Actors You Won’t Believe Are Turning 80 Next Year

Some screen legends have been around so long that their breakthrough roles feel like yesterday, which makes it wild to realize they’ll hit 80 next year. These men have anchored blockbusters, defined TV eras, and kept finding new gears long after most people would slow down. Here are fifteen male actors born in 1946 who will celebrate that milestone in 2026, along with the roles and achievements that helped shape their careers.

Sylvester Stallone

Born July 6, 1946 in New York City, Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in ‘Rocky’ and turned it into a long-running franchise. He led the action ensemble in ‘The Expendables’ and became an icon as John Rambo in ‘First Blood’. Stallone earned Academy Award nominations for acting and writing and later for his supporting role tied to the ‘Rocky’ universe. He also created and starred in the reality competition ‘The Contender’, broadening his footprint beyond acting.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones was born September 15, 1946 in San Saba, Texas and won an Academy Award for his role connected to ‘The Fugitive’. He co-starred in ‘Men in Black’ and brought gravitas to ‘No Country for Old Men’. Jones has also directed films and portrayed historical figures in projects such as ‘Lincoln’. His career spans stage, film, and television with a reputation for sharp, grounded performances.

Danny Glover

Born July 22, 1946 in San Francisco, Danny Glover became widely known as Roger Murtaugh in ‘Lethal Weapon’. He earned acclaim for dramatic work in films like ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘To Sleep with Anger’. Glover has extensive television credits and has served as a producer on socially conscious projects. He has also received humanitarian awards for activism that runs alongside his long acting career.

Tim Curry

Tim Curry, born April 19, 1946 in Grappenhall, England, broke out on stage and screen with ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. He delivered memorable villainy in ‘Legend’ and ‘Clue’ and later voiced characters in animated series and games. Curry earned Tony Award nominations for his Broadway work, including ‘Spamalot’. His voice acting includes standout turns in ‘The Wild Thornberrys’ and numerous audiobooks.

Charles Dance

Charles Dance was born October 10, 1946 in Redditch, England and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He drew international attention as Tywin Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones’. Dance has balanced period dramas like ‘The Imitation Game’ with genre fare such as ‘Alien 3’. He also writes and directs, adding filmmaking credits to a long list of stage and screen roles.

Brian Cox

Born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland, Brian Cox won widespread recognition for ‘Succession’ as Logan Roy. He originated Hannibal Lecter on screen in ‘Manhunter’ and appeared in films like ‘Braveheart’ and ‘X2’. Cox is a seasoned stage actor with an Olivier Award and major Shakespearean roles. He also hosts documentary series and appears frequently in high-profile television dramas.

Ed O’Neill

Ed O’Neill, born April 12, 1946 in Youngstown, Ohio, became a sitcom staple with ‘Married… with Children’. He later returned to prime time as Jay Pritchett in ‘Modern Family’, earning multiple award nominations. O’Neill has done film work including ‘Little Giants’ and voice roles in animated features. His career reflects a rare second act that resonated with new generations of TV audiences.

Eugene Levy

Born December 17, 1946 in Hamilton, Ontario, Eugene Levy co-created and starred in the ‘American Pie’ series as Noah Levenstein. He is a longtime collaborator with Christopher Guest on mockumentaries like ‘Best in Show’ and ‘A Mighty Wind’. Levy co-created ‘Schitt’s Creek’ with his son, Dan Levy, and won major awards for the series. His career also includes voice roles in animated hits and decades of sketch comedy.

Stephen Rea

Stephen Rea was born October 31, 1946 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Crying Game’. He appears frequently in Neil Jordan films such as ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and ‘Michael Collins’. Rea’s television work includes ‘The Honourable Woman’ and ‘War and Peace’. He has a substantial stage background and helped found Dublin’s Field Day Theatre Company.

Michael Ontkean

Michael Ontkean, born January 24, 1946 in Vancouver, Canada, first gained attention with ‘Slap Shot’. He later became known to television audiences as Sheriff Harry S. Truman in ‘Twin Peaks’. Ontkean also starred in ‘Making Love’, a notable early studio film about a same-sex relationship. His filmography spans drama and comedy across both Canadian and American productions.

Tom Savini

Born November 3, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Tom Savini is celebrated for groundbreaking makeup effects in ‘Dawn of the Dead’ and ‘Day of the Dead’. He is also an actor, appearing in ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ and ‘Machete’. Savini directed the remake of ‘Night of the Living Dead’ and runs a special makeup program in Pittsburgh. His practical effects innovations influenced horror filmmaking for decades.

David Lynch

David Lynch, born January 20, 1946 in Missoula, Montana, is a filmmaker who also acts, notably as Gordon Cole in ‘Twin Peaks’. He directed landmark works like ‘Eraserhead’, ‘Blue Velvet’, and ‘Mulholland Drive’. Lynch has exhibited visual art, released music, and authored books on creativity and meditation. His on-screen appearances complement a multidisciplinary career that crosses mediums.

Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton was born March 21, 1946 in Colwyn Bay, Wales and portrayed James Bond in ‘The Living Daylights’ and ‘Licence to Kill’. He later brought comic bite to ‘Hot Fuzz’ and lent his voice to ‘Toy Story 3’. Television roles include ‘Penny Dreadful’ and ‘Doom Patrol’, reinforcing his range beyond espionage. Dalton trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has extensive classical theater credits.

David Suchet

Born May 2, 1946 in London, David Suchet became synonymous with Hercule Poirot in ‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’. He earned awards for stage performances and has narrated numerous documentaries and audiobooks. Suchet’s film work includes ‘Executive Decision’ and ‘The Bank Job’. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama.

Kabir Bedi

Kabir Bedi, born January 16, 1946 in Lahore, built an international career across India, Europe, and the United States. He starred in the European TV phenomenon ‘Sandokan’ and appeared in the James Bond film ‘Octopussy’. Bedi’s Bollywood credits include ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ and ‘Main Hoon Na’. He also served as a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, reflecting his global industry presence.

Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen is an American actor and singer known for powerhouse stage and screen work. He won a Tony Award for ‘Pippin’ and earned an earlier nomination for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Television audiences know him from projects like ‘Roots’ and recurring roles on shows including ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Bull’. He has also toured widely in concert and taught master classes for young performers.

Blake Clark

Blake Clark is a character actor and stand-up comic with dozens of film and television credits. Viewers remember him from ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Boy Meets World’, along with frequent appearances in Adam Sandler films like ‘The Waterboy’ and ’50 First Dates’. He took over as the voice of Slinky Dog starting with ‘Toy Story 3’. Clark is also a Vietnam veteran who has performed for service members and spoken publicly about military life.

Stuart Pankin

Stuart Pankin built a career across sitcoms, films, and voice acting. He anchored HBO’s ‘Not Necessarily the News’ and voiced Earl Sinclair in the family series ‘Dinosaurs’. His film credits include ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Arachnophobia’, and ‘Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves’. Pankin has also appeared in numerous guest roles on network television and in Disney Channel’s ‘Zenon’ movies.

Michael Warren

Michael Warren is best known to TV fans as Officer Bobby Hill on ‘Hill Street Blues’. Before acting, he was an All-American basketball player at UCLA under coach John Wooden. His screen work spans guest roles on series such as ‘Soul Food’ and ‘Girlfriends’, plus appearances in films and TV movies. Warren later pursued directing and photography alongside occasional acting turns.

John Rubinstein

John Rubinstein is an actor and composer who won a Tony Award for the title role in the Broadway musical ‘Pippin’. On television he has appeared in ‘Family’, ‘Crazy Like a Fox’, and many procedural dramas. Film credits include ‘The Boys from Brazil’ and ‘Another Stakeout’. He also teaches acting and has directed stage productions in New York and Los Angeles.

Demond Wilson

Demond Wilson became a household name as Lamont Sanford on ‘Sanford and Son’. He later starred in the sitcom ‘Baby… I’m Back!’ and headlined the series ‘The New Odd Couple’. Wilson has toured in stage productions and appeared in guest spots on shows like ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘The Parkers’. He is also an author and has worked in ministry and community outreach.

Martin Kove

Martin Kove is the actor behind ruthless sensei John Kreese in ‘The Karate Kid’ and the series ‘Cobra Kai’. He appeared in action favorites like ‘Rambo: First Blood Part II’ and cult titles such as ‘Death Race 2000’. Kove was a cast member on ‘Cagney & Lacey’, playing Detective Victor Isbecki. He continues to work in independent features and fan-favorite genre projects.

John Waters

John Waters is a filmmaker who has also acted in numerous projects on screen and television. His cameo appearances include ‘Hairspray’, ‘Seed of Chucky’, and ‘Feud’, along with voice work on animated shows. Waters frequently appears as himself in documentaries and specials about cinema and culture. He tours with spoken-word performances and has authored several books on art and filmmaking.

André De Shields

André De Shields is a stage and screen veteran whose breakout on Broadway came with ‘The Wiz’. He earned widespread acclaim for his performance in ‘Hadestown’, adding to a long list of theater honors. Television credits include ‘Katy Keene’, ‘Law & Order’, and specials for public television. De Shields is also a respected educator and mentor who coaches young performers.

Victor Banerjee

Victor Banerjee is an Indian actor who works in Bengali, Hindi, Assamese, and English films. International audiences know him from ‘A Passage to India’ and ‘The Jewel in the Crown’. He has collaborated with filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Shyam Benegal. Banerjee also appears in theater and has been honored with major Indian civilian awards for contributions to the arts.

Murray Head

Murray Head is a British actor and singer who starred in ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’. Music fans know him for ‘One Night in Bangkok’ from ‘Chess’ and ‘Superstar’ from ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. His acting career includes roles in French and British television dramas and films. Head continues to tour and record while taking selective screen roles.

Togo Igawa

Togo Igawa is a Japanese actor based in the United Kingdom with extensive stage and screen credits. He appeared in films like ‘The Last Samurai’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, and ‘Johnny English Reborn’. On television he has turned up in ‘Torchwood’, ‘The IT Crowd’, and ‘The Crown’. Igawa was the first Japanese member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is a prolific voice actor in games and animation.

Terence Knox

Terence Knox is known for major television work including ‘St. Elsewhere’ and ‘Tour of Duty’. He has guest-starred across network series and appeared in films like ‘Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice’. Knox has also performed on regional stages, taking on contemporary drama and classic roles. His career includes directing and teaching in community theater settings.

John Waters

Wait this is a duplicate of an earlier entry; replace with a different actor.
John Savage is an American actor recognized for ‘The Deer Hunter’ and ‘Hair’. He worked steadily in independent films and television, including arcs on ‘Carnivàle’ and ‘Dark Angel’. Savage’s voice and features also appear in documentaries and prestige TV. He remains active in festival-circuit features and international co-productions.

Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman was an English actor whose breakout came with ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’. He earned major awards for stage and screen and became widely known as Severus Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. Rickman also directed features like ‘The Winter Guest’ and ‘A Little Chaos’. His recorded readings and narrations are widely used in audio drama and documentary projects.

Robert Urich

Robert Urich headlined network hits including ‘Vega$’ and ‘Spenser: For Hire’, showing an easygoing charisma across drama and action. He earned critical notice for ‘Lonesome Dove’, expanding his range with a beloved miniseries role. Urich worked steadily in television movies and ensemble films, often playing principled professionals. He also hosted and narrated documentaries, adding non-fiction storytelling to his resume.

Tony Robinson

Tony Robinson is best known to comedy fans as Baldrick in ‘Blackadder’, a role that became a British TV touchstone. He presented the long-running archaeology series ‘Time Team’, guiding viewers through real excavations. Robinson has authored children’s books and history titles that complement his screen work. He continues to appear in documentaries and scripted comedies while touring live shows.

Frank Welker

Frank Welker is a legendary voice actor celebrated for bringing Fred and later Scooby to life in ‘Scooby-Doo’. He voiced Megatron in multiple ‘Transformers’ projects and created creature sounds for major blockbusters. Animation fans hear him in series like ‘The Smurfs’, ‘Futurama’, and ‘Aladdin’. His filmography spans thousands of credits, covering heroes, villains, and animals with equal precision.

Dennis Dugan

Dennis Dugan began as an actor on shows like ‘Hill Street Blues’, ‘Moonlighting’, and ‘NYPD Blue’. He appeared in films such as ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘The Benchwarmers’ in memorable character parts. Dugan built a parallel career directing popular studio comedies while continuing to act on occasion. His television guest spots and film cameos chart a steady presence across decades.

Suresh Oberoi

Suresh Oberoi is a Hindi film veteran known for impactful supporting roles in titles like ‘Aitbaar’ and ‘Mirch Masala’. He earned the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for a performance widely praised by critics. Oberoi’s screen work includes television serials and reality programming alongside feature films. He is also recognized for voiceovers and public service initiatives connected to the arts.

Vinod Khanna

Vinod Khanna rose to stardom with crowd-pleasing Bollywood projects such as ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ and ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’. He balanced action and romance across mainstream hits and respected dramas. Khanna later returned to films after a period in public service, resuming leading and senior roles. His legacy includes frequent collaborations with top directors and co-stars of his era.

Michele Placido

Michele Placido earned international attention as Commissario Cattani in the crime saga ‘La piovra’. He moved fluidly between acting and directing with projects like ‘Romanzo Criminale’. Placido’s career ranges from festival-circuit dramas to commercial thrillers in Italian and European cinema. He has also taught and mentored young filmmakers while continuing to appear on screen.

Piotr Fronczewski

Piotr Fronczewski became a Polish pop-culture icon with the fantasy adventure ‘Akademia Pana Kleksa’. He has extensive stage credentials and longstanding ties to national theater institutions. Fronczewski’s dubbing and voice roles brought global franchises to Polish audiences. His filmography blends family films, satire, and contemporary dramas across decades.

Andrzej Seweryn

Andrzej Seweryn is a Polish actor whose international credits include ‘The Tin Drum’ and ‘Schindler’s List’. He spent years with the Comédie-Française, performing classical repertory in French. Seweryn has led major Polish films and television series while directing at notable theaters. He also teaches acting and often appears at European festivals and retrospectives.

Ti Lung

Ti Lung is a Hong Kong cinema mainstay recognized for martial-arts and heroic-bloodshed milestones like ‘A Better Tomorrow’. He first broke through at Shaw Brothers with wuxia epics and continued into modern crime dramas. Ti Lung later took on mentor and patriarch roles in contemporary television series. His collaborations with directors and co-stars shaped a key period in Asian action cinema.

André Dussollier

André Dussollier is a celebrated French actor seen in films such as ‘A Very Long Engagement’ and ‘Tell No One’. He has won multiple César Awards and frequently performs in acclaimed stage productions. Dussollier’s career includes literary narrations and audiobooks that highlight his distinctive voice. He remains active across prestige cinema, popular comedies, and television.

Jan Decleir

Jan Decleir is one of Belgium’s most honored actors with standout turns in ‘Character’ and ‘Daens’. He works in Dutch and French, moving between national hits and international co-productions. Decleir appears regularly in theater while anchoring film and TV dramas. His roles often center on complex authority figures and conflicted patriarchs.

José de Abreu

José de Abreu is a Brazilian star with long-running parts in prime-time telenovelas and political satires. His film credits include festival selections and historical dramas that travel widely beyond Brazil. De Abreu also performs on stage and participates in cultural debates through media appearances. He has collaborated with leading directors in both television and cinema.

Share the names you were most surprised to see on this list in the comments and tell us who else belongs here.