The 1970s was a decade of great change and experimentation in the film industry. It saw the emergence of many talented actors who went on to become household names. These actors not only made a name for themselves in the ’70s but also continue to star in movies to this day.
Their longevity in the industry is a testament to their talent and enduring popularity with audiences. They have also starred in some of the most iconic movies of all time, and their performances continue to be celebrated and remembered. Here are ten actors from the ‘70s who are still starring in movies.
10 Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is a highly acclaimed American actress who made her film debut in 1977 with the film Julia (1977). However, she rose to fame in the 1980s with her roles in films such as The Deer Hunter (1978) and Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), for which she won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is widely considered one of the greatest actresses of all time, receiving numerous awards throughout her career, including three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, and three Emmy Awards.
Some of her most notable films include Sophie’s Choice (1982), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), August: Osage County (2013), and Out of Africa (1985). Streep’s latest appearance is in the movie Don’t look up (2021), paying Janie Orlean, the President of the United States, and the 2022 TV show Extrapolations. She has also served as an executive producer in the 2022 film Sell/Buy/Date, directed by Sarah Jones.
9 Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor, narrator, and filmmaker known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence on screen. He made his film debut in the 1970s, appearing in films such as Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! (1971) and Brubaker (1980). He rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s with his roles in films such as Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), and Million Dollar Baby (2004), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
He is considered one of the most respected actors in Hollywood and has received numerous nominations and awards throughout his career, including five Golden Globe Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. He is also known for his voice-over work in documentaries and commercials. Morgan Freeman last appeared in the 2022 movies Paradise Highway and The Minute You Wake Up Dead, but we’re expecting him to make an appearance in the film A Good Person and TV series Lioness this year.
8 Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren is an English actress who began her career in the 1960s, appearing in various stage productions and television shows. Her first film role was in the 1967 film Herostratus, but she rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with her performances in films such as The Long Good Friday (1980), Excalibur (1981), and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989). Mirren is best known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including four BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. Helen Mirren last appeared in the 2021 movie F9 and 2022 miniseies 1923, but we’re expecting her to make an appearance in the upcoming 2023 movies Golda, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Fast X.
7 Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American actor and film producer best known for portraying iconic characters such as Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise and Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones franchise. He made his film debut in the 1960s with minor roles in films such as A Time for Killing (1967) and Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966). However, he rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with his roles in films such as American Graffiti (193), Star Wars (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
Ford is widely considered one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, and he has received numerous awards throughout his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Harrison Ford last appeared in the 2020 movie The Call of the Wild and 2022 miniseries 1923. Still, we’re expecting him to appear in the upcoming 2023 film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the 2024 films Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts and the 2023TV series Shrinking.
6 Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver is an American actress known for her roles in both film and stage productions. She made her debut in the 1977 film Annie Hall but rose to fame in 1979 with her role as Ripley in the science fiction film Alien (1979), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination. She went on to reprise her role as Ripley in three sequels: Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), and Alien: Resurrection (1997). She is best known for her role in the Alien franchise.
Throughout her career, Weaver has received numerous awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA Award. In addition to her work in film, she has also appeared in several stage productions, earning a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway production of Hurlyburly (1984–85). Sigourney Weaver last appeared in the 2022 movie Avatar: The Way of Water, but we’re expecting her to appear in the upcoming 2024 movie Avatar 3 and the 2026 movie Avatar 4.
5 Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is an American actor, producer, and director known for his intense and versatile performances. He made his film debut in the 1968 film Greetings but rose to prominence in the 1970s with his roles in films such as Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), Mean Streets (1973), and The Godfather Part II (1974), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He is widely considered one of the greatest actors of all time, receiving numerous awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Presidential National Medal of Arts.
He is best known for his roles in films like Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1983), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), Heat (1995), and The Irishman (2019). Robert De Niro last appeared in the 2022 movies Amsterdam and Savage Salvation, but we’re expecting him to star in the upcoming 2023 films Killers of the Flower Moon and About My Father.
4 Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American actress, director, and producer known for her comedic and dramatic performances. She made her film debut in the 1970 film Lovers and Other Strangers but rose to fame with her roles in films such as Play It Again, Sam (1972), The Godfather (1972), and Annie Hall (1977), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has a long and varied career in Hollywood and has received numerous awards, including the Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Awards, and National Board of Review Awards.
She is also known for her roles in movies like Manhattan (1979), Baby Boom (1987), Father of the Bride series (1991, 1995 and 2020), Something’s Gotta Give (2003), and The First Wives Club (1996). Diane Keaton’s latest films are Mack & Rita and Maybe I Do, but we’re expecting her to appear in the upcoming 2023 movie Book Club 2 – The Next Chapter.
3 Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas is an American actor and producer. He made his acting debut in the film Hail, Hero! in 1969. He is best known for his role as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film Wall Street, for which Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also appeared in many other films, such as Fatal Attraction (1987), Basic Instinct (1992), The War of the Roses (1989), The American President (1995) and Wonder Boys (2000).
He has also received several other awards throughout his career, including three Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Michael Kirk Douglas last appeared in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame, but we expect him to star in the upcoming 2023 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
2 Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He made his film debut in 1968’s The Lion in Winter. He is best known for his portrayal of the cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), for which Hopkins won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also appeared in many other films, such as Legends of the Fall (1994), The Remains of the Day (1993), Thor (2011) and Westworld (2016 – 2018).
He has also received several other awards throughout his career, including four BAFTA Awards and two Emmy Awards. Michael Kirk Douglas last appeared in the 2022 films Armageddon Time and The Son, but we’re expecting him to star in the upcoming films One Life and Rebel Moon.
1 Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He made his acting debut in the 1970 softcore pornography film The Party at Kitty and Stud’s. He is best known for his portrayal of the boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky film series and the lead role in the Rambo film series. Stallone has also appeared in many other films, such as Demolition Man (1986) and The Expendables trilogy (2010, 2012 and 2014).
He has also received several awards throughout his career, including a Golden Globe Award and ten infamous Golden Raspberry Awards. Sylvester Stallone last appeared in the 2022 film Samaritan, but we’re expecting him to star in the upcoming 2023 films Creed III and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Expendables 4. He is also currently starring in the 2022 TV series Tulsa King.