Shocking Before And After Pictures Of Famous Golden Age Stars Who Are Still Alive Today

Susan Buckner  (Born In 1953) – Grease

It’s quite remarkable that Susan Buckner made a name for herself in just five years of an acting career when some could spend up to a decade before getting the opportunity to play any significant role. The former actress left her mark in the romantic comedy “Grease,” which was the film that made her a recognized actress even till today.

Before getting into the movie industry she emerged as Miss Washington in a beauty contest and also was part of the top ten final contestants for Miss America in 1972. In 2021, she featured on an episode of the podcast series “Hollywood and Beyond with Steven Brittingham.”

Ralph Carter (Born In 1961) – Good Times

Ralph Carter is a famous star of the ’70s who many Americans adore because of his role in the family drama sitcom “Good Times.” His dream was always to one day be on the big stage, and today he has a level of fame that he probably never dreamt of.

His career in Broadway began at only nine years old, and he received a few awards in his time. He later founded an organization called We Are Linden to help youths in the east side community with their issues. On January 17, 2022, the group came out to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dawn French (Born In 1957) – The Vicar of Dibley

The British comedy scene cannot hurriedly forget Dawn French as part of the French and Saunders duo, who ran a fantastic comedy sketch career for about two decades. They both made a lot of money and gained widespread popularity, especially among English and American audiences.

French has taken her career even further as an actress, appearing in notable movies like “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Her last role was in 2020 when she starred in the film “Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse.”

Priscilla Presley (Born In 1945) – N*ked Gun

Priscilla Presley became well-known because of her marriage to the legendary King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, and after his death, became the chairwoman of Elvis Presley Enterprises which turned his estate into a tourist attraction. That was the beginning of her deep dive into entrepreneurship although she had started a business after her separation from Elvis.

Priscilla also dabbled in acting for some time and featured in the three “N*ked Gun” films as well as in the TV series “Dallas.” Lately, she speaks up about animal rights and produced a short documentary in 2020 “Land of the Free: Animal Trafficking Redefined.”

Cybill Shepherd (Born In 1950) – The Last Picture Show

We remember the iconic actress and former model Cybill Shepherd who began making moves towards fame in her teenage days. At 18, she won a national beauty contest which was the starting point of her career in television because a director discovered her after it and cast her in the movie “The Last Picture Show.”

She got to win awards in the movie industry and has featured in many projects up to date. After five decades in the industry she is still making waves and was featured in the 2021 TV series “Guilty Party.”

Susan Howard (Born In 1944)  – Dallas

The “Dallas” star Susan Howard has a lot of acting credits to her name, most of which were between the ’70s and ’80s. Apart from acting, she is a reputable screenwriter and dabbles in political activism as well.

She has devoted most of her youth to the entertainment industry and even in her golden years, she continues to dominate as an iconic actress. She has also aged gracefully and it’s hard to tell her age from just her looks. In 2022, she continues to enjoy retirement from the big screens and is still an advocate for gun rights.

Linda Gray (Born In 1940) – Dallas

Linda Gray was also a part of the cast in the soap opera “Dallas” which was the tipping point of her career, as she went on from there to feature in more iconic films that some of the top actors we have today also featured.

She has kept her youthful features over the years which would make anyone who sees her downsize her age by at least 20 years. Gray has continued to be a part of the industry even when many stars her age have long retired. In the wake of the pandemic in 2020, she also featured on an episode of “Stars in the House.”

Johnny Mathis (Born In 1935) –  Johnny’s Greatest Hits

Johnny Mathis redefined romantic music in his time and and you know how it goes with love songs; his popularity only continued to soar. He became a famous singer and songwriter whose songs ranked pretty well on the Billboard charts and are still popular hits today like “Gina.”

Appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” also boosted his popularity in the late ’50s and his album “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” endured in the top Billboard 200 for a record nine and a half years. Today he’s still touring and his “The Voice of Romance Tour” played at Johnny Mercer’s Theater on January 14, 2022.

Wesley Snipes (Born In 1962) – Blade

Wesley Snipes is a popular name in the movie industry and his greatest work was as the MCU character Blade in the Blade franchise. His career is a storied one with ups and downs which eventually culminated in him becoming an award-winning actor and owning his own production company.

We’re not sure if after almost five decades, Snipes is still skilled in martial arts, but his acting skills are still as amazing as ever and he has been part of the industry for almost four decades. In 2021, he played the role of General Izzi in the movie sequel “Coming 2 America.”

Judi Dench (Born In 1934) – Shakespeare In Love

Among the most versatile actresses to ever storm the movie industry is Judi Dench who is considered a legendary icon in Great Britain. She trained in classical acting and one of her most iconic early roles was the depiction of Queen Victoria in “Mrs Brown.”

However, she is mostly beloved for her role as James Bond’s boss, M, a role she played in several movies of the franchise up until “Skyfall.” Today she is still dominating our screens despite being at an age where many would already require elder care. In July 2021, she appeared in the movie “Off The Rails.”

Kate Winslet (Born In 1975) – Titanic

Kate Winslet is best known for her lead role in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” which propelled her career to unimaginable heights. She has went on to feature in several other movies and has even won an Oscar as Best Actress for her role in “The Reader.”

Even after a few decades have passed, she is still one of the most influential women in the world as well as a fan favorite on the big screen. Recently, she has taken up the lead role in the ongoing highly rated TV series “Mare of Easttown.”

Chaka Khan (Born In 1953) – Ain’t Nobody

Whether as part of a band or on her own, Chaka Khan turned heads with her amazing musical abilities as a singer and songwriter with her funky style and R&B musicality. She has gained a pretty large fan base in over five decades of her career and she has made some landmark records as well.

After selling about 70 million records globally and winning ten Grammys, Khan must have made enough to not worry about financial planning in retirement. And it’s not as if she has even shown any indication it will happen soon seeing as she joined the YouTuber Todrick Hall on his album in 2021.

Mia Farrow (Born In 1945) – Peyton Place

Mia Farrow was brought up in the heart of the entertainment industry, in the famed Beverly Hills and as a result, eventually ventured into her own career at the age of 19. She had access to this life as the eldest daughter of John Farrow, an Australian movie director.

Her career skyrocketed in the ’60s and she originally gained recognition for her role in the soap opera “Peyton Place.” She has proven herself an amazing actress winning a golden globe award and also gained fame when she married Frank Sinatra. In 2021 she revealed the story of Woody Allen in the documentary “Allen v. Farrow.”

Ally Sheedy (Born In 1962) – The Breakfast Club

Ally Sheedy is best remembered for her outcast role in “The Breakfast Club.” She had started featuring in stage productions right from her teenage days and debuted her first feature on the big screens in “Bad Boys.” She was the most active in her career during the ’80s but still hasn’t slowed down today, almost five decades into that career.

Although Sheedy’s success is inspirational, she wasn’t always into the acting business. She wanted to be a dancer but eventually switched her focus to acting and we’re glad she did. She became a guest on “Good Morning America” in January 2022.

Pam Grier (Born In 1949) – Jackie Brown

The first female action star, as Pam Grier has been dubbed, is a title she earned because of dominant female roles in films like “Foxy Brown.” There’s no disputing her legendary status in the industry which she has built up over the years despite the break she took from acting in the ’90s.

When she returned to the screen, she easily flourished and even won a Best Actress award for her first role in “Jackie Brown.” Grier has survived the industry for some years and she was featured in the TV series “Bless This Mess,” which ran two seasons from 2019 to 2020.

Jodie Foster (Born In 1962) – The Silence Of The Lambs

One of the multi-award-winning icons of her generation is Jodie Foster who debuted her acting on the big screen at only 13 years old. She quickly advanced in her career from acting to directing and has been delivering some iconic work ever since including directing some episodes of fan favorite TV shows like “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black.”

She has gained enough recognition to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and still hasn’t slowed down up to date. In 2021, she was awarded her third Golden Globe Award for her performance in the movie “The Mauritanian.”

Sophia Loren (Born In 1934) – Prêt-à-Porter

Sophia Loren has aged gracefully and is still as fierce and beautiful as ever. She starred in several Italian and American movies between the ’50s and the ’60s, and she has practically become a legend in the film industry. It has been noted that as of 2022, she is the only actress who is still alive from Hollywood’s golden age who is on the American Film Institute’ list.

Impressively, her career started when she was at the age of 16 in the ’50s and the list of her acting credits goes on up till the 21st century in 2020 with the movie “The Life Ahead.”

Mary Steenburgen (Born In 1953) – Melvin and Howard

Mary Steenburgen is a multi talented singer, actress, and comedian who has received many accolades for her work in the course of her career. With initial works that date up to the ’70s, her acting portfolio is similar to that of an entertainer ready to retire, however, she has remained very much active up to date.

She has also worked on the soundtrack for many films and has even won an award for best song in a musical film. The world will feel it if she eventually was no longer with us but for now, we still enjoy her acting in movies like “Nightmare Alley,” which was released in 2021.

Rene Russo (Born In 1954) – Nightcrawler

Being born in Los Angeles, Rene Russo was already exposed to the bustle of city life and began a modeling career that landed her on the cover of popular magazine Vogue. She eventually debuted as an actress and became internationally known for franchises like “Lethal Weapon.”

With the passage of time, Russo has grown into even more iconic roles like that of Frigga, the mother of Thor, and has made appearances in the MCU most recently in 2019 in the “Avengers: Endgame” where she reprised that role. It revived her career and made her relevant again after her hiatus from acting.

Iman (Born In 1955) – Versace

Iman is a Somalian model who ventured into her career at the age of 21 with the reputable magazine Vogue. She gained additional popularity when she married the now deceased rockstar David Bowie but she had already gone ahead to be featured on some of the most prestigious magazines in the world which established her as a supermodel.

More than four decades down the line, in addition to her career success, she has now become an active entrepreneur and released her signature brand of fragrance called Love Memoir in the fall of 2021.

Lena Olin (Born In 1955) – The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Not only does the Swedish actress Lena Olin continue to turn heads with her iconic acting in a career spanning beyond four decades, but she also continues to defy the aging process as time goes by. She’s been nominated for several awards in her time and has come a long way from her first movies like “Face to Face.”

Recently, Olin became a part of the cast in the ongoing series “Hunters” which began airing in 2020. She has played many versatile roles in her career and some have been of completely opposite nature. She’s an amazing actress and we hope to see more of her.

Geena Davis (Born In 1956)- Thelma & Louise

Geena Davis was a star of the ’80s known for some unforgettable roles in acclaimed movies like “Accidental Tourist.” Anyone who followed films in the ’80s must have looked forward to seeing her play a part and as a testament to her iconic acting skills, she has received both a Golden Globe and Academy Award.

Today she has transitioned into her golden years but is every bit the star she was in her youth. In 2020, she was featured in the thriller movie “Ava” and her acting has also been credited for fighting gender bias in the industry and the world at large.

Andie MacDowell (Born In 1958)- Four Weddings and a Funeral

The beautiful Andie MacDowell still shows attributes of an unrepentant model even though she long moved on to become an actress—well, she never really completely moved on because she remains an ambassador for L’Oréal. She is remembered fondly for her appearance in the comedy film “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

In October 2021, MacDowell began playing a role in the TV mini series “Maid.” This comes almost four decades after she made her debut in the movie industry and watching her play the role of Paula Langley shows just how much she has grown as an actress.

Barbra Streisand (Born In 1942) – Funny Girl

It’s an indisputable fact that Barbara Streisand is a once in a lifetime icon because only a handful of stars can boast of a Grammy, a Tony Award, an Oscar Award, and an Emmy. Her career has been nothing short of outstanding and although she is now quite advanced in age, there’s no way talent like hers could depreciate.

Even though she’s not acting much lately, her musical talent is still very much alive. She performed the soundtrack “Guilty” in the comedy film “Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar” which was released in 2021.

Sharon Stone (Born In 1958) – Basic Instinct

The name Sharon Stone is a popular one in Hollywood known particularly for portraying complicated or mysterious women by virtue of the types of roles she takes on. Over the years she became associated with such characters that she became the prime candidate in mind whenever writers envision such women.

Funny enough, her career started with her acting in comedy projects but “Basic Instinct” was the movie that better showcased her real talents. Today she is a film producer who has aged magnificently into her golden years. In September 2021, she appeared in the movie “Here Today.”

Jaclyn Smith (Born In 1945) – Charlie’s Angels

We have to consider the possibility that Jaclyn Smith is actually a celestial being not just because she was one of the “Charlie’s Angels” but because she doesn’t seem to have aged a day since the ’70s. After more than four decades of her career, the actress has no plans to go anywhere, surely not with her still looking like she’s at the peak of her youth.

After the original “Charlie’s Angels” ended in 1981, she was still recalled to reprise her role in the comeback it made both in 2003 and 2019. Today she appears in the ongoing series “All American,” which began its fourth season in October 2021.

Meryl Streep (Born In 1949) – Sophie’s Choice

There’s a reason why Meryl Streep is considered the best actress of her generation, and it’s not just because of recent roles like the one she played as the President in “Don’t Look Up,” released in December 2021. Her proficiency as an actress goes way back to the ’70s, and we are lucky she’s still alive today, giving us a glimpse of her work.

From the ’70s to the ’80s, Streep wowed the movie industry, earning recognition through nominations and awards. And it ain’t just the film industry that has recognized her, for she also received a National Medal of Arts from former President Barack Obama in 2010.

Catherine Bach (Born In 1954) – The Dukes Of Hazzard

Catherine Bach, famed for her role in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” already earned her place as a star in the movie industry. She was one of the actresses who dominated the ’70s, and not many people remember that she was one of the kids in “Sound of Music.” That professional debut introduced her into the industry, and since then, she has been a sight to see.

Bach has established herself as a prolific actress with over 30 acting credits and about four decades on the big screen. In 2021, she appeared in a documentary called “Hollywood Signs.”

Melissa Sue Anderson (Born In 1962) – Little House on the Prairie

Melissa Sue Anderson became a household name because of her role in the NBC drama “Little House on the Prairie.” She began as a child appearing in commercials before landing the part that has become an unshakable identity for her.

After the show ended, she released an autobiography detailing her life on the series, which was basically her childhood because she began starring in it at 11. It’s been nearly five decades since then, and it’s incredible to see what has become of this actress. In 2021, she was featured in an episode of the podcast series “Hollywood and Beyond” hosted by Steven Brittingham.

Tina Louise (Born In 1834) – Gilligan’s Island

Just before the ’50s came to an end, a star was born into the movie industry with Tina Louise opening up her way to stardom through her role in “God’s Little Acre.” She eventually bagged an award as the Best New Star of the Year for this role but that was only the beginning.

She got more famous for her role in the TV series “Gilligan’s Island” and today she’s the only member of the original cast that is still alive. She has come a long way after more than six decades in the movie industry and was last seen in the 2019 movie “Tapestry.”

Heather Locklear (Born In 1961) – Melrose Place

Heather Locklear was notable in the ’90s as a glamor symbol, especially because of her starring role in the soap opera “Melrose Place.” She seems to have aged gracefully over the years and has been featured in many other projects since it’s cancellation in 1999.

Locklear is one actress that has explored the industry in almost every possible way. She has a hand in many projects, some that would surprise you like guest starring in Disney’s Hannah Montana. In October 2021, she starred as the titular character in the movie “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story.”

Barbara Bach (Born In 1947) – The Spy Who Loved Me

Barbara Bach gained some level of fame because of her role as a Bond girl in “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Although not many people know, she’s also married to the drummer of the Beatles Ringo Starr and her last public appearance was in his big birthday show in 2020.

Her acting career spanned just about two decades but she made some record achievements in the short time and today she is credited as one of the actresses that spiced up the movie industry between the ’70s and the ’80s.

Susan Buckner  (Born In 1953) – Grease

It’s quite remarkable that Susan Buckner made a name for herself in just five years of an acting career when some could spend up to a decade before getting the opportunity to play any significant role. The former actress left her mark in the romantic comedy “Grease,” which was the film that made her a recognized actress even till today.

Before getting into the movie industry she emerged as Miss Washington in a beauty contest and also was part of the top ten final contestants for Miss America in 1972. In 2021, she featured on an episode of the podcast series “Hollywood and Beyond with Steven Brittingham.”

Kristy McNichol (Born In 1962 ) – Family

We notice that most times stars who hit the spotlight early wish to take a step back from it a bit sooner than we may like but it’s understandable. For someone like Kristy McNichol who achieved fame a bit early through her role in the series “Family,” nearly three decades were enough for her to spend in the industry.

After her retirement in 2001 she decided to focus on herself. She became a teacher at a private school, she came out as gay, and she spent most of her free time engaging in charity work. In 2022, she enjoys life away from the spotlight with her longtime partner Martie Allen. 

Erika Eleniak (Born In 1969) – Baywatch

The Playboy playmate Erika Eleniak was a star in the ’80s both as a model and an actress who acquired fame for her role in “Baywatch.” She kicked off her career at the age of 12 and took center stage in acting roles very early in her career.

We’ve seen Eleniak battle through ups and downs during her career both with weight gain and weight loss. The pressures of fame can be quite a lot to handle but today she can tell a success story because she made it through. As of 2022, she has been cast to play Marilyn Monroe in “Marilyn Monroe Back?”

Loni Anderson (Born In 1945) – WKRP in Cincinnati

You’ll remember Loni Anderson best for her role as Jennifer Marlowe in the popular CBS sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati.” Just as you won’t forget that performance she also won’t because it won her three Golden Globe Awards and also got her nominated twice for Emmy Awards.

Another thing that made Anderson stand out was her stunning looks which remain part of her features even after more than four decades and despite her advancement in agd . She starred in the TV series “My Sister Is So Gay” for four years up until 2020. 

Sissy Spacek (Born In 1949) – Carrie

Everybody knows the story of Carrie White and the events that took place in the fictional horror movie “Carrie.” While many still reference it, not everyone remembers that it was Sissy Spacek who brought that exceptional character to life. She has showcased her skills in other projects and became an Oscar winner in the ’80s for the biopic “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Spacek initially planned to pursue a music career but the movie industry is where she had exceptional talent. She has come out in several films and TV shows over the years and in 2021, voiced Susanna Clarke’s narrations in the documentary “Without Getting Killed or Caught.”

Lucy Lawless (Born In 1968) – Xena: Warrior Princess

The New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless is famous for her portrayal of the warrior woman Xena in the fantasy TV series “Xena: Warrior Princess.” You’d think she has a knack for the medieval periods because she also featured in a similarly themed series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.”

Her career took root during the ’90s with those projects after she completed her studies in drama and since then she has been seen in diverse genres like comedy, horror, and supernatural. Her career is still booming today as if three decades haven’t passed and she stars in the ongoing series “My Life Is Murder,” which completed season 2 in 2021.

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