Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, and Jane Fonda

What are these three doing together in our contemporaries list? Perhaps it’s because they share a similar birth year, or maybe it’s because they have had such long and illustrious careers. Whatever the reason, we’re glad to see them in film and print.

Hopkins and Freeman have enjoyed long careers with even longer filmographies for both gentlemen. They are the kind of performers that leave a lasting impression on us long after the lights have been turned back up and the popcorn is gone. Like a fine wine, they seem to improve their craft and age e, and we savor the flavor.

Fonda is one smart entrepreneur. Like her contemporaries, she knew what her strengths were, and she took opportunity where it was presented her for fame, fortune and, at first, health. Her first claim to fame was in the fitness industry, where she became well known for cranking out entertaining and effective workout videos in which she flaunted her flawless figure. She also had an impressive list of film and television credits to her name, her most notable being Cat Ballou, On Golden Pond, and most recently, The Book Club. Smart, savvy investments and royalties from prior work put her in a place where she never has to work again, although staying sedentary doesn’t seem like the kind of thing that Fonda relishes. It’s great to see her active in her advancing years.