Actresses Who Are In Their 80s

A distinguished films, television and Broadway actress, Julie Andrews is best known for her performances in films like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Victor/Victoria. She has also done voiceovers for animation movie like Despicable Me and Enchanted. The legendary actress has also released multiple albums and authored numerous children’s books as well as her autobiography.

Swedish-American actress and singer Ann-Margret was initially described as a female version of Elvis Presley due to her vibrant contralto voice. The winner of five Golden Globe Awards, Ann-Margret had a major impact as an actress throughout the 1960s. Her affair with Elvis Presley was depicted in the 2005 miniseries Elvis in which she is portrayed by Rose McGowan.

Jane Fonda is hailed as one of the best actresses ever and has won two Oscars. She has acted in popular and acclaimed films like Barefoot in the Park, Barbarella, Klute, Coming Home, Julia, The Morning After, The China Syndrome and California Suite. She’s also known for her exercise videos and is famous for her opposition to the Vietnam War.

A veteran actress with a career spanning over half a century, Ali MacGraw first came to prominence in the 1970s after acting in many popular action and romantic films. She was also active on the stage and in TV shows. Besides acting, she has been an animal rights advocate throughout her life.

Lily Tomlin is an American comedian, actress, singer, and writer. Tomlin has earned several award nominations for her performance in films and TV series, such as Nashville and Grace and Frankie. An openly lesbian actress, Lily Tomlin serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ community.

Stockard Channing is an American actress best known for playing Abbey Bartlet on the political drama TV series The West Wing. Over the years, Channing has been contributing to the success of many TV series as an actress, for which she has received 13 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. A seven-time Tony Award nominee, Channing is also an important stage actress.

Faye Dunaway is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Diana Christensen in the 1976 satirical black comedy-drama film Network, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and greatest actresses of her generation, Faye Dunaway is also considered a symbol of the New Hollywood.

Swiss actress, yesteryear model and sex symbol Ursula Andress gained attention playing Honey Ryder, widely regarded as the first Bond girl, in the first James Bond film titled Dr. No. In the ensuing years, she bolstered her career starring in films like The Southern Star, Clash of the Titans, and particularly as Vesper Lynd in spy parody film Casino Royale.    

Katharine Ross is an American actress who became a prominent Hollywood personality in the late-1960s and early-1970s. She is known for her performance in popular films, such as The Graduate and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Much of her acting career was overshadowed by her highly publicized personal life and five marriages to popular personalities.

Loretta Swit is a veteran American stage and small screen actress who became a household name with her award-winning portrayal of Major Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan in M*A*S*H, a comedy-drama series on CBS television. Apart from playing a wide range of character roles on television and stage, she also appeared in movies and hosted a documentary on the Korean war.

Michelle Phillips is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and former model. She is credited with co-founding the folk rock vocal group The Mamas & the Papas and is the last surviving original member of the group. After the disbandment of the group, Phillips went on to establish herself as an actress, playing lead roles in TV films like The California Kid.

Diane Ladd is an American actress, author, and filmmaker. Over the years, Diane Ladd has contributed immensely to the success of several films and TV series. Perhaps, her greatest contribution to Hollywood is guiding and mentoring her daughter and Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern. Both Ladd and Dern received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for the film Rambling Rose. 

French actress Catherine Deneuve is considered one of the greatest European actresses. Beginning her career at the age of 12, she gained international prominence with her role in the movie The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She is a 14-time César Award nominee and the recipient of a David di Donatello award. She is multilingual and speaks fluent French, Italian, and English.

Veteran actress, Elinor Donahue, is best known for her role in the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. She began acting as a child and appeared in many dancing-chorus films. As a young woman, she acted in numerous films and TV shows and became an accomplished actress. She has had an extensive career spanning almost seven decades. 

Jill St. John is an American actress best known for portraying the first American Bond girl Tiffany Case in the 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever. Jill St. John is also credited with founding the Aunts Club, a group of women who provide financial support for children.

Shelley Fabares is an American actress best known for playing Christine Armstrong in the popular television series, Coach, for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Also known for her skills as a singer, Fabares recorded Lee Pockriss' and Lyn Duddy's song, Johnny Angel, in 1961, helping it reach the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Adrienne Barbeau is best known for her Theater World Award-winning portrayal of Rizzo in the Broadway musical Grease. Fans also loved her in horror and sci-fi films such as The Fog and Swamp Thing, and as Carol Traynor in the series Maude. She also voiced Catwoman in various Batman series.

Recognized for her award-winning portrayal of a widow in the popular CBS television series Alice, Linda Lavin is a familiar name on the small screen. Having Russian roots, the veteran American actress also acted in a number of plays including Broadway Bound for which she won the Tony Award. She appeared in feature films and featured in cabaret shows.

Britt Ekland is a Swedish actress, singer, and model. One of the leading actresses in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s, Ekland also established herself as a sex symbol and achieved international prominence when she appeared as a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun. Britt Ekland was also one of the most photographed actresses during the 1970s.

British actress Julie Christie, considered one of the icons of the Swinging Sixties, has performed in several notable films of which six found place in the list of BFI Top 100 British films of 20th century. Recipient of BAFTA Fellowship, Christie gained international fame performing in films like Doctor Zhivago and Darling, of which the latter won her an Oscar. 

Juliet Mills is a British-American actress who started her acting career as a child actress. The daughter of Mary Hayley Bell and Sir John Mills, Juliet Mills followed in the footsteps of her parents and established herself in the entertainment industry. In 1974, she received an Emmy Award for portraying Samantha Cady in an American television miniseries titled QB VII.

Stella Stevens is an American actress best known for playing important roles in popular films, such as Girls! Girls! Girls! and The Nutty Professor. Renowned for her good looks, Stevens was one of the world's most photographed women during the 1960s. She also appeared in Playboy pictorials and was adjudged Playmate of the Month in January 1960.

Claudia Cardinale is a Tunisian-born Italian actress who played important roles in some of the most popular Italian and French movies of the 1960s and 1970s. After achieving immense popularity as an actress in Italy, Cardinale starred in the 1963 American comedy film The Pink Panther, which increased her popularity. Claudia Cardinale was also renowned for her beauty.

Veteran actress, Lin Shaye, has been active in the entertainment industry since the early 1970s. She developed a love for acting as a young child and studied acting at the University of Michigan. Beginning her career with small roles in plays, she eventually branched out into films as well. She is considered a formidable character actress.  

Mariette Hartley is an American actress who won the Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Dr. Carolyn Fields in the popular television series, The Incredible Hulk. She also has several Primetime Emmy Award nominations under her belt. An advocate of suicide prevention and medications for bipolar disorder, Mariette Hartley works towards increasing awareness of the disorder.

Swoosie Kurtz is an American actress who has received prestigious awards, such as Tony Awards and Primetime Emmy Award in a career spanning more than half a century. Over the years, she has contributed immensely to the success of several popular TV series, such as Carol and Company.

Gemma Jones is an English actress best known for playing Madam Poppy Pomfrey in the popular Harry Potter film series. A talented actress, Jones won the prestigious British Academy Television Award for playing Mary in the critically acclaimed television film, Marvellous.