# 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:** 66
**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:** [April 16, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1307 "2026-04-16T04:22:34Z")
Especially with him not eating healthy, walking outdoors in bad weather, and drinking all that alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1308 "2026-04-16T15:14:42Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > drinking all that alcohol. Actually, Holmes doesn’t even like piña coladas. When he began to write the song, the line was going to be “If you like Humphrey Bogart”. He decided that he already had too many old movie references in his first four studio albums, so he needed something new. The name of the song is actually “Escape”. If someone wants to escape, they might want to go to a beach on an Caribbean island. One thing they drink there is piña coladas. So he put that into the song. He apparently isn’t really into the other things mentioned either. Neither actors nor singers are necessarily like the people they portray in the roles or songs: > **[Escape (The Piña Colada Song)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_(The_Pi%C3%B1a_Colada_Song))** > > "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" is a song written and performed by British-American singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes taken from his fifth studio album Partners in Crime (1979). As the lead single for the album, the pop song was recommended by Billboard for radio broadcasters on September 29, 1979, then added to prominent US radio playlists during October–November. Rising in popularity, the song peaked at the end of December to become the final US number-one song of the 1970s. > The song follows a t... ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1309 "2026-04-16T17:33:57Z")
I discovered today via the newspaper’s celebrity birthday report that Bobby Vinton is still alive at 91. ---
**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:** [April 16, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1310 "2026-04-16T18:41:39Z")
I just saw an online mention of John Waters and his upcoming 80th birthday. ---
**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:** [April 16, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1311 "2026-04-16T19:23:42Z")
_The Right Stuff_ director Philip Kaufman is still alive at 89. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2026, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1312 "2026-04-17T04:48:59Z")
All of the main cast members of _Miami Vice_ are still alive; Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Edward James Olmos, Olivia Brown, John Diehl, Saundra Santiago, and Michael Talbott. (Gregory Sierra died in 2021 but he was only in the first four episodes.) Creator Anthony Yerkovich and producer Michael Mann are also alive. And Jan Hammer, who wrote the theme music. Not bad for the adult cast of a show that premiered forty-two years ago. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1313 "2026-04-19T20:47:23Z")
Speaking of _The Right Stuff_, I was watching a reaction to _Apollo 13_ earlier today, and the mention of astronaut Jack Swigert’s death from cancer got me to look up the actual people involved in the real disaster. One of the actual astronauts is still alive. Fred Haise is still with us at the age of 92. Ironically, only one of the actors playing the crew has died. Bill Paxton, who played Haise in the film, died in 2017. And Gene Krantz, the Chief Flight Director for the Apollo 13 mission (played by Ed Harris in the movie), is also still alive at age of 92. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1314 "2026-04-19T20:58:46Z")
Willie Nelson will celebrate his 93rd birthday at the end of this month. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1315 "2026-04-19T22:13:48Z")
Some people amaze me and he is one. I wonder if he really smokes all that much marijuana or if he cleaned up at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1316 "2026-04-20T03:38:03Z")
I heard Marsha Mason mentioned on a “Seinfeld” episode and looked her up - she’s still with us at 84. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1317 "2026-04-20T13:00:57Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I heard Marsha Mason mentioned on a “Seinfeld” episode and looked her up - she’s still with us at 84 I’m at work and can’t look, but I’m wondering if any of the Seinfeld character’s parents are still alive(actors, I mean). George - both dead(two amazing actors) Jerry - I know his dad has died Elaine - we only met dad and he died I’m not sure on any others. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1318 "2026-04-20T13:28:09Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > George - both dead(two amazing actors) > Jerry - I know his dad has died > Elaine - we only met dad and he died > > I’m not sure on any others. It appears they are all dead. George’s father was played by John Randolph and Jerry Stiller. His mother was played by Estelle Parsons. All three are dead. Jerry’s father was played by Phil Bruns and Barney Martin. His mother was played by Liz Sheridan. All three are dead. Elaine’s father was played by Lawrence Tierney. Kramer’s mother was played by Sheree North. Both are dead. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1319 "2026-04-20T13:44:50Z")
Uncle Lloyd from Seinfeld is also dead. Len Lesser. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1320 "2026-04-20T13:59:36Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’m wondering if any of the Seinfeld character’s parents are still alive(actors, I mean). Which got me thinking about another comedy show in the 90s, Friends. So I looked up the actors who played the parents of the six principals: Parents of Monica & Ross: Christina Pickles is still alive, age 91. Elliott Gould is still alive, age 87. Parents of Rachel: Marlo Thomas is still alive, age 88. Ron Leibman died in 2019 at age 82. Parents of Phoebe: Teri Garr died in 2024 at the age of 79. Bob Balaban is still alive, age 80. Parents of Chandler: Morgan Fairchild is still alive, age 76. Kathleen Turner is still alive, age 71. Parents of Joey: Brenda Vaccaro is still alive, age 86. Robert Costanzo is still alive, age 83. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1321 "2026-04-20T19:13:01Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Uncle Lloyd from Seinfeld is also dead. Len Lesser. Uncle Leo. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1322 "2026-04-24T04:50:19Z")
An old Battle of the Network Stars showed up in my feed and it showed someone I’ve not heard from or even thought about in years and was surprised she was still alive. Rona Barrett is still kicking it at 89 years old. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1323 "2026-04-25T05:38:52Z")
I usually hear about people I’m surprised to hear are alive by reading about their recent deaths. ---
**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 1, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1324 "2026-05-01T18:14:59Z")
I’d be surprised too if I heard about people who are alive but who recently died. And a little scared. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1325 "2026-05-01T20:25:14Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > I usually hear about people I’m surprised to hear are alive by reading about their recent deaths. Probably you were surprised to hear that they were still alive until reading about their recent deaths. But we knew what you meant. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1326 "2026-05-02T00:58:46Z")
Carol Burnett’s birthday was April 26th (last Saturday). Happy 93rd! _tugs ear_ > [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > Willie Nelson will celebrate his 93rd birthday at the end of this month. Willie’s birthday was last Wednesday! [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=65) [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=67)