Oldies but goodies: 10 current TV performers of Social Security age

June 24, 2014 at 6:37AM
Beau Bridges as Barton Scully in Masters of Sex (season 1, episode 12) - Photo: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: MastersofSex_112_0338 ORG XMIT: 5/21/13
Beau Bridges as Barton Scully in Masters of Sex (season 1, episode 12) - Photo: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: MastersofSex_112_0338 ORG XMIT: 5/21/13 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With Emmy nominations right around the corner, let's hope voters respect their elders. Here are 10 TV performers, all 65 or older, who did some of the best work of their careers this past season.

Kathy Bates, 65

The role: Delphine LaLaurie in "American Horror Story," a 19th-century slave killer who is cursed with eternal life and buried alive. Lots of fun at parties.

Beau Bridges, 72

The role: Barton Scully in "Masters of Sex," a closeted provost who is anything but a sexual master. Bears a slight resemblance to Dad on "The Millers."

Charles Dance, 67

The role: Tywin Lannister in "Game of Thrones," the politically savvy lord who just got the world's worst Father's Day gift from his son.

Danny DeVito, 69

The role: Frank Reynolds in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," a schemer who always finds new ways to prove that he's bonkers.

Jane Fonda, 76

The role: Leona Lansing in "The Newsroom," a media mogul who would make an awfully nice match for Ted Turner.

Charles Grodin, 79

The role: Dr. Bigelow, the no-nonsense doctor in "Louie" who believes sarcasm is the best medicine.

Robert Morse, 83

The role: Bertram "Bert" Cooper in "Mad Men," the senior partner at Sterling Cooper who showed us how to succeed in business without really trying.

Ed O'Neill, 68

The role: Jay Pritchett, the beleaguered patriarch of "Modern Family," who still hasn't gotten a handle on being married with children.

Maggie Smith, 79

The role: Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey." Also known as the Don Rickles of pre-WWII England.

Jon Voight, 75

The role: Mickey Donovan, the short-tempered father in "Ray Donovan" whose 20 years in prison taught him more about revenge than rehabilitation.


AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN Protect the Coven - Episode 311 (Airs Wednesday, January 15, 10:00 PM e/p) --Pictured: Kathy Bates as Madame LaLaurie -- CR. Michele K. Short/FX
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN Protect the Coven - Episode 311 (Airs Wednesday, January 15, 10:00 PM e/p) --Pictured: Kathy Bates as Madame LaLaurie -- CR. Michele K. Short/FX (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 6 - Episode 9 - (Airs Wednesday, October 30, 10:00 pm e/p) -- Pictured: Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds -- CR: Patrick McElhenney/FX
Danny DeVito (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Jon Voight as Mickey Donovan in Ray Donovan (Season 1, Episode 10). - Photo: Suzanne Tenner/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: RayDonovan_110_0984.R
Jon Voight (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
LOUIE: Episode 1: "Back" (Airs Monday, May 5, 10:00 pm e/p). Pictured: Charles Grodin as Dr. Bigelow. CR: K.C. Bailey/FX
Charles Grodin (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Charles Dance, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Charles Dance (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Jane Fonda (with Sam Waterston) in The Newsroom. HBO
Jane Fonda (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
MODERN FAMILY - "The Wedding, Part 2" - The wedding day chaos continue as the entire party shifts from one contingency plan to another. Guests start to get testy, Mitchell and Cameron are feeling discouraged and poor Claire shows physical wear and tear, but an unexpected turn of events leads to the ceremony we've all been waiting for, on the season finale of "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 (9:00-9:31 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Peter "Hopper" Stone) ED O'NEILL
Ed O’Neill (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse) - Mad Men _ Season 7, Gallery - Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC
Robert Morse (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Shown: Maggie Smith as Violet, the Dowager Countess © Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2013 for MASTERPIECE
Maggie Smith (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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