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From Hollywood hunks to chart-topping music stars – can you guess the celebrities from their high school yearbook photos?

BBG News

Celebrities, who are now known for their wealth, fame, and status as major players in Hollywood, were once simply ambitious high school students harboring dreams of dominating the entertainment industry.

In recent news, a yearbook photograph of Gwyneth Paltrow has been making headlines due to claims that her adolescent struggle was with being overweight, as revealed in a newly published biography. Once more, old photos of other notable figures have regained attention.

These days, they flaunt dazzling smiles, well-groomed hair, and high-end clothing, but as teenagers, many renowned celebrities once sported awkward hairdos, goofy grins, and questionable fashion choices – and there’s plenty of pictures to back it up.

Many of these stars later achieved fame as prominent actors in major Hollywood films, gracing some of the most successful box office hits.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve witnessed numerous artists making waves in the music sphere, captivating audiences with their unique tones and chart-topping hits.

Simultaneously, some individuals found themselves under public scrutiny due to the events unfolding within their personal spheres, becoming headlines in newspapers.

Let’s reminisce about the early days and impressive journeys of some major celebrities in the entertainment industry. Can you identify them?

 

An Academy Award winner who landed his big break in the early 90s on a medical television drama

This well-known 64-year-old actor from Hollywood doesn’t just appear in some of the film industry’s most successful movies; he also pens, directs, and produces these films himself.

Hailing from Kentucky, born on the 6th of May, 1961, this actor is an alumnus of Augusta High School. Previously, he admitted to achieving high grades like As and Bs. Notably, he was also a sports enthusiast, participating in both baseball and basketball.

From 1979 to 1981, he studied at Northern Kentucky University with a focus on broadcast journalism. For a short period, he also enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, but failed to earn a degree from either institution.

In the acting world, he gained prominence by playing key roles in the NBC hospital drama “ER” from 1994 to 1999. For his performance in this show, he was recognized with numerous award nominations, among which were two Primetime Emmy Award mentions.

This attractive celebrity has had relationships with many stunning women – such as Kelly Preston, Cameron Diaz, and Elisabetta Canalis – and has been married to a British-Lebanese human rights attorney since September 2014. He is now the proud father of seven-year-old twins with her.

He has a long list of acting roles in movies like From Dusk Till Dawn, The Perfect Storm, Ocean’s Eleven, and he was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 2005 movie Syriana.

It’s none other than George Clooney!

Actor George Clooney from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” is thought to have a wealth of approximately half a billion dollars. He frequently enjoys his time at his villa on Lake Como with his spouse, Amal Clooney, and their two kids, Ella and Alexander.

 

A multi-award winning Hollywood actor with one of the strongest marriages in showbiz 

Born in Concord, California, and a graduate of Skyline High School in Oakland, this renowned figure from Tinseltown also participated in the track team during his school days. He is currently 69 years old.

Later, he continued his studies in theater at Chabot College, located in Hayward, California. After completing two years there, he then moved on to California State University in Sacramento.

In 1980, he launched his acting journey with a part in the low-budget horror film “He Knows You’re Alone,” followed by securing a role in the television movie “Mazes and Monsters” two years later.

Afterward, the actor took on the role of Kip Wilson in the ABC series Bosom Buddies. It was fate, as during that time he serendipitously encountered his future spouse, Rita, with whom he wed in 1988.

After launching his film career, this individual subsequently appeared in several of Hollywood’s most renowned films such as Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Catch Me If You Can, Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, and The Terminal.

You’ve guessed it, it’s Tom Hanks.

Throughout his distinguished career, Tom has collected numerous awards such as two Oscars, four Golden Globes, and seven Emmys.

Tom is blissfully wedded to Rita Wilson, and they share sons named Chester (also known as Chet), aged 34, and Truman, who is 29 years old. Additionally, Tom has two other children: Colin, aged 47, and Elizabeth, aged 43, from his previous marriage with Samantha Lewes.

 

A country music star with a very famous popstar daughter and an estimated net worth of $20 million 

Since 1992, this highly accomplished artist in the realm of country music, lyrics, and acting, has put out a total of 16 full-length albums and 53 individual tracks, both in studios.

He originated from Flatwoods, Kentucky, on August 25, 1961. At the tender age of four, he began his singing career. However, he pursued a college education at Georgetown College, initially on a baseball scholarship. Eventually, he transitioned to focus on music instead.

During his third year at Georgetown, he decided to leave the university after attending a Neil Diamond concert sparked a desire in him to become a musician. Within the next ten months, he aimed to launch his music career.

During the 1980s, he performed in a band known as Sly Dog. After securing a recording deal with Mercury Nashville Records, this was his band’s name. The dog that inspired its name was a one-eyed pet he owned.

This singer is a multi-platinum record seller who has managed to place eight of their singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the top 10 positions.

Billy Ray Cyrus, the well-known artist behind “Achy Breaky Heart” and father of six, is also known as the dad of Miley Cyrus, the famous Hannah Montana star.

He has been married three times altogether, including a brief marriage to Australian singer Firerose that ended in divorce this past August.

Lately, he has started a fresh romantic venture with actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, who is now 60 years old. The duo first displayed their relationship on Instagram in April, following their encounter on the set of “Christmas in Paradise” in 2022.

 

A screen siren with an equally famous husband and daughter  

This screen siren was born in Washington D.C and attended high school in Silver Spring, Maryland.

She gained notoriety by starring on the NBC sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In from 1968 to 1970, and she initially appeared on screen in a minor role in the western comedy The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, which was released in 1968.

Within just a year’s time, she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, all thanks to her humorous performance in the movie “Cactus Flower.

This stunning comic actress, known for her golden locks, rose to prominence as a major female comedy star in Hollywood, earning fame through her performances in films such as “Private Benjamin,” “Overboard,” “Bird on a Wire,” “Death Becomes Her” and “The First Wives Club.”

This beautiful comedienne with blonde hair became one of the most significant female comedy stars in Hollywood, gaining popularity for her roles in films like “Private Benjamin,” “Overboard,” “Bird on a Wire,” “Death Becomes Her” and “The First Wives Club.

Beyond her successful acting career, she boasts one of the most enduring relationships in Hollywood, as she’s been in a long-term romance with another film star since 1983. However, they are well-known for choosing not to tie the knot.

In 1968, they first encountered each other during the filming of “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.” At that time, she was 21 years old, while he was only 16.

Simultaneously, her daughter, who is also an actress like her and was born from her previous marriage to Bill Hudson, has continued the tradition and built a flourishing acting career.

Yes, it’s none other than Goldie Hawn!

For nearly four decades, the well-known actress has been blissfully involved with Kurt Russell, famously known for his role in “Escape From New York.

She is the mom of the well-known actress Kate Hudson, who became famous through movies like Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bride Wars, and The Skeleton Key.

Goldie is a mom to both Oliver Hudson, who she co-parents with her ex, Bill, as well as Wyatt Hawn Russell, whom she has as a son with Kurt.

 

A well-known actor, famed for two highly successful film series, has recently received an Emmy nomination marking his first recognition in this category.

The well-known celebrity, now 83 years old, hails from Chicago and was an engaged participant in the social science club at Maine Township High School located in Illinois.

His voice was the first student voice broadcast on his high school’s new radio station. 

He first appeared on screen in 1966, followed by roles as a supporting actor in movies like “American Graffiti” from 1973 and “The Conversation” in 1974.

Afterward, he went on to secure worldwide fame by portraying Han Solo in the blockbuster space-fantasy series Star Wars, appearing in five of the movies.

As a devoted admirer, I didn’t have just one legendary character to my name; within a few short years, I found myself embodying the thrilling archaeologist Indiana Jones. My journey with him began in 1981, when I starred in Raiders of the Lost Ark, a role I reprised in five films that followed.

Despite a film career that stretches over seven decades, he remains radiant, recently earning his first-ever Emmy Award nomination for portraying Dr. Paul Rhoades in the second season of Apple TV+’s Shrinking – an achievement made all the more remarkable coming just two days after celebrating his 83rd birthday.

In a remarkable feat, the three-grandfather, hailing from Chicago, became the second most senior nominee in his category, surpassed only by Alan Arkin of The Kominsky Method who was nominated at the age of 86 in 2020.

In my personal realm, I’m wedded to a captivating actress, who at 60 years of age, has left an indelible mark on television as the lead in the Fox series, Ally McBeal.

In 2002, at the 59th Golden Globes, is where the pair initially crossed paths. However, when Harrison approached her table, it wasn’t an immediate romantic connection.

In an interview with The Times back in April, the actress candidly shared that she was initially unimpressed when Harrison approached her for an introduction, as she hadn’t watched Star Wars yet – a fact that might sound hard to believe.

Yes, it’s Harrison Ford, who has been married to Calista Flockhart for 15 years.

The Hollywood stars wed in 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, one year after Harrison proposed. 

 

An actress and talk show host known for her turbulent marriage to her Hollywood star husband 

Born in Baltimore, the actress attended the Baltimore School of the Arts, becoming classmates with the late rap icon Tupac Shakur. The two were known to be virtually inseparable during their time there.

She began her acting journey back in 1990 with a role in an episode of True Colors, later appearing on TV series such as Doogie Howser, M.D and 21 Jump Street. However, it was in 1991 when she landed her major breakthrough role on the sitcom A Different World.

Later on, she gained prominence by featuring in movies like Menace II Society, The Nutty Professor, Set It Off, Scream 2, and The Matrix Reloaded.

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After that, she made a name for herself by starring in films including Menace II Society, The Nutty Professor, Set It Off, Scream 2, and The Matrix Reloaded.

Over the past few years, she has achieved significant triumph in hosting talk shows, particularly her Facebook Watch program, Red Table Talk, earning her a Daytime Emmy Award.

Significantly, she is wedded to another prominent figure in Hollywood. Initially, her partner was an award-winning rapper who later found success on a popular sitcom, which subsequently launched his thriving acting career.

This well-known Hollywood duo tied the knot back in 1997 and are proud parents of two wonderful kids – Willow, who is now 24 years old, and Jaden, aged 27.

In recent years, the pair have been plagued with marital troubles. 

In 2020, the actress publicly admitted during a television interview that she had an affair with singer August Alsina back in 2016. This revelation reportedly left her husband feeling deeply embarrassed.

During an interview on the Today Show in October 2023, she revealed to Hoda Kotb that they decided to part ways about seven years prior, as they both felt drained from attempting to save their marriage.

She clarified that they grew apart due to each of them clinging to an idealized image of who they believed the other person should be, rather than accepting them as they truly are.

In my latest read, “Worthy,” the author eloquently referred to their split as a ‘separation’ – although it’s essential to note that no formal divorce papers were ever submitted in this case.

Correctly identified, she is indeed Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of the actor famous for his roles in Men in Black and Independence Day – Will Smith.

 

A highly influential celebrity and successful entrepreneur, boasting a net worth exceeding $1 billion, who also commands an impressive Instagram audience of approximately 356 million users.

This 44-year-old celebrity and entrepreneur hails from Los Angeles and studied at the Roman Catholic, single-sex Marymount High School for girls.

In her earlier life, she had brief encounters with notoriety. Notably, her late Armenian attorney father gained renown for defending O.J Simpson during the high-profile murder case, while her stepfather was a distinguished Olympic athlete.

Through her notable friendship and role as a stylist for socialite Paris Hilton, she gained recognition. However, it was the release of her 2003 sex tape featuring Ray J in 2007 that truly propelled her into stardom.

Rather than avoiding attention, she embraced her fame, which led to her and her family becoming stars of a reality show named after them, ultimately propelling them all into public view.

Under the guidance of her management-oriented mother, she and her siblings built a thriving career in reality television through multiple spin-offs, all while establishing a diverse business empire that encompasses ventures in fashion and beauty industries.

This well-known figure from a renowned family gained prominence not only as a member of that family but also through her high-profile romantic ties and weddings. One of these unions, with a basketball player, endured for only 72 days.

Even three years following their divorce, the media continues to discuss her union with a well-known rapper, who is also the father of her four children.

Of course, it’s the one and only Kim Kardashian.

Approximately two decades since achieving initial stardom, Kim remains one of the world’s best-known figures. With a fortune exceeding 1 billion U.S. dollars and a massive social media following, her name continues to resonate globally.

She hasn’t stopped growing professionally, as she has just completed law school and is now adding notable acting roles in productions like CSI: NY, American Horror Story, Paw Patrol: The Movie, and All’s Fair to her impressive resume.

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2025-07-20 12:53

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