7 Celebrities Who Just Refuse to Retire

Retiring is something millions and millions of people go through at some point after the age of 60. However, there are many people who refuse to do it, since they love their job too much, and they can’t imagine themselves not doing anything. This is also the case with many artists, who keep on performing on a stage or in front of the cameras for as long as their health allows them to.

1. Dolly Parton

In an interview, the legendary singer explained that it’s hard for her to let go of her career and retire. “I always believe that if you’ve wanted your dreams to come true, and you are lucky enough to have that happen, then you’ve got to be responsible because you gotta keep the dream alive. And every dream kind of spawns another dream. You can branch off of almost anything that happens and make a business of that as well.”

She then proceeded to make a joke that encapsulates her entire thinking behind retiring. “I would never retire. But as long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good, and my husband is good. I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason. I have new dreams every day. I’ve got lots of dreams.”

2. Clint Eastwood

The actor began his career back in the 1950s and despite his $375 million fortune it doesn’t look like he’s going to retire anytime soon. Even though he announced that he wouldn’t be acting anymore back in 2008, he didn’t actually go through with it. At the age of 92, he said that “Why am I still working in my 90s? Are people going to start throwing tomatoes at you? I’ve gotten to the point where I wondered if that was enough, but not to the point where I decided it was. If you roll out a few turkeys, they’ll tell you soon enough.”

When asked about why he chooses to direct most of his films, he said that he simply likes it since it’s something he can do at an older age. “I don’t have anything percolating at the moment. I didn’t have anything percolating before this one. If something comes along where the story itself, the telling of it, is fun, I’m open to it.”

3. Judi Dench

At the age of 88, the beloved actress has not slowed down, and she doesn’t want to retire. “Slowing down? How dare you! How dare you. I’m slowing down only in that I can’t see to read. But I will find a way.” Unfortunately, Dench suffers from macular degeneration, which has left her completely unable to read, but her love for acting will help her navigate through that.

Despite her inability to see and read, the actress said, “I don’t want to retire. I’m not doing much at the moment because I can’t see. It’s bad. But I’ve got to teach myself a new way of learning. I have a photographic memory so a person saying to me, ‘This is your line’... I can do that. And I have many people who can help me. I’ll teach myself a way, I know I will. So long as I don’t trip over doing it.”

4. Christopher Walken

Back in 2015, the actor said in an interview, “They say you don’t retire from acting — they retire you. And I don’t want to be retired, because what would I do? If I retired, I wouldn’t have anything to do, and I think it’s the same for most actors.” Years later and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down, since he is starring in Severance and has played in Dune: Part Two.

He has also said that “I’ve never had hobbies, just a strong work ethic like my father. Tennis? Swimming? Golf? They never did it for me. Acting is really what I love. I don’t really like to go out of the house unless I’m working.” So, it doesn’t look like he is ever going to stop working as long as his health is allowing him to.

5. Sophia Loren

The legendary Italian actress is 88, but doesn’t look ready or willing to leave her acting days behind. In 2020, she starred in the film The Life Ahead and in an interview for the film she was asked whether she would retire anytime soon. “I am young, but my life is long. I feel 16. Will I star in another movie? Why not... It is like you are afraid to act. I am not nervous.”

She did take a long break from acting though when she realized that she was missing spending time with her children and grandchildren. However, she made a comeback, and now it looks like she is open to continuing her acting career if the right role comes.

6. Paul McCartney

It seems that some people have an issue with McCartney being so active at 81, but he is just not ready or willing to retire. “The answer to ‘Are you going to retire?’ is when I feel like it. But that’s not today.”

In fact, the legendary performer participated in an episode of the series This Cultural Life and even released a book in 2021. The book is titled “The Lyrics” and it is a self-portrait where he takes a stroll around his life and his 154-song catalog.

7. Norma Kamali

The celebrity fashion designer who is 77 is so in love with her job that she isn’t planning on retiring. “I don’t think you can ever retire from a creative life. Doing this work is like breathing for me.”

In fact, she wonders how other people can stop working. “I think ’why would you want to do that?’ I’m not sure what retirement would even look like for me. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I can in this lifetime.”

People retire for many reasons. For example, Christina Applegate has multiple sclerosis and Ozzy Osbourne feels too weak to perform.