Hollywood isn’t for kids anymore.
Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, and Nicolas Cage dominated the Cannes Film Festival last month, exhibiting no indications of career slowing.
These stars remain household names and box office attractions after decades in the industry, despite its ups and downs.
“These stars still appeal for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that Hollywood has largely moved on from the shirtless stud who defies the odds, saves the girl and wins the day,” said Doug Eldridge of Achilles PR.
The hero model has softened and American masculinity has been vilified. Americans still like heroes.”
Reputation Management Consultants chairman Eric Schiffer attributes their cross-generational popularity.
“They can pull audiences as archetypes of today’s Alpha from Silent to Boomers, Gen X to Gen Z because they’re authentic off cam with a thirst for adventure who don’t care if they’re liked while mixing toughness with a soft side,” Schiffer added.
“These actors have star power that transcends time,” says Kathy Fielder of Thrive by Kathy Fielder. “They captivate and enthrall. They have star power that transcends the screen and into your living room.”
Here are some elderly actors who still star in blockbusters.
Sylvester Stallone
“Rocky,” which Sylvester Stallone authored and starred in, won best picture in 1977 and made him a household figure.
Since then, he has acted in action blockbusters like “Rambo” and “The Expendables” and dramas like “Cop Land.”
The 76-year-old actor hopes to sell his “Cliffhanger” sequel in Cannes.
The 1993 “Cliffhanger” helped Stallone return to box office dominance following some less profitable flicks in the late 1980s.
Beyond “Cliffhanger,” Stallone has been lauded for his roles in Paramount+’s “Tulsa King” and “The Suicide Squad” and this year’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
IMDb lists five Stallone projects, including a fourth “Expendables” picture, a “Cliffhanger” sequel, and an action thriller, “Never Too Old to Die.”
“The Family Stallone,” a Paramount+ reality show starring Stallone, his wife Jennifer Flavin, and children Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet, shows his gentler side.
“I wanted to do a movie about our family,” Stallone told Fox News Digital. OK, rather than writing a phony one, why not leap into reality?
“God knows I know enough about it because being around these young ladies, I’ve seen every show there is,” he said, pointing to his daughters. “And I thought, this is an intriguing time because it’s not like the career is waning and I need a job. I’m at my best because they’re not married, thank God.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger made his debut as “Conan the Barbarian” in 1982 before becoming a fan favorite as “The Terminator.”
“Predator,” “The Running Man,” and “Total Recall” kept Schwarzenegger in action.
The Austrian-born actor has appeared in comedies including “Kindergarten Cop” and “Twins.”
After becoming governor of California from 2003 to 2011, he returned to acting in “The Expendables 2” with Stallone.
According to IMDb’s Box Office Mojo, Schwarzenegger’s last major film, “Terminator: Dark Fate,” grossed $261 million worldwide.
“Breakout,” starring Stallone, is the Cannes-shopped action picture from “Expendables 4” director.
“FUBAR,” a Netflix series Schwarzenegger executive produces, and “Arnold,” a three-part documentary, star him.
In a Fox News Digital interview, the actor said, “Older people don’t retire, they just reload.”
Henry Ford
“Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” made Harrison Ford an icon in the 1980s.
With successes like “The Fugitive” and “Air Force One,” Ford never left Hollywood.
Ford has appeared in the latest “Star Wars” trilogy, the sequel to his cult classic “Blade Runner,” “Blade Runner 2049,” and the third “Expendables” movie in the previous decade.
With “1923” on Paramount+ and “Shrinking” on AppleTV+, the 80-year-old is busy than ever.
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” debuted in Cannes, where he got an honorary Palme d’Or.
“I’m very moved by this,” Ford told Variety. I watched my life flash before my eyes, like they say when you’re going to die. Mostly, but not entirely. I’m grateful to my gorgeous wife for supporting my passion and goals.
Ford isn’t done. “Captain America: New World Order” and “Thunderbolts” will feature him as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.
In an appearance with “Today,” Ford described his hectic schedule.
“The idea of not working doesn’t make much sense to me,” he remarked. “I’m most alive there.”
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp was a star in the 80s and 90s with “21 Jump Street” and “Edward Scissorhands.”
Depp became famous and wealthy after playing Captain Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2003.
Depp participated in all five “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, which grossed $4.5 billion.
Depp also appeared in “Alice in Wonderland” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
After his protracted court fight with ex-wife Amber Heard ended in December 2022, the 59-year-old actor’s career dropped.
“Jeanne du Barry,” his latest picture, premiered at Cannes this month to a five-minute standing ovation.
Depp said the film’s press conference, “I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don’t think about Hollywood.”
Johnny Depp sunglasses at Jeanne du Barry news conference
Johnny Depp attends the “Jeanne du Barry” press conference at the 76th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2023. Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images)
Eldridge believes “Jeanne du Barry” might reintroduce Depp to audiences.
“Johnny Depp was vilified but later vindicated—in the largest way possible—and is beloved once again—perhaps now, more than ever,” Eldridge remarked.
“Fans love Johnny Depp for his roles,” Fielder said. Fans can’t separate him from those characters. Because people like him, they can forgive a lot.
“That’s what all of these men have in common, you as a fan want to like them.”