These 50 Old And Recent Celebrity Photos Are Proof That Time Waits For No One (New Pics)
Photographs, in a way, make time travel possible. They’re our portals to the past that instantly take us back to a precise moment preserved forever.
These images also capture a person’s evolution as years pass. Digital creator Ard Gelnick has been doing this for a while, collecting “then and now” pictures of celebrities and pasting them side-by-side.
His Instagram archive consists of stills of A-list actors like Bruce Willis and Heath Ledger and renowned musicians like Lady Gaga and Tracey Chapman.
If you enjoyed our previous pieces covering Gelnick’s photos, you may like this one, too.
This post may include affiliate links.
Maggie Smith
Bruce Willis
Praying for you Bruce!!! I grew up watching you and I am devastated by your condition. God Speed!!
All I care about is how graceful is the way she stands by him. And yea, so hot!
Load More Replies...Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan! Broke my heart, the way Robert Downey Jr. snubbed him at the 2024 Oscars. What an absolute d1ck.
Before-and-after photos like the ones on this list show progress, how ever much of it happened. In 2015, Vox featured a similar gallery that showed the different transformations of landscapes around the world.
These are NASA-captured satellite photos in a series titled “Images of Change.” One picture shows the state of Rondônia in Western Brazil between 1975 and 2009 when vast forest lands were turned into farms and pastures.
Annie Lennox
She looked and sounded amazing singing Under Pressure with David Bowie/Queen I’m practically in tears every time I hear it. Also European fans are so well behaved. If we got that many people together in the USA people would be peeing on each other and jumping off each other’s heads.
Johnny Depp
Daniel Radcliffe
I am not and was never a Harry Potter person, but I love how he grew as an actor after, I love so many of his movies. He’s just really good
I agree, I think he’s just brilliant as Weird Al Yankovik
Load More Replies...I like Daniel a lot in his most recent movies. You can tell that he gives no shits about what kind of movie he takes and he does a lot of fun strange movies nowadays and it's awesome.
His beef with JKR ruined him for me. He has so much to thank her for and he sh!tted all over her over women's rights over non-biological women's rights. Go Jo!!!
she deserved all the 💩 she has received... and more.
Load More Replies...I am a huge Wizarding World fan except I hate Harry Potter. Love the books, hate the character. He is a jerk to his friends and exactly as PROFESSOR Snape describes him- nothing without Dumbledore and more talented friends. He is a show off and bully. Daniel Radcliffe makes me equally hate the character in the movie as well and I have watched the movies so much I don't know if he is that excellent of an actor or if I hate Daniel Radcliffe as well. I think it's the first though because I have enjoyed watching him in other roles.
I just saw A Real Pain at the cinema last night and Kieran Culkin looks just like Daniel Radcliffe these days!
Another photo shows the transformation of Cancún, Mexico, between 1979 and 2009. The before-and-after pictures show the rapid urbanization after the city became a tourist hotspot in the ‘70s.
However, the economic boom from tourism came at a cost, as the expansion and gentrification led to pollution and loss of diversity.
Donald Sutherland
Sean Astin
Need the pic of him in the mesh shirt from 50 First Dates. That cracks me up.
The fact that W***y is censored. f**k me BP, f**k me
Load More Replies...I love him in Stranger Things and think it's so sad that his character died.
Matt Leblanc
Before and after photos may indicate advancement but may also serve as harsh reminders. According to National Eating Disorders Association director Chelsea Kronengold, it may trigger an unhealthy comparison, especially among those with body dysmorphia issues.
“The impact of before and after photos lend to social and body comparisons, which can cause harm to anyone — especially people struggling with body image and eating concerns,” Kronengold told HuffPost.
James Earl Jones
Mark Hamill
Macaulay Culkin
He seems to have found both joy and peace in his life, and I am glad of that
I love him. It saddens me terribly how the world hasn't changed to protect kids from the industry and their own parents. The redemption he has brought into his life by himself is amazing and inspiring to me. And I almost exploded with joy when he appeared in the s**t show that was AHS Double Feature. He is still a great actor and person
However, before-and-after photos aren’t all bad. As entrepreneur and Social Triggers founder Derek Halpern points out, they can also be a way of creating connections with people.
“Showing your prospects where others came from and where they are now helps prove to them, ‘this can work for you, too,’” he stated.
Tracey Chapman
Sinéad O’connor
Poor woman spent her whole live battling severe mental illness, so sad. She was such a talent.
I used to watch her in the Nothing Compares 2U video, and was so struck by her beauty. She got so much c**p for shaving her head. It was almost unheard of in the early nineties. She reportedly did it to hide her beauty, but I thought it only made it more evident.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Yes, her whole look was amazing in that movie.
Load More Replies...Adored her since Grease 2. I dont care ppl hate that movie. Love her. Loved her in I Am Sam withSean Penn and One Fine Day with Clooney!
What about you, dear readers? What do you think about these before and after photos? How much have these celebrities evolved over the years? We’d love to know your thoughts!
Clint Eastwood
I’m laughing at this one because just looking at that grouchy face, you can hear him saying “Get the eff away from me, you baby-faced rentboy 🫏🕳️! 😆 He looks so put-upon and embarrassed, even.
I will upvote your comment, Slothy. He is a serial cheater and domestic abuser. Plus he did that stunt for the GOP....
Load More Replies...George Michael
The best/saddest part was finding out, after he died, how many amazing charitable things he'd quietly done, behind the scenes, whilst insisting he remain anonymous.
I had such a crush on this guy!! Even when he came out-so so hot and such an amazing singer and person. You're missed!!!
Joaquin Phoenix
Good actor but he is completely out of his tree most of the time imho
George Clooney
What was it Tina Fey said at the Oscars? “Now introducing the one person more handsome than the young George Clooney: middle-aged George Clooney.”
Show him on the comedy ER, before he was on Rosanne and the serious ER. I believe Elliott Gould was on that comedy ER.
Alanis Morissette
Who watched You Can't Do That on Television??? Here's an ironic story- I was completely obsessed with her in 4th grade. Used my money to buy her cassette tape. Listened to it over and over- car, walkman, "the reading tree" for books on tape at school. Then, in 5th grade, my mother realizes that it contains the F word. And takes it away. After I have the entire thing memorized and seared into my soul. To this day. Still so worth it. And now I have 3 copies of the CD just in case lol
When I see her, all I can think of is her punching Rachael on the arm on "Friends", lol
Julia Roberts
I have such a hard time reconciling the characters she plays with how mean and entitled she is (was?)
As a curly-haired person, it's so sad that every famous curly-haired woman (Julia, Nicole being prime examples) ends up straightening their hair
Hugh Grant
I respect him for aging naturally. Better to look your age than to look like an alien from plastic surgery.
Load More Replies...Heath Ledger
This just him a little bit younger without his Joker make up, not really a big difference in age
well it's a bit hard getting one much older considering how young he was when he died.
Load More Replies...My favourite spot to mermaid alone was also his favourite spot to hang out (well his spot was on the cliff mine was at the bottom). When I walked up there finally there’s a whole plaque dedicated to him and his love for his favourite spot in Perth - point heathcote reserve 🧡 a man of taste
This is a disturbing photo. He went to far into such a dark character and I really believe it contributed to his death. Wish they showed him with his shaved head, as a family man, because a lot of people don't remember that's still who he was when he died.
This isn't really a comparison, the Joker makeup hides everything. Poor man, he was such a talented actor.
He never got the opportunity to grow old. Don't do d®ugs, kids.
Load More Replies...Maybe don’t do so much heroine with the Olsen twins. Why does everyone make him out to be a god like John Belushi. D***s are bad, mmmkay! There was always one last person…
Pink
Many people also look better richer ;-) I loved her right from the start, still do.
Load More Replies...I've adored her since 7th grade and bought every album. They all seem to coincide directly with my life and emotions at the time and she is one of my all time favorites. Never disappoints.
Diana, Princess Of Wales
Ahhhhh, a real classy woman. She did so much to humanize the royal family. I was actually distantly related. My heart broke when she died.
Kate Middleton
But, having "shopped around" and come to appreciate who she is, he won't make the same mistake(s) his father made.
Load More Replies...Matthew Perry
His memoir was amazing. I read it after his death and that made it so very sad.
I absolutely loved this man. His character on Friends was the absolute best!
Stevie Nicks
I WILL see SN before she retires, even if I have to go to Michigan to see her this year.
Kurt Cobain
It's so hard to look at that little boy and know he's not going to live a full life 😢
Sad life, sweet human. The documentary about his death (the one with bleach in the title) really had me questioning Courtney Love's role and motivation in his death.
If you truly believe that I have a bridge to sell you.
Load More Replies...Dwayne Johnson
Lady Gaga
I've never understood the hate for her. She is beautiful and talented.
I hated her, with a passion around the time she Fame Monster came out. Couldn't stand her music. Lately though I've found a strange appreciation for her. As soon as she stopped doing all the weird stuff for attention she became much more interesting to me.
Watch her stuff with Tony Bennett, it will give you an entirely new appreciation for her. My awakening came when I saw a video of a live thing she did on Howard Stern's radio program. Just wow.
Load More Replies...I think she was pretty good in what I've seen of her acting- A star is born and AHS Hotel.
Load More Replies...Eddie Murphy
Agnetha Fältskog
I was not aware that's where the name came from!
Load More Replies...So beautiful and talented and brave enough to step away from world wide fame for what she wanted(to be a mum to her on) despite all the pressure not to.
She is one of the ABBA singers. Hope you aren't too young to know who ABBA was.
Load More Replies...Sting
There's such a beautiful video of him playing acoustic guitar while Alessandra Ferri dances. In fact, I'm going to go and watch it again now!
Load More Replies...David Beckham
Mr. Al Pacino
Time machine please.. I'd kill to spend one day on that set. Just observing and the natural bad aŕşë feelings that would follow.
Prince
A local TV station came across an interview of Prince as part of a report on a Minneapolis teacher strike back in the 70s. This is a picture from that interview. Prince-678...31cdd3.jpg
I don’t remember Prince EVER looking like the guy in the middle. (I assume it’s sposta be him, right?) That long narrow face doesnt look right. If that photo were taken today, I’d assume he had his buccal fat removed.
Bruce Springsteen
I always thought the lyrics "hey little girl is your daddy home or did he go and leave you all alone? " were creepy.
Load More Replies...Pedro Pascal
Ya I see another person in that younger face. It's the smile or something. Not Cillian but someone. Mostly cuz I can't picture Cillian smiling that big but perhaps that is it.
Load More Replies...Henry Thomas
Watch his ET auditon video. Crazy a kid can act the way he did then.
Ralph Macchio
They just get bigger. So weird. Henry Winkler had the same problem until the last 10 years. Why don’t I suffer from this ailment?
Load More Replies...Kris Kristofferson
Olsen Twins
Everyone here on BP liking their heroine bodies. Hopefully one day they (the Olsen twins) will heal their bodies and minds.
I wanted to look like them so badly as a teen and wanted to be them when I was 7-10. They are the same age as me and I grew up watching full house. Still have ALL the VHS movies and was in the fan club. "Who stole the great hope diamond? What killed the dinosaurs? Who makes the finest pizza? What's in your brother's dresser drawers?" Come on in with the chorus somebody
Lenny Kravitz
Billy Ocean
Loved his singing in Romancing the Stone….or was it Jewel of the Nile?
Maybe it was Jewel of the Nile. I remember Eddie Grant singing Romancing the Stone, wgich I love to this days as well as the movie.
Load More Replies...Roger Federer
John Travolta
I'd like to like Travolta but the whole Scientology thing makes it impossible.
Apparently he has been moving away from Scientology since his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Scientology doesn't believe in chemotherapy and he made sure she underwent treatment.
Load More Replies...I loved him playing Saturday Night Fever Santa Claus in that credit card commercial. Too funny!
I’m glad he decided to finely go bald. No matter the religion I’ve always loved him.
Anthony Michael Hall
He had the ultimate glow up. I didn’t even recognize him in later life. I saw Breakfast Club a million time back in the day and a lot of other 80´s movies with him. Unrecognizable.
Harry Styles
Rafael Nadal
Billy Joel
Lol I almost would've mistaken younger Billy Joel for Sylvester Stallone!
Billy Joel's versatility is insane. He sings catchy pop tunes and deeply moving social commentary. Love this guy!
Janet Jackson
She’s had a LOT of work. Not a criticism, just an observation.
Load More Replies...That’s how I always picture her. The iron episode was so traumatic!
Load More Replies...Like ScootyPuffJr said, you need to watch Good Times. The later episodes have her being taken in by Willona. She was adorable. Oh, just remembered I have the vinyl of Michael Jackson Thriller and Ben! Good possibility I have The Wall. That would be insane! Lots of digging to do in the closet.
Load More Replies...Angelina Jolie
Her nose looks different too. I was trying to work out if it was just the angle of the photo.
Load More Replies...King Willem-Alexander
Lionel Richie
Adele
Not a huge fan ,though I think she is very talented. But she i a kick a**e chic :)
Maybe should have used a pic of her from when she sang Chasing Pavements.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
I've said it before and I'll say it again: black don't crack!
Load More Replies...Sylvester Stallone
Charles Aznavour
Michael Jackson
very damaged child that became an even more damaged and damaging adult.
Shannen Doherty
RIP Shannen. You were such a good human! Plus you hated Alyssa Milano and that is a HUGE bonus!!
Jimmy Fallon
Queen Máxima Of The Netherlands
Peter R. De Vries
Alain Delon
IMHO, he didn't age well at all. Became really strange, almost creepy.
Madonna
Not all bits of her are the same age, unfortunately she still thinks that the world needs to see too much of it.
It's Difficult for women to age in the public eye. I wish she had taken her Madonna Attitude & said F U this is who I am instead of all of the surgery & filters. Still talented though
Talented? She can't hold a tune, even if her life depended on it
Load More Replies...Whether you like or dislike her, she has entertained millions and millions of people over the course of her career. I remember people saying the same thing about Bette Midler in the early 80s.
Load More Replies...The only one who can get away with this much plastic surgery is Dolly Parton. No matter what Dolly looks like on the outside, her inner beauty will always shine much brighter! Madonna was a brand and and used to be a s*x symbol. I don't understand her trying to cling on to that. But whatever makes her happy, really :) I would just assume that her life would have been so fulfilling that she could find peace in living in the present rather than (kinda fail to) hold on to the persona that fit her 30-40-50 years ago.
Lauryn Hill
Some of these I hafta look HARD to see which is the younger one and which is today! Wow!
Dua Lipa
Brit and Grammy winning English/Albanian singer-songwriter.
Load More Replies...Extra spicy marinara sauce for mozzarella sticks.
Load More Replies...Justin Bieber
Poor Justin. He had such an amazing future but was taken advantage of by so many "helpers" along the way. Hope he finds peace as a daddy and husband!
Niall Horan
Jochem Myjer
Taylor Swift
Gerard Ekdom
He’s a Dutch radio DJ, not even one of the bigger celebrities here in the Netherlands. No idea what he’s doing in this list of international stars.
Load More Replies...André Van Duin
Ronald Koeman
Beyonce
Oh PLEEEEEASE Gross, horrible and I'm not talking about her appearance.
Tatum Dagelet
Well, it makes a nice change to show someone who is not from the USA.
Load More Replies...Jim Bakkum
Joost Klein
Nah, he just went to the Andy Warhol School of Better Hair, lol.
Load More Replies...Justin Timberlake
What's the deal there? Was he getting perms then or is he straightening now? One of the great mysteries of life....
Load More Replies...So what? He's got the money to live in luxury and in anonymity for a couple of lifetimes
Load More Replies...Francis Van Broekhuizen
La Fuente & Job Smeltzer
Same person, stage name vs real name. Apparently he's a DJ and music producer.
Load More Replies...Carly Wijs
Tom Cruise
Good thing they didn’t use the latest version of Tom (v7.0 or so) or we wouldn’t believe it. 😕
Bram Krikke
Is the mustache added for this Pic or is he rocking a fake mustache for picture day? This gave me the chuckles.
It says right there it’s Bram Krikke. Again, go to google.com. You’re not expected to know every celebrity across the globe, and it’s not necessary to insult those you don’t recognize every time you see one. It reflects on you and not them.
Load More Replies...Nance Coolen
Post Malone
a photo of Malone before he was Post Malone... so Post Post Malone
Everyone is better off without face and neck tattoos. My husband got a shoulder tattoo after his divorce. He regrets it so much. It is ugly. Gonna cost about $700 to cover it up decently.ive done some stupid stuff in my life while drinking. Getting pregnant nor tattoos were any of them.
Load More Replies...I guess this was made by a Dutch artist since there are so many Dutch people in it. Cool!
Dutch guy here, very confused after reading your comment
Load More Replies...I know it can be annoying when people make the same comment on almost every photo, so I made a supreme effort to refrain from squealing "the little cheeks!" and "the little teefs!" on most of child photos
If only the people commenting "who" on every other post would have had the same insight as you ;) I'm not well-versed in Dutch pop culture, so I appreciate Nina for posting the basics on many of the pics :) I only recognized the football player and only in the younger pic. The Netherlands had so many greats in that era (have since stopped following the sport, so I might be unaware of some current Dutch mega stars :) ).
Load More Replies...I’m American, and I easily recognized absolutely everyone on this list. I also doubt I’m the only one. Seems like more of a generational gap than a geographical one.
Load More Replies...The title of this one should be "Revenge of the Netherlands," 😂. I love seeing celebrities that aren't American or British!
Some of these people have aged so well you can hardly see a difference
Why was this downvoted? There. I fixed it back to zero
Load More Replies...I guess this was made by a Dutch artist since there are so many Dutch people in it. Cool!
Dutch guy here, very confused after reading your comment
Load More Replies...I know it can be annoying when people make the same comment on almost every photo, so I made a supreme effort to refrain from squealing "the little cheeks!" and "the little teefs!" on most of child photos
If only the people commenting "who" on every other post would have had the same insight as you ;) I'm not well-versed in Dutch pop culture, so I appreciate Nina for posting the basics on many of the pics :) I only recognized the football player and only in the younger pic. The Netherlands had so many greats in that era (have since stopped following the sport, so I might be unaware of some current Dutch mega stars :) ).
Load More Replies...I’m American, and I easily recognized absolutely everyone on this list. I also doubt I’m the only one. Seems like more of a generational gap than a geographical one.
Load More Replies...The title of this one should be "Revenge of the Netherlands," 😂. I love seeing celebrities that aren't American or British!
Some of these people have aged so well you can hardly see a difference
Why was this downvoted? There. I fixed it back to zero
Load More Replies...
