Celebrities’ Different Looks at the Start of Their Hollywood Careers

By: Calla Conway | Last updated: Mar 28, 2022

We all love to watch celebrities grow alongside us on and off the screen. The ability to have the staying power in Hollywood is no easy feat and we love to see it!

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite celebrities from when they were still young and fresh faced in town compared to today, as huge celebrities.

Ariana Grande

Born: June 26th, 1993

Profession: Actress, Singer, Songwriter

Breakout Role: Victorious

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Source: The Skincare Edit

Ariana Grande was born in Boca Raton, Florida. She was involved in a Broadway play at 15, which helped land her the Nickelodeon breakout role, Victorious. However, in 2013 she released her first album All Yours and landed the jackpot of fame and fortune.

Priyanka Chopra

Born: July 18th, 1982

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: 2000 Miss World pageant

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Before we knew her as a Jonas Brother family member and Hollywood royalty, Priyanka was already Bollywood royalty in India, as well as global royalty, as she won Miss World as well as starred in her first Bollywood film in 2003.Then, in 2015, she played the lead role in US crime drama Quantico and solidified her fame in the United States.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Born: November 11th, 1974

Profession: Actor

Breakout Role: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

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Since his breakout role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape in 1993 (where he earned his first Oscar nomination) he went on to star in a long list of iconic films.However, it was his role in The Titanic that landed him “overnight success” as he put it.

Kim Kardashian

Born: October 21st, 1980

Profession: Reality TV Star, Business Woman

Breakout Role: …Debatable. Keeping Up With the Kardashians

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Source: Irish News

Though Kim Kardashian grew up amongst the wealthy and elite (did you know she was Paris Hilton’s assistant?) it wasn’t until a leaked sex tape with musician Ray Jay that pivoted her and her family’s life forever.In 2007, her and her family launched Keeping Up With the Kardashian’s and the rest is television history. Today, Kardashian has built an empire around her name.

Bella Hadid

Born: October 9th, 1996

Profession: Model

Breakout Role: Tom Ford Runway, New York City Fashion Week

Source: Life and Style

Like the Kardashians, the Hadid’s also came from an insanely wealthy family prior to becoming uber famous. Bella signed a contract with IMG models in 2014 and her runway debut was for Desigual at NYFW.

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Oprah Winfrey

Born: January 29th, 1954

Profession: Talk Show Host

Breakout Role: The Oprah Winfrey Show

Source: Hollywood Life

Oprah came from very humble beginnings and worked her way through a difficult childhood into one of the richest and most famous people to ever exist. She became the co-anchor of Eyewitness News in Baltimore, Maryland in June 1978.In 1986 she launched The Oprah Winfrey Show and became one of the most successful talk show hosts on television.

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Tyra Banks

Profession: Model

Born: December 4th, 1973

Breakout Role: In 1990, Tyra landed a contract with Elite Model Management

Source: Brightside

Tyra Banks was born in Inglewood, California. She is a former international fashion model and the very first Black woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as well as GQ Magazine. She also went on to host the reality TV program, America’s Next Top Model. She began modeling at 17.

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Audrey Hepburn

Born: May 4th, 1929

Profession: Actress and Humanitarian

Breakout Role: A Broadway Production of Gigi

Source: Brightside

Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels, Belgium. During World War Two she helped the resistance against the Nazis deliver messages. She is more noted for her role in the iconic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

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Jason Momoa

Born: August 1, 1979

Profession: Actor

Breakout Role: Baywatch Hawaii

Source: Brightside

Jason Momoa, a Honolulu, Hawaii native, got his start on the shows such as Baywatch Hawaii and Stargate: Atlantis. He is most known for her roles in both the series Game of Thrones as well as his role as the DC Comics superhero movie, Aquaman.

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Angelina Jolie

Born: June 4th, 1975

Profession: Actress, Producer, Director

Breakout role: HBO Biopic, Gia

Source: Brightside

Angelina Jolie is most known for her roles in movies such as Girl, Interrupted, Salt, Maleficent, and Changeling. She descends from actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand and began acting at a young age, studying at Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in her teens.

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Britney Spears

Born: December 2nd, 1981

Profession: Pop Star

Breakout Role: The All-New Mickey Mouse Club

Source: Brightside

Britney Spears is one of the most famous solo acts in popular music. She began her career at aged 11 and went on to release the single Baby One More Time in 1998, which launched her into stardom. She went from child star to pop star sensation.

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Christina Aguilera

Born: December 18th, 1980

Profession: Pop Star

Breakout Role: All New Mickey Mouse Club

Source: Brightside

Christina Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York. She rose to stardom rapidly after the release of her hit single Genie in a Bottle, which she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

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Cameron Diaz

Born: August 10th, 1972

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: The Mask

Source: Brightside

Cameron Diaz was born in San Diego, California. She began modeling at the age of 16 and appeared in Calvin Klein. Her first role was in the film The Mask alongside Jim Carrey. She went on to star in an array of Blockbuster hits.

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Cara Delevingne

Born: August 12th, 1992

Profession: Model, Actress

Breakout Role: Vogue Italia

Source: Brightside

Cara Delevingne got her big break in modeling at age 10 and signed with Storm Management in 2009. Her first catwalk appearance was at the February 2011 London Fashion Week, in which she walked for Burberry. She’s ranked one of the most popular international models in the world.

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Courtney Cox

Born: June 15th, 1964

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Bruce Springsteen music video, Dancing in the Dark

Source: Brightside

Courtney Cox was born in Birmingham Alabama. She dropped out of college studying architecture to pursue modeling in New York City. She is best known for her role as Monica Geller on the hit television series Friends.

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Demi Moore

Born: November 11, 1962

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: General Hospital

Source: Brightside

Demi Moore was born in Roswell, New Mexico. As a teenager she joined the cast of General Hospital. She made her big screen debut on St. Elmo’s Fire, and then hit the acting jackpot with her role in Ghost.

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Robert De Niro

Born: August 17th, 1943

Profession: Actor

Breakout Role: Bang in the Drum

Source: Brightside

Robert De Niro left school at the ripe age of 16 to study acting with Stella Adler. From there he worked with many acclaimed film directors, including Martin Scorsese. In 1974 De Niro won his first Academy Award for his role in the iconic film The Godfather: Part 2.

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Emma Stone

Born: November 6th, 1988

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Superbad

Source: Brightside

Emily “Emma” Stone was born in Scottsdale, Arizona. She began acting when she was 11 years old and performed in 16 theater productions throughout middle school. She first began appearing in film and TV roles, including Malcolm in the Middle and drive, before making her feature film debut in Superbad.

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Fergie

Born: March 27th, 1975

Profession: Pop Star

Breakout Role: Kids Incorporated

Source: Brightside

Stacy Ann Ferguson was born in Hacienda Heights, California. She began her career appearing in commercial and then joined the Kids Incorporated cast in 1984. She joined the hip-hop rock band the Black-Eyed Peas and their 2003 album, Elephunk. Fergie released two albums as a solo artist.

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Gigi Hadid

Born: April 23rd, 1995

Profession: Model

Breakout Role: Baby Guess

Source: Brightside

Gigi Hadid has been modeling since she was two years old after being discovered by family friend and Guess co-founder Paul Marciano. Gigi’s mother was a model, and her sister, Bella Hadid, is also an incredibly successful model.

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Heidi Klum

Born: June 1st, 1973

Profession: Model, TV Personality

Breakout Role: Victoria’s Secret

Source: Brightside

Heidi Klum is a German-born supermodel who started her modeling career at age 18 after moving to New York. She achieved supermodel status when she appeared on the cover of 1998 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

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Helena Bonham Carter

Born: May 26th, 1966

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: A Room with a View

Source: Brightside

Helena Bonham Carter was born in Golders Green, London, England. She has been in a wide net of successful Blockbusters including Sweeney Todd, Alice and Wonderland, Harry Potter, Fight Club, Charlie, and the Chocolate Factory, along with many others.

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Jennifer Aniston

Born: February 11, 1969

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Friends

Source: Brightside

Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California. She is the daughter of soap opera star John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow. She began appearing in stage productions in the late 1980’s. She had a few minor film and television roles, but her breakout and most notable role was as Rachel Green on Friends.

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Sandra Bullock

Born: July 26th, 1964

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Speed

Source: Brightside

Sandra Bullock was born in Arlington, Virginia, to a German opera singer. She was born to a German opera singer and voice teacher and grew up on the road. Her first acting jobs were in an 0ff-Broadway production of No Time Flat. She was in a series of B-list movies, but the box-office hit, Speed gave her critical acclaim.

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Sharon Stone

Born: March 10th, 1958

Profession: Actress, Model

Breakout Role: Total Recall

Source: Brightside

Sharon Stone was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania. After graduation, she decided to pursue modeling in New York, and successfully landed a contract with Ford Modeling. By the 1970’s she was a highly sought-after model. She played a series of small roles, but her 1990 role in Total Recall landed her on the map of celebrity.

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Sarah Jessica Parker

Born: March 25th, 1965

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Annie, the Broadway Musical

Source: Brightside

Sarah Jessica Parker was born in Nelsonville, Ohio and grew up in relative poverty. She helped bring paychecks home through early dancing and performing gigs. In 1976, she played in her first Broadway role, The Innocents, but it was the starring role of Annie on Broadway from 1979 to 1980 that gave her the big break into a career of acting.

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Charlize Theron

Born: August 7th, 1975

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Children of the Corn 3

Source: Brightside

Charlize Theron was born in rural Benoni, South Africa and lived and worked on a working farm. She began modeling as a teenager, but it wasn’t until she moved to Los Angeles, however her accent created a barrier. A desperate Theron was drawing money at a bank and had an argument with the banker, which caught the attention of a talent agent, and the rest is history.

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John Travolta

Born: February 18th, 1954

Profession: Actor

Breakout Role: Saturday Night Fever

Source: Brightside

John Travolta was born in New Jersey and dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue an acting career. His first role was in the TV series Welcome Back Kotter, but it was the highly successful Saturday Night Fever and Grease that put him on the map.

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Taylor Swift

Born: December 13th, 1989

Profession: Singer, Songwriter

Breakout Role: 13 Album

Source: Brightside

Taylor Swift was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. Her grandmother had been a professional opera singer, and Swift quickly followed in her musical footsteps. She was already a known country music singer by the age of 16. She released her first song Tim McGraw in 2006, which became a top hit on the country chart.

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Uma Thurman

Born: April 29th, 1970

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Pulp Fiction

Source: Brightside

Uma Thurman was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her first film was a low-budget thriller called Kiss Daddy Goodnight. She was in a series of roles and began making a name for herself as a sexy and marginally successful actress. However, it was her role in Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino’s second film, that won her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award.

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Marilyn Monroe

Born: June 1, 1926

Profession: Actress

Breakout Role: Ladies of the Chorus

Source: Brightside

Marilyn Monroe came from a difficult childhood and became one of the most enduring sex symbols in history. She was born in Los Angeles, California. She starred in roles such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire.

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Hailey Bieber

Born: November 22nd, 1996

Profession: Model

Breakout Role: IMG Models Modeling Agency

Hailey Bieber (or Hailey Baldwin as she was known prior, has been around Hollywood since she was born. Her father is Stephen Baldwin, and dher very famous uncle is Alec Baldwin. She is a model and socialite, as well as married to pop star Justin Bieber.

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Kanye West

Born: June 8th 1977

Profession: Rapper, Fashion Designer, Producer

Breakout Role: Slow Jamz

Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He was raised in Chicago and was first known as a producer for the likes of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Today, he is a rapper and fashion designer, and still produces music.

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Mariah Carey

Born: March 27th, 1969

Profession: Pop Star

Breakout Role: Mariah Carey Album

Mariah Carey was born in Long Island, New York. Prior to becoming an international sensation, she worked odd jobs such as hat/coat checker, waitress, and the like. However, she said she was fired from all of her jobs due to her attitude.

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Katie Holmes

Born: December 18th 1978

Profession: Actress, Producer, Fashion Designer

Breakout Role: Batman Begins

Katie Holmes was born in Toledo, Ohio. She is most well known for her role as Joey Potter in the hit series Dawson’s Creek.

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Johnny Depp

Born: June 9th, 1963

Profession: Actor, Screenwriter, Director

Breakout Role: A Nightmare on Elm Street

Johnny Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky to an abusive household. He went on to star in a long list of famous films including Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Blow, and many many more.

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Kylie Jenner

Born: August 10th, 1997

Profession: Model, TV Personality, Business Woman

Breakout Role: Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Kylie Jenner was born in Calabasas, California, to Olympic gold medalist, Bruce Jenner, and mother Kris Jenner. She shot to fame on the show Keeping Up with the Kardashian that centered on her family’s day in the life as the ultra wealthy.

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Dolly Parton

Born: January 19th 1946

Profession: Singer, Actress

Breakout Role: Hello I’m Dolly, Album

Dolly Parton grew up poor in Tennessee and worked herself out of poverty. She is  one of the most famous country music stars to ever live.

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Liam Neeson

Born: June 7th, 1952

Profession: Actor

Breakout Role: Person of Interest 

Liam Neeson was born in Ballymena, Ireland and began acting in theater by the time he was 11. As an adult, he was noticed by director John Burman, and everything changed for him.

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