Celebrities Of The Golden Era That Are Still Alive & Kicking – Some Of Them Haven’t Planned Retiring Anytime Soon!

Beverly Cleary – 104

Beverly Cleary is the odd one out in this list of celebrities, as her main craft is writing. In the 50’s she wrote children’s fiction which sold over 91 million across multiple countries. Cleary studied at the University of Washington and she also worked as a librarian there. At 105 years old, she has earned over $20 million and has received multiple awards for her work, including a Newbery Medal. There happens to be a public school in Portland that is named after her – The Beverly Cleary School. There are also a number of statues of her most famous book characters erected at the Grant Park in Portland.

David Birney – 81

When actor David Birney started appearing on-screen in the sixties, he immediately made women’s hearts skip a beat. His debut on the soap opera Love Is a Many Splendid Thing in 1967 was well-received, and from then on, his career in television, film, and theater went forward in leaps and bounds!

Unfortunately, David’s health took a turn for the worst when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2017. According to his friends, the now-retired actor can still converse with them and his longtime companion, Michelle Roberge. It’s sad to think that such a talented performer has to go through this, but we’re glad he is still around!

Petula Clark – 88

An incredible women whose career has existed since the World War II, Petula Clark is a living proof that pure talent and hard work can indeed get you far. Aside  from singing in English, she can also sing in French, which contributed to her fame in France. She is best known for her hit songs such as Downtown, I Know A Place, My Love, I Couldn’t Live Without Yur Love, Colour My World, and many others that helped contribute to her success in music. After more than seven decades in the industry, it is safe to say that Petula Clark is nothing short of legendary.

Matthew Labyorteaux – 53

Matthew Labyorteaux started as a child model and appeared in several commercials from the age of seven. He rose into fame when he took on the role Albert Quinn Ingalls in the television series Little House On The Prairie. He appeared on the show from the year 1978 to 1983. He would later be better known for his voice works especially as the voice of Jaden Yuki and The Supreme King, both of which are the characters from the Japanese anime Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Apart from acting, Matthew has special skills in playing video games and his expertise was recognised on international level. He is less active now as he is nearing his 60’s but fans will always remember him for all the roles he played in his younger years.

Diana Ross – 76

The multi-talented Diana Ross is the lead singer to a group name The Supremes and it make her rose to fame. They became sensational in the 60s and are the all time best selling group of girls. But it was not long till Diana decided to go solo and released her own album. Her solo career was also a success. Singing was not the only thing Diana is good at. Diana also went into acting and was nominated for both the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award. Diana is so successful that Billboard magazine named her as “Female Entertainer of the Century”. Now at the age of 76, Diana is still active in both singing and acting. She makes tour every year and her 2020 tour as been pushed to 2021 due to the pandemic.

Johnny Crawford – 74

Johnny Ernest Crawford is a 74 years old American actor, musician and singer. This multi-talented star started to first performed as a Musketeer, a Walt Disney Company’s original, and at the age of 12 as Mark McCain in ABC Western series, The Rifleman. Crawford maybe still good looking and good in health but he is no longer active in showbiz. His career started in 1955 and he decided to retire on in 1999. Johnny was nominated for an Emmy Award at the age of 13 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Mark McCain. He is still married to his high school sweetheart since 1995. Johnny also made few albums and singles for his music and his song, Rumors peaked at #2 in Billboard Adult Contemporary charts.

Paul Hogan – 81

Australian entertainer Paul Hogan has a Golden Globe win to his name for his exemplary performance on Crocodile Dundee. Hogan has also collaborated with several brands over the years and in the ‘70s, he was featured in the Winfield cigarette advertisements. While he hasn’t officially announced that he quit acting, his last feature was in the 2009 film Charlie & Boots. Hogan has been married three times; two times to Nolene Edwards and they had five children together. In 1990, he married actress Linda Kozlowski who he co-starred with on the film Crocodile Dundee. 

Joyce Hyser – 63

If you are into the 80s movie, you would definitely know Joyce Hyser in  the 1984 movie, This is Spinal Tap and the 1985 movie, Just One of The Guys. The beautiful actress is now 63 years old. Her career slowed down after her acting in Just One of The Guys. With her involvement in the entertainment industry for 3 decades, Joyce is worth $2 million and her income were made from her career from movies, TV series and from endorsements. Joyce is not married yet but at 63, she is still fit, healthy and looks young. Her last act in a movie was in the 2014 movie, The Wedding Pact as Sally. She is still active working as an actress but Joyce is not active in social medias.

Raquel Welch – 80

Raquel Welch made her first impressions as an actress in the 1960s. However, it didn’t help her much as an actress due to the kind of roles she received. But as she spent time in the industry, better opportunities came by and Raquel didn’t miss them. The appeared in Broadway and made a name for herself as a skillful actress. She has tied the knot four times in her life. Her first husband was James Welch but the marriage lasted only five years. She married Patrick Curtis and later Andre Weinfeld. Her last marriage with Richard Palmer ended in 2008. She is now 80 years old and single.

Archie Manning – 71

Archie Manning was America’s Superstar Quarterback in the ’70s. He was a well-known professional athlete who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Throughout his career in football, he only played for 3 teams, which were the New Orleans Saints, the Houston Oilers, and the Minnesota Vikings.

He retired in 1982,  leaving his team midway through the season. Afterward, he worked as an analyst with the Saint’s radio and television broadcasts and even appeared in a few commercials. He was also at one point on the College Football Playoff Committee and now owns a football-themed restaurant named after him – Manning’s.

Clu Gulager – 92

Acting was always in Clu Gulager’s blood, as his father was also in the industry. Gulager’s best years were in the ’60s when he played Billy the Kid in The Tall Man. His other credits are also impressive, appearing in amongst the decade’s most iconic films such as The Killers and The Last Picture Show.

Gulager tried his hand at directing to great success, as his film A Day with The Boys granted him a Palme d’Or nomination in 1969. He also won the Bronze Wrangler Award for Best Fictional Television Drama for The Virginian.

Philip Michael Thomas – 71

Philip Michael Thomas was a well-known actor and musician before he retired in 2011. Most would know him from a 1980s television show called Miami Vice, where he portrayed detective Ricardo Tubbs. Philip made his first steps in the acting world in 1972, while his first remarkable role was in the 1975 animated crime film, Coonskin.

He then appeared in numerous advertisements and television movies. Moreover, Thomas voice Lance Vance in the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories video games. Before retiring, he also had a prominent music career and released some successful songs such as Living the Book of My Life and Just the Way I Planned It. It is important to know that Philip is a nonsmoker, nondrinker and also vegetarian, which is why he is 71 and super healthy.

Aileen Quinn – 49

A list of classic musicals would be incomplete without the inclusion of Annie. This 1982’s Broadway hit was headed by none other than Aileen Quinn who captured the essence of the character, along with the hearts of people everywhere. She is active since 1981 and was nominated twice for the Golden Globe.

After Annie, Aileen mostly took on voice roles in such projects as 1982’s The Wizard of Oz, The Charmkins, and The Frog Prince, among others. She has also seen as Dr. Quinn in two episodes of The Comeback Kids in 2014, which is her most recent role thus far.

Tippi Hedren – 90

Originally a fashion model, Tippi did not plan to enter the film industry until she was approached by Alfred Hitchcock. She started acting in the ’60s, appearing in films such as Marnie and The Birds. Her career enabled her to amass around $20 million fortune.

Her personal life, however, is not all sunshine and blue skies. Hedren suffered from severe headaches, which affected her ability to work and only after she had a titanium plate placed in her neck, she slowly came back to acting. Tippi was married three times and engaged once. Today, she spends her time petitioning for animal rights.

Marion Ross – 92

Marion Ross rose to prominence by portraying Marion Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days. Her role in the series lasted 10 years – from 1974 to 1984. For her work, she received two Emmy nominations.

Marion’s career reached its peak in the ’90s when she was cast in Gilmore Girls and That 70’s Show. Besides that, a lesser-known fact is that she also voiced the grandma in Spongebob Squarepants. At 92 years old, she enjoys her $10 million fortune and is ever so beautiful! Marion’s two adult children, Ellen Plummer and Jim Meskimen, both work in the entertainment industry.