What 30 iconic actors looked like when they were in their 20s

Meghan Cook,Fiona ClairJun 13, 2020, 21:45 IST

Meryl Streep in the late 1970s and in 2018.Bachrach/Getty Images/Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Many of the world's most acclaimed actors and actresses looked wildly different in their 20s.
In addition to their physical looks, the careers of these actors also looked very different than they do now.
For example, Harrison Ford was a struggling actor throughout his 20s who used carpentry to supplement his acting career.
Other actors, like Maggie Smith, were already getting cast in life-changing roles by age 22.

Some of today's most iconic celebrities were once young actors struggling to make a name for themselves on the stage and screen.

Here is a look at 30 of the most prolific actors working in Hollywood today, and what they — and their careers — looked like when they were in their 20s.

Tom Hanks was cast in a slasher film at age 23.

Tom Hanks in 1980 (left) and 2018 (right). ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images/John Lamparski/Getty Images

At 26 years old, Meryl Streep was a successful Broadway actress.

Meryl Streep in the late 1970s and in 2018. Bachrach/Getty Images/Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Forest Whitaker was 21 when he was cast in his first film.

Forest Whitaker in 1988 and 2018. Nancy R. Schiff/Getty Images/Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images

Sigourney Weaver was 29 when she portrayed Ripley in "Alien."

Sigourney Weaver in 1979 and 2018. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images/Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

At 28, Denzel Washington played the lead of "St. Elsewhere."

Denzel Washington in 1982 and 2018. David Sutton/NBCU Photo Bank/HGL/GC Images

Diane Keaton was cast in "The Godfather" at age 26.

Diane Keaton in 1976 and 2018. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images

Samuel L. Jackson had a background in stage in his early 20s.

Samuel L. Jackson in 1993 and 2019. Mike Marsland/ Mike Marsland/WireImage/Ron Galella/WireImage

Jessica Lange's first film role was in the 1976 remake of "King Kong" at 27.

Jessica Lange in 1977 and 2017. Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images/Steve Granitz/WireImage

Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Charlie Chaplin when he was 27.

Robert Downey Jr. in 1986 and 2918. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Julie Andrews filmed "Mary Poppins" as she turned 28.

Julie Andrews in 1950 and 2018. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images/Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Hamptons International Film Festival

Harrison Ford took up carpentry in his 20s to support his film career.

Harrison Ford in 1977 and 2018. Laurent MAOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images/Steve Granitz/WireImage

Maggie Smith made her Broadway debut when she was 22.

Maggie Smith in 1963 and 2017. Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images/ Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Jeff Bridges was nominated for an Oscar at 22.

Jeff Bridges in 1970 and 2019. Art Zelin/Getty Images/Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

Sally Field had roles in film and TV, including a breakout role at 29.

Sally Field in 1976 and 2018. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images/Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Amitabh Bachchan began getting prominent film roles at age 29.

Amitabh Bachchan in 1988 and 2017. Dinodia Photos/Getty Images/SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP/Getty Images

Rita Moreno's smaller roles throughout her 20s helped her get cast in "West Side Story."

Rita Moreno in 1950 and 2019. GAB Archive/Redferns/Denise Truscello/WireImage

Jackie Chan used his martial arts training to break into acting at age 20.

Jackie Chan in 1981 and 2019. Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images/Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Angela Bassett began her acting career on the stage before moving to LA in her late 20s.

Angela Bassett in 1990 and 2019. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images/Michael Bezjian/WireImage

Robert De Niro began acting at 20 but was not credited until age 26.

Robert De Niro in 1973 and 2018. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images/Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Betty White began her acting career by voicing ads on the radio.

Betty White 1957 and 2015. Bettman/ Contributor/ Getty Images/ Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic

Dame Judi Dench became a Broadway star on her 24th birthday.

Judi Dench in 1960 and 2019. Jones/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; zz/KGC-03/STAR MAX/IPx/AP

James Earl Jones didn't find major success until his 30s, but his career really started in his 20s.

James Earl Jones in 1965 and 2017. Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images; CARLO ALLEGRI/Reuters

Shirley MacLaine was 22 years old when she starred in "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956).

Shirley MacLaine in 1955 and 2019. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Phil McCarten/Invision/AP

Whoopi Goldberg was gearing up for her leading role in "The Color Purple" at the tail end of her 20s.

Whoopi Goldberg in "The Color Purple" in 1985 and on the red carpet in 2020. Warner Home Video; Flavio Lo Scalzo/Reuters

Steve Buscemi starred in the film "Parting Glances" (1986) when he was 28.

Steve Buscemi in "Parting Glances" in 1986 and on the red carpet in 2019. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment; STEVE MARCUS/Reuters

John Travolta starred in "Carrie," "Saturday Night Fever," "Grease," and "Urban Cowboy" all by the time he was 26.

John Travolta in 1978 and 2020. Tom Wargacki/WireImage via Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Daniel Day-Lewis was in the Oscar-winning film "A Room With a View" when he was in his late 20s.

Daniel Day-Lewis in "Gandhi" in 1982 and on the red carpet in 2017. Columbia Pictures;Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Barbra Streisand starred in both "Funny Girl" and "Hello, Dolly!" before she turned 28.

Barbra Streisand in 1965 and 2017. AP Photo; John Salangsang/Invision/AP

Jane Fonda won her first Golden Globe when she was 24.

Jane Fonda in 1965 and 2020. AP; Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Halle Berry was the runner-up at the Miss USA pageant when she was 20 years old.

Halle Berry in 1989 and 2019. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters

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