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Guideposts Pays a Visit to the World’s Oldest Barber

Listen as New York City barber Michael Haar converses with Anthony Mancinelli, the world oldest barber, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Anthony, born on March 2, 1911, has been cutting hair since the age of 12.

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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.

 

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