Shining Stars Of The Golden Age Who Prove Age Is Just A Number

TrendingApril 4, 2024

Anne Reid – Newcastle, 87

The Swedish singer Agnetha Faltskog became a singing sensation in her hometown in the late ’60s, right at the beginning of her career. After her debut album topped the charts, she formed the pop band ‘ABBA,’ and the group released several albums together, which further got her international acclaim. In the ’80s, Agnetha remerged as a solo artist, and her career reached new heights.

Unfortunately, the songstress decided to take a hiatus at the peak of her career, and only after 17 years did she return to the music industry. Now, in her seventies, the ‘When You Walk in the Room’ singer seems more energetic than ever. We are glad the musician worked her way back to the musical world.

Judi Dench – York, 88

Considered one of the finest actresses in British history, Judi Dench began acting in the ’50s and has enjoyed a career that spans over six decades. Before focusing on films, she performed in several of Shakespeare’s plays, including ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Juliet and Romeo.’ Her versatility has helped her play several roles and different film genres.

With two Golden Globes, a ‘Tony,’ an ‘Academy’ Award, and several British Academy awards, it seems like Judi is determined to leave a mark in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the gorgeous star puts her influence to good use by supporting several charities and multiple non-governmental organizations.

Sophia Loren – Rome, 88

She is probably the epitome of Hollywood cinema and glamour from back in the day. Sophia Loren was born in Rome, and her stardom began with her as a beauty pageant but later studied acting. This career move worked incredibly well for Loren, who has several accolades to her name, including Golden Globe and Academy Awards.

She is still actively taking roles in films while combining her passion for her family and being at the camera’s front. As of 2021, Sophia collaborated with the youngest of her sons, Edoardo Ponti when she starred in a ‘Netflix’ show called ‘The Life Ahead.’ More than anything, we admire this veteran’s commitment and dedication.

WAYNE NEWTON – NORFOLK, 80

The “Vegas Vacation” star Wayne Newton knew he was born a performer at a teenage age and gained mentorship from legends such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Bobby Darin. He’s best known for hits like “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” “Summer Wind,” and his notable signature song “Danke Schoen,” which are still fresh in our minds.

Apart from his successful path in music, Newton is also an actor and has starred in many blockbuster films such as “License to Kill,” “Getting Back to Zero,” and “40 West.” Despite being in their golden years, he’s still strong enough that he appeared in the 2022 series “Hacks.”

Victoria Principal – Fukuoka, 73

If you have seen ‘Dallas,’ then it is assured that the rest of this read is a serenade to your TV memories. There is nothing old about Victoria Principal—not her looks or artistry. Her Pamela Ewing character made many actors dream, and her ‘Golden Globe’ recognition was a no-brainer. Principal’s beauty and convincing act gave goosebumps anytime the show aired.

She even poured this shrewdness into other TVs and films, and she went to conquer the world of authorship and entrepreneurship. Here’s even more: having penned four bestsellers, mostly about skincare, she started her skincare line and her film company ‘Victoria Principal Productions.’

Loni Anderson – Saint Paul, 77

Not every man can maintain an elevating career graph while keeping that passion for their art burning for over 50 years. Nonetheless, guess what? Loni Anderson did it with all her heart and soul, securing a big stake in the sitcom industry. Her debut role in the ’60s film ‘Nevada Smith’ presented an excellent initial nucleus, though the actress survived a decade-long career pause after that.

For her second innings, Anderson came back stronger than her initial phase and better understood her vision for the upcoming roles. Now, that hit the bull’s eye for the ‘Cincinnati’ alum, who proceeded towards bagging the prestigious ‘Golden Globes.’ Well, that’s precisely the measure of dedication one needs to ace at life!

Ali MacGraw – New York, 84

Imagine being so talented at your craft that a single project brings in worldwide recognition along with heavy critical acclaim! Well, that’s the phenomenal success story of Ali MacGraw, the legend whose performance in the romantic drama ‘Love Story’ left us smitten with the genre all over again. Quite deservingly, she won a Golden Globe for the role, but that’s not where it all began.

Around a year earlier, MacGraw featured in a rom-com film named ‘Goodbye, Columbus,’ and boy, what an artistic masterpiece her portrayal was. Later in her career, this ‘Getaway’ thesp landed more renowned offers like ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Convoy,’ and even graced her audience with an autobiography.

KRISTIAN ALFONSO – BROCKTON, 59

Shining her star in Hollywood for over three decades has not been easy for veteran actress Kristian Alfonso. Before she chose her path to become an actress, the “Whatever Happened to Bobby Earl?” star worked as a supermodel and figure skater. However, people came to know her for starring in the 1983 soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

Alfonso has been thriving through the rocky entertainment industry, and she’s received much credit for playing in some episodes of many hit series such as “The Chronicle Mysteries,” “V.C. Andrews’ Landry Family,” and the 2022 TV miniseries “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem.”

LYNDA CARTER – PHOENIX, 71

Unlike many perennial winners whose fame never goes past the day they were crowned, Lynda Carter, an American actress and singer, carried her Miss World USA title in 1972 with grace and got into showbiz. A few years later, the mother of two was cast as Diana Prince, or Wonder Woman, in the 1976 live-action series of the same name.

After playing the role, the 1951-born multitalented star was in high demand, and she’s been featured in many video games. Though she’s in her golden years already, Carter has not hinted at her retirement plans, as she even starred in the 2021 blockbuster “The Cleaner.”

SCOTT VALENTINE – NEW YORK, 64

Fans of the series “Family Ties” may be familiar with the character named Nick Moore, but some may not know that the face behind that role is actually American actor Scott Valentine. The father of four featured in the program between 1985 and 1989, starring in 44 episodes.

That wasn’t his only known screen work, as the performer who debuted in 1982 went on to feature in “After the Shock,” “Phantom 2040,” “Object of Obsession,” and “Black Scorpion.” Having entertained us for over 40 years, Valentine would be expected to slow down, but he has no retirement plans as of present time, even appearing in the 2022 short “Thicker Than Water.”

Tommy Steele – London, 86

Tommy Steele is a renowned English entertainment mogul who is often regarded as the first rock and roll and teen idol of Britain. His talent was discovered in the 1950s and he released hit singles soon after. By the time the ’60s rolled in, Tommy was an all-rounded entertainer with songwriting, performing as well as acting in theaters up his sleeve.

It is easy for one to think that the jolly man would have retired by now for a person well advanced in age as he is. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2020 in her birthday honors. Sir Thomas Hicks says that it feels like he is living the “showbusiness fairy story” after the knighting.

Susan Tully – London, 55

It is impossible to think of one of the British beloved soap operas ‘EastEnders’ without thinking of the original cast members from 1985. Among them is Susan Tully who was only a teenager on the very first episode of the show and went on to grace the screens for ten years as the character Michelle Fowler.

Tully’s career only expanded after she left as she became one of the renowned directors of the drama-filled soap as well as others like ‘The Bill’ and ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl.’ Not much about her personal life is known as the lady keeps it quite private preferring only to share her impressive career with the public.

Paul Hogan – Sydney, 83

The tumultuous times of 2020 saw a lot of people stuck unable to go home for a long time. Australian actor and comedian Paul Hogan moved to the United States in 2005 but he was quoted saying how excited he was that he could finally make his homecoming trip after being cooped up in LA for over a year.

Hogan has had an impressive career because over and above acing, the man is a film producer, television presenter, and writer. He is a proud holder of a Longford Lyell Award for his contribution to the Australian screen. We suppose that his shift to his home country is for Paul to retire from the big screen.

Joanne Woodward – Georgia, 93

Joanne Woodward is one of the treasures of Hollywood, with timeless artistry and a holy grail of careers under her belt. Having raised the bar with the depth of her performance in ‘The Three Faces of Eve,’ she is the oldest living Best Actress ‘Academy’ Award winner, an award she won in 1954. Being the first star on a Walk of Fame is such an honor, and it’s mildly surprising that Joanne holds the position in Hollywood.

She forged a formidable partnership with her husband, Paul Newman, in many film projects, a major component of her career’s uncommon longevity. Now retired from the businesses of the flicks, she blesses communities with her charity endeavors. A true star!

Julie McKenzie – Middlesex, 82

She wielded the craft of five major arms of showbiz—radio, television, theatre, movies, and music. The seasoned and well-rounded artist, Julie McKenzie, had an extraordinary career, boasting of so many jaw-dropping acts. Famous for her roles in the theatre play ‘Woman in Mind’ and the sitcom ‘Fresh Fields,’ she transcended from an actress to a cultural icon.

The ‘Tony’ Award and ‘BAFTA’-recognized Guildhall-trained performer was one of the faces of the 2012 Summer Olympics and went on to thrill her fans in the mini-series, ‘The Casual Vacancy.’ Her career was crowned in 2018 when she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to Drama.

Phillip Schofield – Oldham, 61

A high-flying career like Phillip Schofield’s proves that age is just a number. The TV presenter offered his dexterity to ‘BBC’ when he was just 17 and went on to juggle both the media worlds of New Zealand and Britain. In the ’80s, he gained popularity among the music TV faithful with his hit show ‘Shazam!’ and became an intercontinental TV personality with his show ‘Going Live!’

Though an employee of ‘ITV’ since 2002, he dabbled in theatre with his play ‘Joseph and the Technicolour Democrat,’ showing he has more skills in him. He is also an avid wine lover. The oenophile is married to Stephanie Lowe and has two daughters.

Robert Fuller – Troy, 89

Picture this: five decades of camera time and wowing every single time. Robert Fuller, one of the few blessed with that rich, husky baritone and Western-material voice, had the world under his feet in the ’60s. The New York native dazzled cinephiles in many TV shows and films until his retirement.

Born Leonard Leroy Lee, the rancher went on to appear in ‘Incident at Phantom Hill’ and in Westerns like ‘Wagon Train’ and ‘Laramie’ and made fans keep buying movie tickets with other stellar performances. Maybe his success story hinges on his friend’s advice, Chuck Courtney, to not give up acting, but we know his hard work and prowess are undeniable.

Petula Clark – Surrey, 90

Part of the golden generation that blossomed through the hardships of WWII, Petula Clark started her career as a girl in entertainment during that period with a ‘BBC’ radio show. Her many talents allowed her to become a singer and an actress. ‘Downtown,’ her single produced by Tony Hatch, was the international hit that brought her fame.

Petula’s hard work demonstrates her love for the entertainment industry. After all her years in radio, television, and the big screen, she still finds it in her to work. Unfortunately, most of her appearances on the screen stopped around the ’80s; however, she continues to impress us by working on soundtracks.

Pam St Clement – Middlesex, 80

Pam St Clement is a symbol for overcoming dire circumstances and reaching your dreams. Despite her difficult childhood, she managed to start in the entertainment industry with small parts in theater and television. Her hard work paid off when she joined the cast of ‘EastEnders,’ shooting her to stardom.

With a net worth of $2 million, St Clement’s notable appearances in ‘Hedda’ and EastEnders’ allow her to live comfortably. She is also an activist for animal conservation, supporting initiatives such as the Global Wildlife Fund. With a British Soap Award on her shelf, the talented actress is taking a well-deserved rest; however, we hope to see her soon on the screen again.

Eileen Derbyshire – Lancashire, 91

Some actresses’ fame is so entwined with one character that they’re the only personality who can play that part. Eileen Derbyshire is a clear example of this phenomenon. She is a remarkable woman who played Emily Bishop in the British soap opera ‘Coronation Street’ for over half a century, ensuring she has a place at the center of Britain’s heart.

Eileen started young with radio and minor television roles before landing the role that changed her life. Yet, unlike most people in the industry, Derbyshire is known to be a private person. As she enjoys her retirement, she keeps herself and her life as confidential as possible.

Maggie Smith – Essex, 88

Not many celebrities are ubiquitous in Britain’s public spotlight like Maggie Smith. The deeply loved actress had the fortune to interpret McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ series and Violet Crowley in ‘Downtown Abbey,’ allowing her to reach the hearts of all generations. Her complete filmography is long and getting longer every year as she’s still working on new acting projects.

Maggie may still be taking on new roles and projects, but she’s being careful in her selection because of her age, as golden years can be challenging for some. Notwithstanding, we’re all grateful for her relentlessness and dedication to feeding us with her incredible acting.

Joanna Lumley – Srinagar, 76

Joanna Lumley is far more than just an actress. She was born in India during WWII, and shortly after returning to Britain, she started working as a model and then an actress. Lumley reached stardom with her role as Elaine Parkins in ‘Coronation Street,’ a show that would open the gates for what was to come.

Her prominent roles include 92’s ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ and 2005’s ‘Corpse Bride,’ but there’s much more to the artist. Lumley is also a fervent civil rights activist, becoming the face of the Gurkha Justice Campaign. Her commitment as an artist and activist led her to be appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Helen Shapiro – London, 76

Helen Shapiro didn’t build her music empire in a day but over several hard-worked decades. Besides, she worked with great perseverance and consistency, starting from her early teens by releasing her debut song, ‘Don’t Treat Me Like a Child.’ Now, talking of sending ripples across the industry at such a young age, this single took off and ranked third on the ‘UK Singles Chart’ that same year.

Having started in the early ’60s, the ‘You Don’t Know’ singer has proved a soul-touching maturity in her voice and profound expertise in music over time. No wonder she stands alongside premium-earning and established artists now, though her family struggled with their expenses back in the day.

Julie Goodyear – Lancashire, 80

Such is Julie Goodyear’s Hollywood foothold that if we mention Bet Lynch, one of the characters she played for over two decades, in a room full of soap opera enthusiasts, then most of them would instantly get reminded of ‘Coronation Street.’ That’s just one out of the many feathers on this much-loved actress’ cap, who not just bagged awards, but also earned reams of dedicated followers.

Quite evidently, Goodyear has contributed momentously to the television drama arena. So, as a congratulation, she got appointed an MBE and welcomed a Lifetime Achievement Award, both in the mid-’90s. Later, this stunning entertainer branched into the reality TV world, making appearances under labels like ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ and ‘Celebrity Fit Club.’

Penny Smith – Nottinghamshire, 64

As far as the British media goes, we can fairly reckon that Penny Smith grades among the top contributors and most exceptional minds in the field. Following her schooling in Rutland, she associated with the ‘Peterborough Evening Telegraph.’ Owing to her clarity for the future roadmap, this stunning lady continued as a feature writer for four years, finally joining a broadcasting service as a presenter.

With experience, both in the written and verbal formats, Smith partnered with notable media networks, including ‘Sky News,’ ‘talkRADIO,’ and ‘GMTV.’ Besides, the ‘Scala Radio’ icon has curated articles for many prestigious labels and even penned down two value-packed books. Now, that’s a stellar talent stack!

TINA TURNER – TENNESSEE, 83

Global hits such as “A Fool in Love” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” thrust legendary American-Swiss singing sensation Tina Turner into the limelight soon after she debuted in 1957. Widely considered the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” she found her footing as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before going solo.

Although her age has considerably advanced, the critically acclaimed singer of the banger hit “What’s Love Got to Do with It” briefly retired in 2009 but later reversed her decision, making a comeback in 2020. The multiple award-winning musician also proved her prowess in dancing and acting, even starring in “Last Action Hero.”

Agnetha Fältskog – Sweden, 72

The Swedish singer Agnetha Faltskog became a singing sensation in her hometown in the late 60s, right at the beginning of her career. After her debut album topped the charts, she formed the pop band ‘ABBA,’ and the group released several albums together, which further got her international acclaim. In the ’80s, Agnetha remerged as a solo artist, and her career reached new heights.

Anne Reid – Newcastle, 87

Anthony Hopkins – Port Talbot, 85

While Anthony Hopkins is already in his eighties, he can still give tough competition to the younger stars. From appearing in historical drama films to psychological thrillers, he has easily performed each role, and we must say no actor could have done it better than him. Anthony’s performance as Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ is indeed proof of his versatility.

One might think ‘The Two Pope’ star’s age might affect his work, but you are mistaken as the octogenarian is still very active and has several projects lined up. We are glad we’ll see more of this gentleman as we are not yet ready to let him leave the industry.

Barbara Knox – Oldham, 89

When the long-running soap opera ‘Coronation Street’ is mentioned, Barbara Knox often comes to mind. Many stars may have appeared on the show, but the actress is considered the second longest-serving. The old-timer first appeared on the beloved ‘ITV’ drama in 1964, portraying the fan-favorite character Rita Tanner.

Just like her ‘Corrie’ co-star, Eileen Derbyshire, Knox prefers to keep her personal life private. The only interviews the actress appeared in had something to do with her TV program, such as its 50th anniversary in 2010. Safe to say, most of the tenured television star’s career has been devoted to her beloved ‘Coronation Street.’

Charles Dance – Redditch, 76

Old and young folks alike are familiar with Charles Dance – he has been acting for five decades and has appeared in popular films and television shows. His notable roles include Dr. John Clemens from ‘Alien 3’ and Benedict, the villain in ‘Last Action Hero.’ On the small screen, his most memorable portrayal was probably that of Tywin Lannister, the cruel patriarch of House Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones.’

Despite being in the industry for a long time, Dance does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon—he was cast in ‘Netflix’s’ ‘The Sandman’ in 2021. Aside from acting, the star also delved into screenwriting and directing, with 2004’s ‘Ladies in Lavender as his first project.

Charles Shaughnessy – London, 68

Charles Shaughnessy is often associated with actress Fran Drescher because of their hit TV sitcom ‘The Nanny.’ It’s clear that the two had good chemistry as each other’s love interest. The London-born actor is famous for starring on American television because it was where his acting career thrived.

After Shaughnessy arrived in the United States in 1983, he was cast as Alistair Durban in ‘General Hospital,’ his first TV job. He considers the acting gig as the one that jumpstarted his Hollywood career. Fast-forward to 2021, the star returned to his daytime television roots, returning in ‘General Hospital and starring in the ‘Days of our Lives’ spin-off, ‘Beyond Salem.’

Christina Pickles – Halifax, 88

There’s no doubt that Christina Pickles is famous worldwide. Despite ‘Friends’ ending its TV run in 2003, it continues to be shown through reruns and streaming services. Even if Judy Geller was not one of the popular sitcom’s main characters, the actress’s great portrayal made it memorable. Aside from ‘Friends,’ Pickles is best-remembered for playing Nurse Helen Rosenthal in ‘St. Elsewhere.’

Because most of the actress’s screen appearances were in the United States, people confused her for an American. Yes, she received her citizenship in 1989, but the star is originally from the United Kingdom. Pickles latest screen appearance was in the ‘Friends: The Reunion’ in 2021, looking lovely as ever.