These Iconic Stars Have Changed So Much Since The Golden Age

Getting old is something most of us dread. The gray hairs, the memory loss, the increased frailty... none of it is good. But these remarkable celebrities have taken it all in their stride. In fact, many have continued to achieve and be active in their twilight years. Yes, these iconic celebs — from legendary actors to still-stunning models — are all proving that age really is just a number.

1. Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman is arguably one of the finest American actors of the last 50 years. And while he no longer makes movies, the former Marine doesn’t need to. He’s more than proven his talent with his two Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven. The nonagenarian was also undoubtedly the best part of 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport — his final big-screen gig. Happy retirement, Gene.

2. Noam Chomsky

The world’s most cited living author, Noam Chomsky is one of America’s greatest thinkers. And he shows no sign of slowing down even in his nineties. Yep, Chomsky is still teaching and writing books — despite the fact that he’s already penned over 150 of them. The secret to his longevity? It’s what the academic calls “the bicycle theory” — basically “as long as you keep riding, you don’t fall.”

3. Sophia Loren

One of the most celebrated actresses of the 20th century, Sophia Loren is a name very few of us don’t know. The Italian bombshell has won numerous accolades and plenty of acclaim for her performances in such films as Houseboat, Lady L, and It Started in Naples. And the former pin-up is still active in her eighties. Proof? In 2020 she appeared in the Italian drama The Life Ahead.

4. Angela Lansbury

You’ll know Dame Angela Lansbury from playing the intrepid Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. How could we ever forget that typewriter? But the British star has much more than one iconic role under her belt — especially as she’s been in the biz for nearly eight decades now. Yep, her first movie was 1944’s Gaslight. And Lansbury’s not given up her passion just because she’s reached her nineties.