These Hollywood Stars Look Like They Haven't Aged A Day
Hollywood celebrities often skyrocket to stardom not only for their acting chops but also for their standout beauty and handsome faces. If they're lucky, they are able to maintain their good looks even when they're already past their prime.
Here, we've gathered photos of ageless stars comparing them in their heyday and in the present. Don't be too surprised if you spot Meryl Streep or Robert Downey Jr. looking as fresh as they were decades ago. Take your cues from your favorite Hollywood celebrities on how to age like a fine wine.
Helen Mirren Wasn’t Always At An Award Show
First on the list is the talented seasoned actor Dame Helen Mirren, DBE. Nowadays, we see her accepting awards at the BAFTAs, but the English actress was once a young starlet, too.
Helen Mirren started her career in the 60s and eventually became a household name on the British TV series Prime Suspect in the 90s. Helen then broke out as a Hollywood star in films like The Madness of King George and Calendar Girls. She is now in her 70s and but continues to amaze the audiences in hits like Woman in Gold and Hobbs & Shaw.
Patrick Stewart Used To Be A Newspaper Reporter
In the present, English actor Patrick Stewart, OBE is greatly respected by all as a veteran Hollywood actor. We have seen him on the iconic show Star Trek: The Next Generation and several X-Men movies. We bet you didn't know he was actually once a newspaper reporter!
Yup. Before pursuing his passion for acting at the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 60s, Patrick was actually a budding reporter. He then became a TV star on shows like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and finally shot to stardom in 1987 on the show Star Trek.
Betty White Was the Mayor of Hollywood
It's almost impossible to think of our favorite TV grandma Betty White before she hit the golden age. We've always known her as the actress who became a household name on the popular show The Golden Girls. So, did you know she started her career as a model in the 30s and was told she was unphotogenic?
Betty White became the first woman to produce her own TV sitcom in the 50s called Life With Elizabeth. She was dubbed as the “Mayor of Hollywood.” From there, Betty became a game show host and continued to become a veteran actress.
Samuel L. Jackson Was A Social Activist In the 60s
There is no doubt that Samuel L Jackson is a force to be reckoned with. With 150 movies and countless awards under his belt, this acting legend truly deserves being one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. Show business wasn't always his chosen career though.
Samuel was actually a social activist and heavily involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He then worked as a social worker and majored in marine biology before he swtiched to acting. We all know how being cast in the action thriller Pulp Fiction turned out for him.
Martha Stewart Wanted To Be A Fashion Model
Today, we know Martha Stewart as a successful TV personality, home-making extraordinaire, and a best-selling author in her 70s. But with her seemingly ageless beauty, we have always wondered how the American domestic goddess thrived in her earlier years.
As it turns out, Martha started as a fashion model when she was 15 years old. She studied History and after graduating, worked as a stockbroker in the 60s. Martha always had a passion for cooking though, so she started a catering business in the 70s then basically succeeded. She definitely lived an interesting younger life before she found her niche.
Meryl Streep Was A Starlet In the 70s
Everyone has to start somewhere, but it's really hard to imagine that award-winning actress Meryl Streep was once a young starlet in the 70s. Today, she has often been defined as as “the best actress of her generation" and continues to age gracefully.
But yes, Meryl was once a young bombshell and aspiring actress, too. After graduating from Yale, Meryl started as a stage actress and made her movie debut in Julia in 1976. Since then, she managed to cement her fame in movies such as Silkwood, Death Becomes Her, The Devil Wears Prada, and Mamma Mia.
Sir Ian McKellen Was A Young Thespian
Sir Ian McKellen CH CBE is now in his 80s and has established himself as a British cultural icon. Many younger fans may know the veteran actor as Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Before having numerous accolades to his name though, Sir Ian was once a British theater star.
After graduating from Cambridge, the fresh-faced actor starred in many Shakespeare plays in the 70s and 80s. Sir Ian gained mainstream recognition in the 90s when he acted in films such as Six Degrees of Separation and the X-Men Series. Since then, he became a seasoned Hollywood A-lister.
Christopher Walken Used To Be A Lion Tamer
Now in his 70s, Christopher Walken has established himself as a veteran Hollywood actor. We adore him for his deadpan expressions and unmistakable voice. He impressed us in movies like Pulp Fiction and Seven Psychopaths, so it’s easy to believe that he’s always been an edgy star.
Christopher actually has a very interesting back story. He trained as a dancer and as a lion tamer before deciding to become a stage actor. Christopher then became a TV star in the 1950s and moved on to doing films.
Julie Andrews Was Called Britain’s Youngest Prima Donna
Now in her 80s, we often see Dame Julie Andrews, DBE gracing the red carpet as the English veteran actress that she is. Decade after decade, she has added a number of television and film credits to her name including her recently unforgettable role in The Princess Diaries.
Julie's older fans know that she was once a child actress who made her Broadway debut in the 1950s. She was even named as “Britain’s Youngest Prima Donna.” Julie made her film debut in the iconic hit Mary Poppins in 1964 and followed it up with The Sound of Music.
Colin Firth Was Part of "The Brit Pack"
Colin Firth is another Hollywood actor who seems to have aged like a fine wine. We have come to know this quintessential English gentleman from his blockbuster films like Bridget Jones’s Diary and the Kingsman movie series.
Prior to his success though, Colin Firth was a young, handsome aspiring actor from Hampshire, England and studied at Drama Centre London. He became a part of a “Brit Pack” of up and coming actors after his West End debut. Colin was able to cement his Hollywood fame when he landed his breakthrough TV role as Mr. Darcy on Pride and Prejudice.
Charles Dance Used To Be A Dapper Actor
Now in his 70s, Charles Dance is another one the prolific English actors in this list. In recent years, he has appeared in television shows like Game of Thrones and The Crown. The veteran actor also starred in the movie Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Charles Dance was once a young, dapper actor from England who loved fancy scarfs. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1970s. He then got his TV break in the series The Jewel in the Crown and became a British TV favorite. He continues to achieve television and movie hits to his name,.
Vanessa Redgrave Was A Star Since the 60s
When you're hailed as “the greatest living actress of our times,” it's clearly impossible to imagine you as just an aspiring star. This is the case for Academy-Award winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, CBE. We’re used to seeing her on the red carpet as a seasoned actress, but Vanessa still had to come from somewhere.
The young beauty actually followed in the footsteps of her acting parents, studied drama, and became a stage actress. She became a successful movie star in the 60s and was critically acclaimed for her roles in hits like Isadora and Driving Miss Daisy.
Slash Used To Be A Teenage Heartthrob
We know rock musician Slash is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock and roll. He became a cultural icon as the lead guitarist of Guns N’Roses in the 1980s and then enjoyed a glittering solo career.
So it doesn't come as a surprise to us that Slash was once a young heartthrob from London. The rock star's parents both worked in the entertainment industry and he later moved to LA to study. Slashed joined Guns N’Roses when he was in his 20s, probably one of the best decisions he has made.
Maggie Smith Was A Starlet In the 50s
Dame Maggie Smith, CH, DBE is a legendary English actress who continues to wow audiences even in her 80s. The veteran actress' fans have come to love her more for her roles in hits like Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. We have to believe that she was also a regular teenager once upon a time to get to where she is today too.
Just like other British actors, Young Maggie started as a stage actress in the 50s, before becoming a TV and movie star. She became a celebrated English actress upon scoring an Academy Award in 1960. At 67, Maggie gained a much younger audience after playing the incredible professor Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter films.
Bill Murray Worked As A Golf Caddy
Today, American actor and comedian Bill Murray is one of the beloved stars of his generation. He is known for his deadpan comedy style and has appeared in the HBO series Olive Kitteridge and numerous Wes Anderson films. He was just your average guy before he became famous.
In his teens, Bill worked as a golf caddy and was the vocalist of a rock band. After graduating, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in the 70s and landed his first movie role in Meatballs when he was in his 30s. Bill secured his A-list status with a string of hits like Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Scrooged.
Sigourney Weaver Was A Young Siren
Sigourney Weaver is one of the gravity-defying actresses on our radar. She is now widely known as the “Queen of Sci-Fi” after starring as an action heroine in the Alien franchise. Sigourney's younger fans might know her from movies like A Monster Calls and The Defenders.
The seasoned star was born into a showbiz family. She followed in her mother’s acting footsteps and studied at Stanford and Yale School of Drama. After starting as a stage actress, Sigourney made her movie debut in 1977 in Annie Hall. In 1979, she got her breakthrough role as a young star in Alien.
Robert Downey Jr. Started Acting At 5 Years Old
These days, Robert Downey Jr. is best known as the legendary action star from the Iron Man movie franchise. This Hollywood A-lister is now in his 50s, and continues to be one of the most influential and highest-paid actors on the planet. Robert seems to have always been a handsome actor with boyish charms.
Robert also comes from an acting dynasty. He made his debut at the age of five in his father’s movie, Pound. The teen heartthrob then moved to Hollywood to pursue acting and starred in many coming-of-age hits in the 80s. Robert landed his most successful role of all in 2008 with Iron Man.
Susan Sarandon Was Once A Little Girl With Big Dreams
For decades now, Susan Sarandon has been an established American actress and activist and have won countless awards. The flame-haired siren is now in her 70s, but she’s still winning the hearts of young fans in movies like A Bad Mom's Christmas. Still, she too was once a little girl with big dreams.
Little Susan started her life in New York as the eldest of nine children. After graduating from college, Susan became a soap-opera star and landed her breakthrough role in The Rocky Horror Show in 1975. She then proved her acting chops in films and became an A-Lister.
Alec Baldwin Used To Be An Acting Hopeful
In recent years, Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin has been known by fans as the wise-cracking TV executive, Jack Baldwin from the sitcom 30 Rock. This veteran actor has also appeared in The Mission Impossible films and on the sketch show Saturday Night Live. It's hard to imagine him being a young dapper star.
Alec was born in New York as one of four siblings. After graduating, the young, suave acting hopeful became a Broadway star before landing TV roles like Doctors and Knots Landing. Since then, he has also starred in many movies like Hunt for Red October and The Departed.
Ellen Burstyn Was A Young Model
Academy-Award winning actress Ellen Burstyn is another veteran that seems to have found the key to eternal youth. Ellen is in her 80s but continues to act in her golden years. You may have seen her in movies like Interstellar and The Age of Adaline.
Ellen began her career as a model and a dancer at a young age. She then shifted to acting and made her Broadway debut in 1957. She starred in many primetime TV shows like 77 Sunset Strip and The Virginian. She achieved mainstream recognition for her role in The Exorcist in 1977.
Ricky Gervais Was A New Wave Pop Star
Another British Actor on our radar, Ricky Gervais rose to international fame on the mock documentary series The Office. The famous comedian is now well-known in Hollywood as the wise-cracking host of the Golden Globes. Surprisingly, Ricky had a completely different life before The Office fame.
Young Ricky dreamed of becoming a pop star one day. While the young hopeful was studying at UCLA, he joined a new wave pop band. Luckily, Ricky didn't succeed as he had hoped, so he focused on his career in radio podcasts, before starring in the Office and becoming a hit TV star today.
Morgan Freeman Used To Be A Musical Star
American actor and narrator Morgan Freeman is highly famous for his godly and distinctively wise voice. In recent years, the award-winning veteran actor has been known for his role in The Dark Knight trilogy and Lucy. With Morgan now in his 80s, it's easy to assume that he was always a wise man in his golden years.
However, Morgan was also a young aspiring star once. In the 1960s, the talented hopeful was a dancer and an actor who toured with a musical group. He then landed the role of Red, the narrator in The Shawshank Redemption in 1990, which shot him to to the limelight.
Liam Neeson Was Just A Young Irish Hopeful
Nowadays, Liam Neeson, OBE is an award-winning actor and continues to be on top of his game. He made a name for himself as an action star after starring in psychological thrillers like Taken and Silence. But in his younger years, Liam was just a strapping young actor.
He started out as a stage actor in the 70s, then began to star in movies in the 80s. Liam landed his breakout role in Schindler’s List in 1993, before cementing his fame in hits like Star Wars, Love Actually, and Clash of The Titans.
Diane Keaton Used To Sing At Nightclubs
This list wouldn't be complete without seasoned Hollywood actress Diane Keaton. Now in her 70s, she continues to grace the red carpet at distinct awards shows. We are more than curious to know how she thrived as an aspiring actress in her prime.
After graduating, the young starlet moved to Manhattan to start a career in entertainment, even singing at nightclubs. Diane then studied acting and began a career on Broadway. She made her movie debut in 1972 with The Godfather. Diane cemented her fame in 1977 after starring in the film Annie Hall, which scored her an Oscar.
Sally Field Was the Girl Next Door
Sally Field is an American actress and director who has earned her title as a Hollywood legend. She has scores of awards to her name including two Oscars. Younger fans may recognize her now from Mrs. Doubtfire and The Amazing Spider-Man. Sally has actually enjoyed a long and seasoned acting career.
After graduating high school, Sally landed her big break as a sitcom star in the series Gidget in 1965, and was generally cast as the “girl next door.” During the 70s, Sally landed her first big movie role in Smokey and the Bandit.
Jessica Lange Used To Be A Fashion Model
Jessica Lange is the thirteenth actress in history to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, after winning too many awards to mention. This veteran actress has actually accomplished more than most in her life.
As a young dreamer, she studied photography and mime theatre. Jessica joined the Opéra-Comique as a dancer before deciding to study acting in New York. She was then scouted as a fashion model, before making her Hollywood debut in 1976 in King Kong. She then climbed the ranks in hits like Tootsie and Cape Fear and is still wowing the world to this day.
Glenn Close Started Out As A Band Singer
Another one on our radar, Glenn Close is widely hailed as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. She has been dubbed by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world. We got used to seeing Glenn in her golden years in hits like 101 Dalmations and The Wife.
And yet, Glenn Close was once an aspiring star. She grew up in Connecticut and started out as a singer. Glenn then studied acting and anthropology and became a Broadway actress. In 1980, she got her big movie break in The World According to Garp and then jumped into the limelight.
Angela Lansbury Was A Young Actress In the 40s
Now in her 90s, Dame Angela Lansbury is a veteran British, Irish, and American actress. To many fans, she is fondly known as Jessica Fletcher from the detective series Murder, She Wrote. In recent years, we’re used to seeing her as a grandmotherly figure.
Dame Angela has actually enjoyed a career spanning eight decades and was once a young, fresh-faced star. After participating in a theatre act at a nightclub, she was then discovered and starred in her first movie in 1944 in Gaslight. The veteran actress continued to act in theatre and films and became a household name.
Blythe Danner Was An Up-and-Coming Actress In the 70s
American actress Blythe Danner is celebrated in Hollywood as an established star. In recent years, she has won us all over in hits like I’ll See You in My Dreams and What They Had. Interestingly, she’s also known as the mother of Gwyneth Paltrow.
Blythe was actually once a vision of youth. She started out as a theatre actress in the 1960s and continued to win over fans in movies like Future World and The Prince of Tides. Blythe was already a seasoned actress, but she became a household name when she starred in Meet the Parents.
Bob Parker Was A Radio Host
Now in his 90s, Bob Parker is a veteran actor and a retired game show host. He has won the affection of many fans from our generation as the former host of the show The Price is Right.
Bob Parker used to only dream of becoming an entertainer. At college, he was a part-time radio host and moved to California after graduating. He then landed his own radio show, The Bob Parker Show in 1950. He started hosting The Price is Right in 1972 and his career went from strength to strength.
Gloria Stewart Was A Glamorous Star In the 30s
The late American actress, Gloria Stewart was one of Hollywood's gems. She was well-known for her later roles in films like Titanic, The Million Dollar Hotel, and Land of Plenty. We couldn't help but wonder what her earlier life was like.
Phenomenally, Gloria was once an aspiring and glamorous starlet. She started out as a theatre actress and landed her first acclaimed movie role in The Old Dark House in 1932. Gloria took a break from Hollywood in the 1940s then started acting again in smaller roles in the 1970s. She had a career resurgence in 1997 with Titanic, aged 87.
Ed Harris Was A Dapper Actor In the 70s
Critically-acclaimed actor Ed Harris has won scores of awards throughout his career spanning in decades. Younger fans have seen the veteran star in the HBO science fiction-Western series Westworld. However, Ed is another legendary actor who has strived to climb the Hollywood ladder.
He started out as an upcoming stage star and guest appeared in TV shows like Hart to Hart. Ed shot to fame in the movie The Right Stuff in 1983, and he cemented his stardom in blockbusters like Apollo 13 in 1995.
Mary Steenburgen Worked As A Waitress Before Being Discovered
Mary Steenburgen is an American actress and singer who doesn't look like she's over 60 years old. In recent years, the seasoned star has won us all over in hits like The Proposal and The Help. Mary may be gracing red carpets these days, but she had to go through a long journey.
Like many veteran actors, Mary also started her career as a fresh-faced hopeful. After studying drama, Mary worked as a waitress. She was lucky enough to be spotted by Jack Nicholson and cast her in his second directorial work, Goin’ South in 1978. She carved her way in Hollywood in hits like Melvin and Howard and the Back to the Future series.
Sidney Poitier Was Already Popular In the 60s
Sidney Poitier is a Bahamian-American actor and film director, and one of the most respected faces in the industry. His most recent hits were Sneakers, The Jackal, and documentaries like Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.
Sidney was another young star who worked hard to get to the top of his game. After growing up in the Bahamas, his family moved to New York where he worked as a dishwasher. Sidney became famous in 1963 after scoring an Academy Award for Lilies of the Field and continued to make his mark on Hollywood.
Sissy Spacek Was A Model and Singer In the 70s
American actress and singer Sissy Spacek has earned her spot in Hollywood’s list of seasoned stars. Now in her 70s, Sissy continues to win us all over. She is well-known for her roles in thriller series like Bloodline, Castle Rock, and Homecoming.
Sissy has also enjoyed a long and colorful career. She started out in the 1970s as an aspiring singer then switched to acting and worked as a photographic model to gain more exposure. The young actress then landed her big break in 1976 in the cult hit Carrie then established herself in the industry.
Robert De Niro Was A Young Heartthrob
The list of Hollywood’s most legendary stars wouldn't be complete without American actor, producer, and director, Robert De Niro. He is now in his 70s and has too many accolades to his name to mention. Robert's most recent hits include Joker and The Irishman.
His younger fans may not know this, but Robert was actually a young Hollywood heartthrob. He then shot to fame in 1974 in The Godfather Part II and became a household name in hits like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. Nowadays, Robert is still at the top of his game.
Jane Fonda Was A Fashion Model
Established actress Jane Fonda seems to also age like a fine wine. She's now in her 80s and continues to make her presence felt in the industry as a household name. In recent years, we’re used to how she looks in shows like Gracie and Frankie, and The Newsroom.
When she was younger, Jane was a glamorous fashion model and aspiring actress. She started her career on stage in the 1950s and made a name for herself in movies like Tall Story. Jane then got her breakthrough role in Cat Ballou in 1965 then became a bankable star.
Ed O’Neill Wanted To Be A Football Star
Ed O’Neill is now a seasoned American actor and comedian in his 70s. Nowadays, we’re used to seeing him as a veteran actor in Modern Family. It’s easy to forget that Ed was once young and had dreams too.
In college, Ed was also an aspiring football star. He got signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut from the team soon after. This prompted him to start studying acting. While starring in a theatre production in 1997, the actor was discovered by an agent and landed his breakthrough TV role in Married with Children.
Sarah Jessica Parker Was A Broadway Actress
A certified Hollywood A-lister, Sarah Jessica Parker has starred in numerous television shows and movies. She became so popular for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City that fans might have forgotten she was once a young actress too.
It might surprise you to know that before being the protagonist in the popular series, Sarah started out as a child actress. She made her Broadway debut at 11 and first film appearance in 1984 in Footloose. Sarah carved a name for herself in movies like Hocus Pocus and The First Wives Club, before starring in Sex and the City.
Wallace Shawn Was A Student At Harvard
Aside from being a veteran actor, Wallace Shawn has made his mark in the show business as a voice artist and comedian. We have seen him in films such The Princess Bride and Clueless. He has also appeared in our small screens on TV Shows like Gossip Girl and Young Sheldon. This makes it quite hard to imagine seeing a young Wallace.
In his younger days, Wallace was educated at both Harvard University and Magdalen College. However, his interest in writing and acting pushed him to pursue a stage career as both playwright and actor. Wallace made his film debut in Manhattan, playing Diane Keaton's ex-husband.
Jane Seymour Chose Her Own Screen Name
Another one on our radar, veteran actress Jane Seymour, OBE joins the list of stars who have aged well. She is best known for her performance in the James Bond movie, Live and Let Die. Throughout her career, Jane has earned an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The British-American actress started as a young actress and chose the screen name "Jane Seymour" after the English queen Jane Seymour. One of her notable features is having heterochromia, making her right eye brown and her left eye green.
Michael Caine Worked As A Messenger
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an established English actor, film producer, and author. It's impossible to miss this British icon since he has appeared in more than a hundred films. Now in his 80s, younger fans have seen him in his latest works such as The Dark Knight Trilogy and Interstellar.
It actually blows our minds to think of a young Michael. When the actor was 10, he acted in a school play but his fly was undone so he got a laugh. Apparently, Michael took on acting based on the laughter. At one point, he worked briefly as a filing clerk and messenger for a film company.
Rita Moreno Worked As A Spanish Voice Actor
With a career spanning for over 70 years, Rita Moreno has built her name as a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Nowadays, the veteran star has gained younger fans for portraying the role of the matriarch in Netflix's One Day at a Time. Still, Rita herself was once a little girl too.
Rita was only 11 years old when she started dubbing for Spanish language versions of American films. The acting legend had her first Broadway role by the time she was 13. This eventually caught the attention of Hollywood talent scouts. Rita is one of the few artists to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards.
Jack Nicholson Was Voted Class Clown
Award-winning actor and filmmaker Jack Nicholson is another star on our list. It's easy to forget that this veteran actor had a childhood since his career has spanned for more than 60 years. Now in his 80s, Jack has been famous for playing a wide range of starring roles in films including The Shining and Batman.
During his time at Manasquan High School, Jack was voted "Class Clown" by the Class of 1954. Eventually, a theatre and a drama award at the school were named in his honor. In 1958, Jack made his film debut in The Cry Baby Killer. Since then, he has made a great number of films.
Joan Collins Was Britain's Bad Girl
Dame Joan Henrietta Collins, DBE is an established English actress. In recent times, she has portrayed a guest role in TV shows such as American Horror: Apocalypse and Hawaii Five-0. Amazingly, this acting legend actually started young.
Dame Joan made her stage debut at the age of 9. In 1952, her big break came with a major character as a juvenile delinquent in I Believe in You. Joan's success in the part led to her initial stardom and the press nicknamed her "Britain's Bad Girl." Her character in the 1980s primetime soap opera Dynasty made her an international superstar.
Cicely Tyson Was A Popular Fashion Model
Cicely Tyson is an American Hollywood actress with a career spanning for more than seven decades. Despite being 95 years old, Cicely remains active in the industry. Many people would recognize the veteran actress for her recent roles in the hit series How to Get Away with Murder and House of Cards.
She was actually discovered by a photographer for Ebony magazine then became a popular fashion model. Cicely's first acting role was on the TV series Frontiers of Faith in 1951. Cicely has won so many awards, some of them from her titular role on The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
Shirley Maclaine Started As A Ballerina
Another Hollywood celebrity who has aged well is American actress Shirley MacLaine. She is now in her 80s, but we have seen her recently in romantic comedy movies like Valentine's Day and Bewitched. In her earlier years as an actress, Shirley has also played the love interest in films.
Before she pursued her passion for acting, Shirley began dancing ballet at the age of 3. This propelled her interest in performing. In 1955, the beloved character made her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry. This role earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress.
Tom Selleck Played Basketball In College
Among Hollywood's list of prolific actors is the appealing and loveable Tom Selleck. He is best known for starring in the TV series Magnum, P.I and in Blue Bloods. Given his father figure roles, we are having a hard time picturing a young Tom Selleck.
During his junior year in college, Tom played for the USC Trojans men's basketball team. He eventually dropped out of the university to pursue acting. Tom's first television appearance was as a college senior on The Dating Game in 1965. He has appeared in more than 50 film and television roles.
Diana Rigg Was TV Star In the 60s
Last but not the least on this list is English actress Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg, DBE. Fans of the TV shows Game of Thrones and Doctor Who are more than familiar with this veteran. It's hard to imagine that a very wise woman like Diana used to attend boarding school too.
Diana made her professional stage debut in 1957 in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The acting legend followed the same route as her peers and eventually joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Diana appeared in the British 1960s television series The Avengers as Emma Peel.
Kirk Douglas Was A Navy Man Before His Acting Days
Kirk Douglas was actually born under the name Issur Danielovitsch. The actor grew up with six sisters in an impoverished area with his immigrant parents. He changed his name legally to Krik Douglas right before he went into his service with the United States Navy, which took place during the Second World War.
Douglas has since become Hollywood royalty, with films like Spartacus, and a Broadway star in One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest. He was the head of the Douglas clan, which now includes Michael Douglas and Cameron Douglas.
Kevin Bacon Always Knew He Wanted To Be An Actor
Kevin Bacon always wanted to be in the arts. He got a full ride to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts and Bucknell University.
It was his time there that solidified his love for acting. Bacon shot to fame with his role in Footlose, as well as Apollo 13, Mystic River, and Flatliners, to name a few. He is married to fellow actress Kyra Sedgwick. The two are known as one of the longest marriages in Hollywood, too!
Maureen McCormick Was An Aspiring Beauty Queen
Maureen McCormick was introduced to the world when she was in her early teens as Marcia Brady. For her role as Marcia is all she is really known for, despite being in other films, like The Idolmaker.
Before she stepped onto the television sets, Maureen was an aspiring beauty queen. When she was six years old, she won the Baby Miss San Fernando Valley beauty pageant. This is what led her to her first acting job, on a Barbie commercial for Mattel.
Audrey Hepburn Was An Aspiring Ballerina
While we all know and love Audrey Hepbrun thanks to her iconic role in Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany's - she wasn't always the icon we know today. Her mother was a Baroness and Dutch noblewoman.
Audrey moved around with her family a lot when she was a child, which is how she was able to learn five languages - English, Dutch, Italian, French, and Spanish. Before she went into acting, Hepburn trained to be a ballerina under Sonia Gaskell, a prominent Dutch ballerina.
Sophia Loren Wanted To Be A Beauty Queen
Dame Grand Cross OMRI Sophia Loren is one of the last icons left of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Prior to her acting days, which were long and successful, Loren was a beauty pageant aficionado.
When she was just 15 years old, Loren entered the Miss Italia 1950 pageant. She did not win the pageant but won the third place spot, earning her the title of Miss Elegance 1950. She went into acting school when she was 17 years old, wanting to find her way into the spotlight.
Debra Messing Was An Actress In High School
Messing is one of those people who always knew she wanted to be an actor. She attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts to make her dream a reality. She got the performing bug because of her mother, who was a professional singer, along with being a banker and sales executive.
Messing was acting as early as high school, when she was a part of several school plays. Both of her parents encouraged her acting, all the way to her breakthrough role as Grace in Will & Grace.
Ron Howard Was A Child Actor Before He Hit Directing Fame
Ron Howard was first and foremost a child star. He guest starred in several televisions shows, including The Twilight Zone. He famously played the role of Opie Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show in the 1960s. Howard acted in several other films as well.
However, his claim to fame is his directing work in films like A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, The Da Vinci Code, and Cinderella Man, to name a few. He has won the Academy Ward for Best Director as well as the same award for Best Picture.
Russell Crowe Left School To Pursue Acting
Long before Russell Crowe wowed audiences as the Gladiator, he was a New Zealand native who spent the majority of his life in Australia. His parents were both film set caterers, which is how Crowe was introduced to films.
His grandfather was also a cinematographer. Crowe said his first line in front of a camera when he was just six years old, giving him his first taste of acting, which he never lost the desire for. He left school when he was 16 years old to pursue acting.
Carrie Fisher Was Born Into Hollywood
Carrie Fisher was born into show business. She was the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. Carrie knew she wanted to act even though she saw how tough the industry was. When she was 16 years old, she appeared in the Broadway show, Irene. She ended up dropping out of school as acting was more important to her.
She made up the work, though, and ended up attending London's Central School of Speech and drama. We all know and love Carrie from her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars films.
Hugh Jackman Worked As A Physical Education Teacher
Australian heartthrob, Hugh Jackman, was actually born to English parents. He seemed to always have the acting bug since he was a part of school productions, such as My Fair Lady in 1985. However, after graduating from high school, he took a year off to fo to England and work as a physical education teacher.
He went home after that year and went full steam ahead into his academics. It was only after college that full-time acting looked like a possibility. Jackman shot to fame as Wolverine in X-Men, and continued to wow audiences with his role in Les Miserables.
Jeremy Irons Was A Musician First
Jeremy Irons' Hollywood career spans many decades, but there was a life before acting. Irons' first love is that of music. He was a harmonica player and drummer in a four-person school band that they called the Four Pillars of Wisdom.
He still plays around with the instruments but his acting is where his attention lies. Irons is known for his role in films like The French Lieutenant's Woman, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and Lolita, to name a short few. He is also a powerful West End theatre actor, starring in plays like Richard II.
Ronald Reagan Was An Actor Before He Was A President
We all know Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States. However, before his political aspiration, Reagan had Hollywood dreams. He moved to California to work as an actor in 1937.
Hollywood is actually how he found his way into politics, as he was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, which is the labor union for actors. His work in this form of leadership led him to run for the governor of California in 1966, and famously for the presidency in 1981.
Judy Dench's Parents Introduced Her To the Acting World
Dame Judy Dench is one of the most respected actresses in the industry. She was introduced to the theatre through her parents, who were the doctors for the York Theatre and the wardrobe mistress, respectively. Judi would help with the productions behind the scenes when she was younger.
She transitioned into acting when she was accepted to the Central School of Speech and Drama, and was actually a classmate of fellow icon Vanessa Redgrave. Dench has been in films such as Cabaret, A Room with a View, and two of the James Bond films.
Jamie Lee Curtis Was A Law Student
Before she shot to fame as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter's horror movie Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis was a law student. She didn't end up finishing her schooling, being to distracted by the acting bug that she and other members of her family had.
It was in 1978 that she landed her role in Halloween, and has since played the role of Laurie several more times in the various sequels. She is also a published author and an activist.
Al Pacino Wanted To Be A Professional Baseball Player
Al Pacino grew up in a Bronx neighborhood of New York City. Before he became the icon that he is, Pacino actually wanted to be professional baseball player. He played a lot with friends, who gave his the nickname "the actor".
He didn't think he would get in, but he auditioned for the High School of Performing Arts, and got in. HIs mother was not happy about his decision and so Pacino left home. He started acting in basement plays, which is how he met a lot of his mentors.
Dustin Hoffman Attended Medical School
Prior to The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman was planning on going into medicine. He spent one year in medical school before leaving to join the Pasadena Playhouse. While his family told him, "You can't be an actor. You are not good-looking enough," he made his own destiny.
Dustin has since made a name for himself starring in films like Tootsie, Rain Man, Hook, All the President's Men, and Kramer vs. Kramer. He has six kids, some of whom are already showing signs of getting into the acting world.
Natalie Portman Was A Dancer
Born Neta-Lee Hershlag, Natalie Portman studied to be a dancer before she transitioned into acting. Portman attended the American Theater Dance Workshop, describing her childhood as "different from the other kids. I was more ambitious. I knew what I liked and what I wanted, and I worked very hard. I was a very serious kid."
Her dance background probably made it easier for her to land her role in Black Swan. She also was notably a part of the Star Wars films, playing the role of Padme Amidala.
Jodie Foster Was A Child Model
Jodie Foster started out her shiny career as a model when she was a mere three years old. She then landed her first acting job in 1968 and hasn't stopped since. Foster is more than just an actress, but a producer and director as well.
She's won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and honored with a Cecil B. DeMille Award. Some of her most famous roles were in films like Freaky Friday, Panic Room, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Anthony Hopkins Had A Difficult Time In School
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins is a true legend in Hollywood. He loved painting, drawing, and playing the piano when he was younger. He stated that he always hard a tough time in school, "I was a poor learner, which left me open to ridicule and gave me an inferiority complex. I grew up absolutely convinced I was stupid."
While he is far from it, he did shift his attention to acting as drama school was the next step. Hopkins is famous for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal.
Clint Eastwood Was In the United States Army
Eastwood held several odd jobs, such as paper carrier, forest firefighter, lifeguard, and golf caddy. These were all before he was drafted into the United States Army at the time of the Korean War.
Eastwood then turned his eyes towards acting, following by a hugely successful career as a director. He is know for his role in Million Dollar Baby, Heartbreak Ridge, Escape From Alcatraz, and Gran Torino. He has a long list of film credits to his name.
Kurt Russell Came From Baseball
Kurt Russell was part of a baseball family. His father was a professional baseball player, and his sister is the mother of professional baseball player Matt Franco. Kurt served in the California Air National Guard as part of the 146th Tactical Airlift Wing before he went into acting.
He was just a kid when he had his first acting gig, when he guest starred on Our Man Higgins with Stanley Holloway. He was a natural from the very beginning, there was not chance he wasn't going to make it in Hollywood.