20 Celebrities You Thought Are Long Gone But Are Still Alive

1. Tippi Hedren, Born In 1930 – The Ghost And The Whale

Tippi Hedren started out as a fashion model and then turned to acting thanks to legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock. She rose to international stardom after starring in the film, The Birds. Tippi proved that you don’t have to attend a film school in order to become a big movie star. She last appeared in the 2017 film The Ghost and the Whale.

2. Pat Sajak, Born In 1946 – Wheel Of Fortune

Pat Sajak has been working as a television personality, weatherman, and is the famed host of Wheel of Fortune. He started out as a disc jockey on the Armed Forces Radio in 1968 and has been the host of Wheel of Fortune since 1981. Pat Sajak married professional photographer Lesly Brown Sajak in 1989, and they have two children together.

3. Betty Lynn, Born In 1926 – Nashville Now

Betty Lynn grew up with her maternal grandfather and mother – who had divorced from her abusive father when she was five years old. Betty started out on radio and made her film debut in the 1948 movie Sitting Pretty. She is now best known for her role as Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show. Her last appearance on screen was in the TV show Nashville Now.

4. Ron Howard, Born In 1954 – The Andy Griffith Show

Ron Howard comes from a family with a rich acting heritage with both parents and his three daughters all having enjoyed the Hollywood spotlight. Ron made his acting debut in the comedy series The Andy Griffith Show in the ’60s. He is now one of the highest-grossing film directors worldwide. Howard also started an online directing class in 2017.

5. Sean Connery, Born In 1930 – The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Sean Connery, after starting out as a milkman, captured countless hearts with his acting skills between making his Hollywood debut back in 1954 and his retirement in 2003. The From Russia With Love star last appeared in the 2003 movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Now the 88-year-old still participates in the odd project from time to time.

6. Barbara Eden, Born In 1931 – Shimmer And Shine

Barbara Eden achieved the pinnacle of her success with her role as Jeannie in the hit ’60s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. As a singer and actress she studied music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and acting at the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre. The 87-year-old is now not all that active, and her last work was in lending her voice to a character in Shimmer and Shine.

7. Sam Elliott, Born In 1944 – The Big Lebowski

This actor is unforgettable with his signature mustache and deep voice. His macho image landed him many prominent roles in Western films and shows. Sam Elliott also appeared in blockbusters such as The Big Lebowski and Ghost Rider. Having recovered from his long-standing weed addiction, the 74-year-old is as full of charm as ever.

8. Max Baer Jr., Born In 1937 – The Beverly Hillbillies

Max Baer Jr. was best known for his role in TV show The Beverly Hillbillies as Jethro Bodine, a not-so-smart man who got in a lot of trouble. He was a mainstay from the show’s beginnings in 1962 until its cancellation in 1971. He later dabbled with directing and produced movies like Macon County Line, but his directing career never really took off.

9. Ann-Margret, Born In 1941 – Going In Style

This Swedish-American actress has given us compelling performances ever since her debut in the ’60s. She is best known for her roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Cincinnati Kid and Grumpier Old Men. Ann-Margret most recently starred in the 2017 film Going In Style, opposite Michael Caine and Alan Arkin.

10. Al Roker, Born In 1954 – The Today Show

Al Roker is the weather forecaster on The Today Show on NBC. He struggled with weight issues for years and it even ended up impacting his marriage. Roker famously struggled to shed pounds naturally, eventually choosing to go under the knife in order to achieve his new physique. He now looks great and lives a healthy lifestyle. In 2018, he was cast as Joe in the Broadway production of Waitress.

11. Kirk Douglas, Born In 1916 – Empire State Building Murders

Kirk Douglas is the only surviving actor from the Golden Age of the American film industry. He started acting in the 1946 movie The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and ended his career in the 2008 film, Empire State Building Murders. Douglas was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1982 for his incredible contribution to the film industry.

12. Ali Macgraw, Born In 1939 – Passion & Poetry: Peckinpah Anecdotes

Ali MacGraw was blessed with gorgeous looks and incredible talent. She sent shock-waves throughout the film industry with the 1969 movie Goodbye, Columbus, which earned her a Golden Globe. Unfortunately, her screen acting career faded away in the late ’90s. In order to revive her career, MacGraw debuted on Broadway in the play Festen in 2006. Her last appearance on screen was in the 2017 documentary Passion & Poetry.

13. John Astin, Born In 1930 – The Addams Family

John Astin is best known for starring as Gomez Addams in TV series The Addams Family. He reprised the role in the 1977 movie Halloween with the Addams Family. His other notable films include West Side Story, The Touch of Mink, Move Over Darling and more. The 88-year-old is still very active, teaching acting and directing at the John Hopkins University.

14. Tina Louise, Born In 1934 – Gilligan’s Island

Tina Louise is best known for her role as Ginger Grant in the TV sitcom Gilligan’s Island. She made her breakthrough with the 1958 film God’s Little Acre. Tina then landed roles in other movies such as The Hangman, The Stepford Wives, and For Those Who Think Young. Louise also released an album named It’s Time For Tina.

15. Alan Alda, Born In 1936 – M*A*S*H

Remember the long-running hit comedy series M*A*S*H? Well, Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce on the show is still very much alive. The award-winner is also known for his roles in Scientific American Frontiers, West Wing, and The Aviator. He’s also done extensive charitable work. Unfortunately, in 2018, Alda revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

16. Maureen Mccormick, Born In 1956 – The Brady Bunch

Maureen McCormick rose to stardom for her role as Marcia Brady in the hit sitcom The Brady Bunch. Unfortunately, in the following years, she became addicted to cocaine and struggled with bulimia. In 2008, she published her autobiography entitled Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice.

17. Sidney Poitier, Born In 1927 – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me

Sidney Poitier was the first Bahamian and first black actor to win an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. He is also one of the Greatest Male Stars listed by the American Film Institute, an organization that honors and preserves achievements in film. He recently appeared in the documentary Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me.

18. Katharine Ross, Born In 1940 – The Graduate

Katherine Ross rose to fame as Elaine Robinson in the hit film The Graduate opposite Dustin Hoffman. Currently, she has mostly retired from acting, but occasionally she does some guest appearances on TV show. Ross is now living on a seaside ranch in Malibu with husband Sam Elliott.

19. Alex Trebek, Born In 1940 – Jeopardy!

Alex Trebek has been known as the host of the classic game show Jeopardy! since the ’80s. The 78-year-old has said that he will host the show until 2020, when he may finally retire. Trebek reportedly had to get back surgery in 2017, due to a fall that caused him a subdural hematoma.

20. Julie Gibson, Born In 1913 – The Three Stooges

Julie Gibson is Hollywood’s oldest known living performer from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She first gained fame singing with the Jimmie Grier orchestra, and made her film debut in Nice Girl?. Her portfolio includes numerous starring roles in films like Detective, Chick Carter, and Bowery Buckaroos. Gibson also appeared in The Three Stooges’ films Three Smart Saps and Sock-a-Bye Baby.

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