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Janis Paige, an actress and singer, gained recognition during World War II. She served as a pin-up model and enjoyed a prosperous 60-year film career. In September 2022, Paige commemorated her 100th birthday.
At the impressive age of 102, Iris Apfel, the renowned fashion icon of New York, continues to showcase her iconic looks. Throughout her extensive career as an interior designer and businesswoman in textiles, she gained fame for her exceptional style.
Norman Lloyd, a seasoned actor, producer, and director, peacefully passed away on May 11, 2021, at the impressive age of 106. Having begun his career in the 1920s, Lloyd continued to grace the silver screen in his later years, featuring in notable films such as 'Dead Poets Society' (1989), 'The Age of Innocence' (1993), and Amy Schumer's 'Trainwreck' (2015).
Beverly Cleary, the author known for beloved characters like Ramona and Beezus Quimby, died in March 2021 at 104 years old. Her books, published from 1950 onwards, have sold nearly 100 million copies worldwide.
Kirk Douglas, well-known for his performances in movies such as 'The Vikings' (1958) and 'Spartacus' (1960), and the father of Michael Douglas, died on February 5, 2020.
The comedian, known for entertaining American troops in USO shows, passed away in 2003. In 1982, he disclosed his nightly routine of walking two miles (approximately 3.2 km), a habit inherited from his grandfather, as reported by Men's Health.
Dolores L. DeFina, the singer, entertainer, and philanthropist, was born in 1909. She was married to Bob Hope for 69 years. In 1934, she entered the film industry under the name Dolores Reade, starring in 'Soup for Nuts'. Sadly, she passed away in 2011.
Dame Olivia de Havilland, a British-American actress, had a successful career with 49 films, including the famous 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). On July 26, 2020, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy as one of the prominent actresses of her era.
The late comedian and actor, who died in 1996, likened his career to a fountain of youth."It's nice to be here," he reportedly said at a stand-up special at Caesars Palace shortly before he died. "When you're 100 years old, it's nice to be anywhere."
The Queen Mother died in 2002 at the age of 101. She had a zest for life and once remarked that one should live each day as if it were their last. "That's the way you should live your life," she said. "as if tomorrow you'll be run over by a big red bus."
Gloria Stuart was 87 years old when she made history in 1998 as the oldest woman ever to receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. This achievement was due to her portrayal of the older Rose in the film 'Titanic.' Unfortunately, she passed away in 2010.
This actress achieved a monumental feat by winning back-to-back Oscars for her performances in 'The Great Ziegfeld' (1936) and 'The Good Earth' (1937). Before her passing in 2014, she confided in The Telegraph, saying, "When one loses their curiosity, they are essentially lifeless... There is an abundance of knowledge and marvels in this world that one should aspire to comprehend. Yet, I am sadly unaware. Completely devoid of knowledge!"
The renowned music composer was also one of the most productive songwriters in history. He composed 17 film scores, 21 Broadway scores, and penned over 3,000 songs which include well-known hits such as 'Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)' and 'White Christmas.' He unfortunately passed away in 1989 due to a heart attack.
Earlston Jewitt Cameron, a Bermudian actor who resided and worked in the UK, was regarded as a pioneering figure alongside Cy Grant in breaking the "color bar" for Black actors. Regrettably, he passed away on July 3, 2020.
Born in 1906 and passing away in 2008, Hofmann was a renowned chemist and pioneer of LSD synthesis and ingestion. Men's Health reports that he attributed his remarkable longevity not to psychedelics but to his daily consumption of two eggs. He firmly believed that eggs contained all the essential nutrients for healthy development. This conviction he shared, stating that "In an egg, there is everything a being needs to develop—vitamins, minerals, and hormones."
Before her death in 2018, the actress had a thriving career that lasted for many years. She starred in numerous well-known TV shows such as 'The Andy Griffith Show,' 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'Starsky and Hutch,' 'Seinfeld,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' and 'The Office.' Additionally, she made appearances in movies like 'When Harry Met Sally…' (1989), 'Dumb and Dumber' (1994), and 'Pineapple Express' (2008).
If you have watched 'The Wedding Singer' (1998), you will remember Dow as the "rapping grandmother" who receives music lessons from Adam Sandler's character. Prior to her passing in 2015, the actress also had notable roles in movies such as 'Wedding Crashers' (2005) and in television shows like 'New Girl,' 'Seinfeld,' 'Will & Grace,' and others.
Grandma Moses, a well-known folk artist, achieved remarkable success later in life, beginning her painting career at the age of 78. Reflecting on a long life, she emphasized the significance of staying active, stating, "the important thing is keeping busy." Additionally, she humorously remarked, "I have a lot of boyfriends. That's the way to stay young." Sadly, Grandma Moses passed away in 1961.
Louise Currie, prior to Brie Larson, portrayed Captain Marvel in the 1941 film 'Adventures of Captain Marvel.' An actress with a career spanning almost 40 films, Currie sadly passed away in 2013.
Peggy-Jean Montgomery, born in 1918, gained fame as "Baby Peggy" during her childhood, starring in over 150 short films. Later, she transitioned to writing under the name Diana. Sadly, Peggy-Jean, the last surviving silent film star, passed away on February 24, 2020.
Marsha Hunt, who faced blacklisting in Hollywood during the anticommunist era of the 1950s, maintained a thriving career. Sadly, she passed away in 2022, a mere month before her 105th birthday.
Bruce Bennett, a shot put athlete who won a silver medal at the Olympics, was originally named Harold Herman Brix. He decided to change his name when he started acting. Bruce Bennett starred in 'The New Adventures of Tarzan' and shared the screen with some of Hollywood's most famous actors in the '40s and '50s. Sadly, he passed away in 2007, not long after turning 100.
The actor, playwright, producer, director, and screenwriter had a successful career, winning numerous Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He died in 1995.
Mary Carlisle had a successful acting career despite only dedicating a short time to it. Discovered at 14, she postponed her career for two years to complete her education. Afterward, she acted in over 60 films, such as 'College Humor' (1933) and 'Doctor Rhythm' (1938) with Bing Crosby. She retired from acting after her role in 'Dead Men Walk' (1943) and passed away 75 years later.
The comedian and actor was renowned for his character "The World's Foremost Authority" and was frequently praised as a more intelligent version of Charlie Chaplin. He passed away in 2017.
Herb Jeffries began his career as a singer before transitioning into acting, notably in Westerns. He also made appearances on popular television shows such as 'I Dream of Jeannie' and 'Hawaii Five-0' until his passing in 2014.
Claire Du Brey, also known as Du Bray or Dubrey, was a prominent figure in early Hollywood. She graced the screen in more than 200 films from 1916 to 1959. Sadly, she departed in 1993, only one month prior to turning 101.
David, the son of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller and Laura Spelman Rockefeller, died on March 20, 2017.
Barnet, a versatile artist and esteemed teacher, received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2011. Sadly, he passed away the next year.
The French film actress and music-hall singer passed away on March 15, 2020. She gained fame for her roles in Henri-Georges Clouzot's thrillers during the 1940s, and for her mischievous personality on screen.
Jeanne Calment gained fame following her death on August 4, 1997, at the remarkable age of 122 years and 164 days. She still holds the Guinness World Record for the "greatest fully authenticated age to which any human has ever lived." Despite speculation that her daughter assumed her identity, The Verge has reported that experts maintain she was indeed a woman from the southern French town of Arles, who had encounters with van Gogh, cycled until she reached 100, and smoked two cigarettes daily until a few years before her passing at 122.
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Norman Lear was one of the most famous centenarians, as he continued to work, win awards, and make red-carpet appearances after his hundredth birthday! Sadly, Lear passed away at the age of 101 on December 5, 2023.
Glynis Johns joined the club on October 5, 2023, when she celebrated her hundredth birthday. Sadly, the actress passed away just a few months later, on January 5. “Today’s a sad day for Hollywood,” her manager Mitch Clem said in a statement. “She is the last of the last of old Hollywood.” Johns was best known for playing the role of Winifred Banks in the classic 1964 movie 'Mary Poppins.' Her career spanned over eight decades and she appeared in numerous films such as 1948’s 'Miranda,' 'Mad About Men' in 1954, and 1958’s 'Another Place, Another Time.' She also received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 1960’s 'The Sundowners,' in which she played Mrs. Firth.
Time is almost never on our side, and seems to continuously run out before our eyes. That’s why we as a species chase longevity. We seek it out through technology or medical advancements or spirituality—or simply by lying! Still, prolonged life remains elusive. Except for the lucky few who keep kicking right into (and beyond) the centenarian club.
There are numerous famous people who have lived to 100 years and beyond, and that number will probably increase as the years go on and we perfect the art of living even longer. But first, let’s see which stars in recent history have achieved the century-old feat. Click through to find out.
Famous people who reached the age of 100 (and beyond)
And their legacy lives on
CELEBRITY Celebrity
Time is almost never on our side, and seems to continuously run out before our eyes. That’s why we as a species chase longevity. We seek it out through technology or medical advancements or spirituality—or simply by lying! Still, prolonged life remains elusive. Except for the lucky few who keep kicking right into (and beyond) the centenarian club.
There are numerous famous people who have lived to 100 years and beyond, and that number will probably increase as the years go on and we perfect the art of living even longer. But first, let’s see which stars in recent history have achieved the century-old feat. Click through to find out.