# 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:** 68
**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:** [May 14, 2026, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1347 "2026-05-14T09:06:37Z")
On a whim, I dialed up _Harper Valley PTA_ on Apple Music today (one of the songs off that album, _No Brass Band_, has been stuck in my head for the last few days). That made me think of the movie and sitcom of the same name. I looked up the credits for the movie and show, and noticed that the star of both of those projects, Barbara Eden, is still alive. She’ll turn 94 later this year. And the woman who sang the song of that name, Jeannie C. Reilly, is also still with us at age 80. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1348 "2026-05-14T17:10:08Z")
Ms Eden is safe as she’s been on my Death List for years. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1349 "2026-05-18T19:44:16Z")
This website (which is updated twice a month) is a list of celebrities who are among the oldest ones still alive: [https://www.imdb.com/list/ls023573954/](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls023573954/) ---
**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 19, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1350 "2026-05-19T12:43:12Z")
Update: change “no” to “some.” [Herbert Blomstedt withdraws from weekend S.F. Symphony concerts after struggling](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/herbert-blomstedt-withdraws-weekend-f-003854501.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1351 "2026-05-19T12:47:01Z")
I’m hoping that I can continue to remain healthy and vibrant so that in, say, 50 years I can name myself in this thread. 🙂 ---
**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 19, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1352 "2026-05-19T12:58:54Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I can name myself in this thread Interesting point. At what age does it become acceptable for a Doper to self-identify as an Abe Vigoda? The first person named in this thread was Willie Mays, at age 89. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1353 "2026-05-19T14:41:24Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > At what age does it become acceptable for a Doper to self-identify as an Abe Vigoda? 1. It’s in the ToA. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1354 "2026-05-24T18:13:52Z")
It occurred to me just now that Louise Lasser (_Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman_) is still with us. She just recently turned 87. Edit: upon looking, her costar Greg Mullavey is also still alive, and will turn 87 later this year. ---
**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, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1355 "2026-05-25T04:00:11Z")
So is Mary Kay Place, at 78. ---
**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, 2026, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1356 "2026-05-25T04:07:26Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > On a whim, I dialed up _Harper Valley PTA_ on Apple Music today (one of the songs off that album, _No Brass Band_, has been stuck in my head for the last few days). > > That made me think of the movie and sitcom of the same name. I looked up the credits for the movie and show, and noticed that the star of both of those projects, Barbara Eden, is still alive. She’ll turn 94 later this year. She is the only surviving cast member from _7 Faces of Dr Lao_, one of my favorite movies. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1357 "2026-06-05T21:23:50Z")
It occurred to me just a few minutes ago that Michael Dukakis is still with, and will turn 93 this year. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1358 "2026-06-05T21:30:37Z")
Herbie Hancock recently turned 86. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1359 "2026-06-06T16:37:51Z")
[Plas Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plas_Johnson) will (hopefully) turn 95 in a few weeks. While not a household name, most people have heard him play saxophone, most notably playing the melody on the theme for “The Pink Panther” by Henry Mancini, recorded in 1963. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1360 "2026-06-06T16:51:07Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Inspired by a different thread, I realized that Judd Hirsch is still with us at 90. And he was just in a couple of episodes of the show “Doc” in April 2026. Not bad for a 91 year old! ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1361 "2026-06-06T21:47:24Z")
Billy Mills won the 10,000 meter race in the 1964 Olympics in a tremendous upset, sprinting past Mohammed Gammoudi and heavy favorite Ron Clarke down the stretch to claim the gold medal. His time that day was 50 seconds faster than his previous best. He remains the only American to win the 10,000 meters. Billy Mills is still alive and well at 87 years of age. ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1362 "2026-06-06T21:56:18Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Billy Mills is still alive and well at 87 years of age. I met Jim Ryun at a Track and Field coaches event a few years ago. He was the first high schooler to beat the 4 minute mile. Nice guy, though I think he turned out to be a right-winger. I have no idea if he supports Trump…but I bet he does. Still alive. 79 years old. ---
**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 6, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1363 "2026-06-06T22:06:18Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Nice guy, though I think he turned out to be a right-winger. Ryun was a GOP US Representative from Kansas from 1996 to 2007. From his [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Ryun) page: > In 2006, the National Journal rated Ryun as the nation’s most conservative member of Congress. > In 2005, Ryun scored 0 percent on the Republicans for Environmental Protection (“REP”) scorecard. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that he is a Trump supporter. (I saw him run when he was a high school senior in Wichita. He easily won the state track meet in the mile run.) ---
**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 6, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1364 "2026-06-06T22:36:41Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > (I saw him run when he was a high school senior in Wichita. He easily won the state track meet in the mile run.) And he did win the Silver Medal at the 1968 Olympics. 1500M. ---
**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 6, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1365 "2026-06-06T22:37:17Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that he is a Trump supporter. Oh, crap. Yeah, probably. [![](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/ryunjim_trumpdonald_07242020getty.jpg?w=1280) ](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/ryunjim_trumpdonald_07242020getty.jpg?w=1280) ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-our-current-abe-vigodas-people-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-are-still-alive/919985/1366 "2026-06-12T23:14:12Z")
Gene Shalit has left the list. [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=67) [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=69)