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35 Rare Photos Of Older Celebs Before They Were Famous

    I’m Having An Existential Crisis Looking At These 35 Young Photos Of Celebrities We Only Know As Older People

    I’ll never get tired of seeing young pics of Betty White. Ever.

    Abby Zinman
    by Abby ZinmanBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Staff

    I'm an Assignment Editor at BuzzFeed, which means I primarily spend my days ideating, editing, and mentoring our wonderful team of freelancers.

    I could genuinely spend hours looking at old photos of celebrities. It's truly the best way to mess with my brain, and this never fails to lend me a hyper-awareness of the passage of time (in a fun way, of course).

    In particular, there are certain older celebs who've gained so much popularity over time, I've admittedly forgotten what they looked like when they were younger. Or maybe I never even knew in the first place. Either way, it's time to spiral, because here are some young pics of celebs that shocked me:

    1. Here's Dolly Parton in 1955, around age 9:

    Child smiling with crossed arms, wearing a striped shirt, against a plain backdrop
    Michael Ochs Archives

    And here she is in 2023, age 77:

    Person in sparkling, detailed gown with long sleeves, on a red carpet, smiling and gesturing with hand
    Theo Wargo / Getty Images

    2. Here's Brian Cox from Succession in 1971, age 24:

    A man with short hair and coat stands near an ornate fence, looking directly at the camera in a candid outdoor setting
    Evening Standard / Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 80:

    Older man with sunglasses and white hair, wearing a dark suit with a patterned jacket and tie, on a red carpet
    Jo Hale / Getty Images

    3. Here's Martha Stewart in her modeling days in 1961, age 19:

    Woman in 1950s style wearing a chic coat and elegant heels, posing with a glossy handbag indoors
    Frank Horvat / Conde Nast via Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 85:

    Person smiling at a premiere event, wearing an elegant black outfit and gold choker necklace
    Kristina Bumphrey / Getty Images

    4. Here's Christopher Walken in 1967, around age 24:

    A young man with short hair holds a paper cup, wearing a casual V-neck sweater over a collared shirt, standing near clothes on hangers
    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2024, age 81:

    Person in a classic black suit and turtleneck on the red carpet at an event with a formal backdrop
    John Lamparski / Getty Images

    5. Here's Betty White in 1957, age 35:

    Person smiling, leaning on a wooden chair, wearing a sleeveless collared shirt
    Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

    And here she was in 2017, age 95:

    Elderly woman smiling, seated on a floral couch, wearing a pastel blouse and necklace in a cozy living room setting
    Eric McCandless / Getty Images

    6. Here's Jeff Goldblum in 1978, around age 25:

    Person with intense expression, wearing a suit, stands in front of blurred lights. Text below mentions Jeff Goldblum and "Thank God It's Friday."
    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 73:

    Man in a suit with large glasses on a formal event backdrop
    Manoli Figetakis / Getty Images

    7. Here's Helen Mirren in 1968, age 23:

    Person seated in a flowing gown, gazing towards the camera with hands together, set against a neutral background
    Mirrorpix / Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 81:

    Elderly woman with short white hair and earrings smiles gently while wearing a high-neck, lacy white dress
    Tristar Media / Getty Images

    8. Here is Bryan Cranston in 1983, age 27:

    Two people posing together indoors, one in a suit, the other in a flowy blouse. They are in an elegant setting with paintings and chandeliers
    ABC Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 70:

    Man in a suit jacket and white shirt on a formal event backdrop
    Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

    9. Here's Alan Rickman in 1984, around age 37:

    A person is shown in a close-up portrait, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression
    Geoff Shields / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2011, age 65:

    Person in a formal black suit with white shirt stands on a red carpet, smiling. Crowd blurred in background
    Justin Goff Photos / Getty Images

    10. Here's Liza Minnelli in 1951, age 5:

    Child smiling while holding a large stuffed bunny by the ears, wearing a dress and a headband, standing on a wooden floor
    Bettmann / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2009, age 63:

    A person with short hair and a smile is wearing a dark, high-neck top, posing in front of a backdrop with a monochrome design
    Mike Flokis / WireImage

    11. Here's Jack Nicholson in 1955, around age 18:

    Black and white yearbook photo of a young man in a suit, smiling with a classic hairstyle
    Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

    And here he was in 2023, age 86:

    Man sitting in a crowd at an event, smiling and gesturing with one hand, wearing a black suit jacket with a white bracelet on his wrist
    Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images

    12. Here's Michael Gambon in 1980, around age 39:

    Man in a suit with a mustache, sitting at a table with a cup of coffee, looking at the camera
    Larry Ellis Collection / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2018, age 77:

    Older man in a suit with a patterned tie, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression
    Mike Marsland / Getty Images

    13. Here's Julie Walters in 1976, age 25:

    Woman in a sweater and patterned scarf stands outdoors near a railing at night
    Mirrorpix / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2018, age 67:

    Person in elegant black dress with beaded shoulder detail on a red carpet. Short hair and statement earrings complete the look
    Mike Marsland / Getty Images

    14. Here's Imelda Staunton in 1976, age 20:

    Person outdoors wearing a collared shirt with a patterned vest, smiling at the camera
    Evening Standard / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2025, age 69:

    A person holding an award, wearing an elegant dress with an intricate pattern, standing in front of an "Olivier Awards" backdrop
    Dave Benett / Getty Images

    15. Here's Bernie Sanders in 1985, age 43:

    Man with glasses speaking passionately at a microphone, gesturing with one hand
    Bettmann / Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 85:

    Elderly man in glasses speaks at an event, wearing a suit with a patterned tie. He's captured from a low angle with a dark background
    Finn Gomez / Getty Images

    16. Here's Whoopi Goldberg in 1986, age 30:

    Four people in formal attire are smiling and conversing at a social event
    Ron Galella / Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 70:

    A person with glasses and locs smiles at an event, wearing a black top with a white cardigan and two necklaces
    Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

    17. Here's Angela Lansbury in 1946, age 21:

    Person in vintage style coat and hat with feather accessory, looking over shoulder. Appears to be a classic, bygone era red carpet moment
    Toronto Star Archives / Toronto Star via Getty Images

    And here she was in 2018, age 92:

    An elderly woman smiles warmly, wearing a classic outfit with a sophisticated scarf
    Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

    18. Here's Willie Nelson in 1966, around age 33:

    Smiling person in a suit, facing forward. The image is a black and white portrait
    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2024, age 91:

    Elderly musician wearing a red bandana and a colorful necklace, playing a guitar and singing into a microphone on stage
    Houston Chronicle / Getty Images

    19. Here's Helena Bonham Carter in 1984, age 18:

    Person with long hair smiling, resting chin on hands, wearing a checkered shirt, posing indoors
    Mirrorpix / Getty Images

    And here she was earlier this year, age 58:

    A person on a red carpet with curly hair, wearing a floral-patterned sheer dress with embroidered details
    Neil Mockford / Getty Images

    20. Here's David Attenborough in 1959, age 33:

    Man in a suit standing in front of an airplane, holding a briefcase, smiling at the camera
    Ron Case / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2023, age 97:

    An older gentleman in a suit stands in front of a "BBC Planet Earth" poster featuring an elephant in a grassy landscape
    Dave Benett / Getty Images

    21. Here's Michael Caine in 1962, age 29:

    A man in a tuxedo with a bow tie, looking at the camera, against a dark background
    Mirrorpix / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2025, age 92:

    An elderly man in a black suit and glasses sits with hands clasped, in front of a backdrop with text
    Arnold Jerocki / Getty Images

    22. Here's Martin Short in 1984, age 34:

    Two men sit together; one gestures while speaking. The other wears a velvet suit, listening. Both appear in a casual setting, engaged in conversation
    Paul Natkin / Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 76:

    Man in a tuxedo smiling at an event with a blue striped backdrop
    Monica Schipper / Getty Images

    23. Here's Dame Maggie Smith in 1957, age 22:

    Person in vintage attire sits on table in room with unique light fixture and patterned curtains
    John Drysdale / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2017, age 82:

    Elderly woman in a white blazer with a red medal ribbon, smiling in an outdoor setting
    Max Mumby/Indigo / Getty Images

    24. Here's Carol Burnett in 1955, around age 21:

    A person with medium-length styled hair smiles, wearing a textured turtleneck sweater
    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 93:

    Person in a red jacket and black outfit at TCM Classic Film Festival, standing against a branded backdrop
    Araya Doheny / Getty Images

    25. Here's Sam Elliott in 1970, age 25:

    Person in a vintage style button-up shirt and belt, leaning casually against a shutter.
    CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

    And here he was earlier this year, age 81:

    Man with grey hair and mustache in a casual white sweater, wearing reading glasses around his neck
    JC Olivera / Getty Images

    26. Here's Kathy Bates in 1977, around age 28:

    Four people pose happily in a mid-century living room setting, dressed in classic 1960s casual attire
    Walt Disney Television Photo Arc / ABC / Getty Images

    And here she was earlier this year, age 77:

    An elegant woman with wavy hair wears a black blazer and white shirt, smiling gently at an event
    Katie Flores / Getty Images

    27. Here's Tina Turner in 1961, around age 21:

    Singer in a chic sleeveless dress performing energetically on stage, backed by a band with saxophone and guitar players. Retro ambiance
    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2018, age 78:

    A person smiles while wearing a glittering, patterned dress with a sheer cover-up, accessorized with a necklace
    Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty Images

    28. Here's Anthony Hopkins in 1970, age 32:

    Anthony Hopkins and Nathalie Delon in a publicity photo for "When Eight Bells Toll," looking off-camera and smiling
    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2025, age 87:

    An elderly person in a suit stands smiling at an event. Their hair is light, and they are wearing a white shirt under a dark blazer
    Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images

    29. Here's Nancy Pelosi in 1984, age 43:

    Person in professional attire speaks at an event, gesturing emphatically with both hands
    Bettmann / Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 86:

    A person in an elegant lace dress poses for a photo at an event
    Steve Granitz / Getty Images

    30. Here's James Earl Jones in 1963, age 32:

    A classic scene shows a woman in a 1960s maid uniform and a man holding a baby, reflecting a dramatic moment
    CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2016, age 85:

    Elderly man in a tuxedo with a bow tie on the red carpet event background
    Jim Spellman / Getty Images

    31. Here is Judi Dench in 1957, age 22:

    An elegant woman in vintage-style formal dress with floral embroidery and a tiara, holding an open book, looking to the side
    Jimmy Sime / Getty Images

    And here she is now, age 91:

    An older adult with short white hair and a plaid scarf gazes directly at the camera, with a slight neutral expression, outdoors
    Jeff Spicer / Getty Images

    32. Here is Leslie Nielsen in 1957, around age 31:

    A person with vintage hairstyle, wearing a suit, smiles in a classic portrait
    De Carvalho Collection / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2009, age 83:

    Elderly man with short white hair in a suit and open-collared shirt at an event, smiling at the camera
    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

    33. Here is Charles Dance in 1984, around age 37:

    Person with short hair and a slight smile, wearing a casual shirt, looks over their shoulder. Background is a wooden door
    TV Times / Getty Images

    And here he is now, age 80:

    Elderly individual at an event wearing a blue blazer and patterned scarf
    Simon Ackerman / Getty Images

    34. Here is William Daniels in 1965, around age 38:

    Man in a suit with a patterned tie and neatly styled hair, facing slightly to the left, in a classic studio portrait setting
    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    And here he was in 2017, age 89:

    Elderly man in glasses and a dark cardigan over a striped shirt, standing in front of a bookshelf
    Cindy Ord / Getty Images

    35. And finally, here's Gloria Stuart in 1934, around age 23:

    Person in classic 1930s attire with wavy hair, wearing a sleeveless dress and necklace, poses against a wall with a serene expression
    Margaret Chute / Getty Images

    And here she was in 2010, around age 100:

    An older woman with curly hair and feather earrings smiles warmly at the camera
    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

    Which one of these surprised you the most? Any other celebs you'd love to see young photos of? Let me know in the comments below.

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