# Who are our current "Abe Vigodas"? (people you might be surprised to learn are still alive) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** actor-characters\ **Created:** [September 7, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985 "2020-09-07T01:18:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/541 "2024-05-06T22:40:45Z")
He’s probably already been mentioned but I was a little surprised to see a recent present-tense reference to Dick Cavett. He’s 87. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/542 "2024-05-07T11:09:36Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > The oldest living MLB player just turned 100: Actually, former MLB player—otherwise that would be _really_ impressive. ---
**Author:** ![distaccato](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/distaccato/32/16779_2.png) [@distaccato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/distaccato)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/543 "2024-05-07T13:43:34Z")
Alive, and _working_. [Marc Ribler’s Story Road - Dick Cavett](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3EcxgjjO88) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/544 "2024-05-07T18:49:36Z")
Some I just found out about. Sid Kroft, co-creator of a number of kid’s shows from my childhood (which was a long time ago) is still alive at 94. (And his brother Marty died just last year.) The instrumental “Green Onions” was released in 1962 and two of its composers are still alive; Booker T. Jones is 79 and Steve Cropper is 82. Sam Moore of Sam & Dave is still alive at 88. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/545 "2024-05-18T00:24:33Z")
Dabney Coleman passed away yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/546 "2024-05-23T21:05:46Z")
A two-time “Mr. Universe,” former professional wrestler and actor, Barbados-born Earl Maynard is still around at 88. I could swear I saw Mr. Maynard on a wrestling show (“Beat the Champ”) in the early 1970s when he was asked about an upcoming match between two heels. He said: “I hope they both lose.” This phrase is more often attributed to Henry Kissinger speaking of the Iran-Iraq war in the '80s, proving he was not only a war criminal (unindicted), but also a plagiarist. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/547 "2024-05-25T16:11:16Z")
Civil rights activist and politician (mayor of Atlanta, UN ambassoador, Congress - pretty impressive CV) is 92 and still active. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/548 "2024-05-25T16:14:48Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Civil rights activist and politician (mayor of Atlanta, UN ambassoador, Congress - pretty impressive CV) is 92 and still active “Who is Andrew Young?” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/549 "2024-05-25T16:22:42Z")
I recently read a “remember when” article about the short-lived 1967 sitcom _Good Morning World_. And I saw that its two leads, Joby Baker and Ronnie Schell, are still alive at 90 and 92. Goldie Hawn was also in the series. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/550 "2024-05-25T16:50:02Z")
Yes! I messed that one up, thanks ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/551 "2024-05-31T21:17:15Z")
Composer David Shire is still with us at 86 - as is his songwriting partner, Richard Maltby, Jr. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/552 "2024-06-01T10:45:21Z")
[Marshall Allen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Allen), sax player with the Sun Ra Arkestra since the 1950s is 100, and was still playing at 95 at least ! ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/553 "2024-06-01T20:14:10Z")
Country music legend Willie Nelson is 91, and has just released his **75th** album. He also tours regularly. Whatever he’s doing, I’d like to do it too. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/554 "2024-06-01T20:44:25Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Whatever he’s doing, I’d like to do it too. My understanding is that it’s considerable amounts of cannabis. 🪴 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/555 "2024-06-01T22:41:42Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > He also tours regularly. On the road, _again_? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/556 "2024-06-02T01:36:11Z")
Buck Taylor, he was Newly on _Gunsmoke_ owned the gun store and filled in as deputy. He’s continued working steadily until 2022 on _Yellowstone_… He’s 86. His dad Dub Taylor was a character actor. Played a lot of villians.lived to 87. [![](https://townsquare.media/site/481/files/2015/05/buck_taylor_gunsmoke_Gunsmoke_Full_Episodes_YouTube1.png?w=980&q=75) ](https://townsquare.media/site/481/files/2015/05/buck_taylor_gunsmoke_Gunsmoke_Full_Episodes_YouTube1.png?w=980&q=75) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/557 "2024-06-02T01:55:23Z")
Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced Alice in _Alice in Wonderland_ and Wendy in _Peter Pan_, is still alive at 86. She even came out of retirement last year to voice the original Alice again for an episode of _Alice’s Wonderland Bakery_. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/558 "2024-06-02T01:56:57Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@zimaane](#): > > > > Whatever he’s doing, I’d like to do it too. > > My understanding is that it’s considerable amounts of cannabis. 🪴 From 22 years ago: > **[Smiling Willie Nelson Reflects On A Lifetime Of Weed And Women](https://www.theonion.com/smiling-willie-nelson-reflects-on-a-lifetime-of-weed-an-1819566320)** > > LUCK , TX— Taking a long, slow drag off a joint, country-music legend Willie Nelson reflected on a lifetime of weed and women Monday. "I've had some pretty fine times," said a smiling Nelson between hits at his West Texas ranch. "And some pretty fine... ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/559 "2024-06-02T12:26:57Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > still playing at 95 at least ! make that 98 ! [cite](https://youtu.be/LVnthZL2TiE) ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/560 "2024-06-02T17:05:01Z")
Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be 96 on Tuesday, June 4. I hadn’t thought of her in ages but then a clip if her interviewing Gene Simmons in 1986 popped up on my YouTube feed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985.md?page=29)