You Wouldn't Believe How These 15 Iconic Hollywood Stars Looked In Their 20s

Most celebrities started as normal people, just like us. What turned them into icons is their talent and their passion for doing what they love. And they must be really passionate, cause it takes years to become a Hollywood legend and even more to remain that way. In fact, these famous people have been around for so long, we actually can’t imagine how they looked when they were young anymore!
Did you ever wonder what the legendary Hollywood stars looked like before they became iconic? What was their first role that paved their way into glory? Then read on and find out!

1. Tom Hanks

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Hanks started his career when he was in his 20s. He moved to New York City from California and got his first film role in the slasher "He Knows You're Alone" (1980). His excellent performance in this movie gave him a chance to become a Hollywood legend. Decades later, Hanks is best known for his roles in "Forrest Gump," "The Green Mile," "Catch Me If You Can," and "The Da Vinci Code."

2. Meryl Streep

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There is no denying that Meryl Streep is one of the most iconic ladies on the silver screen. Streep graduated from the Yale School of Drama at age 26. She then moved to New York City and started her career with multiple Broadway shows. Her first feature role was alongside Jane Fonda in "Julia" (1977). Just one year later in 1978, Streep was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "The Deer Hunter."
Nowadays people know her name through memorable Movies such as "Sophie's Choice," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Into the Woods," "The Post," and "Don't Look Up."

3. Samuel L. Jackson

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Before he became the iconic Nick Fury, Samuel L. Jackson was just a stage-play actor. After a while of doing that, he got offered several roles in a few films made for television. At the age of 24, Jackson made his debut with "Together for Days”. He didn’t quit his job acting on the stage though.
In the following years, the actor gained fame for his work in "Goodfellas," "Jurassic Park," "Pulp Fiction," and his portrayal of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

4. Jackie Chan

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Jackie Chan has a passion for martial arts at a young age. He started his career with a few small roles in films as a child and young teen. He got his first starring role in the movie "Little Tiger of Canton" right before he turned 20, then slowly built his name through movies such as "New Fist of Fury," "Rush Hour," and "Drunken Master."
Now in his late 60s, Chan’s name was credited in over 150 films and has become well-known across the globe.

5. Robert Downey Jr.

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First time Robert Downey Jr.'s appeared on the silver screen is when he was 5. It was in his father's film "Pound" (1970). He has his first Oscar Nomination when he was 27, thanks to his role as Charlie Chaplin in the biopic "Chaplin" (1992). He went on and starred in many famous films. Today, Downey is best known for playing Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

6. Jessica Lange

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Jessica Lange was born in Minnesota in 1949. When she was a young adult, she moved to Paris to study mime theatre and dancing. Lange moved to New York City and became a model in 1973. Her acting career really started when she landed her first role as the leading lady in 1976's "King Kong," which won her the Golden Globe Award for the new star of the year.
From then on, Lange's career quickly accelerated. Nowadays people know her through popular movies such as "Tootsie," "Frances," "Grey Gardens," and FX's "American Horror Story."

7. Sandra Bullock

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At 23, Sandra Bullock debuted with a small role in the 1987 film Hangmen. She gained popularity with her supporting role in Demolition Man, but truly became a star after her performance in 1994’s Speed. Her success turned her into the world’s highest-paid actress in 2010. and bought her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 2014.

8. Maggie Smith

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Maggie Smith began studying acting at age 16. She made her first film debut and Broadway debut at age 22. Smith continued to perform high-profile roles in theatrical plays and numerous films throughout her late 20s. Today people know her through her roles in "Harry Potter," "A Room With a View," and "Downton Abbey."

9. Sir Ian McKellen

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Sir Ian McKellen grew up acting in school plays before graduating from Cambridge in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts. McKellen was making his first appearances on TV and in films. He gained his popularity through his role in BBC One's “David Copperfield” in 1966. The English actor went on to star in famous franchises like "X-Men," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Hobbit." Now in his early 80s, the knighted actor is well known for his legendary career.

10. Harrison Ford

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Harrison Ford first moved to California to pursue an acting career at age 22. He was cast in a few minor film roles in his early 20s, but after a few years, his career stalled. To fully support his family, Ford took up carpentry full-time.
It wasn't until 1973 that Ford gained popularity for his role in "American Graffiti." After that, he continued to build his fame with blockbuster franchises like "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars."

11. Nicolas Cage

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Nicolas Cage’s first role was in the TV movie “The Best of Times” when he was just a teenager. After that, he got several small roles that most people miss. Cage’s name became worldwide after he starred in blockbusters such as “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Face/Off,” and National Treasure.

12. Julie Andrews

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Almost every child knows who Mary Poppins is thanks to Julie Andrews's amazing performance in the beloved Disney movie musical. This role also turned her into a Hollywood icon. Before that, she had several roles on Broadway shows throughout her 20s, including "The Boy Friend” and "My Fair Lady."
Andrews has built an incredible acting career through films like "The Sound of Music," "Victor/Victoria," and "The Princess Diaries."

13. Angela Bassett

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Bassett made her first television appearance in the TV movie "Doubletake" when she was 27. At 28, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue film acting full-time.
Now in her early 60s, Bassett starred in many movies such as "Malcolm X," "What's Love Got to Do With It," "Notorious," and "Black Panther."

14. Halle Berry

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Before she became an actress, Berry was a contestant in the Miss USA pageants. In 1985, she won Miss Teen All American, and just one year later, she won Miss Ohio USA. Berry started her acting career with her debut on ABC's "Living Dolls" in 1989. In 2002, Berry won an Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball." To this day, Halle Berry continues to have a successful career as an actress.

15. Dame Judi Dench

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Dame Judi Dench became popular through her role in the Broadway production of "Twelfth. She then went on and made her name with films like "Mrs. Brown," "Chocolat," "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," and "Philomena." She also took home an Oscar for her performance in "Shakespeare in Love." Despite being in her late 80s, Dench’s career is still going strong.