Celebs You’ll Never Believe Are Over 50
A lot of famous faces have been in the spotlight for decades, building long careers across film, TV, music, fashion, and beyond. Many of them started young, kept working through major changes in the industry, and added new skills along the way. The result is a steady stream of projects, awards, and business ventures that keeps their names in the news year after year.
Here are twenty celebrities who are well past the big five oh and still adding impressive credits to their resumes. You will find birthdates, ages, standout roles, and recent work, along with the projects and ventures that continue to shape their careers today.
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd was born on April 6, 1969, and is 56. His film credits include hits like ‘Clueless’, ‘Anchorman’, and Marvel titles featuring ‘Ant-Man’. He has also appeared on TV in shows such as ‘Friends’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building’.
Beyond acting he writes and produces, and he has performed on Broadway. He supports youth arts and health causes and often returns to Kansas City for charity events tied to local organizations.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez was born on July 24, 1969, and is 56. She earned widespread recognition in ‘Selena’ and added more film leads with titles like ‘Hustlers’, ‘The Mother’, and ‘Atlas’. Her music career includes multiple No. 1 singles and world tours.
She launched JLo Beauty and produces film and TV projects through her company. She has headlined major live events and continues to release new music and perform internationally.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves was born on September 2, 1964, and is 61. His filmography spans franchises such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘John Wick’, along with favorites like ‘Speed’ and ‘Constantine’. He has worked in drama, action, and animation voice roles.
He co founded Arch Motorcycle Company and writes the comic series ‘BRZRKR’. His band Dogstar returned to recording and touring, and he regularly supports film restoration and children’s charities.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry was born on August 14, 1966, and is 59. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Monster’s Ball’ and has led films including ‘Die Another Day’, ‘X-Men’ titles, and ‘John Wick Chapter 3’. She moved into directing with ‘Bruised’.
She is active in diabetes awareness and domestic violence advocacy. She continues to produce and star in action and drama projects for film and streaming.
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams was born on June 5, 1973, and is 52. He is a producer, songwriter, and performer known for chart toppers like ‘Happy’ and for shaping the sound of pop and hip hop through The Neptunes and N E R D. His work appears in films such as ‘Despicable Me’.
He became the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton and created the Something in the Water music festival. He runs education and entrepreneurship programs that support young creators and underserved communities.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto was born on December 26, 1971, and is 53. He won an Academy Award for ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ and has starred in films like ‘Requiem for a Dream’, ‘Blade Runner 2049’, and ‘Suicide Squad’. He also works in television and documentary projects.
He is the lead vocalist of Thirty Seconds to Mars, releasing albums and touring worldwide. He invests in tech startups and produces film and music content through his companies.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow was born on September 27, 1972, and is 52. She won the Academy Award for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and appeared in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ as well as Marvel titles like ‘Iron Man’. She has guest roles in series such as ‘The Politician’.
She founded the wellness and lifestyle brand Goop and publishes books on cooking and healthy living. She continues to develop film and TV projects as a producer and advisor.
Sofía Vergara
Sofía Vergara was born on July 10, 1972, and is 53. She earned multiple Emmy nominations for playing Gloria on ‘Modern Family’. She led the limited series ‘Griselda’ and has appeared in films and network comedies.
She serves as a judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and runs fashion and home lines sold through major retailers. She is a longtime supporter of cancer research and Latinx business initiatives.
Idris Elba
Idris Elba was born on September 6, 1972, and is 52. He starred as John Luther in ‘Luther’ and appeared in ‘The Wire’, with film roles in action, drama, and family titles. Recent screen work includes ‘Beast’ and the series ‘Hijack’.
He performs as a DJ and musician under the name Big Driis and runs the production company Green Door Pictures. He supports youth training programs and creative industry access in the UK and beyond.
Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek was born on September 2, 1966, and is 59. She earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Frida’ and appeared in films like ‘Eternals’, ‘House of Gucci’, and ‘Puss in Boots’. She works across English and Spanish language projects.
Her company Ventanarosa produces film and TV, including telenovela adaptations and streaming series. She advocates for women’s rights and partners with global organizations that combat violence against women.
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi was born on September 1, 1970, and is 55. She hosted and executive produced ‘Top Chef’ for many seasons and created the travel food series ‘Taste the Nation’. She has also acted in film and television.
She is a bestselling author of cookbooks and a memoir and is a cofounder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. She continues to develop food, travel, and culture projects for streaming and print.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell was born on May 22, 1970, and is 55. She is one of the original supermodels and has fronted major campaigns and runway shows for top fashion houses. Her TV work includes mentoring roles on series like ‘The Face’ and guest arcs in scripted shows.
She founded Fashion For Relief, which raises funds for disaster response and social programs. She collaborates with museums and brands on exhibitions and design capsules.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union was born on October 29, 1972, and is 52. Her film and TV credits include ‘Bring It On’, ‘Bad Boys II’, and the series ‘Being Mary Jane’. She also produces features and streaming series through her company.
She co founded a haircare brand and writes books for adults and children. She supports organizations that focus on survivor advocacy and LGBTQ youth.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor was born on March 31, 1971, and is 54. He starred in ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Moulin Rouge’, and portrayed fashion designer Halston in ‘Halston’, winning major awards for the role. His work spans film, prestige TV, and limited series.
He performs on stage in London and New York and continues to collaborate with international directors. He also participates in motorcycle travel projects and charity rides that raise funds for health care access.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston was born on February 11, 1969, and is 56. She became a household name with ‘Friends’ and leads the drama ‘The Morning Show’. Her film work ranges from comedies to ensemble dramas.
She co founded the haircare brand LolaVie and produces through Echo Films. She has earned Primetime Emmys and Screen Actors Guild Awards and continues to develop scripted series for streaming platforms.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman was born on October 12, 1968, and is 56. He is known for playing Wolverine in ‘X-Men’ films and for musical standouts like ‘The Greatest Showman’. His dramatic work includes titles such as ‘Prisoners’ and ‘The Prestige’.
He won a Tony Award for his performance in ‘The Boy from Oz’ and frequently headlines concert tours that feature show tunes and film songs. He supports education and cancer research charities in Australia and the United States.
Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale was born on July 26, 1973, and is 52. She led the ‘Underworld’ franchise and appeared in films like ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘Serendipity’. She has also taken on dark comedy and period drama roles.
She studied at Oxford and continues to work in TV with series such as ‘The Widow’. She appears at festivals and genre conventions and develops projects as a producer.
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu was born on December 2, 1968, and is 56. She co starred in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and appeared in ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Chicago’. On television she led ‘Elementary’ and directed episodes for multiple series.
She serves as a UNICEF Ambassador and exhibits her artwork under the name Yu Ling. Recent credits include a key role in the superhero film ‘Shazam Fury of the Gods’ and voice work in animated features.
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig was born on March 2, 1968, and is 57. He relaunched James Bond with ‘Casino Royale’ and added hits like ‘Skyfall’ and ‘No Time to Die’. He also fronts the mystery series that began with ‘Knives Out’.
He performs on stage in New York and London and supports theatre education and veterans’ charities. He continues to alternate between franchise films and independent dramas.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett was born on August 16, 1958, and is 67. She earned acclaim for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and later appeared in ‘American Horror Story’ and Marvel titles including ‘Black Panther’. She is recognized for powerful biographical and genre performances.
She received an honorary Academy Award and serves as a producer on film and television projects. She supports arts education and health initiatives and frequently speaks about representation in media.
Share your picks in the comments and tell us which stars surprised you the most.