What you might not know about the American author
The chemist made famous after becoming the first to synthesize and ingest LSD, Hofmann was born in 1906 and lived until 2008. According to Men's Health, he didn't attribute his long life to psychedelics, but instead thought it was because he ate two eggs every morning. "In an egg, there is everything a being needs to develop—vitamins, minerals, and hormones," he explained.
If you've seen 'The Wedding Singer' (1998), you'll remember Dow as the "rapping grandmother" who takes music lessons from Adam Sandler's character. Before she passed away in 2015, the actress also had memorable roles in films like 'Wedding Crashers' (2005) and in shows like 'New Girl,' 'Seinfeld,' 'Will & Grace,' and more.
The comedian, well-known for entertaining American troops in USO shows, died in 2003. In 1982, he revealed his health habit of walking two miles (about 3.2 km) every night, a ritual he picked up from his grandfather, according to Men's Health.
The actor, and father of Michael Douglas, was famous for his roles in films like 'The Vikings' (1958) and 'Spartacus' (1960). He passed away in 2020, on February 5.
Before she passed away in 2018, the actress enjoyed a successful career that spanned decades. She appeared in a long list of popular series, including 'The Andy Griffith Show,' 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'Starsky and Hutch,' 'Seinfeld,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' and 'The Office.' She also appeared in films like 'When Harry Met Sally…' (1989), 'Dumb and Dumber' (1994), and 'Pineapple Express' (2008).
Dame Olivia de Havilland was a prolific British-American actress who appeared in 49 feature films, the most well-known being 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). One of the leading actresses of her time, she passed away on July 26, 2020.
Born in 1918, Peggy-Jean Montgomery was a child star known as "Baby Peggy" who appeared in more than 150 short films. She changed her name to Diana when she started pursuing writing instead. Until her passing on February 24, 2020, she was known as the last living silent film star.
Veteran actor, producer, and director Norman Lloyd passed away in his sleep on May 11 2021, aged 106. Lloyd started working back in the '20s, and in his later years he was still appearing in films like 'Dead Poets Society' (1989) and 'The Age of Innocence' (1993), as well as Amy Schumer's 'Trainwreck' (2015).
Born in 1909 as Dolores L. DeFina, the singer, entertainer, and philanthropist was married to Bob Hope for 69 years! When she first broke into the film industry with 'Soup for Nuts' (1934), she was known as Dolores Reade. She passed away in 2011.
Despite being blacklisted in Hollywood during the anticommunist sweep in the '50s, Marsha Hunt still had a successful career. She passed away in 2022, just one month before her 105th birthday.
Before Brie Larson, it was Louise Currie who starred as Captain Marvel in 1941's 'Adventures of Captain Marvel.' Currie appeared in nearly 40 films during her career. She passed away on in 2013.
The famed musical composer is also one of the most prolific songwriters ever, having composed 17 film scores, 21 Broadway scores, and having written more than 3,000 songs, including highly recognizable classics such as 'Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)' and 'White Christmas.' He passed away in 1989 after suffering a heart attack.
Renowned folk artist Grandma Moses became a famous example of late-stage success, as she didn't start painting until she was 78. When it comes to long life, she said, "the important thing is keeping busy," though she reportedly also said, "I have a lot of boyfriends. That's the way to stay young." She passed away in 1961.
Olympic silver medal-winning shot put athlete Bruce Bennett was born Harold Herman Brix, but changed his name when he embarked on his acting career. He starred in 'The New Adventures of Tarzan' and appeared in films with Hollywood's biggest stars throughout the '40s and '50s. He died in 2007, shortly after joining the centenarian club.
The youngest child of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller and Laura Spelman Rockefeller, David passed away on March 20, 2017.
Herb Jeffries started as a singer, then became an actor in Westerns. He also appeared on shows like 'I Dream of Jeannie' and 'Hawaii Five-0,' before passing away in 2014.
The comedian, actor, and activist was famous for his bit as "The World's Foremost Authority," and was often lauded as a more educated Charlie Chaplin. Corey passed away in 2017.
The French film actress and music-hall singer died on March 15, 2020. She was best known for starring in Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1940s thrillers, as well as her cheeky on-screen persona.
Earlston Jewitt Cameron was a Bermudian actor who lived and worked in the UK. Along with Cy Grant, he was one of the first Black actors to break the "color bar" in the UK. He passed away on July 3, 2020.
Barnet was an artist of various mediums as well as an influential teacher who was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in 2011. He passed away the following year.
Mary Carlisle was very effective in the short time she devoted herself to acting. Discovered at 14, she first put off her career for two years to finish school. Then, she went on to appear in more than 60 movies, including 'College Humor' (1933) and 'Doctor Rhythm' (1938) alongside Bing Crosby. She retired after starring in 1943's 'Dead Men Walk,' and died 75 years later.
Claire Du Brey (sometimes spelled Du Bray or Dubrey), was another star from Hollywood's early years who appeared in over 200 films between 1916 and 1959! She passed away in 1993, just a month before her 101st birthday.
Author Beverly Cleary passed away in late March 2021, at the age of 104. Famous for her fictional characters including Ramona and Beezus Quimby, Cleary sold almost 100 million copies of her books worldwide since she began publishing in 1950.
Jeanne Calment only earned fame when she passed away on August 4, 1997, at the age of 122 years and 164 days. Calment still holds the Guinness World Record for "greatest fully authenticated age to which any human has ever lived." Despite theories that her daughter replaced her, The Verge reported that experts believe she really was "a woman from the southern French town of Arles who met van Gogh, rode a bike until she was 100, and smoked two [cigs] a day until a few years before she died at 122."
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The actor, playwright, producer, director, and screenwriter had a fruitful career full of Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well. He passed away in 1995.
Norman Lear had a long and prolific career as a screenwriter and producer for TV and film. He was best known for producing hit TV shows like 'Maude' and 'The Facts of Life,' but continued working into his hundreds! He celebrated his 101st birthday on July 27, 2023. He was mourned by Hollywood when he passed away on December 5, 2023.
Actress and singer Janis Paige found fame during World War II. She worked as a pin-up model and had a successful career in film for 60 years. Paige celebrated her 101st birthday in September 2023.
New York's fashion queen Iris Apfel continued serving up iconic looks until the age of 102. She became famous for her incredible style during her long career as an interior designer and businesswoman in textiles. Sadly, she passed away on March 1, 2024.
The actress who famously played Winifred Banks in the 1964 musical 'Mary Poppins' turned 100 on October 5, 2023. Sadly, she passed away a few months later on January 4, 2024.
The comedian and actor, who passed away in 1996, said his career was like his personal fountain of youth. "It's nice to be here," he reportedly said at a stand-up special at Caesars Palace shortly before he died. "When you're 100 years old, it's nice to be anywhere."
Time is almost never on our side, and seems to continuously run out before our eyes. That’s why we as a species chase longevity. We seek it out through technology or medical advancements or spirituality—or simply by lying! Still, prolonged life remains elusive. Except for the lucky few who keep kicking right into (and past) the centenarian club.
There are numerous famous people who have lived to 100 years and beyond, and that number will probably increase as the years go on and we perfect the art of living even longer. But first, let’s see which stars in recent history have achieved the century-old feat. Click through to find out.
Famous figures who lived to 100 and beyond
Celebrity centenarians and their secrets to long life
CELEBRITY Age
Time is almost never on our side, and seems to continuously run out before our eyes. That’s why we as a species chase longevity. We seek it out through technology or medical advancements or spirituality—or simply by lying! Still, prolonged life remains elusive. Except for the lucky few who keep kicking right into (and past) the centenarian club.
There are numerous famous people who have lived to 100 years and beyond, and that number will probably increase as the years go on and we perfect the art of living even longer. But first, let’s see which stars in recent history have achieved the century-old feat. Click through to find out.