The Oldest Living Celebrities of 2024 - Betty White, Carl Reiner, Kirk Douglas, More

Introduction

Many of the celebrities that we grew up watching and loving are now getting up there in age. It's remarkable that so many are still alive and fairly active well into their 80s, 90s, and even 100s. While the tolls of time eventually claim everyone, modern medicine and healthy lifestyles have allowed more stars to live longer than ever before. Let's take a look at some of the oldest living celebrities who are still alive and kicking.

Television Stars

Television has produced some of the most beloved stars over the past 70+ years. Many of the pioneers of the medium are still around to tell their tales.

Betty White

The beloved Betty White first came to fame in the early 1950s on shows like Life with Elizabeth. She gained wider recognition through the sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls in the 1970s-80s. White continues to take on occasional acting roles, including a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2010 at the age of 88. As of 2024, she remains active at the incredible age of 102.

Angela Lansbury

Lansbury became a star in the 1940s through films like Gaslight and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Her fame expanded through her long-running role as mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote, which ran from 1984 to 1996. Now 98 years old, Lansbury is still periodically active with voice roles in animated films.

Carl Reiner

Reiner first gained attention in the 1950s on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows. He later found success working with Mel Brooks and creating The Dick Van Dyke Show. He continues to make occasional film and TV appearances, including roles in the Ocean's Eleven franchise and Toy Story 4. At 100 years old, he is one of the longest-lived celebrities still around.

Norman Lear

At 101 years old, Norman Lear is the oldest living television producer and writer. He revolutionized sitcoms in the 1970s with shows like All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and Maude. The social commentary and boundary-pushing humor of his shows ushered in a new era. He remains an active producer and hosts a podcast.

Movie Stars

Hollywood's studio system made huge stars of the classic film actors in the 1930s-50s. A few legends from that era are thankfully still with us.

Olivia de Havilland

De Havilland became an A-list star in the late 1930s after her breakout role in Gone with the Wind. She went on to star in classics like The Heiress, The Snake Pit, and The Adventures of Robin Hood. After retiring in the late 1980s, she lived quietly in Paris until her death in 2020 at the remarkable age of 104.

Kirk Douglas

Douglas rose to fame in the 1940s with films like Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Lust for Life. His virile good looks and charisma made him a huge box office draw through the 50s and 60s with movies like Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Spartacus. He retired in the 1960s but remains in the public eye as the patriarch of the Douglas acting dynasty. He is 107 years old as of 2024.

Carol Channing

Channing became instantly iconic through her Tony-winning portrayal of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949. She reprised the role in the 1953 film as well. She also starred in other Broadway hits like Hello Dolly! Her eccentric voice and style made her an unforgettable presence. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 97.

Comedians

Comedy remains one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and many iconic comedians are still bringing the laughs into their golden years.

Mel Brooks

Brooks rose from the Borscht Belt of the 1950s to writing for Sid Caesar's show. He later created his own style of boundary-pushing comedy in films like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. The EGOT winner still acts occasionally, and at 97 years old, his wit is as sharp as ever.

Dick Van Dyke

Van Dyke first found TV fame with his eponymous sitcom in the 1960s. His career has spanned over seven decades with acclaimed roles in Mary Poppins and Diagnosis Murder. The dancing, joking, and singing 96-year-old continues to delight new generations of fans.

Bob Newhart

Newhart's deadpan, observational comedy made him a star in the 1960s. His first sitcom was a huge hit, and he had another long-running success with Newhart in the 1980s. The dry, subtle 92-year-old still acts and performs stand-up on occasion.

Carol Burnett

Burnett became the queen of sketch comedy through the legendary Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. Her acting credits include films like Annie, Noises Off, and Horton Hears a Who! The 90-year-old continues to make sporadic returns to television.

Musicians

Many pioneering musicians from the 1930s through the 1960s are thankfully still with us, writing and performing into their 80s and beyond.

Tony Bennett

Bennett became famous as a crooner in the early 1950s with massive hits like "Rags to Riches." He staged a major comeback in the early 1990s when he recorded the MTV Unplugged album. At 96 years old, he remains a consummate showman and continues recording duets with contemporary pop stars.

Willie Nelson

Nelson is an icon of outlaw country music who rose to prominence in the 1970s with albums like Shotgun Willie and Red Headed Stranger. The 89-year-old continues touring extensively and has collaborated with artists from Julio Iglesias to Snoop Dogg.

Beverly Cleary

Cleary gained fame as a children's author in the 1950s and 60s with characters like Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins. Many kids grew up reading her humorous, insightful books. At 106 years old, Cleary has sold over 91 million books worldwide. She occasionally still gives interviews and communicates with fans.

In Closing

It's inspiring to see performers who touched so many lives decades ago still alive to enjoy their legacies today. Stars like Betty White, Carl Reiner, Willie Nelson, Dick Van Dyke, and others remain active well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. With modern medicine allowing longer life spans, perhaps more legends will be with us for years to come. Their wisdom and experiences are invaluable gifts that hopefully will continue enlightening future generations of fans.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.