Then And Now: The Biggest Celebrity Transformations

HA Staff - February 9, 2023
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Have you ever looked at a picture of a celebrity from their early days and thought they looked completely different? Many celebrities have undergone significant makeover transformations over the years, whether it be through fashion, makeup, or plastic surgery. In this article, we will take a look at over 40 celebrities and compare their before and after photos to see just how much they have changed.

Celebrity Physical Transformation

Here is a list of 40+ before and after photos of celebrities arranged in no particular order.

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1. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. began his career on Broadway and went on to star in various ’80s classics such as Weird Science. His professional life has been marked by ups and downs over the course of the past few decades. He had a rough patch in his career, but now he’s back and better than ever.

Robert went from being a cute young boy to a handsome man with salt-and-pepper hair who still makes many women swoon. However, when the two versions are compared side-by-side, they appear to be two distinct individuals.

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2. Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez first made an appearance in 1989 when she joined the chorus of an international musical revue show. Then she joined the cast of “In Living Color” as a Fly-Girl after working as a background dancer in music videos. We have witnessed her aging since her time as a Fly-Girl. Although both versions of Jennifer Lopez are equally lovely, there is a clear distinction between them. Everything about her looks different now that she’s older, from her hair color to the contours of her face.

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3. Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper was one of the few pop stars to reach her level of fame in the 1980s. Her eccentric style and flamboyant character, in addition to her undeniable talent, attracted a large fan base. However, comparing her then and today is incredibly eye-opening. This subdued style gives her a somewhat more mature appearance. It makes us wonder, though, if this really is the same person.

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4. Macauley Culkin

Macaulay Culkin was a child actor who had a successful career well before he was even old enough to get a driver’s license. Like many other child stars, we got to see Macaulay develop and mature as he faced adversity. The changes between who he was as a youngster and who he is today as an adult are significant. When you saw the actor now, you would never have any reason to believe that he was the same young actor who played the role of young Kevin McAllister in the movie “Home Alone.”

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5. Keke Palmer

True Jackson, VP, anyone? Okay, that was a Nickelodeon production, but! Before joining the rival network, Keke starred in “Jump In,” one of the best DCOMs to grace the network. Keke was a lead character in a number of noteworthy television episodes and movies back in the day, and she hasn’t stopped acting since then. She had an appearance in the film, Hustlers in 2019, and she now has a number of new television programs in production.

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6. Drew Barrymore

If you could go all the way back to when Drew Barrymore was a young child, you will see that there has been a lot of change over the past two decades. We have had the opportunity to follow her career as she has transitioned from acting to producing to directing and a great number of other creative positions.

Her smile and the twinkle in her eye have never changed, but her overall look has changed a lot. Today, we absolutely adore Drew’s gentler makeup and style.

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7. Sarah Jessica Parker

In Hollywood, Sarah Jessica Parker was frequently referred to as “the darling of the industry.” The actress has spent more than half of her life working in front of the camera, beginning with her days on “Square Pegs” and continuing on to her role on “Sex in the City.”

Although she still has the same eyes, Sarah Jessica Parker is a completely different person as a result of the effects of advancing age. Because she has changed so drastically, we’re sure Sarah could be shocked to see a younger version of herself when she looks back at photos from her past. Nonetheless, she is still loved by millions of her fans.

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8. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

These two actresses have been a staple of our televisions for many years, beginning their careers at quite young ages. The Olsen Twins grew up right in front of our eyes, remaining together and managing to look charming the whole while. Mary-Kate and Ashley have developed their own unique senses of style as independent women.

The fashion senses of these two ladies couldn’t be more different. It is difficult to compare the two versions of who they are now, much alone conceive that they are the same individuals, when one considers who they were when they were younger.

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9. Haley Joel Osment

Most individuals are able to recall the chilling remark, “I see dead people!,” said by Haley Joel Osment. The kid actor is most remembered for his role in “The Sixth Sense,” a horror movie. We followed his life as he matured before our eyes, and the end result was an actor who appeared to have undergone a dramatic transformation in appearance.

This is true not only of his abilities but also of his general demeanor. From the young child to the guy with broad shoulders, it is difficult to distinguish one from the other.

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10. Rihanna

When Rihanna initially began making her presence felt in the music industry, she was a young prodigy with a style that was reminiscent of a tomboy. The fact of the matter is that both Rihanna herself and her music have gone through several transformations over the last decade. Rihanna has evolved from a young woman with a fresh face into a fashionista with a daring and distinctive sense of style. Even though so much has changed, the one constant in her life is the incredible music she creates and the sparkle in her eyes. Certain things will remain constant at all times!

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11. Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke began his career as a boxer before transitioning into a career on stage and in movies. He made a name for himself by playing tough-as-nails characters in movies like 9 1/2 Weeks, which helped him gain a lot of female fans.

It’s almost as if you’re looking at two completely different persons when you compare a photograph of a teenage Mickey Rourke with one of him in his later years. It is obvious that he has had a bit of a difficult life, as seen by the significant influence that it has had on his appearance.

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12. Miley Cyrus

Since her time on Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus has advanced significantly. Miley’s decision to be herself after leaving the Disney Channel has made us look at the grown-up Miley in awe and amazement. For her to be herself, she has to get rid of the clean-cut pop star image that Disney gave her. It’s difficult to believe that this is the same girl after seeing her with her new hairstyle, tattoos, and grungy rock vibe.

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13. Henry Winkler

Another iconic face from the 1970s program, “Happy Days,” was the man who played “Fonzie.” Henry Winkler was a suave, well-groomed, and good-looking guy who brought a laid-back attitude to the show. We couldn’t even begin to draw parallels between the younger and older versions of him now that we’d seen him mature. His growing up phase caused a complete change in how he looked, which was fine because it let him play different roles.

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14. Ron Howard

Ron Howard is another famous celebrity we got to see grow up. Beginning with his role on “The Andy Griffith Show” and continuing through his stint on “Happy Days” and into his successful directorial career, he has had a long and successful career. We’ve had the privilege of witnessing his development over the years, and it’s been amazing to see how much he’s changed from his earlier days. We’re sure millions of his fans can still recognize his red hair and unique smile.

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15. Kirstie Alley

After making her debut in a Star Trek film, Kirstie Alley eventually landed a recurring part on the long-running American television comedy show, Cheers, which aired on the NBC network. Not only has she transformed into many characters throughout the course of her career, but she has also altered her physical look. From her model-like beauty to her current, more mature, voluptuous figure, there have been many changes. You have to look very closely at the photographs to determine whether they are of the same person.

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16. Britney Spears

Since Britney Spears has been in the public spotlight since she was a teen, it is evident that both her personality and her appearance will undergo significant transformations. However, there has been a major alteration. Even though she hasn’t lost any of her stunning good looks, it’s clear that a lot of time has passed since she was on the Mickey Mouse Club. Nevertheless, she is still a very lovely woman. We’re glad to see that, even though she’s had some very serious scandals, she’s been able to get through them.

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17. Zac Efron

There is no way to do a Disney retrospective without including Zac Efron, also known as East High School’s dreamy quarterback Troy Bolton. After appearing as Troy in all three episodes of the High School Musical trilogy, Zac went on to hone his physique for roles in films such as The Lucky One, Neighbors, and Baywatch. His most recent performance was in the film “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Vile and Evil,” in which he portrayed Ted Bundy. It’s almost as if you’re looking at two completely different persons when you compare a photograph of a teenage Zac Efron before and after photos.

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18. Sylvester Stallone

On a list of the most famous actors who have played action heroes, Sylvester Stallone is unquestionably at near the very top. Even though he didn’t start making movies until he was a bit older, we still got to see how he changed over the years. As we observed that process of aging unfolds, we noticed a great deal of change. In fact, times have changed so dramatically that the gray-haired action hero of today has nothing in common with the one who featured in all those great pictures back in the ’80s and ’90s.

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19. Ralph Macchio

Ralph Macchio became famous in the movie industry when he was featured on the hit show, Cobra Kai. This character has been around for so long that you can see how he has changed over the course of his career. Even though Macchio has returned to Cobra Kai as Daniel LaRusso, he no longer resembles the Daniel LaRusso of old. His innocent grin is one aspect that hasn’t changed.

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20. Rose McGowan

In the 1990s and the early 2000s, Rose McGowan was in high demand. Her career was going well, and she was cast in a lot of different roles. She has undergone a radical metamorphosis throughout the years. Her new, shorter hairstyle, which is reminiscent of a buzzcut, has contributed to an overall shift in her appearance. Due to the fact that she has drastically changed both her hair and her appearance, it might be difficult to place Rose McGowan of today in the same category as Rose McGowan of the past.

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21. Katy Perry

For several years, Katy Perry was the star of the mainstream music scene. Her whole appearance has changed dramatically as a result of several albums and the constant evolution of her music and style.

If you look at a photograph of her from even just a decade ago and compare it to how she look now, you could notice a significant change. Not only does she appear to have put more effort into her appearance, but she also looks to be more at ease in her own skin.

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22. Adrienne Bailon

Adrienne Bailon is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame as a member of the girl group, 3LW, and later as a co-host of the Disney Channel series, The Cheetah Girls. She went on to star in the BET series, The Real, which premiered in 2013 and ran for seven seasons. Currently, she is still active in the entertainment industry, hosts her own talk show (The Real), and continues to make music and act in movies.

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23. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is an American singer, actress, and television producer. She began her career in the entertainment industry as a child actor, appearing on the children’s television series, Barney & Friends. She later rose to prominence as the lead singer of the band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, and for her portrayal of Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place. Since then, she has released several successful albums as a solo artist and has also acted in various films and television shows. Gomez continues to be active in the entertainment industry, releasing music, touring, and acting in movies. She’s also been involved in philanthropic efforts and has her own production company.

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24. Courteney Cox

Whether you first saw Courteney Cox in the 1980s or the 1990s, comparing a picture from back then to one from now might be a little shocking. This legendary actress has become a completely different person as she has grown older.

It seems that time has this effect on everyone, although some people are more susceptible to its effects than others. If you were to compare two pictures of Courteney taken at separate times in her career, you might not even recognize that you are looking at the same actress.

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25. Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is one of the world’s most famous country singers. Those who are Dolly’s biggest admirers have witnessed the metamorphosis that she has undergone over the course of several decades. They knew these two women were the same individual since they had been following along.

If you hadn’t been a fan for a long time, you might not even know that these two pictures are of the same person. One thing about Dolly stayed the same: her amazing charm and bubbly personality.

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26. Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck has been a well-known actor and filmmaker for many years. He first gained widespread recognition in the 1990s for his performances in films such as “Good Will Hunting” and “Shakespeare in Love,” for which he won an Academy Award. In the 2000s, he established himself as a leading man in Hollywood with roles in films like “Pearl Harbor,” “Daredevil,” and the “Bourne” franchise. In recent years, Affleck has continued to act in and direct films. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in films such as “The Accountant” and “Manchester by the Sea,” and directed films like “Gone Baby Gone,” “The Town,” and “Argo,” which won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. He also played the role of Batman in the films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League.

In 2020, Affleck announced that he will not be returning as Batman in any future films, but he is still active in Hollywood and has several upcoming projects.

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27. Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, known for her roles in films such as “Lost in Translation,” “The Prestige,” and “The Avengers” franchise. She began her acting career in the mid-1990s and has since become one of the most successful and highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. Over the years, she has evolved both as an actress and a person, but her beauty and talent remain unchanged.

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28. Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne is an American actress, singer, and model. She began her career as a child actress, appearing in shows such as “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Dirty Sexy Money,” before taking up roles in films and starring in movies such as “Blended” and “The DUFF.” More recently, Thorne has appeared in the Freeform series, “Famous in Love,” and has released music as a solo artist. She has also been active on social media and has been known for her controversial personal life.

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29. Brenda Song

Brenda Song is an American actress and singer. She began her career as a child actress, appearing in various television shows and films such as “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.” Song later transitioned to more mature roles in projects like “Dollface” and “Secret Obsession.” Additionally, she has made guest appearances on popular television shows like “New Girl” and “Scandal.” With her production company, Sweet Potato Productions, Brenda Song has also ventured into movie production.

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30. Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake began his career as a member of the boy band, “NSYNC,” in the late 1990s. The group achieved significant commercial success and helped establish Timberlake as a solo artist. In 2002, he released his debut solo album, “Justified,” which featured a mix of R&B, pop, and funk influences. The album was a commercial success and produced several hit singles, including “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body.”

In the following years, Timberlake released several more successful albums, including “FutureSex/LoveSounds” (2006) and “The 20/20 Experience” (2013), and continued to evolve his musical style. He also established himself as an actor, appearing in several films and television shows.

In recent years, Timberlake has continued to release music and perform live, and has also expanded his career to include other ventures such as fashion and technology.

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31. Madonna

Madonna is a singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman who rose to fame in the 1980s. She has since released many successful albums and singles, and has also acted in films and on stage. She has also been known for her controversial performances and image. As of 2023, Madonna continues to release new music and still goes on tours. She is considered a pop culture icon and has a significant influence on the music industry. If you were to compare two pictures of Madonna taken at separate times in her career, you might not even recognize that you are looking at the same singer.

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32. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is a highly successful and accomplished singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to fame in the 1990s with hit songs such as “Vision of Love” and “Hero.” So far in her career, Carey has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has also won multiple Grammy Awards and other accolades for her work. In recent years, Carey has continued to release music, perform live, and make appearances in film and television. Looking at both pictures, it will be somewhat impossible to know that it is the same singer then and now.

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33. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is an American actor, producer, and musician who first gained fame in the 1980s for his role in the television series “21 Jump Street.” He has since gone on to become one of the most well-known and successful actors in Hollywood, starring in numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as “Edward Scissorhands,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and ” Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” In recent years, Depp has faced personal and legal controversies, including a high-profile lawsuit with his ex-wife, “Amber Heard,” and his dismissal from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

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34. Jake T. Austin

Jake T. Austin is an American actor who first gained fame as the young star of the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place,” which ran from 2007 to 2012. He played the character of Max Russo, the younger brother of the main character played by Selena Gomez. Since then, Austin has appeared in a number of other television shows and films, including “The Fosters,” “Stalker,” and “The Emoji Movie.” In recent years, Austin has also been active in voice acting, lending his voice to characters in animated series such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Lion Guard.”

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35. Zendaya

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known professionally as Zendaya, is an American actress, singer, and producer. She began her career as a child model and backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom, “Shake It Up (2010-2013).” Zendaya has since starred in various films and television shows, including the Disney Channel original movie, “Frenemies (2012),” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, “Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017),” and its sequel, “Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019).” She has also released music as a solo artist and in a duo with Bella Thorne. Zendaya has been praised for her performances and has received several awards and nominations, including an Emmy Award for her role as Rue Bennett on the HBO drama series, “Euphoria (2019-present).”

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36. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer who has been in the industry for over 25 years. He began his career as a child actor in television commercials and later gained recognition for his role in the television series “Growing Pains.” He then transitioned to films, starring in several blockbuster movies such as “Titanic,” “The Departed,” and “Inception.” Over the years, DiCaprio has become known for his versatility and ability to take on diverse roles in both commercial and critically acclaimed films. He has also been recognized for his environmental activism and philanthropy. In 2016, DiCaprio won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “The Revenant.” Looking at both pictures, it is somewhat impossible to say it is the same person.

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37. George Clooney

George Clooney is an American actor, director, and producer who began his acting career in the late 1980s and has since become one of the most recognizable and successful actors in Hollywood. He gained widespread fame for his role as Dr. Doug Ross on the medical drama, ER. George Clooney has since starred in a variety of critically acclaimed films, such as Ocean’s Eleven, up in the Air, and The Descendants. In recent years, Clooney has also focused on directing and producing movies such as “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “The Ides of March,” and “Suburbicon.” He has also been active in humanitarian and political causes, particularly in the Darfur region of Sudan and in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.

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38. Renee Zellweger

Renée Zellweger is an American actress and producer who first gained recognition in the mid-1990s for her roles in films such as “Empire Records” and “Jerry Maguire.” She went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the biographical drama, “Judy” (2019). Over the years, Zellweger has undergone some changes in her appearance, but her acting talent and popularity have remained consistent.

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39. Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne is a British television personality, singer, and actress. She first gained fame as a cast member of the reality TV show, “The Osbournes,” which followed the daily lives of her family. The show, which also featured her father Ozzy Osbourne, ran from 2002 to 2005 and made Kelly a household name.

Since “The Osbournes,” Kelly has appeared on several other reality shows, including “Dancing with the Stars” and “Project Runway: All Stars.” She has also released an album and appeared in a number of films.

In recent years, Kelly has undergone significant physical transformations, losing a significant amount of weight and altering her appearance through plastic surgery. She has been open about her struggles with addiction and her journey to maintain her sobriety.

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40. Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas, a musician and member of the band Jonas Brothers, has undergone several transformations in his career and public image over the years. In the early part of his career, he was known for his boy band image and clean-cut, preppy style. However, as he and his bandmates have grown older, they have developed a more mature, rock-influenced sound and image. Joe has also grown a beard and has a more rugged and edgy look. He has also dabbled into acting and fashion. Moreover, he’s now married to Sophie Turner, an actress.

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41. Kyle Massey

Kyle Massey is an actor and rapper, best known for his role as Cory Baxter on the Disney Channel series, “That’s So Raven,” and its spinoff, “Cory in the House.” He has also appeared in several other television shows and films.

Kyle Massey has undergone a physical transformation in recent years. He has been open about his weight loss journey and has shared his progress on social media. Moreover, he has also talked about the lifestyle changes he made to lose weight, such as changing his diet and incorporating regular exercise into his routine. Some of the weight loss methods he used, such as dieting and exercise, are the commonest and safest ways to lose body weight.

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42. Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill is an actor, writer, and producer who has had a successful career in Hollywood. He began his career as a comedian and writer, working on the sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live. He then transitioned to acting, starring in several comedy films, such as Superbad, Knocked Up, and 21 Jump Street. The actor has since gone on to star in critically acclaimed films such as Moneyball, The Wolf of Wall Street, and War Dogs. In addition to acting, Hill has also written and produced several films, and he continues to be a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

He has undergone a significant physical transformations in recent years. For example, he has lost a significant amount of weight, which he attributed to changes in his diet and exercise routine. He has also spoken publicly about his struggles with body image and decision to prioritize his health and well-being.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discussed several celebrity transformations, highlighting the physical and personal changes that a number of famous individuals have undergone. Through the use of before-and-after photos, it was shown that despite these changes, many of these celebrities have managed to maintain their fame and success, proving that true talent and hard work are timeless.

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