24 celebrities who have changed so much you’ll be amazed

Published on November 28, 2017, 5:41 pm

Written by Straker Julia in Unusual

For some celebrities, we’re so used to seeing them now that we forgot how they looked when they started out, especially since show business makeover artists do such a great job of making everyday people into unrecognizable stars. (Not to mention that some of them have had a little work done…) Still others started their careers so young that when they went through their teens, they changed dramatically.

Illustration : "24 celebrities who have changed so much you’ll be amazed" — Photo d'illustration

The problem is that there are remnants of their less stellar beginnings... Here are 24 celebrities who have changed since they got their start in Hollywood...

1. Chuck Norris

Would you have ever recognized him in this picture from 1980? The years have really changed this actor, who is world famous for his role in Walker, Texas Ranger, and not only physically. In fact, this actor who was ridiculed for his obsession with martial arts and his macho attitude happens to be more discreet. He has also earned the hearts of many through all the charities that he helps.

2. Uma Thurman

These 2 photos are almost 30 years apart, but what a difference! Since Pulp Fiction, Uma has shot dozens of films, but has always remained faithful to Quentin Tarantino. As for her looks, she went blond and chose a more traditional, discreet style.

3. Keanu Reeves

Despite the years, we still recognize his almond-shaped eyes (due to his Chinese roots), and his good looks, but he has now opted for a boy-next-door look and grown a beard... Probably to go with his discreet, cool hippie way of life.

4. Nicolas Cage

With the passing years, he looks more and more like his uncle (Francis Ford Coppola), but he has managed to keep the same 20-year old body.

5. Fergie

The Black-Eyed Peas singer hasn’t changed much in 20 years, but she’s a little less flashy with her makeup now. She has continued her singing career (with the group and solo), and she is now creating fragrances for a major cosmetics brand.

6. Ryan Gosling

To fill his role in The Notebook, the film that turned him into a "headliner," Ryan Gosling had to go with a more mature and romantic look than how he appeared in 2002. What a difference for this actor who also plays music in his spare time.

7. Brooke Shields

Vogue’s youngest cover model in 1980 has aged well. Maybe it’s her modeling experience that has allowed her to remain one of the most beautiful women in the world... When we remember that she began her career more than 40 years ago, it makes us think.

8. Antonio Banderas

This Spaniard who arrived in Hollywood in the early 90's has always had a “Latin lover” look. He has come a long way since then, and has started balding a little, but he’s still quite a looker....

9. Macaulay Culkin

With his new look, Macaulay Culkin wouldn’t be cast to play the adorable toddler in Home Alone, but instead he might be cast to play one of the evil men trying to rob the house! The young actor has practically disappeared for 20 years, making appearances in the media only due to his troubles with the police. Too bad for this child who had some real talent at the beginning...

10. Mila Kunis

The young Ukrainian who arrived in the US at 8 years old has sure changed! She now shows off an image worthy of her Hollywood success.

11. Alec Baldwin

A different look for this suburban New Yorker, who left to try his luck in Hollywood starring in soap operas. Like his brothers, he had a successful movie career, but his resounding divorce from actress Kim Basinger and some of his behavior almost ended it all. He is making a comeback, however, thanks to his excellent parodies of Donald Trump since the election.

12. Courteney Cox

Since “Friends,” Courteney Cox hasn’t changed much (except the glasses), but we forget that before becoming everyone’s girlfriend, she made commercials, was on “Family Ties,” had an appearance in a Bruce Springsteen video, and made several films like Ace Ventura. She had a very different look when she started out!

13. Jude Law

Jude Law has always been so handsome! This British actor (named after a Beatles song) started out in theater in the 80s. His huge success took him to Broadway and then Hollywood in a very short time, and earned him many awards. He is currently one of the most fashionable actors out there, and he has 5 children.

14. Rihanna

Despite many personal problems, Rihanna has managed to climb to the top of the world charts, releasing her first album at age 16. American showbiz stylists then completely transformed her, as shown in the picture from her debut, where it’s hard to even recognize her.

15. Renee Zellweger

Rumors are running rampant since the return of Bridget Jones: has she had surgery or not? Judge for yourself. Still, Renee Zellweger has remained a fan favorite since she started out, and we hope to see her back on screen soon.

16. Bono

Bono has been on the scene for so long that we forgot what he looked like when he started out in 1976! Would you have recognized him? The Irish musician has come a long way since his first success with U2, but today he’s most famous for his humanitarian projects. He was even knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

17. Catherine Zeta-Jones

A little more refined with wrinkles, but we still recognize her well... It’s hard to name her film successes, even though Catherine Zeta Jones is well-known to the public, because her look is more impressive than her acting talents. She is now quite discreet (rarely filming) and is dedicated to her children and her husband, Michael Douglas.

18. Colin Firth

"Mr. Darcy" hasn’t changed much since his debut in “Pride and Prejudice,” to be truthful. This discreet English actor took a long time to break into Hollywood, but the television adaptation of Jane Austen's novel made him known to the general public almost instantly.

19. Sarah Jessica Parker

It was probably during the filming of “Sex and the City” that Sarah Jessica Parker went from being just a brunette to a sex symbol and fashionista. But we forget that she started on Broadway at the age of 11, so she has had a long career as a real actress.

20. Richard Gere

There was a time when Richard Gere was the "bad boy" of American films, even going so far as to fight with Stallone because of a disagreement on a shoot. But look at him now that he has turned into a seducer (Pretty Woman), and more recently into a silver-haired activist.

21. Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner's career is not exceptional, but she has slowly made her way to the A List. She has been discreet since her divorce from Ben Affleck, devoting herself first and foremost to her children, her humanitarian actions, and filming less popular films than before.

22. Robert Downey, Jr.

Robert Downey, Jr. is a show business miracle! After starting his acting career very early (at age 7), he quickly became a rising Hollywood star in the 80s. But 15 years later, his drug problems caught up with him, ruining his career and sending him to jail. But in 2001, he gained some control and reappeared at in a box office hit to become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood today. What a beautiful transformation!

23. Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is known as one of the nicest actors in the US, as his roles have fit his unassuming and modest personality since his beginnings. And like his character on “How I Met Your Mother,” the actor is a big fan of magic.

24. Kylie Minogue

Everyone remembers her frisky debut in the '80s, when she was only known to Australians who had seen her in countless episodes of the soap opera “Neighbours.” But she quickly proved that she wasn’t just a second-rate actress, rising to the top of all the world charts with success after success. In 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which forced her to take nearly a 2-year break. But she’s back at it again, and she’s currently working on her 14th album! The little Australian, who is now compared to Madonna, has proven her talents.

By Straker Julia
Writer

Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!