Fame comes with a price. It’s a hard row to hoe and it isn’t for the timid or the docile. Hollywood has a way of hardening you: you either shape up or ship out.
These celebs know how to play the game. They’ve been around so long that we take it for granted. That’s why I’ve compiled these 10+ celebrities who looked very different before they got famous.
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Elijah Wood.
Elijah Wood began his acting career at a very young age. What a lot of people don’t realize is that Elijah’s first film was Back to the Future II !
He’s all grown up, now. I wonder if he still has that green hat?
Jake Gyllenhaal.
Jake has been a presence in the industry for over 30 years. He’s come a long way from the buck-toothed, spiky-haired kid from City Slickers .
I’m absolutely loving that dad-outfit by the way. Jake makes it pop.
Jennifer Lopez.
How is it even possible that Jennifer Lopez looks better today than she did more than 20 years ago?
The picture on the left is a shot of Lopez from her days on the set of Selena .
Zac Efron.
This just proves it — Zac Efron was always a babe. Even if he did start out as a shaggy-haired singing star.
I’m a big fan of the shorter hair and the beard, what do you guys think?
Daniel Radcliffe.
Aside from the specs, Daniel is hardly recognizable as Harry Potter . His long hair and beard are a painful reminder of just how old I’ve gotten over the years.
At least we’ll always have Hogwarts, won’t we Daniel?
Tom Hardy.
Holy smokes! Be honest, would you have been able to tell that the image on the left is Tom Hardy? I couldn’t.
I actually had to go and check the credits from Star Trek: Nemesis just to be sure.
Saoirse Ronan.
Saoirse had barely turned 13 when she began filming Atonement . Since then, she’s gone on to become one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood.
She’s already racked up four Oscar nominations for Best Actress and she isn’t even 30.
Leonardo DiCaprio
What’s that old saying, again? Some are born great, while others have greatness thrust upon them?
Well, I think it’s safe to say that Leo was born great. His performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape launched him straight to the Hollywood A-List.
Matt LeBlanc.
Long before Friends , Matt starred in a show called Vinnie and Bobby . It was a spin-off of the popular show Top of the Heap , which itself also happened to be a spin-off of Married…With Children .
Thank goodness it tanked, otherwise the world might never have known Joey Tribiani.
Jennifer Aniston.
Jennifer has always been beautiful. But that 1980s hairdo has most definitely not aged well.
Before her breakout role as Rachel Green in Friends , Jen starred in the cult classic horror film Leprachaun .
It is not a good movie, but Jen is great in it!
Christian Bale.
In my opinion, Christian Bale is the best method actor of the generation. You could spot it from the very moment he walked on screen in Empire of the Sun .
Seeing his body transformation in Vice is staggering.
Ariana Grande.
From the time Ariana was a tween, it was easy to see that she was destined for greatness.
I’m glad to see that she’s since ditched the red hair. It’s very 2002 if I do say so myself.
Drew Barrymore.
Look at that adorable little girl! It’s wild to think that this was right around the time that Drew’s issues with substance abuse began rising to the surface.
These days, she’s looking as radiant as ever and is clean and sober.
Candace Cameron.
I used to have the biggest crush on DJ Tanner. She was always beautiful but ever since making her triumphant return to Fuller House , she’s in a league all her own.
I wish they’d cast me as Jackson’s best friend, instead of that dope with the hat. Just kidding! Except I’m not…
Johnny Depp.
What you are seeing is a side-by-side shot of Johnny before and after filming A Nightmare On Elm Street wrapped.
Not many people realize that Johnny is a staple of the horror genre. He’s arguably Freddy’s best and most violent kill.
