Then & Now: Legendary Ladies Of Hollywood In Their Breakout Roles And In Their 90s

Hollywood is not always the most accommodating for women. Many of the industry’s biggest figures have been outspoken about the difficulties that come with stardom — especially when it comes to being a mature woman. Nevertheless, some actors have managed to stand the test of time with their talent and tenacity. Even into their 90s, icons like Joan Collins and Rita Moreno are still working and winning awards for their performances. Some of these icons are responsible for pioneering the old Hollywood glamour secrets we can still use today, which make up just one small piece of their respective legacies. 

While these women have changed in the decades since their breakout roles, their impact on the entertainment industry can’t be denied. Now, they’re finally beginning to receive their flowers; Kim Novak (who formally retired from acting in 1991), for one, was honored at the Deauville American Film Festival in September 2025 with the Icon Award. We’re taking a look back at the careers of Hollywood’s most legendary 90-year-old actors. 

“West Side Story” is regarded as one of the best Broadway-to-film adaptations, in large part due to the talent of Rita Moreno. Moreno was 31 years old when she became the first Latina actor to win an Academy Award for her performance in the film, and 15 years later, in 1977, Moreno achieved EGOT status. At 94, Moreno is still winning awards. The legendary performer received the Trailblazer in the Arts Award from Public Counsel in April 2026, during which she showed off her chic silver pixie cut. 

Over the years, we have gotten to see the stunning transformation of “I Dream of Jeannie” star Barbara Eden. “I Dream of Jeannie” is one of the most enduring sitcoms of the 1960s, and was what put Eden’s name on the map. Now, over 60 years after the series began, the 94-year-old actor is still a blond beauty. Eden made an appearance at a charity event in June 2026, wearing a stylish white pantsuit and a blue satin blouse.  

While Joan Collins is still working today, she got her start on the iconic ’80s soap opera “Dynasty.” Collins had been acting for years when she was cast as the scheming Alexis Carrington on “Dynasty.” At 93, Joan Collins credits her stunning appearance to a straightforward life philosophy: simplicity in her health, beauty, and wellness routines. Collins showed off her fabulous looks at Variety’s June 2026 Power of Women event; the actor rocked a glamorous ensemble that included impeccably styled curls and a glittering gold blouse. 

Dame Julie Andrews is one of the most beloved actors of all time. The 90-year-old icon’s breakout film role saw her portraying the titular character of Disney’s “Mary Poppins,” for which she won an Oscar for Best Actress. Over the years, Andrews has kept her look largely the same — rocking a short blond pixie cut. Andrews keeps a low profile, but appeared at the World Parkinson’s Congress in May 2026 via video call. Andrews wore a pale-blue sweater, similar to one of her iconic outfits from “The Sound of Music.”

Italian actor Sophia Loren is one of the most accomplished film stars of the 1960s. Loren achieved global fame after winning an Oscar for her performance in the 1960 drama “Two Women.” She went on to star in films alongside icons like Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Gregory Peck. Acclaimed for her beauty as well as her talent, Sophia Loren swore by olive oil as an old-school beauty trick. It must work, since Loren looks fabulous at 91; she continues to wear her brown hair styled into soft, face-framing curls.

While Kim Novak is best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo,” she was launched to movie star fame by the 1955 romantic comedy “Phffft.” Novak won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the film, an indicator of the big things to come for the actor. As a 93-year-old, Novak is still rocking her gorgeous blond hair — and maintains her glamorous style. Novak was the guest of honor at the Deauville American Film Festival in September 2025, where she received the Icon Award.