Rare Portraits Of Celebrities Before They Made It Big
We’re about to take a trip back in time to when Hollywood legends were just baby-faced rookies! Feast your eyes on these stunning portraits that will transport you to the early days of Tinseltown.
Get ready to experience a serious case of nostalgia as we revisit your favorite stars in the early stages of their rise to stardom. It’s a journey down memory lane you won’t want to miss! Continue reading through this list to see a rare photo of John Travolta and other iconic celebs.
Barbra Streisand During The Release Of Her 1963 Debut Album
A legend in the making, this portrait of Barbra Streisand was taken in 1963, at the time of the release of her debut LP, The Barbra Streisand Album. Johnny Carson was a huge fan of the rising star, and described her as an “exciting new singer,” inviting her on the show half a dozen times.
When her album was released in ’63, it quickly made the top 10 on the Billboard chart and won three Grammy Awards. At 21 years old, Streisand became the best-selling female vocalist in the country.
Michael J. Fox In 1985, Before Filming Back To The Future
This photo of Michael J. Fox was taken in 1985, the year that Fox signed on to Back to the Future while still filming Family Ties. His schedule had him rehearsing for Family Ties from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., then over to the Back to the Future set to film until 2:30 a.m.
Somehow, Fox was able to maintain the demanding work schedule for two months. That’s when his career took off, with Back to the Future grossing $381.11 million worldwide and winning three Emmy Awards for Family Ties in 1986, 1987, and 1988.
Youthful Michael and Janet Jackson In 1972
This portrait taken in 1972 shows Michael Jackson with his younger sister Janet outside of their home in the Hollywood Hills. It was one year after Michael began his solo career with Motown Records and 10 years before Thriller would be released.
The Jackson family had just moved to Los Angeles from Gary, Indiana, but already Michael was recognized as a prodigy. Janet began performing at age seven and landed the role of Penny Gordon Woods in Good Times in 1977.
Farrah Fawcett Just Before Landing Her Role In Charlie’s Angels
Farrah Fawcett’s career started picking up steam in the 1970s when she landed recurring roles in Harry O and The Six Million Dollar Man. This photo was taken in 1970 before she landed her role on Charlie’s Angels. She was 23 years old and had just moved to Los Angeles two years before to pursue acting, living at the Hollywood Studio Club.
Fawcett sadly passed away at the age of 62. The poster of her in a one-piece red bathing suit is still the best-selling poster in history.
Lynda Carter As A Young Beauty Pageant Queen
Before she was Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter was a beauty pageant queen. She won a local Arizona beauty contest in 1972 and went on to win Miss World USA. As an ambitious young woman, she went on to compete in the international beauty pageant, making it all the way into the semifinals.
Two years later she started taking acting classes in New York and launched her career as an actress. Today Carter is an American cultural icon and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Elizabeth Montgomery At The Start Of Her Career
Elizabeth Montgomery was born into the entertainment industry with famous parents. Elizabeth first appeared on her father’s TV series when she was in her twenties and made her Broadway debut in 1953.
It wasn’t until 1964 that she was cast as Samantha Stephens on Bewitched, which sent her acting career skyrocketing.
Tina Turner Looking Gorgeous In Brazil
Tina Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. Her vibrant energy and presence on stage have wowed audiences since the late ’50s.
Tina and Ike Turner’s song “A Fool In Love” reached number two on the Hot R&B Sides chart in 1960. Phil Spector offered Tina a $20,000 advance to produce her music under Philles Records.
Brooke Shields In Her Teen Years
Brooke Shields started her acting career at the young age of 12. This photo was taken in 1980, two years after her film debut.
When she was just five days old, her mother Teri proclaimed that she wanted her daughter to be in show business.
Travolta Becoming a Star
This photo was taken backstage in 1976. John Travolta’s career was taking off, as he had a hit single “Let Her In” peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with his roles in Saturday Night Fever and Grease right around the corner.
It was also a few years before Urban Cowboy caused a resurgence of country music across the country, starring Travolta and actress Debra Winger. He would become the youngest performer to ever be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.
Jack Nicholson In The Early Days Of His Career
This photo was taken in 1975, five years prior to Nicholson’s first iconic role in The Shining.
Nicholson had a reputation for taking on unusual roles and was heavily inspired by Marlon Brando.
A Young Stevie Nicks
This photo was taken in 1975, the year that Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac. Their next album would become the best-selling album of the year.
Nicks has been named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and one of the Greatest Singers by Rolling Stone.
Jerry Garcia, Hanging Out In The Tub
Jerry Garcia led the Grateful Dead in becoming one of the most famous bands of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. His eclectic guitar-playing skills were legendary.
However, his substance abuse led to a decline in health, and Garcia and the band took breaks while he recovered. He sadly passed away at 53 years old.
Comedian John Candy in 1980
Canadian comedian John Candy is a talent who was gone too soon. He starred in comedies like Splash, Cool Runnings, Home Alone, Summer Rental, and Spaceballs. His career began in the mid-’80s, and he continued to act regularly while also doing voice work and producing an animated series called Camp Candy.
Sadly, Candy passed away from a heart attack while filming Wagons East in Durango City, Mexico. He had a family history of heart attacks at a young age, and Candy was just 43 years old at the time of his death.
Tom Hanks on the Backlot of 20 Century Fox Studio
Tom Hanks starred in Splash along with John Candy. He went on to become one of the most famous and recognizable film stars of all time. Hanks it the fifth-highest-grossing actor in in North America and has own a Golden Globe Award, Academy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and People’s Choice Award. He even received a Presidential Medal of of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
This photo was taken before he appeared in Big and married Rita Wilson, and nearly a decade before his role as Forrest Gump — there were big things in store for young Hanks!
Harrison Ford Has A Passion For Woodworking
This portrait was taken of actor Harrison Ford in 1984, the same year he first played Indiana Jones, in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. After marrying his second wife, Melissa Mathison, the couple bought a home in Mandeville Canyon in Beverly Hills. Ford had a passion for woodworking and he enjoyed making tables and chairs in his woodworking shop for the house.
Most famous for his role as Han Solo in Star Wars, Ford continued to have a successful acting career for decades and starred in five films that are within the top 30 highest-grossing movies of all time.
Bruce Springsteen Before His First UK Show in 1975
1975 was a big year for Bruce Springsteen. It was the year he would release Born to Run, catapulting his career into super-stardom. His lyrics about the struggles of working-class Americans resonated with many, and his career would go on to span over five decades.
Springsteen is the winner of 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He’s also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
