SOTD – At Almost 101, He Is The Oldest Living Star!

In a world where fame burns fast and careers vanish as quickly as they begin, a rare group of legends has managed to do the impossible: survive the passing of eras, reinventions of the industry, and the relentless march of time itself. Even in 2025, a handful of extraordinary stars—some nearing or surpassing 100—continue to inspire audiences with their resilience, their artistry, and the sheer force of their presence. These icons aren’t just reminders of Hollywood’s past. They’re proof that talent, passion, and purpose don’t fade with age—they deepen.

Among the oldest living stars is Elizabeth Waldo, born in 1918. More than a performer, she became a cultural bridge, spending decades preserving indigenous music and elevating art forms that might have been lost without her influence. Her work shaped ethnomusicology long before the word was widely understood. She traveled, recorded, composed, and poured her life into maintaining traditions that stretched far beyond mainstream Western music. Even in her later years, she spoke about art and history with the kind of authority earned through a lifetime of listening more than speaking.

Another treasure from Hollywood’s golden age is Karen Marsh Doll, a rare surviving link to iconic productions like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. She grew up during the studio system’s peak, an era defined by big sets, rigid contracts, and international stardom. Marsh Doll lived through Hollywood’s shifts—from black-and-white film to Technicolor, from musicals to grit-filled dramas, from silver-screen glamour to the digital age. Her memories now feel like keys to a world most people only study in film history books.

Then there’s Ray Anthony, 103 years old and one of the last great big-band leaders. He played with Glenn Miller, led orchestras that defined postwar American nightlife, and built a career that blended sophistication with swing. His music captured an era when live bands ruled and a night out meant elegance. Even at his advanced age, Anthony remains a living reminder of the vibrant, unmistakable sound that shaped mid-century America.

Beloved actors June Lockhart, Eva Marie Saint, and Dick Van Dyke continue to charm audiences well into their nineties. They are fixtures of television and film history—artists who brought warmth, humor, and emotional depth to generations of viewers. Whether through comedy, drama, or family entertainment, their presence reminds people of a time when television sets brought families together and movie theaters felt like windows into bigger worlds.

The comedic genius of Mel Brooks continues to echo across the industry. His wit remains sharp, iconic, and unmatched, even now. Alongside him is William Shatner, whose career has stretched from the early days of television to space itself—literally. Shatner’s energy and charisma show no signs of dimming, and his voice still commands attention in every room he enters. Meanwhile, Barbara Eden, forever beloved for her role as Jeannie, remains a timeless example of grace wrapped in humor.

Though not yet centenarians, legends like Clint Eastwood, Sophia Loren, and Michael Caine continue to show astonishing creative vitality. Eastwood still directs with the precision and minimalism that have become his signature. Loren remains a symbol of elegance and strength. Caine, even in his final years of acting, carried the same charm and honesty that made him unforgettable.

And then there are performers whose influence reaches across continents and eras: Julie Andrews, Shirley MacLaine, Al Pacino, Jane Fonda. These artists aren’t just icons of film and stage—they’re activists, memoirists, truth-tellers. Their work extends beyond their roles. They’ve fought for women’s rights, environmental causes, artistic integrity, and social change. They have shown that age doesn’t reduce relevance—it sharpens it.

These stars remind us that longevity in the entertainment industry is about more than survival. It’s about evolution. Reinvention. Curiosity. They lived through world wars, cultural revolutions, technological upheavals, and political transformations. They adapted when Hollywood changed, when audiences changed, and when the world around them shifted in ways no one could predict.

Yet their legacies remain anchored by the same qualities that made them unforgettable decades ago: discipline, joy, persistence, and a love for storytelling that refuses to fade.

In a world obsessed with youth, quick fame, and instant gratification, these extraordinary figures prove that brilliance is not bound by age. They show that influence doesn’t disappear when someone steps out of the spotlight. Their work continues to breathe through archives, performances, interviews, and the millions of people they inspired along the way.

At almost 101, some of these icons remain living testaments to an era we’ll never see again—and living proof that passion keeps the human spirit alive longer than anything else.

Their stories tell us something simple but profound: time may change everything, but true artistry is timeless.