Cindy Williams – 1947 – Happy Days
Life had not always been rosy for Cindy Williams; she worked as a waitress while auditioning for commercials and feature films. The American actress and producer earned her place among Hollywood’s greats with talent and sheer doggedness. Although her debut was in a series of advertisements for Foster Grant eyeglasses, her film debut came in the 1970 film ‘Gas-s-s-s.’
Williams’ breakout role came in 1976 as Shirley Feeney in the popular TV sitcom ‘Happy Days.’ She then went on to co-produce two outstanding comedies,’ Father of the Bride’ and ‘Father of the Bride Part II,’ with the ’90s movie genius Steve Martin. In 2015, she published her memoir ‘Shirley, I Jest’ with writing help from Dave Smitherman.
Marla Gibbs – 1931 – The Jeffersons
The comedy maestro who artfully played the housekeeper of a well-to-do Upper East Side black family in a cult classic comedy sitcom can also be called the comedy queen of America. Popular to date for her role in ‘The Jeffersons,’ where she had perfect comic timing and sharp dialogue delivery, Marla Gibbs has been a role model for many aspiring comedians since. In fact, she was nominated for the Emmys several times for the same role.
After her big break as Florence the housekeeper, Gibbs went on to produce and star in other sitcoms and made several TV and film appearances. At 90, the comedy queen refuses to retire and is a regular on the popular show ‘Days Of Our Lives.’
Victoria Principal – 1950 – Dallas
After a devastating accident that put her education on hold, Victoria Principal pursued an acting career that left her name ingrained in television, even years after her last role. The retired American actress is best known for her exceptional performance in the award-winning show ‘Dallas,’ where she starred as Pamela Barnes for nine years.
The best ones never truly realize their talent, and the same can be said for Principal. The star’s lack of faith in her abilities left her career uncertain and led to her ultimate withdrawal from the movie industry. Though the veteran has become more focused on her billion-dollar skincare company, we still hope she’ll bless our TV screens one last time.
Jane Birkin –1946 – Oh! Pardon tu Dormais…
Following the footsteps of her mother, Judy Campbell, Jane Birkin ventured into a prolific career in the film and music industry, one which she also passed on to her daughters, Kate Barry, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon. She began acting in the ’60s with relatively minor roles and soon attained stardom, not just in acting but also in music and modeling.
Though the English-born star retired from the movie screen in 2016, faithful fans will always enjoy watching her in ‘Evil Under the Sun’ and also hear her reflecting in ‘Oh! Pardon tu Dormais…,’ her 2020 music album, which captures her life experiences as well as the passing of her first daughter, Kate Barry.
Loretta Lynn – 1932 – Coal Miner’s Daughter
This list would be incomplete without Loretta Lynn, who has continued to take the world of country music by storm since 1957. Her albums have won multiple awards, as well as recognition from Presidents Nixon and Obama, in 1971 and 2013 respectively.
Lynn wrote ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ and ‘Still Woman Enough,’ two powerful autobiographies that capture her life story. ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ was so beautiful that a movie adaptation of the same name was released in 1980. Just like Hamilton, this star is still very passionate about her work, and released her 50th album in 2021, at the age of 89! Lynn sure is ‘woman enough’ and doesn’t fail to prove it.
Lee Meriwether- 1935- Love and Debt
While Lee Meriwether was a TV/Theater arts major in college, it is surprising to know that she was a pageant queen. She won the titles of Miss San Francisco, Miss California, and Miss America successively. Lee is famously known for her role as Betty in the ‘CBS’ series ‘Barnaby Jones’ but also had other successful series. On the big screen, she famously played Cat Woman in the original ‘Batman’ movie and as a wise boss in ‘Love and Debt.’
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they say, Both her daughters are in the acting world, and they have had the luck of working on several projects together.
Barbara Mandrell – 1948 – I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool
Texan-born Barbara Mandrell was one of the most successful country music musicians in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Her most famous songs included ‘Tonight My Baby’s Coming Home,’ ‘The Midnight Oil,’ ‘Sleeping Single in a Double Bed,’ ‘I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,’ and ‘One-of-a-Kind Pair of Fools.’ She has won numerous awards and even dabbled in acting and authored a book.
Her last performance was in 1997, and she hasn’t sung a note since. The reason for stepping away was to focus on her husband and sons, as she was nearly aged 50 years by then. This do-gooder also works with a company that works to place people with addiction issues into appropriate rehabilitation facilities.
Cher – 1946 – Scooby-Doo And Guess Who?
No introduction is needed for this wondrous woman, often referred to as the goddess of pop. Cher reached peak status with the song ‘I got you babe’ while in a husband-and-wife folk-rock duo named ‘Sonny and Cher.’ Together, they have sold more than 40 million records worldwide and become a household name. After separating from the pair, she continued making chart-topping songs and winning multiple awards.
Cher is a trendsetter in the fashion world with outfits that break all stigma and never fit any mold. She also has a beaming acting career, starring in numerous television shows and films throughout her career.
Daryl Hannah – 1960 – K*ll Bill
Chicago-born American actress, Daryl Hannah made her debut in the movie named ‘The Fury.’ Yet, her most substantial role is as the one-eyed assassin in the martial arts action movie ‘K*ll Bill.’
In 2018, Daryl claimed that movie producer Harvey Weinstein, whom she had worked with, sabotaged her being able to work in any other big movies. Despite the situation, she has continued to make appearances in other films and was even on a ‘Netflix’ series, ‘Sense8’ in 2018. In addition, this avid environmental activist participates in rallies and even has a weekly video blog centering around sustainable solutions.
Shirley Jones – 1934 – The Partridge Family
Shirley Jones, who played Shirley Partridge in the musical sitcom series ‘The Partridge Family,’ will forever be recognized as one of the most famous television moms. Another notable role that changed her career path was Lulu Bains in the film “Elmer Gantry,” for which she won an Academy Award.
The actress, who shows no signs of slowing down, credits her success to being in the right location at the right time and possessing a talent. We hope that the lines for this lovely actress continue to fall in her favor.
Diana Ross – 1944 – Out of Darkness
Before becoming an actress and singer alone, Diana Ross first rose to fame as a member of the girl group The Supremes. Her most significant singles, ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Endless Love,’ could be familiar to most fans, but that’s not even taking into account her critically praised flicks ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ and ‘Out of Darkness.’
As she enters her sixth decade of recording, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is still going strong. The album ‘Thank You,’ her first since the late ’90s, was released in 2021, marking her return to recording original music. When not in Los Angeles, Ross has a home in Connecticut that she uses as her primary residence.
Ted Nugent – 1948 – Nomads
There’s no denying that Ted Nugent’s enthusiasm for music is unlike any other. Of course, he also has other passions in life, such as hunting and being an upstanding citizen in his home country. Yet, nothing compares to his one and only first love, which is creating chart-topping singles.
Over the years, Nugent has released a handful of memorable tracks. The song ‘Stranglehold,’ which launched him to superstardom, demonstrated his ability to write catchy songs. The acclaimed artist eventually joined the band The Amboy Dukes but left to pursue a prolific solo career. In Nugent’s first solo record, he achieved multi-platinum success with a self-titled album that included multiple singles.
Todd Palin – 1964 – The Detour
In addition to appearing on Sarah Palin’s program and the reality show ‘Stars Earn Stripes,’ Todd Palin, Alaska’s first gentleman, has made waves in the television industry. Prior to his 2009 departure to be with his family, he worked as an oil field production operator.
The divorce between Todd and Sarah, which was discreetly finalized in 2020, resulted in him withdrawing from the spotlight. Supporters of the gorgeous pair were upset by the news but were comforted by the fact that they were still friends and dedicated parents. Whatever the case, we’re hoping to see a lot more of Todd in the future!
Sarah Paulson – 1974 – Ratched
As far as we know, Sarah Paulson has become a household name thanks to her exceptional acting prowess and continued success in the entertainment industry. Throughout the years, she’s won a slew of accolades, including being named one of ‘Time’ magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2017.
When she was 18, she starred in an episode of the 1994 ‘Law and Order’ and has since taken on a wide range of jobs that have been both challenging and fascinating. Judging by her busy working schedule, it’s safe to assume Paulson’s star continues to shine, and fans can’t wait to marvel at another one of her cinematic masterpieces.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – 1989 – Green New Deal
Known to many today as “AOC,” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first came into the political scene when she won the Democratic Party’s primary election for New York’s 14th congressional district. She was only 29 when she took office, becoming the youngest woman to ever serve in the United States Congress.
Notable for being one of the most talked-about politicians in the country today, Ocasio-Cortez’s career began when she became an intern for Senator Ted Kennedy. After graduating cum laude from Boston University, she worked as a bartender and waitress for a while before continuing with her political career. Still, she started her campaign for the 2018 elections while tending bar and waiting tables.
Linda Gray – 1940 – Dallas
Americans who lived through the ’80s remember Linda Gray well. She became endeared to television fans for portraying Sue Ellen Ewing in the prime time soap opera ‘Dallas.’ The actress was part of the drama series for eleven years before moving on with her career. She appeared next in the 1991 movie ‘Oscar’ before being cast in another television show, ‘Models Inc.’
As it happened, Gray reprised her role of Sue Ellen Ewing three times, in the TV series ‘Dallas: J.R. Returns,’ ‘Dallas: War of the Ewings,’ and in TNT’s 2012 reboot ‘Dallas.’ There is no stopping the star from pursuing her passion because she has not stopped acting, with her most recent screen appearance being the 2019 movie ‘Grand-Daddy Day Care.’
Pauley Perrette – 1969 – NCIS
When Pauley Perrette was interviewed in 2011, she shared that one of her early ambitions was to become an FBI agent. She admitted she had a fascination with solving crimes. The star began a master’s degree in criminal science before joining the acting industry but sadly could not continue.
Nevertheless, Perrette somewhat was able to make her crime-investigating dream come true by landing a role in the CBS police procedural series ‘NCIS.’ The actress played the role of forensic specialist Abby Sciuto for 15 seasons before she departed the series in 2018. After her TV show ‘Broke’ got canceled in 2020, the star announced she was retiring from acting.
Alyssa Milano – 1972 – Charmed
Did you know that if it were not for Alyssa Milano’s babysitter, she would not have had an acting career? As the story goes, while the star’s parents were away, the lady looking after her took her to an audition for ‘Annie.’ It was indeed a wise decision because the young Milano was one of the four chosen to portray the title role in the musical.
Then, she was discovered by a Hollywood agent, who helped her land her debut movie ‘Old Enough.’ The actress was cast next as Tony Danza’s daughter in ‘Who’ s The Boss,’ a role she is famous for. Her other notable appearances include ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Charmed.’ Aside from acting, Milano is now also a published author.
Alan Alda – 1936 – MAS*H
Alan Alda may be endeared to television fans for appearing in the TV series ‘MAS*H,’ but he is much more than his famous character Hawkeye Pierce. After appearing in the show, the actor has starred in several critically-acclaimed roles, some of which won him several awards. Aside from his works in the acting industry, Alda is also involved in charity works.
For years, he worked alongside actress Marlo Thomas to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the actor has a big fascination with science and technology. He hosted ‘Scientific American Frontiers’ for 14 years, became a visiting professor at Stony Brook University, and founded its Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The actor’s most recent screen appearance was in 2019’s ‘Marriage Story.’
Holly Marie Combs – 1973 – Charmed
Since making her onscreen appearance on the critically acclaimed ‘Charmed,’ Holly Marie Combs has been a mainstay figure in Hollywood. The actress has starred in several films and television shows, including ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Picket Fences,’ among others.
While Holly is known for her work as an actress, that’s not the only skill she holds; the star is also an accomplished producer, with a couple of movies and documentaries under her belt. The performer is still going strong in showbiz, and we bet we’ll see more of her onscreen and behind the scenes as she’s one of the most hard-working people in the entertainment industry.
Sharon Stone – 1958 – Total Recall
We doubt there is any fan of movies who doesn’t know Sharon Stone. Before diving into acting, the lass began her career in showbiz as a model, working with several companies when she was signed by Ford Modeling Agency. After making the switch to the big screen, the fashion icon enjoyed massive success and is widely considered among the greatest performers of her time.
Sharon has won countless awards for her work in film, including a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award, while also earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. Many people call time on their careers when they hit 60, but the actress is still delivering flawless performances despite the celebrity pressure.
Linda Evans – 1942 – Dynasty
Linda Evans is a renowned actress who rose to fame after delivering a thrilling performance on the ‘Dynasty’ soap opera in the ’80s. Even so, that isn’t her only famous production; the star has appeared in ‘The Big Valley,’ ‘Avalanche Express’ and ‘The Love Boat’ among others.
After over three decades in Hollywood, Linda decided to take a break from showbiz in 1997 to concentrate on her other endeavors. Still, the acclaimed actress made a comeback in 2021, starring in ‘Swan Song’ with her performance winning her rave reviews. Safe to say, the star hasn’t lost the pizzaz from her younger days, and we love to see it!
Nina Hartley – 1959 – Boogie Nights
While many celebrities retreat from the limelight once they start aging, Nina Hartley is quite different. Widely known as the ‘legend of the adult world,’ the actress has been a mainstream figure in the adult entertainment industry, with her work ranging from acting to directing adult films.
Hartley has won countless awards for her work in the adult film sphere, but her talents don’t end there. The director is also an accomplished author with a couple of best-selling books under her belt, and she’s also an outspoken activist, speaking on several social issues. Hartley might be famous for her adult entertainment work, but she has also starred in several mainstream movies like ‘Boogie Nights’ among others.
Steven Seagal – 1952 – Beyond The Law
Steven Seagal, a black belt holder in ‘Aikido,’ started his adult life as a martial arts instructor in Japan. He later made his acting debut in 1988 in the movie ‘Above The Law’ which won the hearts of many fans. Well known for his active roles in action-drama films, the actor has starred in several box office hits like ‘Under Siege’ and ‘Hard to Kill.‘
Aside from acting, Steven is an animal rights activist, and he also enjoys traveling around the world, which is no wonder how he holds citizenship in Serbia and Russia. The action hero has since taken up residence in Russia and is doing well for himself.
Lorenzo Lamas – 65 Years Old
Although Lorenzo Lamas is already in his 60s, his on-screen brilliance has doubtlessly remained unaltered. Having no plans to take a backseat from his stellar limelight journey, we would soon see the frontman’s genius in the upcoming television series Sons of Thunder. Currently, Lamas also works as a helicopter pilot, flying tourists to fascinating destinations across New York.
The Californian actor is adored to date for his outstanding portrayal of Lance Cumson in the CBS soap opera Falcon Crest. Lorenzo also procured a black belt in Karate, Aikido, and Shotokan, which explains why he still counts among Hollywood’s most iconic action heroes!
