Dec 30, 2009

There Are Many Greats Still With Us



Here is an antidote to my admittedly bittersweet R.I.P. 2009 post. Several peformers who made their mark in classic movies, from top box office stars to reliable support players, are still living today.  I've got 85 people on this list--and I wouldn't be surprised if I've still missed someone. Please let me know in the comments if you've got a name to add!

UPDATE: Wow—this list has almost doubled thanks to a stunning number of contributions! Thanks to everyone (GAH1965, you stun me). Luise Rainer is no longer the oldest on the list—but she remains the oldest Academy Award winner. I have also added former child actress Karolyn Grimes—a very nice lady who is best known as Zuzu (the one with the petals) in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and as young Debbie in The Bishop’s Wife (1947).


UPDATE II: This list is now 181 strong. Great contributions everyone!

Sue Lyon, 63

Tuesday Weld, 66

Yvette Mimieux, 67

Julie Christie, 68

Ann-Margret, 68 (thanks Dawn!)

Gigi Perreau, 68

Karolyn Grimes, 69

Samantha Eggar, 70 (thanks Tom)

Richard Beymer, 71

Claudia Cardinale, 71

John Howard Davies, 71

Dolores Hart, 71 (thanks Tom)

Millie Perkins, 71 (thanks Tom)

Paula Prentiss, 71 (thanks Tom)

Margaret O'Brien, 72

Susan Kohner, 73 (thanks Tom)

Robert Redford, 73

Dean Stockwell, 73

Diahann Carroll, 74

Russ Tamblyn, 74

Brigitte Bardot, 75

George Chakiris, 75

Barbara Eden, 75

Sophia Loren, 75

Shirley MacLaine, 75

Joan Collins, 76

Kim Novak, 76

Marisa Pavan, 77 (thanks Tom)

Debbie Reynolds, 77

Elizabeth Taylor, 77

Claire Bloom, 78

Leslie Caron, 78 (thanks Tom)

Anita Ekberg, 78

John Gavin, 78

Mitzi Gaynor, 78

Tab Hunter, 78

John Kerr, 78 (thanks Kate)

Rita Moreno, 78 (thanks Tom)

Ann E. Todd, 78

Anne Francis, 79

Tippi Hedren, 79

Marni Nixon, 79

Robert Wagner, 79

Joanne Woodward, 79

Sybil Jason, 80

Anne Meara, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Vera Miles, 80

Terry Moore, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Don Murray, 80 (thanks Tom)

Irene Papas, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Joan Plowwright, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Jane Powell, 80

Jean Simmons, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Elaine Stewart, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Rod Taylor, 80 (thanks Tom)

Sada Thompson, 80 (thanks GAH1965)

Ann Blyth, 81

Arlene Dahl, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Peggy Dow, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Eddie Fisher, 81

Sally Forrest, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Rita Gam, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

James Garner, 81

Kathleen Hughes, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Barbara Lawrence, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Nancy Olson, 81 (thanks GAH1965)

Shirley Temple, 81

Harry Belafonte, 82

Honor Blackman, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Cora Sue Collins, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Lee Grant, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Rosemary Harris, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Gina Lollabrigida, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Roger Moore, 82

Estelle Parsons, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Sidney Poitier, 82

Barbara Rush, 82 (thanks GAH1965)

Julia Adams, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Mona Freeman, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Peter Graves, 83 (thanks Tom)

Andy Griffith, 83

Anne Jackson, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Gloria Jean, 83

Cloris Leachman, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Jerry Lewis, 83

Joan Lorring, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Marcy McGuire, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Patricia Neal, 83

Leslie Nielsen, 83

Betsy Palmer, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Jane Withers, 83

Patrice Wymore, 83 (thanks GAH1965)

Lola Albright, 84 (thanks GAH1965)

Tony Curtis, 84

Denise Darcel, 84 (thanks GAH1965)

Gloria DeHaven, 84

Farley Granger, 84

Julie Harris, 84

Martha Hyer, 85 (thanks GAH1965)

Julie Harris, 84 (thanks Tom)

Angela Lansbury, 84

Joan Leslie, 84

June Lockhart, 84 (thanks GAH1965)

Dorothy Malone, 84 (thanks GAH1965)

Colette Marchand, 84 (thanks Tom)

Dickie Moore, 84

Dick Van Dyke, 84 (thanks Millie)

Cara Williams, 84 (thanks GAH1965)

Lauren Bacall, 85

Theodore Bikel, 85 (thanks Tom)

Ruby Dee, 85

Stanley Donen, 85

Eva Marie Saint, 85 (thanks GAH1965)

Ursula Thiess, 85 (thanks GAH1965)

Richard Attenborough, 86 (thanks Tom)

Valentina Cortese, 86 (thanks GAH1965)

Betsy Drake, 86 (thanks GAH1965)

Rhonda Fleming, 86(thanks GAH1965)

Glynis Johns, 86

Adele Mara, 86 (thanks GAH1965)

Dina Merrill, 86 (thanks GAH1965)

Jean Stapleton, 86 (thanks GAH1965)

Turhan Bey, 87

Jackie Cooper, 87

Doris Day, 87

Coleen Gray, 87

Kathryn Grayson, 87

Janis Paige, 87 (thanks GAH1965)

Juanita Moore, 87 (thanks GAH1965)

Eleanor Parker, 87

Neva Patterson, 87 (thanks GAH1965)

Lizabeth Scott, 87

Harry Carey, Jr., 88 (thanks Tom)

Carol Channing, 88 (thanks GAH1965)

Nancy Davis (Reagan), 88 (thanks GAH1965)

Deanna Durbin, 88

Barbara Hale, 88 (thanks GAH1965)

Jane Russell, 88

Phylis Thaxter, 88 (thanks GAH1965)

Esther Williams, 88

Mary Anderson, 89 (thanks Tom)

Nanette Fabray, 89 (thanks GAH1965)

Jayne Meadows, 89

Michele Morgan, 89 (thanks GAH1965)

Noel Neill, 89 (thanks Tom)

Maureen O'Hara, 89 (thanks GAH1965)

Mickey Rooney, 89

Ann Rutherford, 89 (thanks GAH1965)

June Vincent, 89 (thanks GAH1965)

Marge Champion, 90 (thanks GAH1965)

Betty Garrett, 90 (thanks GAH1965)

Louis Jourdan, 90

Joe Mantell, 90 (thanks Tom)

Patricia Medina, 90 (thanks GAH1965)

Patty Andrews, 91 (thanks GAH1965)

Joyce Redman, 91 (thanks GAH1965)

Diana Serra Cary (AKA Baby Peggy), 91

Audrey Totter, 91

Efrem Zimbalist Jr., 91

Ernest Borgnine, 92 (thanks Tom)

Danielle Darrieux, 92 (thanks GAH1965)

Phyllis Diller, 92 (thanks GAH1965)

Joan Fontaine, 92

Zsa Zsa Gabor, 92

Celeste Holm, 92

Lena Horne, 92

Marsha Hunt, 92 (thanks GAH1965)

Googie Withers, 92 (thanks GAH1965)

Olivia de Havilland, 93

Kirk Douglas, 93

Harry Morgan, 94

Patricia Morison, 94 (thanks GAH1965)

Alicia Rhett, 94 (thanks Tom)

Norman Lloyd, 95 (thanks Tom)

Kevin McCarthy, 95 (thanks Tom)

June Havoc, 96 (thanks GAH1965)

Grace Bradley, 96 (thanks GAH1965)

Risë Stevens, 96 (thanks Tom)

Mary Carlisle, 97 (thanks GAH1965, Tom)

Helen Alice Myres (AKA Baby Marie Osborne), 98


Luise Rainer, 99


Gloria Stuart, 99 (thanks Kate)


Barbara Kent, 103 (thanks Cliff)


Doris Eaton, 105 (thanks GAH1965)



Anyone else? Let me know if you think of someone!

13 comments:

  1. Hey KC, How about...Ann Margret 68? :)

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  2. these lists always make me happy because there are people i'd forgotten who are still roaming about this crazy world. thanks. :)

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  3. Dawn--yes Ann-Margret fits. Thanks!

    Meredith--I got so tired of ill-informed journalists saying "well only Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland are left". I mean, Doris Day, Shirley Temple and Deanna Durbin were three of the biggest box office stars ever, but they hardly ever get mentioned! Glad you liked the list :-)

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  4. I think I've got a new one to top it off for you, IMDb says Barbara Kent is still with us, assuming that's correct she turned 103 a couple of weeks ago.

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  5. Fantastic list!! I'm so happy to see so many of my favorites are still with us :)

    How about Gloria Stuart, I think she's 99!
    Also John Kerr (South Pacific) is 78 :)

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  6. Lovely list! Makes me so happy!

    Dick Van Dyke is still here at age 84! Beside TV, he was in a lot of classic musicals!

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  7. Don't forget these ladies who are very much still among us.

    Doris Eaton - 105
    Mary Carlile - 97
    June Havoc - 96
    Grace Bradley - 96
    Patricia Morison - 94
    Danielle Darrieux - 92 (and still working!)
    Marsha Hunt - 92
    Googie Withers - 92
    Phyllis Diller - 92
    Patty Andrews - 91
    Joyce Redman - 91
    Marge Champion - 90
    Patricia Medina - 90
    Betty Garrett - 90
    Ann Rutherford - 89
    Michele Morgan - 89
    Maureen O'Hara - 89
    Nanette Fabray - 89
    June Vincent - 89
    Barbara Hale - 88
    Phylis Thaxter - 88
    Nancy Davis (Reagan) - 88
    Carol Channing - 88
    Janis Paige - 87
    Juanita Moore - 87
    Neva Patterson - 87
    Adele Mara - 86
    Valentina Cortese - 86
    Rhonda Fleming - 86
    Betsy Drake - 86
    Dina Merrill - 86
    Jean Stapleton - 86
    Martha Hyer - 85
    Eva Marie Saint - 85
    Ursula Thiess - 85
    June Lockhart - 84
    Cara Williams - 84
    Dorothy Malone - 84
    Denise Darcel - 84
    Lola Albright - 84
    Marcy McGuire - 83
    Joan Lorring - 83
    Mona Freeman - 83
    Cloris Leachman - 83
    Julia Adams - 83
    Anne Jackson - 83
    Patrice Wymore - 83
    Betsy Palmer - 83
    Cora Sue Collins - 82
    Gina Lollabrigida - 82
    Honor Blackman - 82
    Barbara Rush - 82
    Lee Grant - 82
    Rosemary Harris - 82
    Estelle Parsons - 82
    Barbara Lawrence - 81
    Sally Forrest - 81
    Arlene Dahl - 81
    Nancy Olson - 81
    Kathleen Hughes - 81
    Peggy Dow - 81
    Rita Gam - 81
    Terry Moore - 80
    Jean Simmons - 80
    Elaine Stewart - 80
    Irene Papas - 80
    Joan Plowwright - 80
    Anne Meara - 80
    Sada Thompson - 80

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  8. Fantastic additions everyone!

    Wow GAH1965--I don't think I've heard of half these people, but I'm going to add all of them.

    Cliff--I can't believe an actress who was in Flesh and the Devil is still alive!

    Kate--How could I have forgotten Gloria Stuart, my goodness.

    Millie--Yes, Dick Van Dyke! Another one I can't believe I left out.

    An updated version will be up soon. Thanks to all of you!

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  9. Don't forget Rita Moreno, Leslie Caron, and Ernest Borgnine!

    Also -
    Theodore Bikel, 85 (My Fair Lady, The Defiant Ones)
    Colette Marchand, 84 (French actress, unforgettable in John Huston's "Moulin Rouge")
    Susan Kohner, 73 (Imitation of Life)
    Kevin McCarthy, 95, (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Death of a Salesman)
    Paula Prentiss, 71 (Where the Boys Are)
    Don Murray, 80 (Bus Stop)
    Julie Harris, 84 (East of Eden)
    Marisa Pavan, 77 (Rose Tattoo)
    Millie Perkins, 71 (Diary of Ann Frank)
    Dolores Hart, 71 (Lonelyhearts + 2 Elvis films)
    Harry Carey, Jr., 88 (3 Godfathers + many John Wayne films)
    Peter Graves, 83, (Stalag 17)
    Samantha Eggar, 70, (Walk Don't Run, Doctor Doolittle)
    Noel Neill, 89 (40s musicals and "Superman")
    Richard Attenborough, 86, (In Which We Serve + many British films)
    Norman Lloyd, 95 (Saboteur, Limelight)
    Joe Mantell, 90 (Marty)
    Rise Stevens, 91 (Going My Way)

    Also, not as well known as the others, but these are the last two surviving adult cast members of GWTH (other than Olivia):
    Mary Anderson, 89 (Gone With the Wind)
    Alicia Rhett, 94 (Gone with the Wind)

    P.S. Mary "Carlisle" = correct spelling

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  10. Also, I don't see Rod Taylor on this list.

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  11. Thank you so much for this!!

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  12. Van Johnson, who will turn 90 on August 25th 2006.

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  13. Tom--thanks for all the great adds. I can't believe I missed Caron and Rod Taylor, as both have recently been in my thoughts (wasn't Taylor wonderful in Inglourious Basterds? I wish he could have played that scene opposite Claude Rains).

    Maggie--I'm glad you enjoyed the list. It was lots of fun to put together.

    Dawn--Van Johnson did turn 90 in 2006, but unfortunately he left us at age 92 in 2008. Wasn't it great to see him in volume 2 of the Esther Williams box set this year?

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