One thing I’ve grown to appreciate over the years is the value of a photograph . It’s almost as if holding that physical memory in your hand can transport you back to that very moment in time.
Photos can also help you to realize how much you’ve grown and changed over the years. With that in mind, have a look and check out these 10+ celebrities who looked very different 20 years ago.
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Adam Sandler.
I grew up on Adam Sandler. Films like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison were my first introduction to comedy.
It warms my heart to know that 20 years after the release of Big Daddy , the Sandman is still going strong!
Brad Pitt.
I don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion, but as far as I’m concerned, Brad Pitt’s finest role was playing fast-talking Mickey O’Neil in Snatch .
No disrespect intended to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , but it doesn’t even compare.
Jim Carrey.
As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one man who could ever rival Robin Williams for the greatest comic of the generation, and that’s Jim Carrey.
Which do you prefer: short-haired Jim or the long hair/don’t care look?
Salma Hayek.
Salma Hayek is easily one of the most incredible actresses on the planet. What’s interesting to note is that she also seems to be aging in reverse.
I’m also loving the long hair that she’s been rocking these past years.
Jennifer Aniston.
If Jen’s fashion sense looks a little dated in the picture on the left, that’s because it’s a snap from her film Rock Star .
Over the past 20 years, Jen has gone from a TV mainstay to a true Hollywood leading lady.
Tom Hanks.
I’m just so glad that Tom got off the island in the end. I don’t know what the world would have done without him had the events of Cast Away taken a darker turn.
These days, Tom is one of the undisputed silver foxes of Tinsel Town.
Angelina Jolie.
Once again, I know that this is another unpopular opinion. But I was always a fan of Angelina with her blonde dreads.
I used to have the biggest crush on her after watching Gone in 60 Seconds — am I alone?
Russell Crowe.
Russell Crowe is one of a handful of actors to be nominated three consecutive years for”Best Actor.” He absolutely stole the show as General Maximus Meridius in Gladiator .
You can catch Russell in the 2020 thriller, Unhinged .
Denzel Washington.
When Denzel starred as Rubin Carter in The Hurricane , he was in the best shape of his life.
He could have given Christian Bale a run for his money as far as body transformations are concerned.
Reese Witherspoon.
I had completely forgotten that Reese Witherspoon made an appearance in American Psycho . I guess that movie was so scarring to my psyche that I’d blacked it out.
I much prefer watching Reese in Little Fires Everywhere , don’t you agree?
Tom Cruise.
Did you know that the first Mission: Impossible film came out in 1996? That means that Tom Cruise has been portraying Ethan Hunt for nearly 30 years!
How many moving trains do you think he’s jumped off in his life if you had to wager a guess?
Leonardo DiCaprio.
I was probably a little too young to have seen The Beach when I did. I wasn’t able to properly understand what was really going on.
Tracking Leo’s career over the past couple of decades has been a privilege and a pleasure.
Halle Berry.
I miss short-haired Halle. Bring back the fluorescent outfits and the giant hoop earrings to boot — it doesn’t matter.
Halle is and always has been one of the most talented, beautiful, and all-around breathtaking actresses to ever step in front of a camera.
Cameron Diaz.
What does happiness mean to you? Cameron’s cryptic words from Vanilla Sky are never far from my mind.
I’m a huge fan of her long locks these days, and I hope her inevitable return to the big screen isn’t too far away.
Mel Gibson.
Mel was in his cinematic prime 20 years ago, one of the most sought-after directors and actors of his time.
If you’re feeling festive, keep an eye out for his latest film, Fat Man , wherein Mel plays Santa!
Keanu Reeves.
It’s been 20 years since Keanu terrified us in The Watcher . Not only does he still have his incredibly long locks, but there isn’t a single gray to be found!
Which makes me jealous. Considering I’m younger, balder, and grayer.
George Clooney.
George has been a silver fox for pretty much his entire career. But I was slightly taken aback to see him rocking such a full and thick beard.
I don’t hate it, it just takes some getting used to.
Robert De Niro.
Is there anything on this earth that Robert De Niro can’t do? I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed such a versatile actor in my entire movie-obsessed life.
Here’s hoping we get one more Meet the Parents sequel.
Al Pacino.
I always loved watching Pacino in Any Given Sunday . If you’re looking for a film that highlights the uglier, lesser-known side of football, there’s hardly a better film.
The Irishman , on the other hand, was a flop in my opinion.
Vince Vaughn.
I had all but forgotten that Vince Vaughn appeared in The Cell . Did you ever see that movie? It’s arguably one of J-Lo’s best.
Is my sarcasm coming through? I have a hard time telling, sometimes. Just to be certain: Don’t see The Cell .
Nicolas Cage.
I’ve always been a fan of Nic Cage with a beard, it just suits him in my opinion.
Twenty years is an awfully long time but Nic has remained (for the most part) the same eccentric oddball as he always has been.
Carrie-Anne Moss.
I love Carrie-Ann Moss but I was never a fan of her Trinity-style haircut from her days on the set of The Matrix .
I wonder if she’ll bring it back for her upcoming appearance in The Matrix 4 ?
Maggie Smith.
Professor Dumbledore gets all the glory, but true Potterheads know that the real hero of Hogwarts is Minerva McGonagall.
Not many could simultaneously pull off a Sunday chapeau and a witch’s hat, but then again, there aren’t many like Maggie Smith.
Emma Watson.
Speaking of Hogwarts alumni, Emma Watson has done a lot of growing up over the past two decades. When we first met her, she was still just a child.
Now, she’s one of the most prolific and sought-after actresses on the red carpet.
Dakota Fanning.
I have always had a bit of a soft spot when it came to Dakota Fanning. Sure, she was an adorable kid, but it was her acting ability that blew me away.
Her work in I Am Sam will leave you in tears.
Josh Peck.
Some of us grow up and some of us glow-up. In the case of Josh peck, he’s clearly the latter.
If it weren’t for his smile I’d never be able to tell that this was the same kid from The Amanda Show .
Nolan Gould.
The majority of us (those who are fans of Modern Family ) have watched Nolan Gould grow up in front of our eyes.
I never really noticed how much he’d changed since it was so gradual, but when you put these images side by side — it’s staggering.
Jaden Smith.
OK, so I’m slightly cheating with this next one because The Pursuit of Happyness came out in ’06. But I think it should still suffice.
How cool is it that Jaden’s acting debut was starring alongside his father?
Rupert Grint.
I promise that this is the last time I am going to mention anything about Hogwarts or Harry Potter .
Instead, let’s focus on Servant , shall we? It’s a fantastic show, easily one of my favorites in the past few years. If you’re a fan of dark, psychological dramas — you’ll love this.
Freddie Highmore.
Freddie Highmore was one cute kid. How could your heart not melt by just looking into his misty, tear-filled eyes?
I’ve yet to see him in The Good Doctor but it’s on my list as we head into the holidays.
Shia LaBeouf
I’m going to make a bold prediction right here and now. Shia LaBeouf will have won an Academy Award for acting by the year 2030.
I can’t believe that both Peanut Butter Falcon and Honey Boy (especially Honey Boy ) were overlooked this past year.
