# Nonagenarian+ actors who are still with us
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [September 28, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329 "2010-09-28T06:32:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/21 "2010-09-28T16:30:38Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> Ernest Borgnine is 93 and has [numerous credits](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000308/)for 2010/2011.
I remember an interview in which he reported with amusement that many that approach him want to get a signature or a picture from “Mermaid Man”! (His character in the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoons.)
---
### Author:  [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/22 "2010-09-28T17:13:17Z")
Concerning Ernest Borgnine, there’s an obscure little video called [Ernest Borgnine on the Bus](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413990/). Actually, it’s not a bus, but his motorhome. No plot to the video, more of a documentary-style video showing that Borgnine earned enough money that he doesn’t have to work, and when he’s not working he just hits the road in his motorhome and travels around meeting people and just enjoying the hell out of himself in what for a lot of people would be quiet retirement.
---
### Author:  [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/23 "2010-09-28T20:06:55Z")
[Abe Vigoda](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579908) is not _quite_ there. He turns 90 in February, and of course recently appeared in a [Snickers commercial with Betty White](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYmlgO53jno).
---
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/24 "2010-09-28T20:10:18Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> Concerning Ernest Borgnine, there’s an obscure little video called [Ernest Borgnine on the Bus](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413990/). Actually, it’s not a bus, but his motorhome. No plot to the video, more of a documentary-style video showing that Borgnine earned enough money that he doesn’t have to work, and when he’s not working he just hits the road in his motorhome and travels around meeting people and just enjoying the hell out of himself in what for a lot of people would be quiet retirement.
He could probably retire just on what [his wife Tova](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tova_Traesnaes) has earned from her company; no idea how much her share was but Tova cosmetics have had literally billions of dollars in gross sales, first in mail order then shops and then (big bonanza) QVC. But, if you enjoy your work and your health is decent, why retire?
He’s one of those actors like Max von Sydow (who is somehow only 81) and Vigoda that you look at and wonder “Was there ever a time in recorded history when they were young?”. Not only can you imagine him being John Wilkes Booth’s understudy, but he probably looked middle aged at the time.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/25 "2010-09-28T20:30:25Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> He’s one of those actors like Max von Sydow (who is somehow only 81) and Vigoda that you look at and wonder “Was there ever a time in recorded history when they were young?”. Not only can you imagine him being John Wilkes Booth’s understudy, but he probably looked middle aged at the time.
Vigoda certainly fits. He was only fifty when he played Tessio in _The Godfather_ - only ten years older than Robert Duvall.
---
### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/26 "2010-09-28T21:18:28Z")
Lauren Bacall just turned 86, and IMDb lists her in a couple movies in post-production.
---
### Author:  [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/27 "2010-09-28T22:32:59Z")
[Ed Asner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Asner) is 80 and still working.
---
### Author:  [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/28 "2010-09-28T23:04:02Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> He’s one of those actors like Max von Sydow (who is somehow only 81) and Vigoda that you look at and wonder “Was there ever a time in recorded history when they were young?”
Not a fan of **The Seventh Seal**?
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/29 "2010-09-29T00:43:29Z")
The weird thing is that I’ve searched online and I can’t find any pictures of Abe Vigoda as a young man. All I can find are pictures of other people who are saying they look like a young Abe Vigoda. _The Godfather_ was Vigoda’s first big role but he has movie and film credits dating back to 1949. But as far as his image is concerned it’s like he suddenly appeared fully grown in 1971.
---
### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/30 "2010-09-29T00:54:21Z")
Kirk Douglas has acted into his 90’s.
He’ll be 100 in 6 years.
---
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/31 "2010-09-29T01:25:25Z")
Some actors just always looked old. Burt Mustin ([pic](http://www.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2005/257/5436_112681841189.jpg)) was one of the most famous “old coot” character actors in Hollywood- he didn’t even start acting until he was in his 60s- but then he appeared in everything. The weird thing is that he looked old [in his teens](http://tommcmahon.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834515db069e2010536a7c4b0970c-800wi).
Abe Vigoda had actually been for a five mile jog the day he auditioned for _Barney Miller_. His crankiness and tiredness helped get him the role.
---
### Author:  [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/32 "2010-09-29T01:43:12Z")
I don’t think he’s worked in 20 years but Frank Cady, Sam Drucker on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, is still alive at 95.
June Lockhart, 85 and famous for “Lassie” and “Lost in Space” is alive at 85 and appeared in a film in 2009.
---
### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/33 "2010-09-29T01:50:55Z")
Mel Brooks is 2000.
---
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/34 "2010-09-29T05:24:10Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> Mel Brooks is 2000.
They say the secret to being a good writer is to write what you know. Mel’s son writes bestselling zombie books. Hmmm…
[QUOTE=Jim’s Son]
I don’t think he’s worked in 20 years but Frank Cady, Sam Drucker on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, is still alive at 95.
[/QUOTE]
I saw a ‘where are they now’ show on ET I believe a couple of years ago and as of that time he was living in Arizona and still very active and basically the tech guru of his retirement home due to a latter day interest in computers.
---
### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/35 "2010-09-29T15:18:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> The weird thing is that I’ve searched online and I can’t find any pictures of Abe Vigoda as a young man. All I can find are pictures of other people who are saying they look like a young Abe Vigoda. _The Godfather_ was Vigoda’s first big role but he has movie and film credits dating back to 1949. But as far as his image is concerned it’s like he suddenly appeared fully grown in 1971.
Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
---
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/36 "2010-09-29T15:20:24Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> > [@Little\_Nemo](#):
> >
> > The weird thing is that I’ve searched online and I can’t find any pictures of Abe Vigoda as a young man. All I can find are pictures of other people who are saying they look like a young Abe Vigoda. _The Godfather_ was Vigoda’s first big role but he has movie and film credits dating back to 1949. But as far as his image is concerned it’s like he suddenly appeared fully grown in 1971.
>
> Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
Hmm. I can see it… weird what makes a constipated mafioso in old age can be cute at 30.
===
Norman Lloyd, a member of Orson Welles/John Houseman’s Mercury Theater but probably best known for _St. Elsewhere_, is still around at 96. He hasn’t acted on film since 2005 but he does do interviews and was an advisor on and a character in _Orson Welles and Me_.
---
### Author:  [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/37 "2010-09-29T15:23:06Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
Kinda reminds me of a handsome, younger version of [Rondo Hatton](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondo_Hatton)
---
### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/38 "2010-09-29T15:44:13Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
> >
> > Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
>
> Kinda reminds me of a handsome, younger version of [Rondo Hatton](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondo_Hatton)
The first guy I thought of was [Matthew Modine](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_Modine_at_the_2009_premiere_of_PoliWood.jpg)
---
### Author:  [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/39 "2010-09-29T15:54:35Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> > [@Little\_Nemo](#):
> >
> > The weird thing is that I’ve searched online and I can’t find any pictures of Abe Vigoda as a young man. All I can find are pictures of other people who are saying they look like a young Abe Vigoda. _The Godfather_ was Vigoda’s first big role but he has movie and film credits dating back to 1949. But as far as his image is concerned it’s like he suddenly appeared fully grown in 1971.
>
> Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
Wait…is that really Abe Vigoda? I thought you were kidding because I thought it was [John Krasinski](http://photos.upi.com/story/t/5fff695af56fcc53ac96191f18095fe6/Jim-and-Pam-marry-on-The-Office.jpg) (Jim on _The Office_).
---
### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329/40 "2010-09-29T15:59:30Z")
> [@jayjay](#):
>
> > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
> >
> > Here is a [young](http://glessner.tumblr.com/post/125832413/bliccy-happy-thursday-young-abe-vigoda) Abe Vigoda.
>
> Wait…is that really Abe Vigoda? I thought you were kidding because I thought it was [John Krasinski](http://photos.upi.com/story/t/5fff695af56fcc53ac96191f18095fe6/Jim-and-Pam-marry-on-The-Office.jpg) (Jim on _The Office_).
Sorry; I should have added a smiley. To the best of my knowledge, that’s Krasinski, and the pic is a separated-at-birth coincidence.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329.md?page=1)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonagenarian-actors-who-are-still-with-us/555329.md?page=3)