Living Broadway Legends

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 2:20pm

Had a conversation today with a friend about what seems to be the complete passing of a generation of theatre legends with the likes of Angela Lansbury and Michael Gambon, and Chita Rivera and others passing away. We began to try and brainstorm are there any other working Broadway/theatre legends in that 80+ category or have we essentially moved on to Lupone and Peters being the “older living legends” category.  

[binau]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 5:48pm

In terms of divas, I'm looking at lists and if we are talking true legends it does indeed seem that Bernadette and Patti may now be the oldest living theatre legends. That's crazy! I do not take them for granted. 

[Kad]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 5:56pm

Although not a Broadway diva the same way Bernadette et al are, Estelle Parsons is 96 and still doing work! 

[JoeW4]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 6:02pm

I guess some might debate the definition of "legend," but for my money, I'd throw these names into the mix:

Joel Grey, James Earl Jones, Carol Burnett, John Kander (97 years old!), Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand (I know I know, she only did 2 Broadway shows, but come on!)

Also, John Cullum may not be as well-known as some of the above, but he's had a long and illustrious Broadway career, and he just turned 94!

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 6:07pm

See I had mentioned Barbra and Liza and Julie andrews in my conversation but was corrected that none of them had done a live “theatre” run in more than 10-15 years. But I definitely agree that they are still active in creating and the arts.  

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 3/18/24 at 6:09pm

Betty Buckley

Updated On: 3/18/24 at 06:09 PM