Stars like Dick Van Dyke, Clint Eastwood and Rita Moreno have been gracing our TV screens for decades — and they’re still making an impact in Hollywood during their twilight years.
After Eastwood was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950, Universal Studios employee Chuck Hill spotted him while filming at Fort Ord in California and brought him to the company. Eastwood signed with the company in 1954. He went on to make his directorial debut in 1971’s Play Misty for Me and has continued his career in front — and behind — the camera ever since.
Eastwood, who turned 90 in 2020 and has won five Oscars including the Irving G. Thalberg Award, is still pursuing his passion and is set to release Juror No. 2 in late 2024.
Moreno, who got her start in 1961’s West Side Story, is showing no signs of slowing down herself. Ahead of ringing in her 92nd birthday in 2023, Moreno reflected on the milestone celebration. “I said to my daughter, ‘What are we going to do? Because I definitely want to celebrate 92. My God, that’s pretty good!” Moreno told People at the time. “I mean, celebrating 92 is a very big deal.”
Scroll down to see more stars in their 90s or older:
Carol Burnett
The comedy legend is continuing to thrive after nearly 70 years in Hollywood. Whether receiving roles in The Carol Burnett Show or Palm Royale, the actress is glad she followed her own advice to never give up. While she has received more than 25 Emmy nominations, Burnett never expects to win the special trophy. “Well, of course, you’re happy. And when your name’s called, I’ve always been surprised,” she told Robin Roberts in 2024. “Rather than saying, ‘Oh, I think I’m gonna get it,’ and then be disappointed. It’s always a happy surprise.”
Shirley MacLaine
Born in April 1934, MacLaine’s acting career has spanned nearly 70 years with roles in movies like Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias and more. When asked about her longevity, however, the actress gave credit to her love of dance. “I started my dance training at age 3 and stopped at about 67,” she told People in April 2024. “It taught me discipline, loving music, working with people and dealing with pain.”
Sophia Loren
After saying goodbye to Italy and hello to Hollywood in the ‘50s, Loren has continued to find success onscreen in a variety of movie roles and genres. “I don’t want to think about legacy,” she told Deadline in a November 2024 interview. “I want to think about my next movie. I’ll think of legacy once I retire and I hope never to retire.”
June Squibb
Although the actress began her Hollywood career in the ‘90s, Squibb didn’t take on her first leading role until she starred in the 2024 movie, Thelma. “It’s never too late,” she exclusively told Us Weekly about her career milestone. “Just keep going. Keep doing what you want to do. It might happen. It might not, but you’ll have fun always.”
Kim Novak
Born in February 1933, Novak was discovered in 1953, and quickly became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She won a Golden Globe for her breakout role in 1955’s Phffft. The actress gained critical acclaim for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Vertigo. Novak retired from acting in 1991.
Eva Marie Saint
Born in July 1924, Saint made her film debut in 1954 in Elia Kazan’s classic drama On the Waterfront which also starred Marlon Brando. The film received eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Saint. After the success of her first film, Saint continued to take Hollywood by storm and appeared in more films and TV projects, including Raintree County, Alfred Hitchcock’s North By Northwest and more.
Yoko Ono
Born February 1933, Ono is an artist arguably best known for being married to John Lennon, but she is a celebrated musical artist in her own right. In addition to preserving the Beatles frontman’s legacy, Ono has earned 12 No. 1 singles on the US Dance charts.
Gene Hackman
Born January 1930, Hackman started his career in the 1960s. He received critical acclaim for his role in 1971’s The French Connection, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor. Years later, the actor portrayed Lex Luthor in the original Superman movies, making him a household name. Hackman earned a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the Western film Unforgiven. In 2009, Hackman retired from acting.
Robert Wagner
Born February 1930, the actor is best known for starring on the TV series It Takes a Thief, Switch and Hart to Hart. Wagner had a resurgence later in his career as he snagged recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and NCIS. He also had an on-and-off relationship with wife Natalie Wood, who died in 1981.
William Shatner
Born March 1931, Shatner became a household name for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. Following the success of the sci-fi series, the actor continued to prosper as he starred in T. J. Hooker, Boston Legal and more. In 2021, Shatner made history as he became the oldest person to fly in space while aboard Blue Origin.
Barbara Eden
Born August 1931, Eden rose to fame while starring in I Dream of Jeannie which she appeared on for five years and a total of 139 episodes. In addition to acting, she also sings. Eden retired from performing after turning 90 in 2021.
Dick Van Dyke
Van Dyke, who was born in December 1925, rose to fame in the 1960s due to his titular sitcom costarring Mary Tyler Moore, which earned 15 Emmy awards and one Golden Globe during its five–season run. Van Dyke went on to star in other roles including 1964’s Mary Poppins, 1968’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Diagnosis: Murder — which ran from 1992 until 2001 — and 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. In 2024, he became the oldest person ever to win a Daytime Emmy at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards for his guest appearance as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.
Rita Moreno
Born in December 1931, Moreno skyrocketed to stardom while portraying Anita Palacio in the original West Side Story (1961), where she earned an Oscar and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Moreno became the first Latina EGOT winner.
Ellen Burstyn
Burstyn, born in December 1932, won her first Oscar in 1975 for her performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. She has since received the Triple Crown of Acting, which includes an Oscar, Emmy and Tony win.
Clint Eastwood
Eastwood was born in May 1930. After 1971’s Play Misty for Me, Eastwood has found success as both an actor and director in projects like 2008’s Gran Torino and 2004’s Million Dollar Baby.
Robert Duvall
Born in January 1931, Duvall became a household name when he starred as Arthur “Boo” Radley in 1962’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He has since been in projects including 1972’s The Godfather and 1979’s Apocalypse Now.
Lee Grant
Grant, who was born in the 1920s, made her stage debut at 4 years old at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera where she starred in L’Orocolo. Grant starred in her first film as a shoplifter in 1951’s Detective Story.
Mel Brooks
Born in June 1926, Brooks appeared on the first-ever episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1961. He became an EGOT winner in 2001.
Rosemary Harris
The English actress, who was born in September 1927, took home the Tony Award for Best Actress for her role as Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1966’s The Lion in Winter. She is also the recipient of an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Estelle Parsons
Born in 1927, Parsons was the first Women’s Editor on Today in 1952 from 1955. Less than a decade later, Parsons became an Oscar winner for her role as Blanche Barrow in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde.
Marion Ross
Ross, born in 1928, is best known for her TV series Happy Days from 1974 to 1984.