Hey, did you know we are living on the same planet as Olivia de Havilland?  She played Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in the 1939 classic “Gone with the Wind.”  She’s 98, and living in France.  If you go to France, there is a possibility (an unlikely possibility that would be inappropriate to pursue) that you could meet her.  And her actress sister, Joan Fontaine, with whom she shared a famous sibling rivalry? She just passed away last year at the age of 96.

Does this interest you?  It does me.

Harper Lee, who wrote my favorite book of all time, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is 88, and living in the same Alabama town where she grew up. And Doris Day, whom you may remember is my favorite classic movie actress, turned 90 this year.

Also, Christopher Lee!  He’s 92, and what a guy he is. From playing Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster in the 1950s, to more recent roles of Count Dooku (“Star Wars”) and Saruman (“Lord of the Rings”), he’s been someone to watch for more than 60 years. And (bonus!) he’s been married to his wife, Birgit, for 53 years! Makes me like him even more.

All these icons, still among us. This is amazing to me. I know that if I traveled far enough, I could see the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, Antarctica.  They will likely be there if I wait to go see them until I’m 92 myself. But to think I could stumble into a true Hollywood legend, or Harper Lee! Our human wonders are only available for a limited time.

When I’m riding the ferry, I frequently watch for classic celebrities. Could the distinguished lady sitting by the window be a vacationing Maureen O’Hara (94)? Could the elderly man spryly walking around the upper deck be Dick Van Dyke (88)?  Surely they haven’t spent their entire lives hiding in their mansions. They must come out, and travel, and yes, maybe occasionally, go to Seattle and ride the ferry.

Also, I think of these octo- and nonagenarians kind of like I do my great-aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Many of my ancestors I never met, but I know their stories, so I feel vested in them. Celebrities are sometimes like that. They’ve shared something of themselves, and we’re interested to see something of their lives, and how things turn out for them.

Did you know that just last year we lost Lauren Bacall? And Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, and James Garner? All greats. But we still walk among others, like baseball legends Bobby Doerr (96) and Yogi Berra (89), and actor Sidney Poitier (87).  And you know that 70-year-old actor, Michael Douglas?  Well, his father, actor Kirk Douglas, is 97. Amazing.

Adam West (the truly original Batman, who by the way was born in Walla Walla) is 86, Angela Lansbury is 89, Betty White is 92, Carol Channing (who was born in Seattle in 1921) is 93. Eva Marie Saint is 90, and Zsa Zsa Gabor (who I like to remember as the mama cat in the Disney classic “The Aristocats”) is 97! I hope she still has a hint of that great complexion.

In honoring these legends, look them up!  Read their stories, watch their films. Then, unless you already have stalker tendencies and need to avoid such activities, look online for a way to contact your favorites. I imagine even celebrated Olivia de Havilland would love to receive a fan letter from you.

—Denise Roundy lives in Kingston, and has trouble living in the present. Contact her at dirkroundy@yahoo.com.