Actors Who Reached 100: Cinema’s Longest-Living Legends

Some actors don’t just leave a mark on the screen—they live long enough to become legends in their own time. These stars, who reached or passed the age of 100, have shaped cinema with their talent and resilience, proving that passion for their craft knows no age limit.

From silent film pioneers to Golden Age icons, their careers span decades, and their stories are as captivating as their performances. Here’s a look at 15 actors who reached the remarkable milestone of 100 years old, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire.

Eva Marie Saint

Eva Marie Saint, born in 1924, is one of Hollywood’s last living Golden Age stars. She won an Oscar for her role in ‘On the Waterfront’ and starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest’. Her career spans over 70 years, with roles in film, TV, and theater. At 100, she remains a celebrated figure, honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Saint credits her long life to staying active and connected with family. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2024 with four generations of loved ones. Her love for acting and her ability to adapt to changing times kept her relevant in the industry. She last appeared in ‘Winter’s Tale’ and voiced a role in ‘The Legend of Korra’.

Norman Lloyd

Norman Lloyd, who lived to 106, had a career that stretched nearly 80 years. He worked with legends like Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock, appearing in films like ‘Saboteur’ and ‘Spellbound’. He also starred in the TV series ‘St. Elsewhere’. His marriage to actress Peggy Craven lasted 75 years, a Hollywood record.

Lloyd attributed his longevity to luck and a love for acting. He stayed active in the industry well into his 90s, even directing and producing. His charm and wit made him a beloved figure. He passed away in 2021, leaving a legacy of versatility and dedication.

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, who died at 104, was a titan of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She won two Oscars, one for ‘To Each His Own’ and another for ‘The Heiress’. Her role as Melanie in ‘Gone with the Wind’ made her a household name. She was also the first woman to chair the Cannes Film Festival jury.

Despite a famous rivalry with her sister Joan Fontaine, de Havilland’s career thrived. She lived in Paris later in life, staying sharp by reading and giving interviews. Her grace and talent defined her long career. She passed away in 2020, one of the last stars of her era.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas, who lived to 103, was a larger-than-life star known for ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Paths of Glory’. His rugged charm and intense performances earned him three Oscar nominations. He also produced films and supported charities, including rebuilding schools in Los Angeles.

Douglas survived a stroke in 1996 and celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends. He credited his long life to his wife Anne and a love for his craft. His legacy includes his son Michael Douglas, also a major star. He passed away in 2020.

George Burns

George Burns, who reached 100, was a comedy legend known for his cigar and sharp wit. He starred in ‘The Sunshine Boys’ and the ‘Oh, God!’ series alongside his wife, Gracie Allen. Burns won an Oscar for ‘The Sunshine Boys’ and worked until his death in 1996.

His secret to longevity? Avoiding stress and keeping people laughing. Burns smoked cigars for decades but cut down in his later years. He performed stand-up into his 90s, charming audiences with his humor. His book, ‘100 Years, 100 Stories’, captured his incredible life.

Bob Hope

Bob Hope, who died at 100, was a comedy icon who starred in over 70 films, including the ‘Road’ series with Bing Crosby. He hosted the Oscars 19 times, a record, and entertained troops during World War II. His quick wit and charm made him a global star.

Hope’s longevity came from staying active and engaged. He performed well into his 90s, often for charity. His wife, Dolores, also lived past 100. Hope’s legacy includes his work in film, TV, and philanthropy. He passed away in 2003.

Connie Sawyer

Connie Sawyer, who lived to 105, was known as Hollywood’s oldest working actress. She appeared in over 140 projects, including ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ and ‘Pineapple Express’. Her TV roles included ‘The Office’ and ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’. She worked until she was 104.

Sawyer’s energy and love for acting kept her going. She appeared on ‘The Tonight Show’ at 100, sharing stories from her career. Her humor and grit made her a fan favorite. She passed away in 2018, leaving a remarkable legacy.

Diana Serra Cary (Baby Peggy)

Diana Serra Cary, known as Baby Peggy, was a silent film star who lived to 101. She starred in nearly 150 shorts and nine features as a child, rivaling Jackie Coogan. Her career paused due to family disputes, but she later became an author and film historian.

Cary’s later years were spent preserving silent film history. She wrote books about her experiences and Hollywood’s early days. Her resilience overcame childhood hardships, including her parents spending her earnings. She passed away in 2020.

Doris Eaton Travis

Doris Eaton Travis, who died at 106, was the last surviving Ziegfeld Girl. She debuted on Broadway at 14 in ‘Mother Carey’s Chickens’ and joined the Ziegfeld Follies in 1918. Her dance career spanned decades, and she performed on stage a month before her death in 2010.

Travis credited dance for her long life. She taught dance into her 90s and earned a degree at 88. Her work with the Ziegfeld Follies made her a Broadway legend. Her final performance showed her enduring passion for the stage.

Luise Rainer

Luise Rainer, who lived to 104, was the first actor to win back-to-back Oscars for ‘The Great Ziegfeld’ and ‘The Good Earth’. Her career spanned stage and screen, though she left Hollywood early due to dissatisfaction with the industry. She later acted in theater and TV.

Rainer lived quietly in London, embracing a simple life. She outlived her contemporaries, which she called her “best revenge.” Her talent and bold choices defined her legacy. She passed away in 2014.

Marge Champion

Marge Champion, who reached 100, was a dancer and actress known for ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. She modeled for Disney animators and starred in musicals with her husband, Gower Champion. Her career included Broadway and TV roles.

Champion stayed active, teaching dance into her 90s. She credited her longevity to movement and creativity. Her work helped shape early Disney animation. She passed away in 2020, leaving a legacy in dance and film.

Fay McKenzie

Fay McKenzie, who lived to 101, began acting at 10 weeks old in ‘Station Content’. She starred in five Gene Autry Westerns and appeared in ‘Night and Day’. Her career spanned silent films to TV, retiring a year before her death in 2019.

McKenzie toured with the Hollywood Victory Caravan during World War II. She credited her long life to staying busy and positive. Her roles as a leading lady in Westerns made her a fan favorite. Her legacy endures through her varied contributions.

Meg Mundy

Meg Mundy, who died at 101, was known for her work in theater and TV. She appeared in ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Ordinary People’, plus soap operas like ‘All My Children’. She won a Theatre World Award for ‘The Respectful Prostitute’ in 1948.

Mundy’s career spanned stage, film, and TV, with an Emmy nomination for ‘The Doctors’. She stayed active in acting into her 80s. Her dedication to her craft earned her respect. She passed away in 2016.

Suzy Delair

Suzy Delair, who lived to 102, was a French actress known for ‘The Last One of the Six’ and ‘Quai des Orfèvres’. She starred in over 30 films before retiring in 1976. Her vibrant personality made her a star in French cinema.

Delair spent her later years in a Paris nursing home, staying engaged with hobbies. Her charm and talent left a lasting mark on European film. She passed away in 2020, remembered for her lively performances.

Earl Cameron

Earl Cameron, who died at 102, was a trailblazing Black actor in British cinema. He starred in ‘Pool of London’, one of the first major roles for a Black actor in a British film. His career included over 70 films, like ‘Thunderball’ and ‘Inception’.

Cameron’s Baha’i faith and disciplined lifestyle contributed to his longevity. He acted into his 90s, breaking barriers in the industry. His quiet strength and talent inspired many. He passed away in 2020.

What’s your favorite performance by these legendary centenarians? Share your thoughts in the comments!