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It's quite rare to see a wannabe actor starting their career with a big feature film role. With their first jobs in modeling, commercials, and small roles in TV series, most world-renowned actors had a long way to go until they became successful. We here at Bored Panda decided to take a trip down memory lane to see where world-renowned actors started their careers. We compared the actors' first movie role to their latest role to see not only how much they've changed through the years but also how far they've gone in their careers.

#1

Jason Momoa: Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003) - Aquaman (2018)

Jason Momoa: Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003) - Aquaman (2018)

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#2

Alan Rickman: Die Hard (1988) — Eye In The Sky (2015)

Alan Rickman: Die Hard (1988) — Eye In The Sky (2015)

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#3

Robert Downey Jr.: Pound (1970) — Dolittle (2020)

Robert Downey Jr.: Pound (1970) — Dolittle (2020)

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#4

Robin Williams: Can I Do It 'Till I Need Glasses? (1977) — Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (2014)

Robin Williams: Can I Do It 'Till I Need Glasses? (1977) — Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (2014)

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#5

Meryl Streep: Julia (1977) — Little Women (2019)

Meryl Streep: Julia (1977) — Little Women (2019)

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Amy Frank
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A beautiful actress, love Bridges of Madison, Kramer vs Kramer, death becomes her, Hope springs, Devil wears prada to mention a few

anny chua92
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very beautiful & graceful lady! I'm always captivated by the beauty of young Meryl!

Jaybird3939
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this is comparing what they looked like at the beginning of their career and now, some of these pictures, including this one, aren't really accurate. Make-up and prosthetics were used on several of these to make the person look older. Meryl Streep, especially, had those used on her in her Little Women, and I know several others listed did as well.

Carolyn Rutherford
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I first saw her in the TV series "Holocaust". I knew she was going to be a star.

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#6

Keanu Reeves: Youngblood (1986) — Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Keanu Reeves: Youngblood (1986) — Always Be My Maybe (2019)

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#7

Tom Hanks: A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019) — He Knows You're Alone (1980)

Tom Hanks: A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019) — He Knows You're Alone (1980)

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#8

Carrie Fisher: Shampoo (1975) - Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Carrie Fisher: Shampoo (1975) - Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

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#9

Rene Russo: Major League (1989) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Rene Russo: Major League (1989) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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#10

Jamie Lee Curtis: Halloween (1978) — Knives Out (2019)

Jamie Lee Curtis: Halloween (1978) — Knives Out (2019)

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#11

Liam Neeson: Pilgrim's Progress (1978) — Ordinary Love (2019)

Liam Neeson: Pilgrim's Progress (1978) — Ordinary Love (2019)

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#12

Leonardo Dicaprio: Critters 3 (1991) — Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood (2019)

Leonardo Dicaprio: Critters 3 (1991) — Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood (2019)

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#13

Harrison Ford: A Time For Killing (1967) — Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Harrison Ford: A Time For Killing (1967) — Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

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Bonny Saxon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks good for being as old as Methuselah. I still love him though!

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#14

Clint Eastwood: Francis In The Navy (1955) — The Mule (2018)

Clint Eastwood: Francis In The Navy (1955) — The Mule (2018)

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#15

Anthony Hopkins: The Lion In Winter (1968) — Now Is Everything (2019)

Anthony Hopkins: The Lion In Winter (1968) — Now Is Everything (2019)

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#16

Natalie Portman: Léon: The Professional (1994) — Lucy In The Sky (2019)

Natalie Portman: Léon: The Professional (1994) — Lucy In The Sky (2019)

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#17

Ryan Reynolds: Ordinary Magic(1993) - Free Guy (2020)

Ryan Reynolds: Ordinary Magic(1993) - Free Guy (2020)

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Stephanie Chapman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watch the trailer for "Ordinary Magic". He plays a white boy who has been raised in India and has an Indian accent. It looks like a sincere and sweet movie, but feels so weird seeing that accent on him.

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#18

Gillian Anderson: Class Of '96 (1993) - Sex Education (2020)

Gillian Anderson: Class Of '96 (1993) - Sex Education (2020)

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#19

Daniel Radcliffe: The Tailor Of Panama (2001) - Guns Akimbo (2019)

Daniel Radcliffe: The Tailor Of Panama (2001) - Guns Akimbo (2019)

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#20

Will Smith: Where The Day Takes You (1992) — Bad Boys For Life (2020)

Will Smith: Where The Day Takes You (1992) — Bad Boys For Life (2020)

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#21

Johnny Depp: A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) — Waiting For The Barbarians (2019)

Johnny Depp: A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) — Waiting For The Barbarians (2019)

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#22

Scarlett Johansson: North (1994)-Jojo Rabbit(2019)

Scarlett Johansson: North (1994)-Jojo Rabbit(2019)

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#23

Kate Winslet: Heavenly Creatures (1994) — Wonder Wheel (2017)

Kate Winslet: Heavenly Creatures (1994) — Wonder Wheel (2017)

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#24

Robert De Niro: Three Rooms In Manhattan (1965) — The Irishman (2019)

Robert De Niro: Three Rooms In Manhattan (1965) — The Irishman (2019)

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Rissie
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's funny, because in the Irishman his face is adjusted by cgi to look younger :)

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#25

Hugh Jackman: Paperback Hero (1999) — Bad Education (2019)

Hugh Jackman: Paperback Hero (1999) — Bad Education (2019)

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Luna Rose
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This wasn't even his first role at all. He was in a tv shows in 94-96 and Erskineville Kings was released before this movie.

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#26

Milla Jovovich: Two Moon Junction (1988) — The Rookies (2019)

Milla Jovovich: Two Moon Junction (1988) — The Rookies (2019)

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#27

Kathy Bates: Taking Off (1971) — Richard Jewell (2019)

Kathy Bates: Taking Off (1971) — Richard Jewell (2019)

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#28

Matthew Mcconaughey: Dazed And Confused (1993) — The Gentlemen (2020)

Matthew Mcconaughey: Dazed And Confused (1993) — The Gentlemen (2020)

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#29

Dustin Hoffman: The Tiger Makes Out (1967) — Into The Labyrinth (2019)

Dustin Hoffman: The Tiger Makes Out (1967) — Into The Labyrinth (2019)

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#30

Nicole Kidman: Bush Christmas (1983) — Bombshell (2019)

Nicole Kidman: Bush Christmas (1983) — Bombshell (2019)

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#31

Geena Davis: Tootsie (1982) — Marjorie Prime (2017)

Geena Davis: Tootsie (1982) — Marjorie Prime (2017)

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#32

Denzel Washington: Carbon Copy (1981) — The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Denzel Washington: Carbon Copy (1981) — The Equalizer 2 (2018)

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#33

Helen Mirren: Herostratus (1967) — The Good Liar (2019)

Helen Mirren: Herostratus (1967) — The Good Liar (2019)

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#34

Christopher Walken: Me And My Brother (1969) — The Jesus Rolls (2019)

Christopher Walken: Me And My Brother (1969) — The Jesus Rolls (2019)

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Dawn K
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First saw him in The Deer Hunter when it first came out. Fell in lust with him. :-)

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#35

Samuel L. Jackson: Together For Days (1973) — Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Samuel L. Jackson: Together For Days (1973) — Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

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#36

Dwayne Johnson: The Mummy Returns (2001) — Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Dwayne Johnson: The Mummy Returns (2001) — Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

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#37

Christian Bale: Mio, Mano Mio (1987) — Ford V Ferrari (2019)

Christian Bale: Mio, Mano Mio (1987) — Ford V Ferrari (2019)

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sorlag110
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That movie, Mio in the land of Faraway, is the weirdest production ever. It's a Soviet-Swedish-Norwegian film, starring both Christian Bale and fricking Christopher Lee (Saruman). The soundtrack was made by ABBA members and is basically an ABBA song. And get this: They recorded in Ukraine near Chernobyl when the incident happened and had to relocate! Christopher Lee apperently hated the time he spent with the production. "The food was uneatable and sanitation unspeakable" and he's not known to be a diva so you know it must have been bad 😂

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#38

Angelina Jolie: Lookin' To Get Out (1982) — Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2019)

Angelina Jolie: Lookin' To Get Out (1982) — Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2019)

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#39

Anne Hathaway: The Princess Diaries (2001) - Dark Waters (2019)

Anne Hathaway: The Princess Diaries (2001) - Dark Waters (2019)

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#40

Anjelica Huston: A Walk With Love And Death (1969) - Waiting For Anya (2020)

Anjelica Huston: A Walk With Love And Death (1969) - Waiting For Anya (2020)

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#41

Jessica Lange: King Kong (1976) — Wild Oats (2016)

Jessica Lange: King Kong (1976) — Wild Oats (2016)

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#42

Tom Hiddleston: The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Tom Hiddleston: The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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#43

Jack Nicholson: The Cry Baby Killer (1958) — How Do You Know (2010)

Jack Nicholson: The Cry Baby Killer (1958) — How Do You Know (2010)

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#44

Cate Blanchett: Police Rescue(1994) — Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

Cate Blanchett: Police Rescue(1994) — Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

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#45

Liv Tyler: Silent Fall (1994) — Ad Astra (2019)

Liv Tyler: Silent Fall (1994) — Ad Astra (2019)

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#46

Jodie Foster: Napoleon And Samantha (1972) — Hotel Artemis (2018)

Jodie Foster: Napoleon And Samantha (1972) — Hotel Artemis (2018)

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#47

Bill Murray: Meatballs (1979) — Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

Bill Murray: Meatballs (1979) — Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the pics chosen for this post!! Not only does it demonstrate Bill's physical beauty but also his comic beauty!!

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#48

Benedict Cumberbatch: Fields Of Gold (2002) - 1917 (2019)

Benedict Cumberbatch: Fields Of Gold (2002) - 1917 (2019)

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Ren Duvall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Couldn't they have got a photo for the left side that wasn't terribly blurry?

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#49

Joaquin Phoenix: Spacecamp (1986) — Joker (2019)

Joaquin Phoenix: Spacecamp (1986) — Joker (2019)

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#50

Jake Gyllenhaal: City Slickers (1991) - Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Jake Gyllenhaal: City Slickers (1991) - Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

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#51

Jim Carrey: Rubberface (1981) — Dark Crimes (2016)

Jim Carrey: Rubberface (1981) — Dark Crimes (2016)

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#52

Uma Thurman: Kiss Daddy Goodnight (1987) — Down A Dark Hall (2018)

Uma Thurman: Kiss Daddy Goodnight (1987) — Down A Dark Hall (2018)

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#53

Jennifer Connelly: Once Upon A Time In America (1984)- Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Jennifer Connelly: Once Upon A Time In America (1984)- Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

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#54

Matt Damon: Mystic Pizza (1988)-Jay And Silent Bob Reboot (2019)

Matt Damon: Mystic Pizza (1988)-Jay And Silent Bob Reboot (2019)

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#55

Macaulay Culkin: Rocket Gibraltar (1988) — Changeland (2019)

Macaulay Culkin: Rocket Gibraltar (1988) — Changeland (2019)

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#56

Chris Hemsworth: Star Trek (2009) - Men In Black: International (2019)

Chris Hemsworth: Star Trek (2009) - Men In Black: International (2019)

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#57

Martin Freeman: The Low Down (2000) - Ode To Joy (2019)

Martin Freeman: The Low Down (2000) - Ode To Joy (2019)

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#58

Jennifer Aniston: Camp Cucamonga (1990) - Murder Mystery (2019)

Jennifer Aniston: Camp Cucamonga (1990) - Murder Mystery (2019)

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#59

Brad Pitt: The Dark Side Of The Sun (1988) — Ad Astra (2019)

Brad Pitt: The Dark Side Of The Sun (1988) — Ad Astra (2019)

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#60

Ryan Gosling: Frankenstein And Me (1996) — First Man (2018)

Ryan Gosling: Frankenstein And Me (1996) — First Man (2018)

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#61

Charlize Theron: Children Of The Corn III (1995) — Bombshell (2019)

Charlize Theron: Children Of The Corn III (1995) — Bombshell (2019)

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#62

Lisa Kudrow: Married To The Mob (1989)-Booksmart (2019)

Lisa Kudrow: Married To The Mob (1989)-Booksmart (2019)

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#63

Monica Bellucci: Vita Coi Figli (1990)- Spider In The Web (2019)

Monica Bellucci: Vita Coi Figli (1990)- Spider In The Web (2019)

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#64

Edward Norton: Primal Fear (1996)-Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Edward Norton: Primal Fear (1996)-Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

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#65

Russell Crowe: Prisoners Of The Sun (1990) — True History Of The Kelly Gang (2019)

Russell Crowe: Prisoners Of The Sun (1990) — True History Of The Kelly Gang (2019)

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#66

Ben Kingsley: Fear Is The Key (1972) — Spider In The Web (2019)

Ben Kingsley: Fear Is The Key (1972) — Spider In The Web (2019)

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#67

Sandra Oh: Double Happiness (1994) — Meditation Park (2017)

Sandra Oh: Double Happiness (1994) — Meditation Park (2017)

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#68

Zoe Saldana: Center Stage (2000) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Zoe Saldana: Center Stage (2000) — Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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#69

Penélope Cruz: Jamón, Jamón (1992) — Wasp Network (2019)

Penélope Cruz: Jamón, Jamón (1992) — Wasp Network (2019)

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#70

Christoph Waltz: Tristan And Isolde (1981) — Georgetown (2019)

Christoph Waltz: Tristan And Isolde (1981) — Georgetown (2019)

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Laura Roberts
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, Tristan and Isolde. Myths and legends are so very complicated. I took a lot of Latin so I was intrigued by the story and its inspiration of many others to follow it. Affairs are hard for me to stomach though.

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#71

Tom Holland: The Impossible (2012) — Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Tom Holland: The Impossible (2012) — Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

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#72

Salma Hayek: Mi Vida Loca (1993) — Like A Boss (2020)

Salma Hayek: Mi Vida Loca (1993) — Like A Boss (2020)

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#73

Daniel Day-Lewis: The Bounty (1984) — Phantom Thread (2017)

Daniel Day-Lewis: The Bounty (1984) — Phantom Thread (2017)

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Susanne Carvin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was in Gandhi - 1982 small role but well done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8mfOyCySKg

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#74

Adam Sandler: Going Overboard (1989) — Uncut Gems (2019)

Adam Sandler: Going Overboard (1989) — Uncut Gems (2019)

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#75

Mel Gibson: Summer City (1977) — The Professor And The Madman (2019)

Mel Gibson: Summer City (1977) — The Professor And The Madman (2019)

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#76

Elizabeth Hurley: Rowing With The Wind (1988) — An Elephant's Journey (2017)

Elizabeth Hurley: Rowing With The Wind (1988) — An Elephant's Journey (2017)

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Laura Roberts
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish they’d allow softer (less made up) faces in roles. Can still portray strength without heavily lined up eyes and bold shadows. I adore the left photo of her. Natural brows need to come back too. Healthy skin should be the goal, not “perfect/ideal.”

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#77

Patricia Clarkson: The Untouchables (1987) — Sell By (2019)

Patricia Clarkson: The Untouchables (1987) — Sell By (2019)

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#78

Keira Knightley: Innocent Lies (1995) — The Aftermath (2019)

Keira Knightley: Innocent Lies (1995) — The Aftermath (2019)

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#79

Mila Kunis: Make A Wish, Molly (1995) - Breaking News In Yuba County (2020)

Mila Kunis: Make A Wish, Molly (1995) - Breaking News In Yuba County (2020)

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#80

Regina Tylor: Clockers (1995) - The Good Fight (2017)

Regina Tylor: Clockers (1995) - The Good Fight (2017)

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#81

Al Pacino: Me, Natalie (1969) — The Irishman (2019)

Al Pacino: Me, Natalie (1969) — The Irishman (2019)

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#82

Naomi Watts: Flirting (1991) — Luce (2019)

Naomi Watts: Flirting (1991) — Luce (2019)

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#83

Renée Zellweger: Reality Bites (1994) — Judy (2019)

Renée Zellweger: Reality Bites (1994) — Judy (2019)

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#84

Ashley Judd: Kuffs (1992) - A Dog's Way Home (2019)

Ashley Judd: Kuffs (1992) - A Dog's Way Home (2019)

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#85

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Troll (1986) — Stars In Shorts: No Ordinary Love (2016)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Troll (1986) — Stars In Shorts: No Ordinary Love (2016)

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#86

Demi Moore: Choices (1981) — Corporate Animals (2019)

Demi Moore: Choices (1981) — Corporate Animals (2019)

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BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When she was one of the Brat Pack. They all became popular actors.

#87

Jim Belushi: Thief (1981) — Wonder Wheel (2017)

Jim Belushi: Thief (1981) — Wonder Wheel (2017)

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BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the recent pic, you can see a lot of resemblance to his late brother.

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#88

Jared Leto: Cool And The Crazy (1994) — The Outsider (2018)

Jared Leto: Cool And The Crazy (1994) — The Outsider (2018)

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#89

Margot Robbie: Vigilante (2008) - Birds Of Prey: And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn ( 2020)

Margot Robbie: Vigilante (2008) - Birds Of Prey: And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn ( 2020)

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#90

Tom Cruise: Endless Love (1981)-Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Tom Cruise: Endless Love (1981)-Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

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#91

Kevin Spacey: Heartburn (1986) — Billionaire Boys Club (2018)

Kevin Spacey: Heartburn (1986) — Billionaire Boys Club (2018)

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#92

Michelle Williams: Lassie (1994) — After The Wedding (2019)

Michelle Williams: Lassie (1994) — After The Wedding (2019)

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rai mei
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know she was in Lassie! Probably because I was too young to remember the actors.

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#93

Elisabeth Moss: Lucky Chances (1990) - The Handmaid's Tale (2019)

Elisabeth Moss: Lucky Chances (1990) - The Handmaid's Tale (2019)

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#94

Edward Norton: Primal Fear (1996) - Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Edward Norton: Primal Fear (1996) - Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

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#95

Marion Cotillard: L'histoire Du Garçon Qui Voulait Qu'on L'embrasse (1994) - Little White Lies 2 (2019)

Marion Cotillard: L'histoire Du Garçon Qui Voulait Qu'on L'embrasse (1994) - Little White Lies 2 (2019)

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#96

Gwyneth Paltrow: High )1989)- A Story Takes Flight (2019)

Gwyneth Paltrow: High )1989)- A Story Takes Flight (2019)

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