Actors With 50+ Years of Continuous Credits (No Big Gaps)

Some actors keep showing up decade after decade, building careers that rarely slow down and never really stop. They move from stage or early TV roles into film, anchor long-running franchises, and keep booking work across changing trends and styles. The throughline is steady output with no long dry spells, whether that means a film almost every year or prolific stretches in television and theater. Here are male actors whose careers span at least half a century of credits without major gaps.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood moved from early television into a long run of westerns and thrillers and then into directing while continuing to act. He has fronted enduring series like ‘Rawhide’ and the ‘Dirty Harry’ films and later balanced acting with high-profile directing projects. His filmography shows consistent releases across every decade since his start. He remains active behind the camera while occasionally stepping back on screen.

Michael Caine

Michael Caine began with British television and small film roles and kept working steadily through supporting and leading parts. He crossed eras with titles like ‘Zulu’, ‘The Ipcress File’, ‘Alfie’, and later joined global franchises with ‘The Dark Knight’ series. His credits appear in nearly every year across multiple decades with only brief breathers between projects. He has received multiple major awards while continuing to take roles in both studio and independent films.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro built momentum in the New York film scene and sustained it with frequent collaborations and a mix of dramas and comedies. He moved from early breakthroughs like ‘Mean Streets’ and ‘Taxi Driver’ to long-running partnerships that continued into streaming-era projects like ‘The Irishman’. His output spans theatrical releases, prestige television, and producer credits with few slow periods. He continues to alternate between character work and leading roles.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino’s earliest work in theater and television gave way to crime epics and literary adaptations that anchored a steady career. He has returned to the stage while also expanding into streaming series and television films. His credited appearances show consistent activity across each decade, often pairing marquee roles with ensemble work. He remains active with a mix of film, limited series, and stage projects.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman moved from children’s television and stage into film roles that steadily grew in size and frequency. He has maintained a constant presence in dramas, thrillers, and voice narration, including franchise appearances like ‘The Dark Knight’. His credits show regular releases across each decade, including documentary narration and television guest work. He continues to work across formats with reliable annual activity.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins balanced classical theater with television before moving into sustained film work. He appears regularly in historical dramas, thrillers, and literary adaptations and later added high-profile television like ‘Westworld’. His filmography shows recurring credits across every decade since his breakthrough years. He remains active in international co-productions and prestige features.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford’s early uncredited and supporting roles led to back-to-back blockbuster franchises. He has continued to revisit ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ while adding steady dramatic and thriller projects. His career shows few gaps, with regular releases spanning theatrical films and television appearances. He remains active with roles in series work and franchise extensions.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman sustained a steady pace after his early film breakthroughs, moving between comedies, dramas, and character-driven projects. He has added voice roles in animated franchises like ‘Kung Fu Panda’ alongside stage and television work. His credits appear frequently across each decade, reflecting ongoing participation in both studio and independent productions. He continues to take roles that keep his filmography current.

Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken began as a child performer on television and transitioned into film while maintaining a constant stream of roles. He works across genres with memorable supporting turns and leads, plus regular stage appearances. His credits show continuous activity throughout the years, including music videos and television. He remains a dependable presence in both prestige films and mainstream projects.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges started as a child actor and has worked steadily through leading and supporting roles in dramas, comedies, and genre films. He has combined studio releases with independent features and later added television limited series work. His filmography reflects regular appearances decade after decade without prolonged breaks. He continues to take roles that range from character parts to franchise adjacent projects.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones has maintained consistent work in film and television since his early career, moving between thrillers, westerns, and historical dramas. He frequently alternates leading roles with standout supporting parts and has also directed. His credits are distributed evenly across decades with few pauses. He continues to appear in international and domestic productions.

Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel emerged from New York’s independent scene and kept working steadily in both American and European films. He appears in crime dramas, art house features, and ensemble projects with regularity. His credits span film, television, and occasional voice roles, showing consistent yearly activity. He remains engaged with directors across multiple countries and production scales.

Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley’s career bridges stage, television, and film with a continuous presence in historical dramas and contemporary thrillers. He has moved fluidly between leading roles and supporting parts in studio blockbusters and independent cinema. His credits show ongoing work across every decade and include voice performances and series work. He continues to collaborate internationally on a variety of productions.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan began as a child performer and stuntman and evolved into a globally recognized action star while maintaining a heavy output. He has kept a steady pace in Hong Kong cinema and international co-productions, plus voice roles in animation. His credits appear almost yearly across multiple markets with stunt coordination and producing work alongside acting. He remains active in film and occasional television appearances.

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan has worked continuously across mainstream Indian cinema, television, and narration for decades. He moved from action and drama leads into character roles while hosting and appearing on major television programs. His filmography shows regular releases across each decade, including regional and international collaborations. He continues to act, narrate, and participate in television projects.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson’s screen work stretches from early theater and television into a steady run of films across every decade. He has maintained a constant presence through franchises like ‘Star Wars’, ‘The Avengers’, and ‘The Incredibles’. His credits also include frequent collaborations with directors in crime dramas and thrillers. He continues to appear in streaming series and voice roles alongside theatrical releases.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen built a continuous career that bridges stage, television, and major film franchises. He is widely known for roles in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The Hobbit’, and the ‘X-Men’ series while maintaining regular theater work. His credits include British television dramas, literary adaptations, and documentary narration. He remains active with touring productions and periodic screen projects.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart sustained uninterrupted work through classical theater, television, and film. He led ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ and later returned to the role in multiple projects while also playing in the ‘X-Men’ films. His credits include audio narration, animated series, and frequent stage revivals. He continues to mix franchise appearances with television and voice work.

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee maintained one of the most prolific filmographies on record with consistent roles in horror, fantasy, and adventure. He anchored early runs like the ‘Dracula’ cycle and later appeared in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Star Wars’. His credits also include television work, voice performances, and documentary narration. He kept a steady pace of international co-productions across multiple languages.

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow worked continuously across European cinema, Hollywood, and television. His collaborations included milestone films with auteur directors and later appearances in projects like ‘Game of Thrones’. He balanced leading roles with character parts and voice performances. His credits show regular output across genres and markets.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones sustained a long career across stage, film, television, and landmark voice roles. He provided the voice of Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’ while maintaining steady on-camera work. His credits include regular television appearances and documentary narration. He continued to work in theater revivals alongside screen projects.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery’s continuous career began with television and stage before a long run of film leads. He became globally known through the ‘James Bond’ series and followed with adventure, drama, and ensemble films. His credits show steady releases with occasional television specials and narration. He worked with directors across multiple countries and production scales.

Roger Moore

Roger Moore kept a reliable output in television and film over many decades. He starred in ‘The Saint’ and later took over the ‘James Bond’ role while continuing appearances in television movies and specials. His credits include voice roles, charity specials, and international co-productions. He remained visible through guest spots and documentary work.

Peter O’Toole

Peter O’Toole maintained steady film and stage work from early breakthroughs through later character roles. His credits include epic dramas like ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, comedies, and television miniseries. He continued to appear in prestige productions alongside independent films. He balanced screen acting with regular theater engagements.

John Hurt

John Hurt built a continuous career with a wide range of film and television roles. His credits include ‘The Elephant Man’, ‘Alien’, and recurring appearances in ‘Doctor Who’. He worked steadily in independent cinema, large studio productions, and narration. He remained active with voice roles and ensemble projects.

Ian Holm

Ian Holm sustained steady work from stage to screen with frequent film and television roles. His credits include ‘Chariots of Fire’, ‘Brazil’, and a central part in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. He balanced voice performances, television dramas, and theater revivals. His output shows consistent activity across decades without long breaks.

Terence Stamp

Terence Stamp kept a consistent presence in international cinema and television. He is known for roles in ‘The Collector’, ‘Superman’, and later in ‘The Limey’ while adding voice work and series appearances. His credits span European art films and Hollywood releases. He has continued to work across genres with regular new projects.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere’s career shows continuous credits in studio films, independent features, and television projects. He starred in titles like ‘American Gigolo’, ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’, and ‘Chicago’ while adding international co-productions. His filmography includes steady releases and occasional limited series work. He continues to alternate between leading roles and ensemble casts.

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas sustained uninterrupted work as an actor and producer across film and television. He broke out with ‘Streets of San Francisco’ and later balanced projects like ‘Wall Street’, ‘Romancing the Stone’, and ‘Behind the Candelabra’. His credits also include franchise roles and streaming series. He remains active both on screen and as a producer.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell began as a child actor in television and maintained a steady transition into adult film leads. His credits include collaborations on ‘Escape from New York’, ‘The Thing’, and later entries in the ‘Fast & Furious’ series. He has consistently appeared in genre films, westerns, and family features. His work also includes limited series and recurring television roles.

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland sustained a film and television presence from early ensemble roles to later franchise and prestige projects. He appeared in war films, thrillers, and political dramas and later reached new audiences through ‘The Hunger Games’. His credits also include television movies, miniseries, and frequent international co-productions. He worked across Canadian, American, and European productions with steady yearly activity.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer balanced stage, television, and film with uninterrupted output across decades. He moved from period dramas and literary adaptations to contemporary thrillers and comedies while continuing theater work. His credits include voice performances, documentaries, and television projects alongside major films. He remained active into late career with regular releases and awards recognition.

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall built a continuous career with prominent roles in crime epics, westerns, and character-driven dramas. He alternated between studio features and independent films while also producing and directing select projects. His credits extend through television movies, limited series, and recurring guest roles. He has collaborated with multiple generations of filmmakers without long breaks.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone maintained steady output through acting, writing, and producing, anchored by enduring series like ‘Rocky’ and ‘Rambo’. He added ensemble action projects such as ‘The Expendables’ while continuing standalone thrillers and dramas. His credits include television guest appearances and streaming series alongside theatrical releases. He has remained active internationally with voice work and cameos.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson’s work spans early theater and television into a consistent run of films across genres. He moved from historical dramas and biopics to action thrillers while continuing prestige projects. His credits include voice roles in animation and documentary narration. He remains active in European and American productions with regular annual releases.

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons sustained continuous work across stage, television, and film with a mix of period pieces and contemporary projects. He led series like ‘Brideshead Revisited’ and later joined major franchises while maintaining theater commitments. His credits include international co-productions and frequent voice performances. He continues to alternate between leading and supporting roles across formats.

Gérard Depardieu

Gérard Depardieu has appeared steadily in French cinema while also taking roles in Italian, Russian, and English-language films. His output includes literary adaptations, comedies, and historical dramas along with television movies. He has collaborated with a wide range of European directors and maintained frequent yearly credits. His career reflects consistent work across national film industries.

Dharmendra

Dharmendra sustained a long run in Hindi cinema with regular releases across action, drama, and family films. He headlined mainstream productions and later appeared in ensemble projects while also producing. His credits include Punjabi films and guest roles on television programs. He has remained visible with franchise continuations and special appearances.

Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan worked continuously from child actor to leading man and later to writer, producer, and director. He has credits across Tamil cinema with crossover projects in Hindi and other Indian languages. His output includes experimental films, mainstream hits, and television hosting. He maintains annual activity through acting, production, and industry initiatives.

Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth built uninterrupted momentum in Tamil cinema with frequent releases spanning action, drama, and fantasy. He has participated in Hindi and other language films and remains a marquee draw across India and overseas markets. His credits include collaborations with major directors and recurring franchise titles. He continues to balance theatrical features with promotional and philanthropic appearances tied to releases.

Mammootty

Mammootty’s career in Malayalam cinema shows steady yearly output with roles in drama, thriller, and historical films. He has also worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi projects and runs production ventures. His credits include biographical roles, ensemble films, and festival circuit features. He maintains a consistent slate with multiple releases in many calendar years.

Chow Yun-fat

Chow Yun-fat maintained constant activity in Hong Kong cinema and international co-productions across action and drama. He collaborated frequently with directors known for heroic crime films and later appeared in global hits like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. His credits also include television work from early career stages and periodic returns. He continues to appear in Chinese-language features with regularity.

Michael Gambon

Michael Gambon balanced a prolific stage life with steady television and film roles. He appeared in British miniseries, detective dramas, and later joined global franchises while continuing theater. His credits include voice performances, radio dramas, and documentaries. He sustained consistent visibility with projects across public broadcasters and major studios.

James Caan

James Caan’s filmography shows continuous participation in studio features, independent films, and television movies. He moved between crime dramas, comedies, and sports films and later added recurring television roles. His credits include voice work in animation and documentary narration. He remained active with ensemble casts and festival premieres.

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd maintained steady work across television, film, and voice acting since his early theater days. He became widely recognized through sitcom success with ‘Taxi’ and later through science fiction comedies while continuing stage appearances. His credits include regular guest roles, animated series, and independent features. He continues to book projects across streaming, television, and film.

Share your favorite performances from these long-haul careers in the comments.