Guideposts Pays a Visit to the World’s Oldest Barber

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I’m Anthony Mancinelli; I’m 106 years old. I am the oldest working barber in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 

I went to one of the barbershops here and I asked him if he would teach me the barber business. He says yes, and I took it up so I could help my family and naturally it could be a job for myself. 

My first shop was when I was 19 years old; I opened up my own shop.

Michael Haar: And how many chairs? Do you remember how many chairs it was?

Anthony: I had two chairs. Only had one barber working for me.

Michael: What was the name of it?

Anthony: Anthony’s Barbershop. I liked the people I met and so forth; I liked what I was doing. I only cut one celebrity’s hair, who was a movie star, and his name was Ben Gazzara. I saw him when he played in Road House.

Michael: Was there a certain kind of haircut that you did that was sort of a specialty?

Anthony: A nice scissor cut, short but full, but you know at that time, they used to have Buster Brown shoes, remember?

Michael: Yes, I’m aware of the company, yeah. 

Anthony: They all used to come in here, and they wanted a Buster Brown haircut, the kids.

Michael: Do you have any clients who have been with you for a very long time? 

Anthony: I have some that I cut their hair, I cut their children’s hair and their father’s hair. [chuckles] I cut three generations!

Michael: Do you have any plans to retire?

Anthony: No, I don’t have any plans–unless something happens to me, but otherwise, I’m still at it. 

Michael: If you knew that you would have this longevity, do you think that you might have done something different? Or you’ve been content?

Anthony: No, I liked what I was doing and the people that I’ve met. They were all nice customers and so forth and so on. And that’s why I stayed in the business.

Michael: Is there anything you attribute your longevity to that you can pinpoint?

Anthony: No, everybody asks me; even the doctor asked me. He thinks I’ve got a secret. I says, “Only one person knows the secret.” “Who’s that?” I says, “The Man Above.”

Michael: Anthony, it’s a pleasure. Thank you.

Anthony: No problem at all.

Michael: The world’s oldest barber, Anthony Mancinelli.