The media has changed our perception of celebrities by constantly keeping us updated with their lives based on society. Over the years we only really see how they grow up and change and rarely see how they were at the start of their fame or before the plastic surgery and lifestyle changes. From the original Sesame Street cast to legends like Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, and Betty White there are iconic vintage photos that portray them as they once were in their younger years. These photos will surprise you while portraying how amazing Hollywood really was back in the day.
Brittany Murphy
This beautiful photo of Brittany Murphy was taken in 1999 by a famous photographer, Kate Garner. It not only shows her natural beauty but portrays so many emotions as well. If you don’t recognize Murphy, she acted in some well-known movies like Uptown Girls, Clueless, and 8 Mile, but sadly passed away in 2009 from pneumonia, which came across as weird to many like there was some sort of mystery around her death.
Murphy was gone too soon as she had so much talent to share with the world. But pictures like these leave lasting memories for people who want to remember celebrities as they once were.
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher is most well known for her role in Star Wars as she played Princess Leia. As we can imagine, filming such a big movie as Star Wars would tire the cast out every now and then. This picture of Fisher was taken in 1980 while filming the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back film in Norway, where she had taken a short nap on a motorized sled machine.
Fisher passed away in 2016 at the age of 60, and even up until her death, she was one of the most beautiful actresses ever to live. She left behind a beautiful legacy.
Sean Connery
Anyone who is a James Bond fan would know just how phenomenal Sean Connery was and how great his impact was as an actor. This rare photo of Connery was taken in 1963 while he enjoyed a massive helping of pasta while out for dinner. This picture was taken after his first Jame Bond film in 1962 and he continued on to play the role of Bond in 5 more movies.
Although Connery passed away in 2020, pictures like these remind us that celebrities don’t always look perfect in pictures and that they are just as normal as us. Big helpings and all.
Robert Downey Jr, Anthony Michael Hall And Uma Thurman
These actors all look so young that you might not even recognize them at first. This is Robert Downey Jr, Anthony Micheal Hall, and Uma Thurman in 1987. The three of them acted in a series called Johnny Be Good, which was released in 1988. Downey Jr was only 22 in this picture, Hall was 19 and Thurman was just a young 17-year-old, much different from how we know her from Kill Bill.
Although there are many pictures of them from the series, this one, in particular, was not taken for publication, but more for their own personal use, just like friends would take pictures together.
Ava Gardner
You may not know who this stunning woman is just by her picture, but she is quite an iconic actress, specifically throughout the 1940s to the 1980s. Ava Gardner was married to Frank Sinatra for 6 years. Although this picture may look like a beautiful mugshot, it was taken for her questionnaire for MGM in 1942 when she was getting employed by them. She was only 19 years old here.
Gardner was a beautiful actress, and perhaps the way photos were taken back in the 40s may have helped portray that, but she never changed over the years. She died at the age of 67.
Susan Sarandon
The name Susan Sarandon may not be familiar to all, but if you see her pictures from more recent movies and series such as 30 Rock and Mike and Molly you would recognize who she is. This picture of Sarandon was taken in 1964 when she was 18 years old, just before she started her career in acting 6 years later. Although, she had already gotten into cultural activities at the time of this photo.
Over the years Saradon has worked on a lot of films and tv shows, but her focus has also been on activism and political views which are important to her.
John Travolta and Princess Diana
This iconic photo of John Travolta and Princess Diana was taken at The White House in 1985. Princess Diana had taken Travolta's hand on the dance floor and the two of them gracefully danced around for almost 30 minutes. The dress Diana wore also become one of her hall-of-fame items and was known as the “Travolta dress”. Travolta had also explained how he helped give Diana the confidence that they could do the dance.
Diana was loved by so many, and moments like this are so beautiful to see and we are sure Travolta would remember this moment for the rest of his life.
Audrey Hepburn
Another iconic actress who we were lucky to have grace our presence was Audrey Hepburn. This almost natural photo of her was taken in 1954 in Rome by a photographer called Philippe Halsman. At this stage, Hepburn had just entered the world of fame as her first film to acted is was released in 1953. It was a few years later in 1961 where she starred in the famous film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Hepburn died in 1993, but she went on even after. She received tributes, was remembered for all her awards, and made it into The Times' top 10 list of British actresses of all time.
Rose Byrne And Heath Ledger
The best part about vintage photos of celebrities is that a lot of them make them look like normal people, just like these two just look like some random people dancing in the street in the 70s. This is Rose Byrne and Heath Ledger in Los Vegas in 1999 after they had finished filming their movie together, “Two Hands”. Rupert Thorpe has taken photos of them where the two just had tons of fun.
Heath Ledger, unfortunately, died in 2008, but this photo shows how much zest he had for life and the kind of friendship he and Rose Byrne had back then after filming together.
Sleeping Princess
Princess Diana got the nickname “Sleeping Beauty” because of this photograph of her sleeping in a chair while attending a museum performance in 1981. This picture obviously caused some uproar as a Princess should not be sleeping at events. However, a few days after this photo was taken Diana found out she was pregnant with Prince William and that was added to her already exhausting life as a new Princess.
Diana did look like a real Princess here though, with a Cinderalla type dress but Sleeping Beauty’s body language. And just like any of us would fall asleep during a movie, Princesses could too.
The Beatles
We should all know the iconic photo that was taken of The Beatles on a street in northwest London, but this photo of them shows a different side of that. It was taken in 1969 while they waiting to cross the Abbey Road for the photo. John Lennon on the left seems to have dazed off, something caught George Harrison's eye behind him, and Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr both struck a pose.
The group had no idea how famous their photo would become and the picture of them shows how they were just normal band members waiting to be photographed for an album.
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin rose to fame in 1967 after she appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival where she was a lead singer in a band called Big Brother and The Holding Company. She later became a solo singer and in 1969, at the age of 26, this rare photo was taken of her. Joplin died in 1970, shortly after this photo was taken. This photograph showed her shy yet happy self.
Joplin had many ups and downs in her short life, but she left a legacy that stretched right through to 2015, and will most likely continue throughout years to come.
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix is most recently known for his incredible role as the Joker in the Joker movie. But seeing him in this photograph gives us a very different outlook on the man he is. This photo was taken in New York in 1996 where Phoenix was washing dishes. This photo was not staged, but taken when he offered to wash the photographer's dishes after going into the kitchen. It was the perfect moment to shoot.
The photo makes people think that he came a long way from washing dishes to the amazing actor he is today. But his acting career started when he was much younger.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry, the lead vocalist for the band Blondie, has had many beautiful photos taken of her over the years. This photo of Harry was taken in London in 1994 as part of a Vogue shoot, this was just one of the many shots that came out from that shoot, each more beautiful than the next. Harry was 49 years old in this picture and her almost perfect beauty makes that hard to believe.
Harry was and is still a great depiction of class and style. Even though she is 76 and aged now and her beauty and unique style still show today.
Jimmie Rodgers and Colleen McClatchey
This is Jimmie Rodgers and his wife Colleen on their wedding day. They got married in Camas, Washington in 1957. A mere 4 months later Rodgers was discovered by a record label and his biggest hit “Honeycomb” stayed on the top of the charts for weeks and sold over 1 million copies. It was also awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America. Rodger's career boomed after that.
This photo was provided by one of Rodger's sons, Michael. It is such a lovely memory to hold as it was right before his whole life changed.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep attended Bernards High School in Bernardsville, New Jersey. This was a starting ground for her career as she took part in school musicals. Not only did she sing then though, but she was also a cheerleader. This photograph of Streep during her time as a high school cheerleader was taken in 1966. She was only 17 here. 55 years later, she still carries that same resemblance as her younger self.
Knowing the great fame she has created for herself over the past years, it is strange to believe she was once just a normal girl in high school, part of the cheerleader team.
Elton John And Cher
Here we can turn back time to this photo of Elton John and Cher at the 1975 Rock Music Awards. Elton John had won the Oustanding Personality of the Year Award which was presented to him by Cher. Just before Cher had handed him his award, she had called him an “old tart”. The Rock Music Awards show took place one last time in 1977 and it's unlikely there would be another one ever again.
Cher had the most stunning figure back then and she was not afraid to show it off either. And over the years, Elton just continues to add more sparkle to his style.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford was photographed in 1978 in a very rare look compared to how we know him. Ford is best recognized for his scruffy and adventurous character played as Indianna Jones and less scruffy yet still adventurous Star Wars character, Hans Solo. This, then, 36-year-old seemed all too relaxed sitting on a counter by a fireplace with his tea and his top shirt buttons undone while casually chatting to someone.
Ford, now almost 80, has never seemed to have shown a side like this to the world. Perhaps this photo shows more of how he was in his private life.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is part of the most iconic celebrities to have ever lived. Everyone knows who she is. This photo was taken of her at Grand Central Station in 1955. We find it hard to believe that Monroe would be waiting for a Subway in New York City, but from other pictures like this one, we can tell by the people passing by that they too were just as shocked.
Her subway shoot photographs were taken by Ed Feingersh and he did quite a few more photoshoots with Monroe. He really knew how to capture her beauty.
Ben Affleck And Matt Damon
In 1997 Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won The Oscar for Best Orginal Screenplay for the movie Good Will Hunting. This was a photograph taken after they won when they called their moms. It was an amazing accomplishment for the two and even their acceptance speech was quite legendary. Although their parents were in the audience, they called them to talk to them about the win as they would only see them later.
This moment was a great one for both actors as it was the first-ever award they had both won. And from then, they have both just been adding to it.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was photographed during her younger years by Bette Marshall. This was one of the pictures she took of Houston in 1982 when she was 19 years old. Houston looks so happy and herself in this photo of her casually sitting on a cushion on the floor. Bette Marshall released a book called “Young Whitney: Stories and Photographs” where she shares rare photos of Houston and personal stories about her life.
Houston was recognized as one of the most influential artists in the R&B genre and her success as a black artist was noted by many music companies. Another great artist that’s gone too soon.
Carrie Fisher And Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis played many roles in the Star Wars movies and these started when he was only 13 years old. This rare photo shows Carrie Fisher with Davis while behind the scenes of Star Wars: Return of The Jedi in 1983. Even though we were aware of Davis’ small size, he was really cute as a 13-year-old, and Fisher seemed to have been protective over him and showed him a lot of care.
It is photos like these that make you realize that there is more than seeing the eye when watching movies. The behind-the-scenes is always so much more interesting to see.
The Original Sesame Street Cast
We should all be able to recognize this group, Big Bird gives it away. This is the Orginal Cast of Sesame Street photographed in 1969. The show premiered on the 10th of November in 1969 and it had human actors and some muppet characters. The show taught many kids about kindness and love and still continues to do so after 52 Years of shows, obviously not with the original cast though.
A big impact the show also made was having a diverse cast. It added to their message of love and kindness and we are sure that that message made many kids live that way too.
Steve & Terri Irwin
There is only one famous person who would be photographed with an Iguana on his head, and that is Steve Irwin, and his wife too of course. This lovely (except for the Iguana) photo was taken of Steve and Terri Irwan in 1992 just before they got married. The photo was shared by Terri in 2017 in a tribute post on Twitter for what would have been their 25th Wedding anniversary.
The couple had an unbreakable bond and shared a love for wild animals. This photograph, taken only when they were a few months together, was just the perfect portrayal of that.
Sophia Loren and Maria Villani Scicolone
Sophia Loren, an Italian actress, was photographed kissing her younger sister on the cheek in 1955. Both of them were absolutely stunning and their story of sibling bond was quite a powerful one. Loren’s sister, Maria Villani Scicolone, was born 4 years after her, and her abandoning father did not want to note her sister as his own. After Loren become successful, she paid her father to give her sister his last name.
For Loren to do such a thing for her sister shows just how strong their sisterly bond is. And that's why this picture has more emotion to it than the eye sees.
Om Cruise, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe And Matt Dillon
In 1983 the movie “The Outsiders” came out, a movie is a coming-of-age drama. The cast for the movie was a few, back then, up and coming actors who we all know are too well today. This picture was taken of the cast during the filming of the movie. It included Tom Cruise, Emilio Esteves, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, and Matt Dillion. Imagine them all in a movie today!
Before becoming as famous as they are now, they all just looked like normal young men trying to make it in the world. A truly iconic group to have together.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean
We all know who Dolly Parton is, but have you ever heard of her husband? This may be one of her best-kept secrets. Here is Dolly Parton with her husband Carl Dean in 1964. They met when she was 18 years old and he was 21. In 1966 the couple got married, and have been married ever since. That 56 years together and most people don’t even know he exists.
Parton and Dean love having their relationship out of the limelight and perhaps that has helped them to stay together for so long. Perhaps Parton has found the secret to a long-lasting celebrity relationship.
Marilyn Monroe
We doubt we will ever get sick of Marilyn Monroe's photographs, and although we have seen a few already, they are all different and a different side of her life. This very natural photo of Monroe holding a tin cup in a loose gown and with barely any make-up on was taken in 1953 inside the Hollywood villa of producer Joseph Schenck, who she was rumored to have a short relationship with.
But Monroe denied any intimacy with him, however other people who knew her who added to her biographer have said that they did have a relationship. This photo seems to tell its own story.
Keanu Reeves And Carrie Anne Moss
Another great film released in the 90s was The Matrix. In 1999 Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss we photographed together while celebrating the release of the film. The pair looked so content with each other and Moss looked beautiful even with her very plain Jane look. Reeves has always been close to his co-stars and you can tell that is true by his appearance and stance here with Moss.
Even after the fame, they both got after the film, they have seemed to have kept themselves humble and true. This picture is a great way to see how they were before and still are.
Debbie Reynolds And Carrie Fisher
Debbie Reynolds, Singing in the Rain star was photographed in 1961 with her daughter Carrie Fisher. The two had a very close bond when Fisher was younger, however, she grew up resenting her mom's fame. In her 20s, Fisher had a very rocky relationship with her mom so bad she did not want to be around her. However, as they got older the relationship got better, although there were troubles along the way.
Their mother-daughter bond was deep. Fisher died of a heart attack on 27 December 2016 and her mom, Reynolds, died a day later. This old photo of them makes us believe they’re happier together.
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie
With a cigarette in his hand, mustache on point, and his iconic white vest and light jeans on, Freddi Mercury stands talking to David Bowie at the Live Aid concert in 1985. Bowie looks a lot more plain and simple compared to the painted bolt and teased hair Bowie we all know from the past. The two seemed to have got along at the event and were just two men having a chat.
The Live Aid was a benefit concert and music-based fundraising event. It was an iconic event because Mercury (Queen) had completely stolen the show, and that's how he became a legend.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix got his first electric guitar in 1957 and was photographed with his excitement about getting it. His father had bought the guitar for him at a music shop called Myers Music Shop in Seattle. The guitar was a Supro Ozark and cost his dad a steep (back then) $89. This moment that was captured was monumental as it aided in the career that would follow and the fame he would have.
His heightened career only lasted a good four years, but his music and legacy have lasted with people long after that. He was one of the greatest instrumentalist in rock music history.
Princess Diana
Just 9 years before Princess Diana got married, she was photographed with her Guinea Pig, Peanut. This 1972 photograph showed a little girl not knowing what her future would hold yet, and a cute Guinea Pig of course. Princess Diana had always loved animals and her mom had said she especially loved the ones who were small, furry, or had feathers. This started while she lived on her family's estate.
Diana had great empathy for all living creatures and that became a big part of who she was and played a big role in how people saw the Princess too.
Sting and Gwen Stefani
This photograph was taken of Sting giving a young Gwen Stefani his autograph in 1983. Considering her music career only started out in 1986, it is strange to think she was just a normal fangirl at that point, but a few years later would become a famous artist herself. She eventually got to meet her idol again years later and at an awards event, Sting came on stage and she got to kiss him.
We doubt young Gwen would ever think that would happen as she stood there getting his autograph. It is just incredible how life can turn out, you never know what could happen.
Betty White
One of the greatest, style icons and human beings ever to grace this world was Betty White. This photo of White was taken in 1963 with an NBC microphone in her hand and the brightest smile around. Bright colors weren’t always a thing White enjoyed doing, but she eventually became a style icon for it. Here she posed in a bright green dress with her lipstick and nails a matching, colorful purple.
No matter if people experience her fame in the 40s, 60s, or 20s, Betty White touched a lot of souls and hers will be the most missed in the film industry and the world.