30 Boomers We Truly Adore, Ranging from Dolly Parton to Eddie Murphy

      Baby boomers might receive criticism from younger generations, but not these boomers. We admire them.

      Tom Hanks

      Credit: C/O

      Yes, this one was predictable. Who doesn’t adore Tom Hanks? Born in 1956, right in the middle of the Baby Boomer generation, Hanks is a remarkable actor who feels like someone you could easily bump into at the grocery store for a friendly chat.

      With iconic roles in Forrest Gump, Mr. Rogers, and Toy Story — not to mention Big, Cast Away, Catch Me If You Can, Philadelphia, The Green Mile, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Splash, Saving Private Ryan, A League of Their Own, and now Elvis — it seems at times like Hanks has dedicated years to propping up Hollywood.

      Fortunately for us, he still shows no signs of fatigue. He recently returned to theaters with Here, reuniting him with Forrest Gump co-star Robin Wright and director Robert Zemeckis.

      Born in the year after World War II ended — marking the start of the Baby Boom — the singer of “Jolene” is a treasure to every generation.

      Last year, she featured in the documentary Still Working 9 to 5, reflecting on her 1980 comedy 9 to 5, where she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin — and highlighting the ongoing fight for workplace equality for women.

      Although it's impossible to list all her hits, she would still deserve her place on this list for having penned “I Will Always Love You.” Additionally, her philanthropic efforts, including giving away over 264 million books to children, position her in a league of her own.

      Samuel L. Jackson

      Pulp Fiction (1994)

      Directed by Quentin Tarantino

      Shown: Samuel L. Jackson

      Recently celebrating his 75th birthday, Samuel L. Jackson stands as one of Hollywood's titans. With over 150 film roles, he has traversed snake-filled planes, the realms of Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee, troubled laboratories of Jurassic Park, the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe, and much more.

      Generations have grown up watching Jackson in action, and he continues to connect with younger audiences through the recent Disney+ series Secret Invasion. He’s set to star soon in the sci-fi thriller Head Games, alongside Henry Golding.

      Also Read: All 10 Quentin Tarantino Movies Ranked

      Denzel Washington

      Credit: C/O

      Dubbed the greatest actor of this century by The New York Times, Denzel Washington is a master of nuanced, sophisticated performances or commanding the screen as needed.

      A two-time Oscar winner (Best Supporting for 1989’s Glory and Best Actor for 2001’s Training Day), he appears to excel in any role, from his Tony Award-winning performance in Fences on Broadway to leading thrilling action films, including the upcoming The Equalizer 3.

      His roles have varied from Malcolm X to Richard III, an alcoholic pilot in Flight to Macbeth (above, from The Tragedy of Macbeth), to a cop turned DA in the underrated ’90s action thriller Ricochet. And he shows no signs of slowing down, returning last year in the highly anticipated Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott.

      Michelle Pfeiffer

      Credit: C/O

      A three-time Oscar nominee, Michelle Pfeiffer combines grace and sensitivity in every role she takes, from Grease 2 to Batman Returns (above) — widely regarded as the best Catwoman to date.

      She showcased her comedic talent in Married to the Mob and exhibited her strong presence in Scarface, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and the acclaimed recent film French Exit.

      And of course, she adds elegance to the Ant-Man franchise. She nearly landed the role of Clarice Starling, which went to the next boomer on our list…

      Jodie Foster

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      A longtime favorite of ours and a two-time Best Actress Oscar winner for The Accused and Silence of the Lambs, Jodie Foster has returned to the crime-solving scene in the new season of True Detective. She also starred in the recent biopic Nyad, which earned her an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress.

      Foster began her career at age three with a Coppertone commercial, quickly establishing herself as a powerhouse with exceptional versatility, starring in Freaky Friday and Taxi Driver when she was barely a teen.

      After achieving great success in acting, she transitioned into directing with films like Little Man Tate and Money Monster. Recently, she won a Golden Globe for True Detective.

      Sylvester Stallone

      Credit: C/O

      A self-made icon who wrote his own destiny with Rocky and further built his career with the Rambo series, Stallone is more than just his physical prowess.

      His recent role in Tulsa King displays his humorous side, but we especially admire his performance in 1997’s Cop Land, where he played against type as a