Even the celebrities we admire are ordinary people who age and change just like everyone else. Still, catching a glimpse of what they looked like decades ago is endlessly fascinating.
Digital tools today make it possible to restore old photos and footage, giving us a window into the very work that first made these stars famous. The internet is also full of vintage portraits from decades past. Have a look at how famous Hollywood figures appeared at the very start of their careers.
A new chapter in cinema
The 1990s marked a true flourishing of Hollywood filmmaking. While not the classic golden age, this period brought countless masterpieces of its own — an era when motion pictures were increasingly shaped around viewer preferences.
Around the same time, new media formats began gaining traction, allowing audiences to enjoy their favorite films not only in theaters but also from the comfort of home with family. This shift helped fuel growing demand for the film industry.
During this period, audiences followed both seasoned performers who had already made their mark in the seventies — names like Tom Hanks, George Clooney, and Drew Barrymore — alongside emerging talents still working to establish themselves, including Keanu Reeves, Angelina Jolie, and Scarlett Johansson.
These very performers have since become household names. Magazines chronicle their every move, they command extraordinary paychecks for their roles, and devoted fans follow their personal lives closely. The pictures below show what these famous faces looked like several decades ago.
George Clooney in his younger years
Keanu Reeves as a young actor
Tom Hanks early in his career
Scarlett Johansson during her early roles
Drew Barrymore in her youth
Angelina Jolie — still from the 1999 film "Girl, Interrupted"
Halle Berry
Jennifer Aniston in earlier days
Today, every celebrity pictured above stands as an accomplished and well-established figure in their field. Many years have rolled by since the beginning of their careers.
Photo credits: Instagram accounts @georgeclooneyofflcial, @spyki.d, @livvbellamy, @90scelebvibes, @scarlettjohanssonworld, @hoefromthe90s, and Profimedia
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