11 Icons of the 1960s Who Are Still Thriving Today
These 12 stars from the 1960s continue to thrive after all these years.
Sally Field
ABC – Credit: C/O
Sally Field rose to fame in 1965 with her lead role in Gidget (shown above), followed by The Flying Nun, making her a prominent — and youthful — TV star of the 1960s. Since then, she has won two Academy Awards for Best Actress — for Norma Rae in 1979 and Places in the Heart in 1984. Her performances showcase her empathy and versatility in films such as Sybil, Smokey and the Bandit, Mrs. Doubtfire, Forrest Gump, and Lincoln. Her Oscar acceptance speech for Places in the Heart, featuring the memorable line “You like me, right now, you like me,” has become iconic. Last year, she shone in 80 for Brady, displaying her comedic talent — even though the film noted she is still a few years shy of 80. She is set to appear in the upcoming film Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Shirley MacLaine
United Artists – Credit: C/O
Shirley MacLaine started performing in Broadway musicals during her teenage years in the 1950s before making her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film The Trouble With Harry. She also acted in Around the World in 80 Days (1956), Some Came Running (1958), and Ask Any Girl (1959) before delivering a memorable performance in the 1960 comedy The Apartment alongside Jack Lemmon.
MacLaine solidified her status as a legendary star of the 1960s with performances in The Children’s Hour (1961), Irma la Douce (1963), and Sweet Charity (1969). She later won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Terms of Endearment in 1983 and garnered numerous accolades for her roles in Steel Magnolias (1989), Postcards From the Edge (1990), and Bernie (2011).
At 90 years old, she recently stood out in the second season of Only Murders in the Building. Her upcoming project is the film People Not Places.
Warren Beatty
Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O
Shirley MacLaine’s younger brother, Warren Beatty, gained attention with guest appearances on the charming sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1959 to 1963, quickly becoming a matinee idol with his role in Splendor in the Grass (1960) opposite Natalie Wood, which made both of them major stars of the 1960s.
In the following decades, Beatty enjoyed a remarkable career, featuring in films like Bonnie and Clyde (1967), McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), The Parallax View (1974), and Shampoo (1975), before turning to directing and acting in Heaven Can Wait (1978), Reds (1981), and the unique Bulworth (1998). He won the Best Director Oscar for Reds and co-starred with Annette Bening in Bugsy (1991); the couple has been married for over 30 years.
Though Beatty hasn’t done much since directing and starring in Rules Don’t Apply (2016), he remains active and charming, having recently made an unexpected appearance in the TCM special Tracy Zooms In.
Dustin Hoffman
Embassy Pictures – Credit: C/O
Dustin Hoffman emerged as a breakout star in 1967 with The Graduate (above) and has consistently delivered remarkable performances ever since. His notable films from the 1960s include Midnight Cowboy, and he has gone on to star in various films such as Straw Dogs (1971), All the President’s Men (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Tootsie (1982), and Rain Man (1988), winning his two Best Acting Oscars for Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man.
In recent years, Hoffman has continued to make intriguing choices, with impressive performances in Wag the Dog (1997), Runaway Jury (2003), I Heart Huckabees (2004), and The Meyerowitz Stories (2017).
He remains active with a lineup of projects that includes Francis Ford Coppola’s latest work, Megalopolis.
Ron Howard
CBS – Credit: C/O
Ron Howard gained fame as young Opie on the beloved The Andy Griffith Show (above) in the 1960s and appeared in The Music Man (1962) before transitioning to leading man status with American Graffiti (1973) in the following decade, along with further television success from his role in Happy Days.
Now at 69, Howard is perhaps better known for his directorial accomplishments. He is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors and producers, recognized for Night Shift (1982), Splash (1984), Cocoon (198
Other articles
15 Timeless Films That Have Yet to Receive a Sequel or Remake
Here are 15 iconic films that have not received a sequel or a remake.
Mattel brands come together for Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked.
This year, Mattel celebrates its 80th anniversary, and in honor of eight decades of entertainment and inspiration, the company is collaborating with Uken Games to launch Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked for mobile gamers. This new free-to-play matching game will showcase all of Mattel’s legendary brands in a well-organized digital format. With Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked […]
In The Code, Eugene Kotlyarenko Reflects on Romance During the Covid Era.
In The Code, Eugene Kotlyarenko portrays a multi-faceted relationship during the Covid lockdown between a couple, depicted by Dasha Nekrasova and Peter Vack.
Cannes Review: A Private Life Serves as a Swift, Keen Display for Jodie Foster.
It was quite surprising that renowned director Rebecca Zlotowski’s newest film, featuring Jodie Foster and a stellar French cast, did not make it into the Cannes competition. If it ends up that A Private Life is perhaps too light for Palme d'Or consideration, this lively comedic murder mystery serves as an enjoyable and entertaining way to highlight its delightful aspects.
13 Names of Bond Girls Ranked from Amusing to Outstanding
Here are 13 names of Bond girls ranked, from those that are so amusing we can't resist liking them to those that simply fit perfectly.
Funko commemorates 30 years of Toy Story with the release of new Pop! Vinyl figures.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of Disney-Pixar’s cherished Toy Story franchise, Funko has introduced a new series of Pop! Vinyl figures that includes Andy, an Alien with Claw, Sid, and Woody riding Bullseye, as well as a Woody and Buzz Pop! Moment; check it out here… Here’s to 30 Years and more! Join the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Disney Pixar’s […]
11 Icons of the 1960s Who Are Still Thriving Today
These icons from the 1960s continue to thrive even after all this time.