Here, we’ve shared a list of the 29 oldest celebrities in the world in 2024 and their outstanding achievements, to show age really is just a number and should never be a barrier to success.
This information is true and accurate as of January 2024.
1. Elisabeth Waldo – Born June 1918
Elisabeth Waldo is 105 years old, making her the oldest living celebrity still alive today.
A violinist, composer and conductor, Elisabeth Waldo began her impressive musical career on her family’s ranch in Washington State. She was singing by the age of three and playing a small violin by the age of five.
Waldo received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and did solo tours as a violinist in Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Cuba. This tour finished in Mexico City, where she would go on to live.
Age (as of January 2024): 105 years old
Date of Birth: 15 June 1918
Place of Birth: Washington, USA
Profession: Violinist and music composer
Best Known For: Creating soundtracks to movies such as Song of Mexico (1945) and Lost on Paradise Island (1975)
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_Waldo
2. Caren Marsh Doll – Born April 1919
Born in Hollywood, California, Caren Marsh Doll is known as a stage and screen actress, dancer and all-around entertainer. Marsh appeared in numerous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movies from 1937 to 1948. She’s perhaps best known for being Judy Garland’s stand-in during The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Ziegfield Girl (1941).
Today, Marsh is one of the last remaining stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood (which began in 1927). Marsh is considered to be the oldest living Hollywood star, as well as the oldest actress alive.
Age (as of January 2024): 104 years old
Date of Birth: April 6 1919
Place of Birth: Hollywood, USA
Profession: Dancer and actress
Best Known For: Being Judy Garland’s stand-in in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Ziegfield Girl (1941)
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caren_Marsh_Doll
3. June Spencer – Born June 1919
Having only retired in 2022 at the age of 103, June Spencer is perhaps best known to fans of The Archers, a BBC radio soap in which she played the role of matriarch Peggy Woolley for more than 70 years. Her character featured in the very first episode, all the way back in 1951!
In July 2012, Spencer was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Nottingham for her services to broadcasting. She was also given a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2014 BBC Audio Drama Awards.
Age (as of January 2024): 104 years old
Date of Birth: 14 June 1919
Place of Birth: Nottingham, England
Profession: Actress
Best Known For: Playing the character of Peggy Woolley in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers (1950-1953, 1962-2022)
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Spencer
4. Frances Wessells – Born August 1919
Born in the USA and having studied at both the University of Denver and New York University, Wessells is a dancer and dance teacher who continued working well into her late nineties – retiring only a few years ago!
As a professional dancer, Wessells performed in the Latin Ballet of Virginia’s 2016 production of The Legend of the Poinsettia.
Many people cite Wessells as an inspiration in dance, with her movement displaying youthful exuberance and agility, making her old age seemingly immaterial.
Age (as of January 2024): 104 years old
Date of Birth: 18 August 1919
Place of Birth: USA
Profession: Dancer and choreographer
Best Known For: Pioneering modern dance
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Wessells
5. Iris Apfel – Born August 1921
Iris Apfel has been a fashion icon for decades. Now over 100 years old, her timeless sense of style continues to influence creatives of all ages.
Born in New York, Apfel’s mother owned a small boutique, meaning she was surrounded by beautiful clothing from an early age. Observing her mother’s work helped Iris to develop her own taste, providing the foundations for her long and successful career.
Apfel first rose to prominence alongside her husband Carl, founding Old World Weavers together. The company specialised in sourcing historic fabrics and did so for the White House under nine separate presidents.
Since retiring in 1992, age has proved no obstacle to Apfel and her star has continued to rise. She recently signed with a modelling agency and has amassed over two million Instagram followers, carving a place for older people in areas that are often assumed to be for the young.
Age (as of January 2024): 102 years old
Date of Birth: 29 August 1921
Place of Birth: New York, USA
Profession: Businesswoman and interior designer
Best Known For: Having a contract with the White House spanning nine presidencies
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Apfel
6. Ray Anthony – Born January 1922
Ray Anthony is best known for being an American bandleader and is the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Anthony later went on to form his own group – The Ray Anthony Orchestra. This band achieved their biggest success with a cover of At Last by Etta James in 1952, with this cover reaching No. 2 in the charts!
Today, Anthony is still active as a bandleader and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
At 102 years old, Ray Anthony is the oldest living male celebrity.
Age (as of January 2024): 102 years old
Date of Birth: 20 January 1922
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, USA
Profession: Trumpeter and songwriter
Best Known For: Performing in the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Anthony
7. Janis Paige – Born September 1922
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Janis Paige began singing in local amateur shows at the age of just five. She moved to Los Angeles after high school, where she became a singer at the Hollywood Canteen during World War II. This led to a film contract with Warner Brothers.
Paige appeared in touring productions of broadway musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity and Applause, while also starring in her own CBS comedy, It’s Always Jan (1955-1956).
With a much-adored career spanning over 60 years, Janis Paige is known as one of the last living stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Age (as of January 2024): 101 years old
Date of Birth: 16 September 1922
Place of Birth: Washington, USA
Profession: Actress and singer
Best Known For: The Pajama Game on broadway and Silk Stockings (1957)
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janis_Paige
8. Glynis Johns – Born October 1923
Glynis Johns is one of the oldest living movie stars in 2023. She’s recognised as an icon within films and on the Broadway stage, with a career across eight decades. Throughout her career, Johns appeared in over 60 films and 30 plays. She’s received numerous awards and nominations as well, including at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and the Laurence Olivier Awards.
Born in South Africa, some of Johns’ early roles which saw her gain initial fame include 49th Parallel (1941), Miranda (1948) and Third Time Lucky (1949). Meanwhile, her first role in Hollywood films came in the popular aviation drama No Highway in the Sky (1951).
Today, Glynis Johns lives at Belmont Village – a Senior Living facility in Los Angeles, California.
Age (as of January 2024): 100 years old
Date of Birth: 5 October 1923
Place of Birth: Pretoria, South Africa
Profession: Actress, dancer and musician
Best Known For: Appearing in a variety of classic movies and stage productions
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glynis_Johns
9. Eva Marie Saint – Born July 1924
Eva Marie Saint is one of the oldest living actresses with a career spanning over 70 years. She has worked in film, theatre, radio and television, and has won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, as well as multiple nominations at the Golden Globes and British Academy Film Awards.
In 2022, Saint became the oldest person alive to have won an Academy Award, highlighting the part she played in the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Her film debut came in On the Waterfront (1954), and it was this moving portrayal of Edie Doyle that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Some of the other classic movies she’s appeared in include Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) and Exodus (1960).
Age (as of January 2024): 99 years old
Date of Birth: 4 July 1924
Place of Birth: New Jersey, USA
Profession: Actress
Best Known For: Winning an Academy Award for her supporting role in On the Waterfront (1954)
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Marie_Saint
10. Jimmy Carter – Born October 1924
Jimmy Carter is best known for serving as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, before being succeeded by Ronald Reagan.
Some of Carter’s biggest accomplishments across his four years as president include protecting 103 million acres of Alaskan land, creating the Department of Education and bringing peace between Egypt and Israel.
Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his notable work in finding peaceful solutions to international disputes, along with efforts in advancing human rights and his work across other humanitarian efforts.
Today, former President Jimmy Carter is the longest-living president and the third-oldest living person who served as the leader of their nation.
Age (as of January 2024): 99 years old
Date of Birth: 1 October 1924
Place of Birth: Georgia, USA
Profession: Politician
Best Known For: Serving as the 39th president of the USA
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter
