Hollywood Icons Back in the Day: You Wouldn’t Recognize Them in These Photos

With her teased short hairstyle and psychedelic paisley top, Goldie Hawn shone in 1968 against the colorful backdrops of the sketch show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.” The role served as a springboard: Just two years later, she won an Oscar for “The Cactus Flower” and rose to become a Hollywood legend. Back then, she was still a whole career away from becoming the well-established actress she is today.

Two years before Luis Buñuel turned her into an international style icon with “Belle de Jour,” Catherine Deneuve strolled unassumingly through the streets of Paris in 1965, her hair pinned up, her outfit simple. Back then, there was no hint of the grande dame of European cinema we know today. The contrast between this young woman and the icon she would later become could hardly be greater.

At just 15 years old, Brooke Shields was already a true star. With “The Blue Lagoon,” she took the big screen by storm and sparked heated debates at the same time. Her natural look and long hair have always been her trademark—but would you have recognized her here?

With tousled hair and a mustache, Kevin Costner trudged through the vast expanses of South Dakota in 1990 for his directorial debut, "Dances with Wolves". Seven Oscars and box office earnings of over $400 million made the Western the surprise hit of the year. Anyone who knows Costner only from his polished Hollywood image would hardly recognize him in this rugged look.

In 1986, Charlie Sheen, wearing a headband, fought his way through the jungle in the Vietnam War drama “Platoon,” which went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture. There was no hint here of the man who, years later, would make headlines for “Two and a Half Men” and his personal escapades. The young soldier on screen laid the foundation for one of Hollywood’s most unpredictable careers.

Curly, reddish-brown hair—who could that be? In 1999, Cameron Diaz deliberately opted for an unglamorous look for Spike Jonze’s cult film "Being John Malkovich". The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination, shortly before she finally rose to A-list stardom. On this day of filming, there was no trace of her later glamorous image as a blonde on the red carpet.

After the disco craze in “Saturday Night Fever,” John Travolta surprised everyone in 1980 with a full beard, wild curls, and a straw hat on the set of “Urban Cowboy.” The rugged look stood in stark contrast to his clean-shaven image from “Grease” and demonstrated his versatility as an actor. Today’s fans, who only know him as the dapper one, would find this photo hard to believe.

Pink bandana, sunglasses, gray sweatpants: In 1988, Brad Pitt was just one of many young men in Los Angeles looking for his big break. It wasn’t until films like “Thelma & Louise” came out a short time later that this unknown face became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after men. Anyone who knows him today as a global superstar will have to look twice to recognize him in this photo.

Short brown hair and a doll-like face—who could that be? It’s actually actress Melanie Griffith. These days, we know her as a blonde with long hair—and looking quite different.

That smile is unmistakable—yet Julia Roberts made an unusual appearance here. Instead of her gorgeous brunette curls, she sported a blonde Marilyn Monroe-style hairstyle. But that looked fantastic on her, too.