28 Beautiful Vintage Photos of Famous People from Back in the Day

Some people are timeless - and some photos are too. But when you combine the two? You get magic.

These are 28 stunning vintage photos of famous people from back when they were young, iconic, and completely unstoppable. We're talking Rita Hayworth glowing like a golden age goddess, John Belushi in full chaotic glory, Elvis before he was The King, Betty White being effortlessly charming, and even Gilbert Gottfried somehow looking both exactly the same and completely different.

There's just something about old Hollywood photos - the lighting, the film grain, the outfits - that makes them feel instantly legendary. And seeing these celebrities captured in their prime, often candid, sometimes moody, always unforgettable, is a reminder of why they became icons in the first place.

So scroll on for a little nostalgia, a little awe, and a lot of style. This is vintage fame at its finest.

Add us on Google

Advertisement

01
Rita Hayworth, 1946

via FAUST44
Advertisement
02
Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr, NYC, 1983 (photo by Bette Marshall)

via FAUST44
03
Debbie Harry and Andy Kaufman, 1983

via FAUST44
04
Actress Michelle Pfeiffer after falling into a bag of 80s, 1984

via FAUST44
Advertisement
05
Willie Nelson and John Belushi at SNL after party, 1980

via FAUST44
06
Bette Midler performing at the Continental Baths, NYC, 1971 (photo by Pierre Venant)

via FAUST44
Advertisement
07
Chris and Susan Sarandon in 1975 (photo by Ron Galella)

via FAUST44
08
Elvis Presley at the International Hotel in Vegas, 1969

via FAUST44
Advertisement
09
Ron Galella wearing helmet behind Marlon Brando, 1974

via FAUST44

Galella a was very annoying paparazzi. Previously, Brando beat the shit out of Galella, knocking out five of his teeth and breaking his jaw
10
Drew Barrymore in a L.A. Eyeworks ad, 1982 (photo by Greg Gorman)

via FAUST44
11
Jodie Foster and Robert DeNiro at the 29th Cannes Film Festival, 1976

via FAUST44
Advertisement
12
Dinner with Mick Jagger, William S. Burroughs and Andy Warhol, 1980

via FAUST44
13
Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney on set of the first episode of The Judy Garland Show, 1963

via FAUST44
14
The Beatles at the George V Hotel, Paris, France 1964 (photo by Harry Benson)

via FAUST44
Advertisement
15
Bill Bixby, Mr. Rogers and Lou Ferrigno on set the the Incredible Hulk TV show, 1979

via FAUST44
16
Shirley Temple with a portrait of herself when she was a child star, 1945

via FAUST44
17
Stewardess tucks in TV star Lassie for her flight, 1956

via FAUST44, LIFE
Advertisement
18
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried and his sisters, Arlene and Karen, circa 1965

via FAUST44
19
Betty White, radio announcing at Rose Bowl, 1945

via FAUST44
20
Sting and Bruce Springsteen, Amnesty International concert, 1988 (photo by Ken Regan)

via FAUST44
Advertisement
21
Rosanna Arquette and Madonna, 1985 (photo by Herb Ritts)

via FAUST44
22
The Jackson Family, Encino, CA, 1970 (photo by John Olson)

via FAUST44
23
Lynda Carter tastes her ice cream, 1972

via FAUST44
Advertisement
24
A very young Steve Irwin with a baby Platypus, 1980

via FAUST44
25
Jamie Lee Curtis smoking and skating, Los Angeles, CA, 1977

via FAUST44
26
Charles Schulz, creator of Charlie Brown/Peanuts, with his beagle, Snoopy, California, 1967

via FAUST44
Advertisement
27
Jim Henson, David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly filming Labyrinth in 1986

via FAUST44
28
Christopher Walken as Hamlet at the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre in Stratford, CT, 1982

via FAUST44

Tags

1990s 90s memes retro nostalgia 80s music Nostalgia Overload 80s 90s kids 90s memory lane nostalgia memes millennial-nostalgia 1980s

Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From Geek Universe

Elementary School Teacher Hilariously Photoshops Disney Characters Into His Vacation Photos

Elementary School Teacher Hilariously Photoshops Disney Characters Into His Vacation Photos

Next Article