Slinging booze is generally considered to be a young person's game. That perception hasn't kept 97-year old Jim Martin from remaining behind the bar for the last 40 years. (OK, so Jim is now working three days a week at the geriatric-friendly 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift at Richard's Bar in Chicago, but, c'mon, the guy is a freakin' nonagenarian.)

We decided to raise our glass and salute Martin, as well as nine other elderly fellows who are doing the work of much younger men.

Oldest porn star: Shigeo Tokuda, 75
The Japanese erotic film actor has appeared in over 350 films, despite not get started in the industry until age 60. While some reports say Tokuda retired earlier this year, others declare Tokudo wants to continue working until he is 80. We don't have the stomach to properly investigate which claim is right.

Oldest college football coach: Joe Paterno, 82
The Penn State legend may have had some very public senior moments over the last few years, but the Hall of Famer has also returned his Nittany Lions to the top 10. This means there is a good chance JoePa will be patrolling the sidelines until his contract runs out in 2011, when he's 85.
Oldest doctor: Shigeaki Hinohara, 97
Physician Japanese Shigeaki Hinohara has been practicing medicine in Tokyo since 1941. If he isn't the world's oldest doctor, he is certainly the world's oldest doctor who has published 150 books since the age of 75.

Oldest college basketball player: Ken Mink, 73
Mink's inclusion on Roane State Community College's varsity squad last season wasn't purely a gimmick -- the septuagenarian got into seven games, scoring in three of them. Although the story took somewhat of an awkward turn when Mink was ruled ineligible because he failed a Spanish class, and his team was made to forfeit a game for playing him.
Oldest firefighter: John Doster, 89
Volunteer firefighter John Doster still responds to 90 percent of his department's calls when he is on duty, making the 89-year old, who was recently recognized by the state of Pennsylvania for his 75 years of service, the oldest active smoke eater by our count.

Oldest cop: Manuel Curry, 84
Sadly, Sergeant Major Manuel Curry died earlier this summer. But he did so as America's oldest active duty police officer, having spent 63 years patrolling New Orleans -- no picnic. In fact, Curry gained acclaim for holding his post during Katrina, even as many of his much younger colleagues either abandoned the city or joined in the looting.
Oldest plumber: Pierre John "Buster" Martin, 102

The London centenarian has garnered praise for his work ethic -- he refused to take a day off for his 100th birthday and, at 101, attempted to go to work the day after being attacked by a group of thugs. Although rumors have circulated that Buster is really only 96.

Oldest world leader: Robert Mugabe, 85

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe may be the number one argument for a mandatory retirement age: The former-revolutionary hero, and current oldest member of the heads-of-state club, is considered by many to be the world's worst despot.

Oldest marathon runner: Fauja Singh, 98
The Sikh who only began running marathons at age 89 proves the key to longevity is as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Singh currently holds the world record time for the 90-and-above age group, and was featured in an Adidas ad with David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.

From the Web:


The 49 Most Influential Men (AskMen)
Fantasy Telemarketer. (Adult Swim)