A lot can change in 20 year s. That statement bodes double when you’re a leading man in Hollywood. Career longevity is promised to no one, yet somehow there are those few who always manage to rise to the occasion.
I thought I’d make this list as a way of celebrating just how far these incredible actors have come. Have a look and check out these 10+ pics of male celebs from 20 years ago to now, showing how much they’ve changed.
RELATED STORIES
Cole Sprouse.
Cole and his twin brother Dylan stole our hearts in the Adam Sandler comedy Big Daddy .
These days, Cole is all grown up! You can see him starring as Jughead in the Netflix series Riverdale . He’s also an aspiring photographer.
Richard Madden.
I kid you not, that little boy on the left is none other than the Young Wolf, Robb Stark! Richard was roughly 10 years old when his career began.
Most recently, Richard Madden starred opposite Taron Egerton in the fabulously fantastic Elton John biopic, Rocketman .
Chad Michael Murray.
Whatever happened to Chad Michael Murray? He was the very definition of a teen heartthrob in the ’90s and has all but vanished over the past decade.
If you’re a fan of cheesy holiday movies (like me), you can see his work featured prominently on the Hallmark Channel .
James Franco.
Bring back Freaks and Geeks ! Seriously, this show was just too darn good to properly put into words.
I’ve been obsessed with James Franco for the bulk of his career. I have to admit, I’m a fan of the mustache, too.
Chris Pratt.
This is a little embarrassing to say but I actually really liked Everwood . I think I’m one of a handful of people who can say that with a straight face.
In the past 20 years, Chris has gone from being a bro-y surfer to a dashing leading man.
Bill Skarsgård.
I have always been a fan of Bill Skarsgård. His entire family is fantastic but Bill has an x-factor that sets him apart from his father and older brother.
Also, I can’t recommend The Devil All The Time enough.
Jason Mamoa.
Isn’t it somewhat ironic that 20 years ago, Jason Mamoa was dipping his toes into the Baywatch waters, and today he’s literally the King of the Oceans?
I wonder what the DCEU has in store for Jason next?
Ashton Kutcher.
Ashton met his future wife, Mila Kunis, while on the set of That 70’s Show . Since that time, Ashton has carved out a name for himself as one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.
He’s also a very well-respected businessman and entrepreneur.
Charlie Hunnam.
Look at that face! I’d all but forgotten that Charlie Hunnam was even on Queer as Folk . Oh, how the time does fly.
Have you seen Charlie in the latest Guy Ritchie film, The Gentlemen ? What did you think?
Jake Gyllenhaal.
I love Jake Gyllenhaal. The first time I saw Donnie Darko , my mind became open to entirely new perspectives and possibilities — in life and in film.
Jake’s still chasing that elusive Oscar , and if I were a betting man, I’d say it’s within his grasp.
James McAvoy.
My goodness, there isn’t a whisker to be found on the young baby face of James McAvoy!
He, along with Michael Fassbender, helped breathe renewed life into the stale X-Men franchise. For that, I am and always will be eternally grateful.
Daniel Radcliffe.
Daniel Radcliffe has come a long way since the days spent wandering the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I’m definitely a fan of the beard and the new hairdo. That bowl-cut wasn’t helping anyone.
Justin Timberlake.
Do you think Justin Timberlake used to perm his hair or is it naturally that curly? I’m inclined to believe the latter but I really hope it’s the former.
In 20 years, JT rose from boyband status to becoming one of the most respected producers in the music industry.
Karl Urban.
Keep your eyes on Karl Urban! His time in the sun is only just beginning. Just two short decades ago, Karl was a relative nobody.
Now, he’s the star of one of the most popular TV shows there is!
Henry Cavill.
This blew my mind because I’ve probably seen The Count of Monte Cristo at least half a dozen times; I never realized that Henry was Albert Mondego!
He would have just turned 17 at the time this movie was made.
Viggo Mortensen.
I can’t believe it’s been more than 20 years since Viggo first picked up Aragorn’s sword. That makes me feel ancient if I’m being honest.
Do you think Viggo has kept up with his sword skills over the years? I wonder…
Russell Crowe.
The first time I heard Russell Crowe give his “I am Maximus” speech from Gladiator , it gave me chills. To this day, it’s one of my all-time favorite movie scenes.
Seeing him with a full beard and long hair had me stunned.
Mark Ruffalo.
Wow, is it just me or is anyone else getting serious John Mayer vibes from young Mark Ruffalo? I can’t believe I never noticed it before!
Thank goodness Mark left his zoot suit days in the past.
Josh Brolin.
This isn’t a popular opinion but boy is Hollow Man an underrated horror movie. It’s a refreshing take on the classic “invisible man” trope, done to perfection.
I had all but forgotten that Josh Brolin was even in the film!
Joaquin Phoenix.
Look at how fresh-faced young Joaquin looks! I know it isn’t really fair to compare images, considering Joaquin had to lose over 50 lbs for his role in Joker , but boy does he look gaunt.
Joaquin is great in everything he does, but I love it when he plays the villain!
Robert Downey Jr.
Did you forget that Robert Downey Jr. made a few cameo appearances on Ally McBeal back in the day? I know I sure did.
Of all the incredible Hollywood comeback stories out there, his is without a doubt the most enticing.
Johnny Depp.
Don’t be alarmed, Johnny doesn’t look like this all the time. The image on the right was taken while he was playing the role of Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
I’d all but repressed the memory of him starring in Chocolat .
Kevin Bacon.
There’s something about Kevin Bacon. He has a kind of slippery, mysterious air about him that lends perfectly to playing the foil or villain.
These days, Kevin is still a prominent force in film and television. He’s also a touring musician .
Ethan Hawke.
If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, you absolutely must watch Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of the Prince of Denmark in Hamlet . It is far and away one of the greatest modern adaptations of the play I’ve ever seen.
The “To Be Or Not To Be” soliloquy inside Blockbuster is priceless.
George Clooney.
Is it even possible to look at George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and not begin to sing “Man Of Constant Sorrow”? If it is, I don’t want to know.
You better believe that Midnight Sky is high atop my “To Watch” pile as well.
Tom Hanks.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the greatness that is Tom Hanks? If I didn’t know any better I’d never believe that these two photos were taken 20 years apart.
Tom simply doesn’t age like a normal human being.
Leonardo DiCaprio.
When I recall Danny Boyle’s The Beach , it feels as if it only released yesterday. But seeing this photo of Leonardo DiCaprio as a fresh-faced star in his 20s gave me pause.
I wonder how much I’ve changed in the last 20 years…
Robert De Niro.
I have to say that I think it’s hilarious that De Niro is making pretty much the identical face in both of these images.
De Niro does it all: comedy, drama, and everything in between. He is a true living legend.
Martin Sheen.
Am I wrong in thinking that Martin Sheen looks better now than he did 20 years ago? It’s the grey that does it for me.
Sorry, Marty, but that brown hair dye from your days on The West Wing wasn’t fooling anyone.
Ben Affleck.
Ben Affleck gets a lot of heat and I’ve never really understood why. He’s a phenomenal actor with hardly a single blip on his resume.
Except of course for Gigli . Sorry, Ben, but we’re never going to let you forget about that one.
Mickey Rourke.
There was a time when Mickey Rourke was considered to be the next Marlon Brando. But after a slew of scandals and a short-lived boxing career, Mickey’s star power began to diminish at a rapid pace.
These days, he’s focusing on his first love: fighting.
