Who’s Still Alive from ‘Airport 75’?

AIRPORT 1975, bottom l-r: Charlton Heston, Karen Black, George Kennedy, Gloria Swanson, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Susan Clark, Sid Caesar, Linda Blair, Roy Thinnes, Myrna Loy, Helen Reddy on poster art, 1974 — Everett Collection

Released on October 18, 1974, Airport 1975 (often styled Airport ’75) was part of the 1970s disaster-film boom that featured all-star casts and over-the-top action. The film followed a Boeing 747 as another aircraft crashed into its cockpit, leaving no one aboard qualified to fly the plane. It was one of the highest-grossing movies of ’74, and while many of the stars of this high-flying sequel have since passed away, a few familiar names are still with us. Here’s a look at the living cast members today, and what they’re up to now.

Nancy Olson (97)

Mrs. Abbott

Everett Collection; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM

Olson was best known early in her career for her Oscar-nominated role opposite William Holden in Sunset Boulevard. Over the years, she worked steadily in both film and television, appearing in family favorites like The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber. In Airport ’75, Olson played Mrs. Abbott, one of the passengers caught up in the midair crisis. After the 1980s, she chose to step away from Hollywood, devoting more time to her family and other pursuits. In 2022, she published her memoir, A Front Row Seat: An Intimate Look at Broadway, Hollywood, and the Age of Glamour, reflecting on her career and her life off-screen.

Susan Clark (82)

Helen Patroni

Everett Collection; Paramount Television/Everett Collection

Clark began her career in British television before moving into film, where she earned praise for her roles in movies like Coogan’s Bluff, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here and Colossus: The Forbin Project. In Airport ’75, Clark played Helen Patroni, the wife of George Kennedy‘s Joe Patroni. Just a year later, she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Olympic athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias in the TV movie Babe. Many fans remember her best as Katherine Papadopolis on the sitcom Webster, which ran from 1983 to 1989 and co-starred her husband, football star and actor Alex Karras, best known for his roles in Blazing Saddles and Victor/Victoria. Since Karras’ death in 2012, Clark has lived a more private life.

Linda Blair (66)

Janice Abbott

Everett Collection; Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Backstage Creations

Blair became a household name at just 13 for her unforgettable performance as Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist, which won her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Her career in the 1970s and 1980s spanned everything from horror to cult classics, including Born Innocent, Hell Night, and Savage Streets. More recently, Blair reprised her iconic role in The Exorcist: Believer. Beyond acting, she has dedicated much of her life to animal welfare, founding the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation to rescue and rehabilitate animals.

In Memoriam

Charlton Heston, who played Alan Murdock, died on April 5, 2008, from pneumonia at age 84.
Karen Black, who played Nancy Pryor, died on August 7, 2013, from complications of cancer at age 74.
George Kennedy, who played Joe Patroni, died on February 28, 2016, from heart disease at age 91.
Sid Caesar, who played Barney, died on February 12, 2014, from natural causes at age 91.
Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who played Captain Stacy, died on May 2, 2014, from natural causes at age 95.
Dana Andrews, who played Scott Freeman, died on December 17, 1992, from pneumonia at age 83.
Myrna Loy, who played Mrs. Devaney, died on December 14, 1993 at age 88.
Gloria Swanson, who appeared as herself, died on April 4, 1983, from heart disease at age 84.

Where to Watch Airport 1975

Unfortunately, Airport 1975 is not streaming anywhere in the U.S., but it is available to rent.

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