36 Wonderfully Old Photos of Famous People From Back in the Day

John Summers • Contributor

Mar 3, 2025 9:00 PM EST

There's something fascinating about seeing famous people in a way that feels completely unexpected—like getting a glimpse into a time before they were Hollywood legends. This collection is a nostalgic time capsule, capturing moments of young Chris Pratt (yes, even Star-Lord had an awkward phase), a cute and innocent Zoe Saldana in her early days, and a young, fresh-faced Dave Bautista back when he was better known for body slams than blockbuster roles.

These snapshots feel like tiny windows into an alternate universe—one where superheroes, assassins, and intergalactic warriors were just regular people, figuring life out before they took over Hollywood. Whether you're here for the nostalgia or just curious to see what your favorite stars looked like before their big break, these 36 wonderfully old photos are sure to make you grin—and maybe even say, "Wait, is that really them?"

01
17 year old Sofía Vergara 1989

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02
13 year-old Stevie Wonder, 1963

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03
20 year-old Nick Nolte in 1961

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04
16 year-old Christina Applegate with Johnny Depp 1987

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05
Jackie Chan 1974

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06
John Travolta rehearsing for "Saturday Night Fever" 1977.

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07
David and Angela Bowie with their baby, Duncan Jones 1971.

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08
Sissy Spacek, 1972

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09
Tom Berenger and Jerry Hall 1975

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10
Sir Ian McKellen, London, 1970

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11
John Candy, 1974.

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12
Randy Poffo better known as pro wrestler Randy Savage in the late 1960's

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13
16-year old Chris Farley, 1980

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14
Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce 1987

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15
Grace Kelly, 1954

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16
Jon Hamm in his football gear 1989

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17
Peter Dinklage and writer Jonathan Marc Sherman 1989

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18
Quentin Tarantino sits on Santa Claus’ lap in 1970

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19
Tommy Lee Jones in 1968

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20
Debbie Harry 1978

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21
Olivia Newton-John 1970

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22
USC film student George Lucas in the 1960s

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23
André the Giant and his Cadillac, 1975

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24
That.... is Richard Branson in the 1960's

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25
20-year-old Bob Marley posing for the camera in 1965

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26
17 year-old Prince, 1975

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27
Sean Penn and Elizabeth McGovern 1984.

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28
Lou Reed in his Freeport High School yearbook photo, 1959

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29
Martha Stewart was a model during the 1960s.

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30
Meg Ryans Bethel High School yearbook 1979

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31
Avril Lavigne's yearbook photo 2000

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32
13 year old Chris Pratt (AKA Star Lord)

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33
Dave Bautista (AKA Drax) around 2000

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34
Zoe Saldaña (AKA Gamora) and her mother 1989

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35
Vin Diesel (I Am Groot) 1987.

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36
Bradley Cooper (AKA Rocket Racoon) 1990.

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