In a world obsessed with what is new, fast, and constantly trending, there is something grounding about the figures who shaped entertainment long before streaming platforms, social media, or modern celebrity culture existed. As 2025 unfolds, a small group of the oldest living stars in Hollywood and beyond stand as living reminders of where modern entertainment began—and how much of it was built on their shoulders.
Near or beyond the age of 100, these individuals are not simply surviving history; they are carrying it. Their lives span silent film eras, the rise of television, the explosion of Hollywood’s golden age, and the digital transformation of the 21st century. To see them still present—still remembered, still celebrated—is to witness a century of culture embodied in human form.
One of the most remarkable names among them is Ray Anthony, now over 100 years old. A legendary bandleader and one of the last surviving figures connected to the big band era, he represents a time when music filled dance halls and orchestras defined popular sound. As a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Anthony helped shape the swing era—a period many today only know through films or vinyl records. His career is not just a memory of that time; it is part of its foundation.
Then there is June Lockhart, whose presence on television shaped generations of childhoods. From Lassie to Lost in Space, she became a familiar face in American households, embodying warmth, stability, and quiet authority. Her work transcended entertainment—it became comfort. Even decades later, her roles remain part of the cultural memory of early television.
Eva Marie Saint represents another pillar of enduring artistry. An Academy Award–winning actress, she stood alongside some of cinema’s most iconic figures, including Marlon Brando and Cary Grant. Her performances in films like On the Waterfront and Hitchcock’s North by Northwest remain studies in subtlety and emotional precision. Rather than relying on spectacle, she built her legacy on restraint and intelligence—qualities that continue to influence actors today.
Few names, however, bridge generations quite like Dick Van Dyke. Still active well into his 90s, he remains synonymous with joy, physical comedy, and effortless charm. From The Dick Van Dyke Show to Mary Poppins, his work helped define an era of family entertainment. Even now, his continued public appearances feel less like nostalgia and more like continuity—a reminder that creativity does not necessarily retire with age.
There are also lesser-known but equally important cultural figures such as Elizabeth Waldo, born in 1918, whose work preserves indigenous musical traditions through composition and performance. Her career extends beyond entertainment into cultural preservation, blending history and music in ways that document voices often left unheard.
Karen Marsh Doll, another quiet witness to Hollywood’s earliest days, worked on sets that have become cinematic landmarks, including The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. While not always in the spotlight, her presence connects modern audiences to the physical, working reality behind films that have since become mythic.
Alongside these historical figures are artists who remain creatively active even in their 90s. Mel Brooks continues to embody the spirit of irreverent comedy, having reshaped the genre with films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. His influence can be seen in nearly every modern parody and satirical comedy that followed.
William Shatner, forever associated with Star Trek, has continued to redefine expectations of aging in entertainment. Whether acting, recording music, or even traveling to space in his 90s, he remains a symbol of curiosity and reinvention. Barbara Eden, best known for I Dream of Jeannie, continues to engage with audiences who still celebrate her iconic role decades later.
Clint Eastwood stands as another example of creative longevity, continuing to direct films well into his 90s. His filmmaking style—minimalist, disciplined, and deeply human—remains unmistakable. Alongside him, Sophia Loren continues to represent the elegance of international cinema, while Michael Caine’s distinctive voice and presence have left an indelible mark on film history.
Julie Andrews, though no longer singing due to vocal damage, continues to contribute through narration and storytelling, maintaining the grace and emotional clarity that defined her career. Shirley MacLaine remains outspoken and intellectually curious, while figures like Al Pacino and Jane Fonda continue to act and advocate, carrying forward the intensity of their groundbreaking 1970s work.
What connects all of these individuals is not just longevity, but continuity. They are living links between vastly different eras of entertainment—between black-and-white film and digital streaming, between studio-controlled Hollywood and global, decentralized media culture.
They performed in a time before CGI, before instant global distribution, before social media turned actors into personal brands. Their craft was built on repetition, discipline, stage presence, and raw performance—skills that remain foundational even as technology has transformed everything around them.
As each year passes, their number grows smaller, and each milestone birthday becomes more than a personal celebration. It becomes a cultural marker—a reminder that entire eras of creativity still have living witnesses among us.
Ultimately, their significance is not just that they lived long lives, but that they shaped the language of entertainment itself. They are proof that artistry can outlast trends, technology, and time. And in doing so, they remind us that the history of film and music is not only preserved in archives—but still breathing, still speaking, still alive in the people who built it.