Cobbs – Born in 1934
Bill Cobbs began his acting career at 36 in 1970, and he appeared in small theatre productions until he made his movie debut in the 1974 movie “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” Since then, he has had an extensive career over the decades and has appeared on many television series like “Six Feet Under,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “One Tree Hill.”
Cobbs’ most well-known roles are that of Louisiana Slim in “The Hitter,” Lewis Coleman in “I’ll Fly Away,” and Jack in “The Michael Richards Show.” In 2020, he won a Daytime Emmy for his role in the series “Dino Dana.”
Jane Birkin – Born in 1946
Jane Birkin is a singer and actress who kickstarted her career with a minor role in the 1966 movie “Blowup.” Two years later, she met Serge Gainsbourg, and that began a decade-long personal and working relationship that produced a joint album, “Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg” in 1969, and the 1975 movie “Je t’aime moi non plus.”
Birkin parted ways with Gainsbourg in 1980 and continued her work by appearing in other French movies like “La fille prodigue” and “La pirate,” which was nominated for a Cesar Award. In 2016, she played a lead role in “La femme et le TGV,” which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Bob Barker – Born in 1923
Bob Barker is a well-known face in American television game show, and he was the host of “The Price Is Right” from 1972 to 2007. He is also recognized for hosting the NBC game show “Truth or Consequences” from 1956 to 1975. He began his career in 1950 when he hosted a radio show, “The Bob Barker Show.”
Barker has also performed other hosting duties, like the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants which he did from 1967 to 1987 and was the longest-serving host of them. In 1981, he became an animal rights activist. In 2007, he retired from television hosting.
Barbara Mandrell – Born in 1948
Barbara Mandrell is a country music singer whose peak came in the late ’70s and ’80s when she was among the country’s most successful singers. She began her career in 1969, and a few years later, she released singles like “Tonight My Baby’s Coming Home” and “The Midnight Oil,” which soared to the top of the Billboard charts.
In 1979, Mandrell won the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year award, and from 1980 to 1982, she hosted “Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters.” In 1982, she won two Grammy Awards for her gospel album, “He Set My Life to Music.” She retired from music in 1997 to become an actress.
Linda Gray – Born in 1940
Linda Gray is an actress, director, and former model who began her career by appearing in television commercials. From 1978 to 1989, she played the role of Sue Ellen Ewing in the CBS television series, “Dallas,” and won two Golden Globe Awards. In 1991, she appeared in the movie “Oscar” and from 1994 to 1995, she played a role in the series “Models Inc.”
Gray made her Broadway debut in 2002 in a production of “The Graduate,” In 2007, she starred in another play, “Terms of Endearment.” She joined the cast of “Hollyoaks” in 2016, and the following year, she was cast in the drama series “Hand of God.”
Anthony Hopkins – Born in 1937
Many people remember Anthony Hopkins for his terrifying performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs” and its sequels. Still, he began his career as a theatre actor at the Royal National Theatre. In 1968, he starred in “The Lion in Winter,” which brought him recognition.
Hopkins has often been referred to as one of the greatest actors and has won many accolades, including two Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award. In 1993, he was knighted by the Queen, and a decade later, he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tippi Hedren – Born in 1930
Tippi Hedren began her career as a model and appeared on the covers of magazines like Life and Glamour before going into acting after being discovered by Alfred Hitchcock. She subsequently appeared in two of his movies, “The Birds,” for which she won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year, and “Marnie.”
Other movies that Hedren has appeared in include “A Countess from Hong Kong,” “Citizen Ruth,” and “I Heart Huckabees.” In 1969, she began to have a solid commitment to animal rescue, which led to the production of the movie “Roar,” which has been described as the scariest movie made due to the incidents on set.
Morgan Freeman – Born in 1937
Morgan Freeman has one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood, and he broke into the limelight in 1987 when he starred in “Street Smart.” He starred in four movies released in 1989, one of them being “Glory,” which won three Academy Awards. In 1992, he starred alongside Clint Eastwood in “Unforgiven,” which was critically acclaimed.
In 1994, he starred in “The Shawshank Redemption,” a critical and commercial success that many critics state is arguably one of the greatest movies ever made. In 2022, he performed alongside Ghanim Al-Muftah at Qatar’s World Cup opening ceremony. Freeman helped from Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan.
Lee Meriwether – Born in 1935
Lee Meriwether is most famous for portraying the character of Betty Jones in the series “Barnaby Jones,” which ran from 1973 to 1980. In 1966, she played the role of Catwoman in “Batman,” and appeared in two television series episodes. From 1988 to 1991, she starred in the sitcom “The Munsters Today.”
Throughout the ’90s, Meriwether continued to appear in several television series, including having a recurring role as Ruth Martin on “All My Children.” In 2002, she appeared in a documentary, “Miss America,” and the following year starred in “Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt.”
José Mayer – Born in 1949
José Mayer is a Brazilian actor born in the state of Minas Gerais and made his television debut in 1977 by starring in the children’s television series “Sitio do Picapau Amarelo.” In 1980, he featured in an episode of “Carga Pesada,” and three years later, he starred in “Bandidos da Falange,” for which he won an APCA Award for Best Newcomer Actor.
Throughout his career, Mayer was noted for being the leading man in various telenovelas like “Meu Bem, Meu Mal,” and “Tieta.” His performance in the 1992 movie “Perfume de Gardenia” won him the Best Actor Award at the Festival de Brasilia.
Jon Voight – Born in 1938
Jon Voight began his career in 1962, but it wouldn’t be until 1969 that he gained mainstream attention y starring in “Midnight Cowboy,” which was nominated for an Academy Award. His popularity grew in the ’70 due to his performance in the 1972 movie “Deliverance” and the 1978 movie, “Coming Home,” for which he won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Voight appeared in movies like “Desert Bloom” and “Runaway Train” in the ’80s and made his television movie debut in 1991 by starring in “Chernobyl: The Final Warning.” In 1996, he appeared in “Mission: Impossible,” and in 2014, he won a Golden Globe for his performance in the series “Ray Donovan.”
Gene Hackman – Born in 1930
Gene Hackman, an American retired actor and novelist has had a successful acting career for over six decades. He began in 1956 and joined the Pasadena Playhouse, where he befriended Dustin Hoffman. His first role came in a television series in 1963, and he also began performing in Off-Broadway plays. In 1964, he made his debut by starring in “Lilith.”
Hackman’s role in the 1967 movie “Bonnie and Clyde” earned him an Academy Award nomination. Over the years, he has won two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, two BAFTAs, and a Silver Bear. He finally retired from acting in 2017.
Tommy Lee Jones – Born in 1946
Tommy Lee Jones is famous for playing Agent K in the “Men in Black” movie series, but he had a pretty successful career before that. He began his acting career in 1969 by starring in a Broadway play, “A Patriot for Me.” In 1970, his first movie role came when he played the character of Hank Simpson in “Love Story.”
In 1983, Jones won an Emmy for his performance in “The Executioner’s song,” and the ’90s saw him feature in a host of blockbuster movies like “The Fugitive,” “Batman Forever.” His performance in “Lincoln” saw him nominated for an Oscar in 2012.
Eva Marie Saint – Born in 1924
Eva Marie Saint’s career spanned over seven decades, beginning in 1946 when she appeared in the show “Campus Hoopla.” In 1953, she starred in a play, “The Trip to Bountiful,” which saw her win an Outer Critics Circle Award. She finally made her film debut in 1954 by starring in “On the Waterfront,” and she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
After that, Saint appeared in many more movies like “That Certain Feeling,” “And a Hatful of Rain,” and her most notable role came when she was featured in the 1959 movie “North by Northwest.” She has continued to act sporadically since the early ’00s.
Bruce Springsteen – Born in 1949
Bruce Springsteen has arguably been one of the world’s biggest and most well-known rock singers since he began his career in 1964 by playing at local venues. In 1973, he released two albums, which didn’t get much attention, but his 1975 album, “Born to Run,” pushed him to mainstream audiences, selling over seven million copies and peaking at number three on the Billboard 200.
Since then, Springsteen has released 18 more albums and has sold more than 140 million records worldwide. He has also received 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Special Tony Award.
June Lockhart – Born in 1925
June Lockhart’s film career began in 1938 when she appeared in the movie “A Christmas Carol,” and she went on to star in movies like “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “The Yearling.” She also starred in “The She-Wolf of London” in 1946, where she was the top-billed star.
Lockhart is also a stage actress and appeared in plays like “Peter Ibbetson,” and “Kin Hubbard.” In 1955, she appeared in the series “Appointment with Adventure” and made several other appearances in other series like “Justice,” “Rawhide,” and “Wagon Train.” Her last television appearance came in 2007, and she is one of the previous surviving actors of Hollywood’s golden age.
Bob Newhart – Born in 1929
Bob Newhart is an actor and comedian known for his deadpan delivery and slight stammer. In 1960, he gained widespread recognition when he released his comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.” It became a best-seller and is the 20th-highest-selling comedy album in history. It also won a Grammy Award the following year.
Newhart’s subsequent album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” also performed excellently, and the two albums held the first two spots on the Billboard chart. In 2013, he made a guest appearance on the show “The Big Bang Theory,” for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award. He voiced Bernard in the Disney animated film “The Rescuers.”
David Attenborough – Born in 1926
David Attenborough is a broadcaster, natural historian, and author best known for his work with the BBC Natural History Unit. He began his career in 1951, and in 1954, he became the host of the series “Zoo Quest.” His other famous works include “Natural World,” “Wildlife on One,” and “The Blue Planet.”
Attenborough has been an avid advocate for restoring planet biodiversity, reducing population growth, using renewable energy, and setting aside areas for natural preservation. He is often cited as an example of what public service broadcasting should be, and he has received 32 honorary degrees from universities in Britain, which is the most of anyone.
Caren Marsh Doll – Born in 1919
Caren Marsh Doll is a former actress and dancer specializing in modern and tap dancing. She made her film debut in the 1937 movie “Rosalie,” and she was hired to be a dance stand-in for Judy Garland in the 1939 movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” She combined that with featuring as an extra for “Gone With the Wind.”
Doll also appeared in movies like “That Night in Rio,” “Girl Crazy,” and “Night and Day.” After 1947, she began appearing in fewer movies to focus on her dance career, and in 1956, she became a dance instructor. Doll is one of the last living actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
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