Legendary actor Kirk Douglas was born in 1916 and throughout his life won numerous Golden Globes, became a director and a notable philanthropist. He not only celebrated his 99th birthday but also his 100th in a bash at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Kirk lived until 104 and is survived by his wife Anne Buydens as well as his sons Michael, Joel and Peter.
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Famed actor and television personality Bob Hope was born in 1903 and celebrated his 99th birthday in 2002. On his 100th birthday the following year, numerous states across the U.S. declared it Bob Hope Day. He passed later that year and is survived by his children Linda, William and Eleanora.
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Hungarian-American actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor was born in 1917, going on to be crowned Miss Hungary at age 19. She emigrated to the US, where she became a sought-after actress, living an extravagant Hollywood lifestyle and marrying numerous times. She celebrated her 99th birthday in 2016, passing away later that year. She is survived by her husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt.
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Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother celebrated her 99th birthday in 1999 and went on to live to be 101. She had a zest for life, as proven by a quote featured in a biography about her life.
“Wouldn’t it be terrible if you’d spent all your life doing everything you were supposed to do, didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, didn’t eat things, took lots of exercise, and suddenly, one day, you were run over by a big red bus and, as the wheels were crunching into you, you’d say, ‘Oh my God, I could have got so drunk last night. That’s the way you should live your life, as if tomorrow you’ll be run over by a big red bus,” Queen Elizabeth reportedly said, according to the biography.
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Norman Lloyd was born in 1914 and throughout his life, took part in all aspects of the entertainment industry. He was featured as Mr. Nolan in “Dead Poets Society” and had roles in “St. Elsewhere” and “The Age of Innocence.” He acted up until he turned 99, when he was cast in “Trainwreck.” Norman is currently 106 and has a daughter named Josie, who is now 81.
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Gloria Stuart, who many may know as the woman who portrayed an older Rose in “Titanic,” was born in 1910. In 1998, she became the oldest woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Then in 2009, she celebrated her 99th birthday and went on to live to be 100.
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Billy Graham was born in 1918 and spent most of his life as a prominent Christian leader. He spent six decades broadcasting his sermons on radio and television and served as a spiritual adviser to numerous U.S. presidents. He turned 99 in 2017 and passed away later that year, survived by his children Franklin, Anne, Gigi, Ned and Bunny.
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Prolific songwriter Irving Berlin was born in Russia in 1888 and went on to write over 3,000 songs in his life, including the iconic “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)” and “White Christmas.” He also composed 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores. He turned 99 in 1987 and lived to be 101.
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Peggy-Jean Montgomery
After being born in 1918, Peggy-Jean Montgomery, AKA “Baby Peggy,” went on to be featured in more than 150 short films between the ages of three and five. As an adult, she switched to life behind the camera as a writer. She became the oldest living silent film star, turning 99 in 2017. She lived to be 101 and is survived by her son Mark.
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