George Burns had already lived an extraordinary life before he reached his final milestone. The vaudeville star, born January 20, 1896, built a legendary partnership with his wife Gracie Allen, dominating radio, television, and film for decades. After Gracie’s death, he reinvented himself and won an Oscar at age 80 for The Sunshine Boys. He kept performing nearly until the end.
George Burns died on March 9, 1996, at 100 years old. Bob Hope was another entertainer who crossed the century mark. Born May 29, 1903, in England, he became one of the most beloved stars of the 20th century, known for the Road pictures with Bing Crosby, hosting the Oscars 19 times, and entertaining American troops through decades of USO tours. He remained active into his 90s.
Hope died on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100. Kirk Douglas, one of Hollywood’s toughest leading men, was born December 9, 1916. He starred in classics such as Spartacus, Paths of Glory, and Lust for Life. Douglas also helped break the Hollywood blacklist and lived vibrantly even after suffering a major stroke.
He died on February 5, 2020, at the remarkable age of 103. His contemporary Olivia de Havilland, born July 1, 1916, is best remembered as Melanie Hamilton in Gone with the Wind. She won two Academy Awards and fought a landmark legal battle that changed Hollywood contracts forever. De Havilland died on June 26, 2020, at 104 years old.
British actress Glynis Johns also reached 100. She is remembered worldwide as Mrs. Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins and had a distinguished stage career, winning a Tony Award for A Little Night Music. Johns died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 100.
Television pioneer Norman Lear transformed American culture. Born July 27, 1922, he created groundbreaking sitcoms including All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times. He remained creative and outspoken until the end. Lear died on December 5, 2023, at 101 years old.
Gloria Stuart, born July 4, 1910, found early success in the 1930s and then made a spectacular comeback at age 87 playing the elderly Rose in James Cameron’s Titanic. Her performance earned her an Oscar nomination as the oldest acting nominee in Academy history. Stuart died on September 26, 2010, at the age of 100. Composer Irving Berlin wrote some of America’s most beloved songs.
Born May 11, 1888, in Russia, he created timeless classics including White Christmas, God Bless America, and There’s No Business Like Show Business. Berlin died on September 22, 1989, at 101 years old. Marsha Hunt, born October 17, 1917, was a respected actress of Hollywood’s Golden Age, appearing in over 100 films and television shows. She was also a courageous activist who spoke out against the Hollywood blacklist.
Hunt died on December 7, 2022, at the age of 104. June Lockhart, born June 25, 1925, became an American icon playing the wholesome mother in the classic series Lassie and later as Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space. Her career spanned nearly nine decades. Lockhart passed away on October 23, 2025.
She was 100 years old. From the world of music, big band leader Ray Anthony, born January 20, 1922, is still alive at 104 years old. A talented trumpeter and band leader, he played with the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1940 to 1941 and later led his own successful big band. He is the last surviving member of the original Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Stars like Eva Marie Saint, currently 101 years old, and Dick Van Dyke, born in 1925 and currently 100, also continue to carry the torch. These remarkable men and women entertained millions across generations and showed incredible resilience through the highs and lows of show business. While even the longest lives must eventually reach their final chapter, their work and spirit live on through the joy they brought the world.