These famous faces are so familiar to us, but we don’t often go back to see what they looked like when they first started out. But thanks to the internet, we can see A – listers hanging out with their younger selves. So here are some of those awesome pics to take a look where they started and how far they’ve come!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Nowadays, he’s one of the most wholesome and busiest actors in Hollywood (just take a look at how many movies he’s starring in the next year), but that wasn’t how it all began.
He is also known by his stage name “Rocky Maivia” – a combination of his father’s and grandfather’s wrestling names – and began wrestling in 1996. He helped create and was integral to the success of the World Wrestling Federation, or, to its detractors, WWF. His acting may take center stage but he still competes.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson
Everyone that grew up in the ‘90s and early 2000s learned of Mary-Kate and Ashley when they began playing the adorable Michelle Tanner in Full House. From there, their resumes only got more impressive with time.
Their last role as part of their acting empire, however, was in New York Minute in 2004. Since then, they’ve left the acting world but not the world of glamor — they’ve created a lucrative fashion brand and now spend their time managing it.
James Van Der Beek
Seeing Dawson Leery next to James Van Der Beek is making us remember exactly why we had a huge crush on him back when Dawson’s Creek was airing in 1998, and James was 19.
It also totally shows us why we still love him. Just look at that charming smirk! Of course, he’s still acting; his latest roles include Matt Bromley in Pose and Grant in the comedy horror film Bad Hair.
Beyoncé
It was clear very early on that Beyoncé was going to be a star — from a young age, she participated in (and won) several singing and dancing competitions. Her more serious break came when the singing group she had joined, Girl’s Tyme, morphed into Destiny’s Child.
From there, we all know Beyoncé’s meteoric rise to fame. After all, who can forget such hits as “Survivor”, “Bootylicious”, and”Crazy in Love” (which was also her first number-one single)? Do we really need to explain how Queen Bey is still proving what an immense talent she is to this day?
Haley Joel Osment
Haley Joel Osment was probably the cutest child star of the ‘90s. He first got attention at the age of four when a talent scout signed him and got him in commercials. His first major appearances on the silver screen were as a young Forrest Gump, and, more importantly, as Cole in The Sixth Sense.
From there, the huge roles just kept coming. While his projects since hitting his late teens have slightly dwindled, Osment is still acting both on TV and in films. He’s also been the voice behind the beloved Sora in the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise.
Cher
Cherilyn Srakisian’s journey toward becoming the Goddess of Pop began with a cute little number called “I Got You Babe” — which shot Sonny & Cher straight into fame. At the same time, she also established herself as an impressive solo act.
Cher has since become an incredible musical icon, conquering every stage and every entertainment industry she could think of. Even after over 60 years of making music, this powerhouse doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Paula Abdul
She might be known nowadays as a talented choreographer, actress, singer, and dancer (and as one of the iconic original judges on American Idol), but Paula Abdul actually began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Interestingly, the Jacksons saw her cheering and gave her a chance to choreograph several music videos for them. From there, she slowly transitioned into creating her own music. Her career since then has been filled with music and dance.
Ralph Macchio
Wax on, wax off — polish your eyes and take a look at the original Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. Macchio began professionally acting at age 16, with his first role being Jeremy Andretti in Eight Is Enough.
Of course, his major break came when he played underdog Daniel in The Karate Kid, a role he has reprised many times over the years — including, most recently, in the sequel series Cobra Kai.
Madonna
At the young age of 20, Madonna dropped out of college and moved to New York City with $35 in her pocket to try to make it big as a modern dancer. For quite a few years, she picked up odd jobs while pursuing her career in music.
In 1982, she released several singles that garnered enough attention to propel her forward, all the way to “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” stardom. The rest, as they say, is history. The Queen of Pop continues to make headlines and albums to this day.
Dolly Parton
It’s impossible not to fall in love with the sweet smile and immense talent that is Dolly Parton. Before becoming a worldwide sensation, though, Dolly was just a humble songwriter for others. She finally became known for her singing talent with the debut of her first album, Hello, I’m Dolly.
After winning the hearts of every country music lover out there, Dolly branched out to other genres, also becoming a pop sensation. Her latest work includes a rock album, which she started working on after getting nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Kate Moss
Beautiful British model Kate Moss began her career in 1988 when she was just 14. She was spotted by Sarah Doukas at the airport in New York after returning from a holiday in the Bahamas. Moss became known for her “grunge” look.
Beyond becoming a renowned model over the years, Moss has also gone into fashion design, creating several collections with Topshop. In 2016, she founded her own agency, KMA (Kate Moss Agency), signing on Rita Ora and Esmé Creed-Miles, among others, as clients.
