Then and now: How cinema's finest actors have aged -

Age is no friend of vanity, and if you’re an actor the march of time is often a career killer. Some actors grow old gracefully, and indeed in later years secure roles on the strength of their mature, authoritative looks. Others are so blessed by the gene pool they effortlessly belie their advanced years.

Click through the gallery and take a look at the actors who have defied Hollywood’s notorious acting expiration dates. 

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Then: Robert Redford -

Born August 18, 1936.

Robert Redford began acting in television in the late 1950s; he made his film debut in 'War Hunt' in 1962. His preppy good looks quickly made him a Hollywood heartthrob and a box-office star.

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Now: Robert Redford - The actor has remained fit and healthy all his life, though the years are starting to show. He recently announced his retirement from acting.

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Then: Michael Caine -

Born March 14, 1933.

A Hollywood legend and British film icon, Caine was introduced to cinema audiences in 1964's 'Zulu.' Since then he has appeared in over 130 films spanning 70 years. 

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Now: Michael Caine - Still working, the octogenarian has aged well. In 2018 he appeared in 'King of Thieves,' a British crime drama based on a notorious real-life heist. His most recent work is 'Medieval' from 2022. 

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Then: Maggie Smith -

Born December 28, 1934.

In a career spanning nearly 70 years, Smith has graced film, stage, and television in hugely varied roles. Her first film role was an uncredited appearance in 'Child in the House' (1956). 

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Now: Maggie Smith - Smith, seen here in 2017, is still incredibly busy. She's just completed 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' (2022), a film continuation of the hugely successful British television series of the same name, in which she reprises her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham.

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Then: Clint Eastwood -

Born May 31, 1930.

Eastwood hit the small screen in 'Rawhide,' a Western television series that ran from 1959 to 1966. By then however, he'd sealed his legendary status as the "man with no name" in Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy. 

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Now: Clint Eastwood - The actor's rugged good looks have survived into old age and Eastwood today is still a top box-office draw, as well as one of cinema's most successful filmmakers.

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Then: Judi Dench -

Born December 9, 1934.

Pictured here in 1957, the year she made her professional acting debut, the English actress is highly regarded for her stage work. She began her film career in the early 1960s and has since appeared in nearly 60 movies, including as M in several James Bond outings. 

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Now: Judi Dench - As she's aged, Dench has commanded mature roles in productions such as 'Philomena' (2013), 'All is True' (2018), and 'Belfast' (2021). She shows no signs of slowing down.

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Then: Brigitte Bardot -

Born September 28, 1934.

B.B., as she's still often referred to, was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and '60s. Her film career was launched with the controversial 'Et Dieu… Créa la Femme' (1956).

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Now: Brigitte Bardot - Bardot, seen here in 2014 but minus her famous pout, withdrew from the entertainment industry in 1973 and has since devoted her time and energy into campaigning for animal rights.

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Then: Sophia Loren -

Born: September 20, 1934

Renowned for her beauty, the Italian actress and singer began her film career at the tender age of 16. In 1960 she starred Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Two Women,’ and promptly won the Academy Award for Best Actress!

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Now: Sophia Loren - Loren went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s before stepping out of the spotlight. Now working mostly in television, she is often photographed on the red carpet and still cuts a glamorous figure. 

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Then: Julie Andrews -

Born October 1, 1935.

A child actress and singer, Andrews was an accomplished stage actress before making her film debut in 'Mary Poppins' (1964). She's also known for her role as Maria von Trapp in the evergreen 'The Sound of Music' (1965). 

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Now: Julie Andrews -

Still working in television, and as a voice actor in film as recently as 2017,  Andrews is seen here in 2022 looking pretty good for an octogenarian.

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Then: Robert Duvall -

Born January 5, 1931.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962) marked Duvall's film debut. He's since appeared in some of the most celebrated movies in cinema history, films that include 'The Godfather' (1972), 'Apocalypse Now' (1979), and 'The Great Santini' (1979). 

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Now: Robert Duvall - Duvall has aged effortlessly. In 2015 at age 84, he became the oldest actor ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film 'The Judge' (2014). That accolade has since been surpassed by Christopher Plummer.

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Then: Richard Van Dyke -

Born December 13, 1925.

Radio then Broadway paved the way for Van Dyke's long and fruitful television career. Musical films such as 'Mary Poppins' (1964) and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (1968) further endeared him to an appreciative public. 

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Now: Richard Van Dyke - Still working in the entertainment industry (as recently as 2022 in the TV series 'Kidding'), Van Dyke's irrepressible sense of humor helps keep this sprightly nonagenarian on his feet.

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Then: Ellen Burstyn -

Born December 7, 1932.

Pictured here on the right in 'The Last Picture Show' (1971) with Cybill Shepherd, Burstyn made her stage debut in 1957 and began acting in film in 1964. 

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Now: Ellen Burstyn - Pictured here in 2018, the actress remains busy in movies (in 2022's 'Three Months' and two other films currently in post-production).

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Then: Mel Brooks -

Born June 28, 1926.

Comic genius Mel Brooks, seen here in the mid-sixties with his late wife Anne Bancroft, began his career in 1950 as a writer on the TV series 'Your Show of Shows.' 

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Now: Mel Brooks -

The filmmaker, actor, comedian, and composer, famous for a string of hit movies including 'The Producers' (1967) and 'Blazing Saddles' (1974), is seen here cracking a smile in 2017.

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Then: Donald Sutherland -

Born July 17, 1935.

One of the Canadian actor's earliest film appearances was an uncredited bit part in 'The World Ten Times Over' (1963). He quickly matured as his career took off, triumphing in 'M*A*S*H' (1970), 'Klute' (1971), and the disturbing  'Don't Look Now' (1973), among other era-defining movies.  

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Now: Donald Sutherland - As busy as ever, Sutherland cuts an imposing figure with his flowing silver-white hair and still lean frame.

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Then: Alan Arkin -

Born March 26, 1934.

Arkin has worked in the film industry for six decades, and 2019 saw him in Tim Burton's 'Dumbo. Another film, 'Wonderland,' is currently in post-production. 

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Now: Alan Arkin - Still slim, albeit with less hair and a slightly unearthly pallor, this octogenarian radiates energy and verve.

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Then: William Shatner -

Born March 22, 1931.

Forever Captain Kirk to legions of 'Trekkies,' William Shatner began his career on stage in his native Canada way back in 1954. 

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Now: William Shatner -

Can you believe the Star Trek icon is 91 years old? Here, he speaks onstage during the 'Masters of the Universe: 40 Years' panel during 2022 Comic-Con International.

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Then: Alain Delon -

Born November 8, 1935.

One of Europe's most recognized and successful actors, Paris-born Delon rose to prominence in the 1960s in films such as 'Plein Soleil' (1960).

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Now: Alain Delon -

A huge star in France, Delon (pictured in 2021) failed to light up Hollywood. His last acting role to date was in a television movie in 2012. Still possessed of a boyish charm, Delon today is a successful business man.

See also: You won't recognize these celebrities today.

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