Senior citizen celebrities

Older Americans who rock

Senior citizen celebrities. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated May  as Senior Citizens Month, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.  Here are a few older Americans who should be celebrated.


Betty White

 Her comeback: Betty White, 89, gained celebrity status all over again when she appeared in "The Proposal" . Then came the Super Bowl ad.

Her career: White has been acting for six decades, but we bet you don't know the name of her first sitcom in 1953. Other shows in which she starred:


    * "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the '70s
    * "The Golden Girls" in the '80s
    * Now she's on "Hot in Cleveland" . Her co-stars include:
    * Valerie Bertinelli  best known for her role on the '70s and '80s sitcom "One Day at a Time" and for being the spokesperson of a weight loss company.
    * "Frasier" star Jane Leeves  who played Daphne, the love interest of Niles Crane.
    * "Just Shoot Me Star" Wendie Malick  who played the role of model-turned-fashion editor Nina Van Horn.


Trivia: White is an ardent animal rights activist; she was married to this beloved game show host.

Clint Eastwood

 His career: Clint Eastwood, 80, broke out in the acting biz with a late 1950s drama series, but he soon became an iconic actor with leads in classics like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and a crime thriller. The catchphrase  he made famous?  .

As a director: He’s been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director four times and won twice: Once for a western and one for a movie in which he starred. Other movies he’s famous for:

    * Directed the little known “Bronco Billy” in the ‘80s
    * Played a Secret Service agent in “In the Line of Fire” in the ‘90s
    * His current directing project is a biopic, “J. Edgar,” starring:
          o Leonardo DiCaprio  best known for his role in a box-office epic and his relationship with a top model. His first acting job may surprise you.
          o Naomi Watts  who recently played a real-life FBI agent.


Trivia: Awarded an honorary music degree from this school; inducted into the California Hall of Fame by a fellow actor and politician. 

Harrison Ford

 His career: Harrison Ford, 68, doesn’t let his age get him down and he's still one of Hollywood's hot leading men. Watch a super-young Ford in his first movie bit part in 1966.
Famous roles: Ford’s legendary roles include a rogue archeologist and a sharp-tongued space hero . Other famous roles include:

    * “Patriot Games”  and “Sabrina” in the ‘90s
    * “What Lies Beneath”  and “Extraordinary Measures”  in the 2000s
    * He will star in “Cowboys & Aliens”  this summer. His co-stars  include:
          o Olivia Wilde  best known for her role in the TV drama “House”  and a mock PSA
          o Daniel Craig is best known as a secret agent (see clips) these days, but he was a drug dealer in his breakout role.



His leading lady: He and longtime girlfriend and actress Calista Flockhart, 45, made it official in 2010.

Trivia: His alternate career path; a stagehand for a legendary band.

Raquel Welch

 Icon status:  Raquel Welch, 70, is considered one of the biggest sex symbols of the ‘60s and ‘70s . She struck an iconic pose on the poster for this film . She was the face of a cosmetic’s brand.

Her career: Before she became a movie legend, she had a different on-air job. Her first feature film had a party theme  Her notable roles include:

    * “Bandolero”  in 1968
    *  The controversial “Myra Breckinridge” in 1970
    * Won a Golden Globe for her role in “The Three Musketeers”



Trivia:Practices this daily; a spokesperson for these shades.

Lauren Bacall

 Icon status: Lauren Bacall, 86, was known for her work in film noir as well as her husky voice and unique look  in the ‘40s and ‘50s.

Her career: The screen star broke out with her role in the book-to-film movie “The Big Sleep” . Despite her long career, she finally won a Golden Globe at age 72 for her role in “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” Other notable roles include:

    * “How to Marry a Millionaire” in 1953, with another famous actress
    * “Written on the Wind”  in 1956
    * “Murder on the Orient Express” in 1974, also starring:
          o Ingrid Bergman, best known for her in “Casablanca”
          o Sean Connery, best known for his role as 007


Trivia: Married a screen legend and a stage actor; received a prestigious award.

Aretha Franklin

 Her career: The Queen of Soul, 68, had her first hit more than 40 years ago. Listen  and see if you recognize it. Who was her role model?
Greatest hits: She’s been belting out great songs for years, earning numerous No. 1 hits on the charts. Here are some:

    * “Chain of Fools”
    * “Baby, I Love You”
    * “I Say A Little Prayer”
    * “Respect”

Trivia: Her last big public appearance was overshadowed a bit by a big hat; a biopic in the works?

Maya Angelou

 Her career: Maya Angelou, 83, is a beloved African-American author, poet  and civil rights activist. She was the first female (at 14) to hold this job and was an editor at a far-flung newspaper.

Greatest works: She is best known for a series of autobiographical books and poetry. Some of her greatest works include:
Books

    * “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” in 1969
    * “All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes”  in 1986
    * “A Song Flung Up to Heaven”  in 2002

Poetry

    * “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie”   in 1971
    * “Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer”  in 2006

Screen

    * “Roots” in 1977
    * First African American woman to direct a major motion picture


Trivia: Watch her read her poem for a former president’s inauguration.

Jimmy Carter

 His career: Before Jimmy Carter, 86, was America’s 39th president (1977-1981), he served two terms as senator and one term as governor of the Peach State.
Accomplishments: Many of his notable endeavors came after his presidency. Here are some highlights:

    * Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002
    * Active with a non-profit devoted to affordable housing
    * With the Carter Center, helping to combat a deadly disease
    * Famous for his diplomacy


Trivia: What did he say he saw in the sky in 1969?

Jack Nicholson

 His career: Jack Nicholson, 74, has come a long way from his first role in 1958  having since been nominated for 12 Academy Awards. How many has he won?
His cast of characters: From a private eye to a mad-man villain in a superhero film, Nicholson boasts an eclectic film resume. :

    * “The Shining” in 1980
    * “Terms of Endearment”  in 1983
    * “A Few Good Men”  in 1992
    * “Something’s Gotta Give”  in 2003
    * “The Departed”  in 2006


Trivia: His longest relationship was with this accomplished actress; his standard accessory

Tina Turner

Her career: Soul singer Tina Turner, 71, has enjoyed a successful career that has spanned more than 50 decades. She started out at 18 with Ike Turner, but in two years she was the star. They hit it big in 1971 with "Proud Mary" . Read about their tumultuous split in 1977.
Greatest hits: Success followed her break-up with Ike with a string of hits . Here are some:

    * “River Deep, Mountain High”
    * “Let’s Stay Together”
    * “Private Dancer”
    * “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”


Trivia: Her starring ‘80s movie role alongside Mel Gibson?

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