https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_110 A Turing Complete 1-dimensional cellular automaton.
Also Conway's Game of Life is a rabbit hole you could literally spend your whole life studying.
Also Conway's Game of Life is a rabbit hole you could literally spend your whole life studying.
Can Life Exist in 2 and 1 Dimensions? Sure, if we're willing to define "life" generically enough. If not, then no.