“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number” or “if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life,” whatever motto these actors over 70 who are still working, use, it is keeping them going in Hollywood. They are dominating box offices, starring as leads in TV shows, and documenting their life’s work in documentaries. And they are not only working but they are still inspiring as well.
We compiled a list of 23 actors over 70 who are still working and have put something out within the last 5 years.
James Earl Jones
Born in Jones is still lending his voice to recreate classic movies like The Lion King, and reprising his role as King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America, two roles that could not have be reprised by anyone else except for Jones.
Cicely Tyson
The legend, Ms. Tyson is steadily working, she’s finishing up the final season of How to Get Away With Murder as well as recently starred in A Fall From Grace.
Harry Belafonte
If you’ve seen Netflix’s They Gotta Have Us, then you’ve recently seen Belafonte, 89, and learned more about his major contribution to the film and TV world. He’s also made appearances in Atlanta and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
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Samuel L Jackson
Not only is Samuel L Jackson, 71, still running Hollywood in just about all Avenger compilation films and the marvel superhero stand-alone films but he also has a few projects coming up that we can’t wait to see.
Morgan Freeman
One of the most popular actors over 70 who are still working in Hollywood, Freeman, 84, is still leading multiple films at multiple times with each one still being as good or if not better than his last work.
Phylicia Rashad
One of the most regal actresses ever, Rashad changed the game of the portrayal of mothers on The Cosby Show. And since then, the legend continues to amaze us with every role she takes on. She recently starred in A Fall From Grace alongside Cicely Tyson. And she’s currently starring in David Makes Man. Up next for her is Creed III, Jingle Jangle, Soul, and the Untitled Tarell Alvin McCraney Project.
Danny Glover
Glover, 73, is not just making one or two movies, but he has a lengthy list of projects either in the works, announced, or in post-production. His upcoming projects include: The Lighthouse, Prairie Bones, The Ninja He Will Rise, Matthew Reynolds, Dionne, Saint Paul, Long Day Journey, Press Play, The Drummer, Killing Winston Jones, and Locke & Key.
Debbie Allen
Like her sister, Debbie Allen (70) has been steadily working in front of and behind the cameras. While she’s done so much greatness in her life, she’s still contributing. The actress and director can currently be seen on Grey’s Anatomy. And she’s also starring in Silent Rhythm next.
Bill Duke
The 77-year-old actor has played a number of versatile roles since he stepped on the scene in the 70s. Currently you can catch him on The CW’s Black Lightning. Up next you can see him on the TV show Two Degrees.
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Pam Grier
The 70-year-old actress made a major name for herself in the 70s when she first stepped on the scene. And since then, she has not stopped working. She is currently starring in Bless This Mess the TV show as Constance.
Frankie Faison
What movie didn’t Faison have a role in? It seems whether big or small, Faison played a part in many films. Last year he led the cast of the short-lived The Village, and this year he can be seen in The Grudge, God Friended Me, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (in which he has the titular role), and I’m Your Woman.
Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine is another actress who has not stopped working whether it be on Broadway, TV or movies, or music. She’s currently starring in Family Reunion and doing voice work on Doc McStuffins. But she also has P-Valley, Never Too Late, HeadShop, The McHenry Trial, Spell, Urban Legend, and Rites & Wrongs, all in the works.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Gossett, 83, is not only an actor with a vast catalog of roles but he’s on the shortlist of actors who have starred in most projects ever in Hollywood. But if you still don’t believe that Gossett Jr., is always working. Just know he has 11 projects currently in the works for this year and beyond.
Ernie Hudson
The 74-year-old has amassed much recognition in his career. From starring in one of the biggest franchises, Ghostbusters, til now, Hudson is working. In 2019 alone he starred in 9 projects with recurring roles or series roles in 6 of them. He also has one project, Redemption Day, completed, with three others up next. Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Wizardream are in post-production, while Mr. Beebee is still in the early phases.
Joe Morton
Papa Pope is 72 years old and he’s still working and dominating any role he undertakes. Following his boss character on Scandal, he’s starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, A Million Eyes, The Politician, Vita (II), and currently he stars in God Friended Me on ABC.
Garrett Morris
Morris may be known best for his role as Stan on Martin and Uncle Junior King on The Jamie Foxx Show but he’s consistently worked since the 60s as regular series TV show characters or in movie roles. Next up you can catch him in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.
Diana Ross
The diva is legendary for her singing and her acting. One of only 12 actresses to receive an Oscar nomination, Ms. Ross is still reminding us of her greatness today. Last year she recurred on Pose and this year you can catch her on The BRITs at 40, a TV movie documentary.
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Sidney Poitier
The 93-year-old actor, who was the first African American actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor is one legend who is well over 70 who is still working. He starred in the 2017 documentary Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart and then went on to star in the documentary Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age and Scales of Injustice which is in post-production.
Gladys Knight
The 75-year-old singer/actress most recently starred in seven episodes of the hit music competition show, The Masked Singer. Since then she’s moved on to star in Live which will be released later this year or 2021.
Ben Vereen
Few actors are as versatile as the singer, stage actor, actor, Ben Vereen, 73. And he’s still showing off his versatility in recent years. He most recently starred in Fox’s Star and Tales on BET.
Billy Dee Williams
Over the past 50 years, Billy Dee Williams has curated an impressive catalog of projects he’s starred in. Most recently he reprised his role as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
Patti LaBelle
Another diva legend who still graces us with her presents on TV. In 2019, LaBelle, 73, starred in Star, The Masked Singer, and A Family Christmas Gift.
Grace Jones
The most unapologetically herself, Grace Jones (71), is still starring in projects such as FX’s POSE, Pain and Glory, and Mindhunter.