# 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:** 29
**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 2, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/561 "2024-06-02T17:29:03Z")
> [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be 96 on Tuesday, June 4. I met her almost 40 years ago, and she came across as very grandmotherly (and older than she was, which would have been in her late 50s) even then. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/562 "2024-06-02T17:34:07Z")
Incidentally, Dr Ruth’s new role is as the [Loneliness Ambassador for the State of New York](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/nyregion/dr-ruth-loneliness-ambassador.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wk0.LJEj.jsv7KDEMf4XU&smid=url-share), given that loneliness and isolation are now recognized as a major issue (particularly during the pandemic, when people weren’t meeting). Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, has also spoken about this. ---
**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, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/563 "2024-06-02T17:57:47Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > > > Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be 96 on Tuesday, June 4. > > I met her almost 40 years ago, and she came across as very grandmotherly (and older than she was, which would have been in her late 50s) even then. I imagine her unusually short stature (4’7") gave her a prematurely “stooped with age” look. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/564 "2024-06-02T21:02:50Z")
The television was running that one classic movie, “_Serpentine, Shelly, serpentine!_” which includes one James Hong “_I don’t know such stuff. I only do eyes._” who is still working at not young. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/565 "2024-06-10T23:50:09Z")
Wink Martindale, game show host, is alive at age 90. Certainly some folks thought he was gone. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/566 "2024-06-10T23:59:54Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Wink Martindale, game show host, is alive at age 90. Bob Eubanks, another game show host, is also still kicking at age 86. I thought he left us some time ago. ---
**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 11, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/567 "2024-06-11T00:03:02Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Bob Eubanks, another game show host, is also still kicking at age 86. > > I thought he left us some time ago. As long as “[in the butt, Bob](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2naTw9y7zsE)” still circulates, Bob will be with us. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/568 "2024-06-11T15:56:29Z")
Technically, the answer given was “in the ass,” but I can appreciate your cleaning it up a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/569 "2024-06-11T16:48:09Z")
Doc Severinsen just celebrated his 96th birthday. That one took me by surprise. (Apologies if he’s already been mentioned) ---
**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 11, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/570 "2024-06-11T17:07:16Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > (Apologies if he’s already been mentioned) Several times, but it looks like the last time was almost two years ago. And, his birthday’s in July (he will turn 97 on July 7th). He was the subject of [an episode of the PBS documentary/biography series _American Masters_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14207686/?ref_=ttep_ep4), which premiered in 2021; if you have a chance to see it, it’s very enjoyable. For those of us who grew up watching _The Tonight Show_, and saw Doc as the funny guy with the crazy outfits, it’s cool to see just how gifted and dedicated of a musician he is, as well. (Though, it’s also clear that his music career had a toll on his family life.) His Wikipedia entry says that he gave his final concert in 2022, a few months after his 95th birthday. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/571 "2024-06-11T17:18:30Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Doc Severinsen just celebrated his 96th birthday. That one took me by surprise. He’s lived 30+ years after his 30 years on Carson. I would not have guessed that. Good for him. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/572 "2024-06-11T17:19:21Z")
Not an Abe Vigoda because he’s so well known, but if you did not see 98 year old Dick Van Dyke at the Emmy’s the other day, you should. He isn’t just 98. He’s spry and still dancing and moving great. Good for him! ---
**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 11, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/573 "2024-06-11T17:57:57Z")
Just don’t tell him about the man with a wooden leg named Smith… ---
**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 11, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/574 "2024-06-11T18:05:51Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Star Trek’s Barbara Babcock is still about. I just had occasion to look her up as well; still alive at 87 as far as I can tell. She guested twice on original _Trek_, and was an uncredited voice a few more times. I think her most memorable role was as Grace Gardner on _Hill Street Blues_. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/575 "2024-06-12T21:22:42Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Doc Severinsen just celebrated his 96th birthday 11 months ago? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/576 "2024-06-13T14:40:58Z")
We’re currently watching an episode a week of Dr. Kildare. Just about everybody you see on the show except child actors is dead. But Richard Chamberlain is still going at 90. No listing on IMDb since 2019. One of the semi-regulars who is still alive is the afore mentioned Lee Meriwether who recently turned 89. IMDb lists appearing in 9 episodes (or 8 depending on which page) but that seems like a larger undercount. (Many of her appearances were uncredited.) Her last credit is also 2019. Diane Baker, 86, also appeared in 7 or so episodes but hasn’t worked since 2013. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/577 "2024-06-14T14:32:22Z")
I’ll never know what inspired me to look this up, but actor Bernie Kopell, who played the ship’s doctor on the _Love Boat_ is 92. His lasted listed TV role was in 2022, when he was a mere 90. Most of the crew of the Pacific Princess are still with us. Only Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) has taken his final voyage. He passed in 2021. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/578 "2024-06-14T14:52:54Z")
Love Boat frequently tops, or topped in the past, one of the older show that had an all living cast. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/579 "2024-06-14T14:53:32Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I’ll never know what inspired me to look this up, but actor Bernie Kopell, who played the ship’s doctor on the _Love Boat_ is 92. His lasted listed TV role was in 2022, when he was a mere 90. He’s 90 now, by the way. Not 92. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/580 "2024-06-14T15:13:10Z")
A friend just saw Wayne Newton in concert in Vegas. I had no idea he was still around. I also saw him in Vegas once, back in 1999 or so. Always figured he was a late-50s icon, and when I checked his birthdate on wiki just before posting here, I was stunned to see he was only born in 1942. I’m older now than he was in _Licence to Kill_, and I thought he was an ironic relic then. [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=28) [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=30)