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The 20th century has given us an impressive amount of superstars. Think of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali, Salvador Dali, John F. Kennedy and all the great people who left their mark in the history of humanity.
They also shape a very popular concept today, something we refer to as a “celebrity” or “famous person.” And while the age of social media has drastically transformed people’s understanding of fame and popularity, in the old days things, couldn't be more different.
So thanks to this Twitter page “Some Old Photos,” today we’re taking a walk into the historical hall of fame with rare and beautiful photographs of incredible performers and artists, politicians and athletes.
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#1
Rare Photo Of Kermit The Frog And Jim Henson
Serial pacifist 2 years ago
They spent so much time together that they were practically like one body and mind.
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#2
Goldie Hawn, 1964
#3
Ella Fitzgerald Was Born 4/26/1917. Here She Is Recording In The Studio With Louis Armstrong
Social media has made constant exposure a common experience. In a sense, everyone has come closer to 5 minutes of fame than has ever been possible. From self-flattering profiles and status updates, to OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) and AMA (Ask Me Anything) posts, people are actively seeking others’ attention.
Every like and every view feels like approval, and the more of it they have, they more special they feel. For internet users, “publicity has become the defining ideology leading to a constant preoccupation with visibility,” professor Joseph Faina suggests and it’s impossible not to agree with him. But this was not always the case.
#4
Captain Kirk And Spock Eating And Having A Laugh
funkybluegirl 2 years ago
I love his photo! I've never seen it before, but... look at their smiles!
#5
Christopher Reeve And Robin Williams
#6
Marilyn Monroe Smile
According to Holly Grout, an associate professor at the University of Alabama, all the essential features of celebrity culture were developed in the 19th century. “If you look at Barnum’s promotion of ‘Lindomania’ (predating Beatlemania by 100 years), the popularity of collecting and trading portraiture cards, or the celebrity endorsements of a growing number of products, from tea and mustard to cosmetics and hair creams, all accompanied by testimonials and images of recognizable public figures,” she explained in an article for Aeon.
#7
Here Is A Rare Photo From The First Day Daniel Radcliffe Met Rupert Grint
#8
Louis Armstrong Playing Trumpet For His Wife, Lucille, In Front Of The Great Sphinx And Pyramids In Giza, Egypt
In the 20th century, the celebrity concept had a tremendous departure from its earlier periods. “It correlated celebrity with cinema, and aligned it with the emergence of the Hollywood star. The 19th century set the stage for modern celebrity; the 20th century, through the mass media, amplified celebrity beyond all expectation. Hollywood did not invent celebrity; it simply gave us more of it,” Groutis argues.
Interestingly, the fascination with Hollywood celebrities had to do with the fact that they were both nothing like us and everything like us. No wonder celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Garbo captured the collective imagination all around the globe. They had a privileged place in people’s minds, becoming the symbols of status, beauty, leadership and everything in between.
#10
Audrey
#11
Elvis Signing An Autograph
#12
Johnny Depp Holding A Super-Soaker On The Set Of "Sleepy Hollow"
#13
Original Star Wars Cast
#14
Brothers Joaquin And River Phoenix
#15
Johnny Cash Performing For Prisoners At Folsom Prison. January 13, 1968
Säsil Inno 2 years ago
He felt sympathy for the prisoners because I think he was in jail himself
#16
Shirley Temple, 1928. Cutest Photo Of All Time?
#17
Marilyn Monroe, June 1949
Agnes Jekyll 2 years ago
I was always told, growing up that Marilyn Monroe was "round" and "chubby" and that the actress who played her in a TV movie ate donuts to recreate her curvy figure. I didn't see it then, but I believed them. I don't see it. How was she round?
#18
Cher, 1970
#19
Bruce Lee
#20
Paul Newman And Clint Eastwood
#21
Young Robin Williams In Front Of The Famous Comedy Store
#22
Young Meryl Streep
#23
Marlon Brando, Before And After Makeup For Portraying Don Corleone In The Godfather
#24
Elizabeth Taylor Photographed By Robert Vose For The Look Magazine, 1956
#25
The Beatles, 1957. John Lennon – 16 Years Old, George Harrison And Paul Mccartney – 15
Apatheist 62 2 years ago
Beatles footnote - apparently Pete Best wasn't that great a drummer either. He was better looking but so different a personality from the extrovert others, it's not surprising that he didn't really fit in.
#26
Princess Diana's Dance With John Travolta At A White House State Dinner On November 9, 1985
SewingStaffy 2 years ago
Rarely seen, except every in every Bored Panda post about "rarely seen" celebs
#27
Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams & Dante Basco On The Set Of Hook
#28
Nancy Reagan With Mr. T. Christmas, 1983
#29
Salvador Dali, 1930s
#30
Alfred Hitchcock And A Baby On The Set Of The Birds (1963)
#31
Grace Kelly's Wedding To Prince Rainier III
#32
Mj vs. Mj
Sarah SH 2 years ago
I think some people have found a way to separate the man and his alleged crimes from the image and character he played on stage and in movies. I grew up in the 80s. I have memories of watching a documentary with my mom on how the Thriller music video was made and listening to Beat It on my tiny kid record player that I got for my birthday. Those are like fond images from my childhood that aren’t related to whatever sickness he might’ve had going on . I do think there was a lot of mental illness there.
#33
Elton John At Dodger Stadium, 1975
#34
One Of The Most Beautiful/Real Photos Of Marilyn Monroe Taken By Richard Avedon. He Caught Her Off Guard
#35
Pacino And De Niro
#36
Audrey
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)
She was always so kind to animals and children. I suspect she was kind to everybody. I wish more people would follow her example. That’s my barometer for judging someone’s character. If they’re kind to animals, children, and people working for them (directly as employees or indirectly like a waiter), they’re a Grade A wonderful person in my eyes.
#37
Muhammad Ali Trains In A Pool At The Sir John Hotel In Miami, 1961
#38
Young Heath Ledger
ScarletRos 2 years ago
When I was in high school he performed as part of an educational show that came to our school and I was jealous that my friends got to take a picture with him for the local newspaper (he wasn’t famous then, we were all about 16).
#39
Audrey Hepburn Jumping. 1955. Photo By Philippe Halsman
#40
Prince Harry, Prince William And Princess Diana
#41
Young Leonardo Dicaprio
#42
Feeding Hannibal Lecter A French Fry On The Scene Of Silence Of The Lambs
#43
Rare Color Photo Of The Kennedys
#44
Sophia Loren Was Born On September 20th, 1934
#45
Young Johnny Depp
#46
Young John Lennon With His Puppy
#47
Ursula Andress And Sean Connery Sunbathing In The Bahamas While Filming Dr. No (1961)
poiplescales 2 years ago
Young Connery is not as handsome as Old Connery. He really grew into his face as he aged.
#48
Billie Holliday
Russell Brown 2 years ago
This photo of Yourna DeSilva was taken by William Claxton in 1960. Billie Holliday died in 1959.
#49
Meryl Streep Was Born On June 22nd, 1949
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What do you think ?
DrBronxx 2 years ago
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Fembot 2 years ago
Listen, these are pretty people but it kind of turns into some sort of hero / princess worship sometimes. Crucially, women like Marilyn Monroe were mercilessly exploited for their beauty. How about we stop the exploitation at some point? There are many other, ‘olden times’ famous people we can admire instead.
Jane Alexander 2 years ago
Love history, but love some of these people for their sound or their portrayal, their art. Billie, for example wasn't about 'celeb' she was about that voice. (betcha' that's not BH in that pic above, she'd a been about 44. born 1915
Load More Replies... DrBronxx 2 years ago
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Fembot 2 years ago
Listen, these are pretty people but it kind of turns into some sort of hero / princess worship sometimes. Crucially, women like Marilyn Monroe were mercilessly exploited for their beauty. How about we stop the exploitation at some point? There are many other, ‘olden times’ famous people we can admire instead.
Jane Alexander 2 years ago
Love history, but love some of these people for their sound or their portrayal, their art. Billie, for example wasn't about 'celeb' she was about that voice. (betcha' that's not BH in that pic above, she'd a been about 44. born 1915
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