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The 20th century has given us an impressive amount of superstars. Think of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali, Salvador Dali, John F. Kennedy and all the great people who left their mark in the history of humanity.
They also shape a very popular concept today, something we refer to as a “celebrity” or “famous person.” And while the age of social media has drastically transformed people’s understanding of fame and popularity, in the old days things, couldn't be more different.
So thanks to this Twitter page “Some Old Photos,” today we’re taking a walk into the historical hall of fame with rare and beautiful photographs of incredible performers and artists, politicians and athletes.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Rare Photo Of Kermit The Frog And Jim Henson
Serial pacifist 3 years ago
They spent so much time together that they were practically like one body and mind.
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#3
Ella Fitzgerald Was Born 4/26/1917. Here She Is Recording In The Studio With Louis Armstrong
Social media has made constant exposure a common experience. In a sense, everyone has come closer to 5 minutes of fame than has ever been possible. From self-flattering profiles and status updates, to OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) and AMA (Ask Me Anything) posts, people are actively seeking others’ attention.
Every like and every view feels like approval, and the more of it they have, they more special they feel. For internet users, “publicity has become the defining ideology leading to a constant preoccupation with visibility,” professor Joseph Faina suggests and it’s impossible not to agree with him. But this was not always the case.
#4
Captain Kirk And Spock Eating And Having A Laugh
funkybluegirl 3 years ago
I love his photo! I've never seen it before, but... look at their smiles!
#5
Christopher Reeve And Robin Williams
#6
Marilyn Monroe Smile
According to Holly Grout, an associate professor at the University of Alabama, all the essential features of celebrity culture were developed in the 19th century. “If you look at Barnum’s promotion of ‘Lindomania’ (predating Beatlemania by 100 years), the popularity of collecting and trading portraiture cards, or the celebrity endorsements of a growing number of products, from tea and mustard to cosmetics and hair creams, all accompanied by testimonials and images of recognizable public figures,” she explained in an article for Aeon.
#7
Here Is A Rare Photo From The First Day Daniel Radcliffe Met Rupert Grint
#8
Louis Armstrong Playing Trumpet For His Wife, Lucille, In Front Of The Great Sphinx And Pyramids In Giza, Egypt
In the 20th century, the celebrity concept had a tremendous departure from its earlier periods. “It correlated celebrity with cinema, and aligned it with the emergence of the Hollywood star. The 19th century set the stage for modern celebrity; the 20th century, through the mass media, amplified celebrity beyond all expectation. Hollywood did not invent celebrity; it simply gave us more of it,” Groutis argues.
Interestingly, the fascination with Hollywood celebrities had to do with the fact that they were both nothing like us and everything like us. No wonder celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Garbo captured the collective imagination all around the globe. They had a privileged place in people’s minds, becoming the symbols of status, beauty, leadership and everything in between.
#10
Audrey
#11
Elvis Signing An Autograph
#12
Johnny Depp Holding A Super-Soaker On The Set Of "Sleepy Hollow"
#13
Original Star Wars Cast
#14
Brothers Joaquin And River Phoenix
#15
Johnny Cash Performing For Prisoners At Folsom Prison. January 13, 1968
Säsil Inno 3 years ago
He felt sympathy for the prisoners because I think he was in jail himself
#16
Shirley Temple, 1928. Cutest Photo Of All Time?
#17
Marilyn Monroe, June 1949
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
I was always told, growing up that Marilyn Monroe was "round" and "chubby" and that the actress who played her in a TV movie ate donuts to recreate her curvy figure. I didn't see it then, but I believed them. I don't see it. How was she round?
#18
Cher, 1970
#20
Paul Newman And Clint Eastwood
#21
Young Robin Williams In Front Of The Famous Comedy Store
#22
Young Meryl Streep
#23
Marlon Brando, Before And After Makeup For Portraying Don Corleone In The Godfather
#24
Elizabeth Taylor Photographed By Robert Vose For The Look Magazine, 1956
#25
The Beatles, 1957. John Lennon – 16 Years Old, George Harrison And Paul Mccartney – 15
Apatheist 62 3 years ago
Beatles footnote - apparently Pete Best wasn't that great a drummer either. He was better looking but so different a personality from the extrovert others, it's not surprising that he didn't really fit in.
#26
Princess Diana's Dance With John Travolta At A White House State Dinner On November 9, 1985
SewingStaffy 3 years ago
Rarely seen, except every in every Bored Panda post about "rarely seen" celebs
#27
Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams & Dante Basco On The Set Of Hook
#28
Nancy Reagan With Mr. T. Christmas, 1983
#29
Salvador Dali, 1930s
#30
Alfred Hitchcock And A Baby On The Set Of The Birds (1963)
#31
Grace Kelly's Wedding To Prince Rainier III
#32
Mj vs. Mj
Sarah SH 3 years ago
I think some people have found a way to separate the man and his alleged crimes from the image and character he played on stage and in movies. I grew up in the 80s. I have memories of watching a documentary with my mom on how the Thriller music video was made and listening to Beat It on my tiny kid record player that I got for my birthday. Those are like fond images from my childhood that aren’t related to whatever sickness he might’ve had going on . I do think there was a lot of mental illness there.
#33
Elton John At Dodger Stadium, 1975
#34
One Of The Most Beautiful/Real Photos Of Marilyn Monroe Taken By Richard Avedon. He Caught Her Off Guard
#35
Pacino And De Niro
#36
Audrey
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
She was always so kind to animals and children. I suspect she was kind to everybody. I wish more people would follow her example. That’s my barometer for judging someone’s character. If they’re kind to animals, children, and people working for them (directly as employees or indirectly like a waiter), they’re a Grade A wonderful person in my eyes.
#37
Muhammad Ali Trains In A Pool At The Sir John Hotel In Miami, 1961
#38
Young Heath Ledger
ScarletRos 3 years ago
When I was in high school he performed as part of an educational show that came to our school and I was jealous that my friends got to take a picture with him for the local newspaper (he wasn’t famous then, we were all about 16).
#39
Audrey Hepburn Jumping. 1955. Photo By Philippe Halsman
#40
Prince Harry, Prince William And Princess Diana
#41
Young Leonardo Dicaprio
Kate Jones 3 years ago
Everyone gives LD sh!t for dating younger girls but I honestly blame the girls at this point. It's not like he isn't a known womanizer who has 'yachting' parties on his boat- he doesn't even try to hide it. You kind of know getting into it that you're probably going to get dumped and most of these woman are doing it for the publicity/money. I mean, at some point you just have to say you know what you're getting into. Doesn't make him any better, trust me, but he's a womanizer because he's allowed to be over and over because these stupid girls either think they're going to be 'the one to change him' or they are getting something out of it like money or fame. What guy wouldn't want to date different models all the time if given that choice? Women need to stop agreeing to date him. I don't even get the appeal, honestly. He's not that good looking he's just got money and fame, but I guess that's the appeal.
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Tanja J 3 years ago
I agree. He looked his best at the time of Basketball diaries.
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The Doom Song 3 years ago
I had such a crush on him when I was in high school. It was around his Romeo and juliet and titanic days
Charlie Spring Heartstopper fan (he/him) 3 years ago
AWOOGA! I'm definitely crushing on him, but only around the time that titanic was released, I love titanic and I think jack is so freaking hot! Yep, I'm definitely gay.
Jan Bowyer 3 years ago
Harkening back to the days when he was sweet and adorable. So sad he's lost his luster.
#42
Feeding Hannibal Lecter A French Fry On The Scene Of Silence Of The Lambs
#43
Rare Color Photo Of The Kennedys
#44
Sophia Loren Was Born On September 20th, 1934
#45
Young Johnny Depp
#46
Young John Lennon With His Puppy
#47
Ursula Andress And Sean Connery Sunbathing In The Bahamas While Filming Dr. No (1961)
poiplescales 3 years ago
Young Connery is not as handsome as Old Connery. He really grew into his face as he aged.
#48
Billie Holliday
Russell Brown 3 years ago
This photo of Yourna DeSilva was taken by William Claxton in 1960. Billie Holliday died in 1959.
#49
Meryl Streep Was Born On June 22nd, 1949
#50
Leonardo Dicaprio On The Set Of "Critters 3"
#51
Debbie Harry And David Bowie
Christine Stradiot 3 years ago
Deborah Harry was - and still is - one of the sexiest women alive!
#52
Rare Color Photo Of James Dean. Classic Cool
#54
Ava Gardner And Burt Lancaster On The Beach
#55
Sid Vicious Going To A Bowie Concert In 1973
#56
Nirvana
#57
Behind The Scenes Of Grease, 1978
#58
JFK & JFK Jr
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
JFK Jr and I were born the same day and same year (not sure if time of day too), November 25, 1960. My mother was a Jackie Watcher and dined out on that coincidence for a very long time. I was so sad when he died, because he was newly married, really coming into his own at the time, and his future looked really bright. The little boy saluting his father’s coffin—-on our shared third birthday, btw (my very first memory is being put in the bath before my birthday party and hearing those drums)—-died young just like his father. How much tragedy can one family take?
#59
Clint Eastwood
#60
The Clintons, Beginning Of ’70
#61
Kurt Cobain And Frances Bean
#63
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
#64
Audrey Hepburn And Grace Kelly Backstage Of The Academy Awards In 1956
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Two very gracious ladies looking incredibly elegant. Now, I’m not one of those old farts trying to bring back the “good old days”, because they weren’t god for everybody, but I do wish that cool elegance, courtesy, and grace would come back into fashion, instead of the coarseness and trashiness that seems to be in vogue now. (Yes, I have indulged in that same bad behavior from time to time, but am fully aware of it and am trying to stop.)
#65
Jimi Hendrix At Woodstock, Monday Morning, August 18th, 1969
#66
Lynda Carter Was Born On July 24th, 1951. Here She Is As Wonder Woman In The Mid 70's
#67
Stevie Nicks, 1975
#68
T.j. Fantini, Britney Spears (11) And Justin Timberlake (12) In 1993 When They Were On The Mickey Mouse Club
#69
Whitney Houston And Michael Jackson
#70
Arthur Miller And Marilyn Monroe, 1957
#71
Marilyn Monroe Performing For Troops Stationed In Korea, February 1954
#72
Bob Marley On Beach With Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakspeare, Mother Of Damien Marley
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
I met a man who used to work for Bob Marley. He said he was the most charming man ever.
#73
Jimi Hendrix Behind The Camera As He Films Janis Joplin Backstage
#74
Audrey
#75
Pillow Fight With The Beatles
#76
Kate Moss And Johnny Depp
#77
Louis Armstrong, Photo By Dennis Stock
#78
Johnny Depp Smiling, 1983
#79
Lauren Bacall And Humphrey Bogart
Kate Jones 3 years ago
She was the most beautiful woman. Her eyes were something else. Her and rita hayworth were my favorites. But that Bacall stare was so unique.
#80
Sophia Loren Taking Off Her Stockings
#82
Robert Deniro And Joe Pesci On The Set Of Raging Bull
Serial pacifist 3 years ago
I hate to be the guy, but it's De Niro. On that note, my favorite De Niro quote: "But I think people are now starting to push really back at the media that gave him all this attention, and they’re finally starting to say, come on Donald, this is ridiculous, this is nuts, this is insane. What he’s been saying is really totally crazy, ridiculous stuff. He is totally nuts." (De Niro on Trump in Sarajevo).
#84
Frank Sinatra And Dean Martin In The Recording Studio
#85
Elvis Photobooth 1950's
#86
Frank Sinatra Getting Out Of A Helicopter With A Drink In His Hand
#87
David Bowie And Elizabeth Taylor, 1975
Dinah Brand 3 years ago
This was from the first time they met. He had kept her waiting for hours.
#88
Jimi Hendrix In Action. Great Photo Of The Roadie Having To Hold Up The Amp Stack
#89
Brigitte Bardot Photographed By Ghislain Dussart, 1965
#90
Johnny Cash
#91
Jack Nicholson And Marlon Brando
Michael Largey 3 years ago
On the set of "The Missouri Breaks". Nicholson turned down the part of Michael in "The Godfather" and instead got to work with Brando in this mess. You can see how pleased he is.
#92
James Dean Reading Poetry
#93
Sarah Jessica Parker And Robert Downey Jr, 1985
#94
Elvis Helping Johnny Cash With His Hair
#95
Jimi Hendrix Dressed As Santa Claus, 1967
#96
George Clooney With Long Hair
#97
Elton John, Then Owner Of The Nasl’s Los Angeles Aztecs, Takes A Graceful Swing In Front Of George Best
General Anaesthesia 3 years ago
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." - George Best
#98
Picasso & Brigitte Bardot, Photo By Jerome Brierre
#101
Debbie Harry And Andre The Giant
#102
Classic James Dean
#103
Al Pacino On The Set Of The Godfather, 1972
#104
Dean Martin And Audrey Hepburn On The Set Of Sabrina (1954)
#105
Marilyn Monroe And Marlon Brando
Kate Jones 3 years ago
I feel like when she was all dolled up she didn't look as good as some of the other more natural photos she took. Not that she wasn't wearing makeup in those, too, but she was so pretty she didn't need all of this lip-lining and dramatic hair.
#106
Elvis In The Army
Felice Coles 3 years ago
Probably his best years. All his "handlers" and "friends" (i.e., manipulators and hangers-on) had to take a back seat to the military.
#107
John, Yoko, And Sean
#108
Young Sinatra
#110
Brigitte Bardot In A Bikini, 1963
#111
Michael Jackson Was Born On August 29th, 1958. Here He Is In His Younger Days
#112
Very Rare Photo Of Nirvana Before They Were Famous. You Haven't Seen This One Before
#113
Dustin Hoffman Was Born On August 8th, 1937. Here He Is With Meryl Streep With Their Oscars
#114
Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner On Their Wedding Day, November 7, 1951
#115
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
#116
April 16th, 1941. Bob Feller Throws The Only Opening Day No Hitter In History Beating The White Sox 1-0
#117
Led Zeppelin
#118
Robert De Niro Was Born On August 17th, 1943. Here He Is With Martin Scorcese
#119
Angelina Jolie Was Born On June 4th, 1975
#120
John Lennon And His Psychedelic Rolls Royce
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
I took photos of that at the Expo in Vancouver, and after we got the developed back from the photomat, they were all gone--not even the negatives were included.
#121
John Lennon Selfie During The Beatles Last Concert On August 29th, 1966 At Candlestick Park In San Francisco
#122
Mick Jagger Was Born On July 26th, 1943. Here's Mick, Keith Richards And Bob Dylan At Micks 29th Birthday Party
#123
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
#124
Elvis Kissing His Date, A Mystery Woman, In 1956. Photo By Alfred Wertheimer, Taken In Richmond, Virginia
#125
Beatles Performing On The Roof Of Apple Records, 1969. Final Public Appearance
#126
Ann-Margret And Elvis
#128
Mick Jagger Was Born On July 26th, 1943. He's Pictured Here With John Lennon In 1974
Kate Jones 3 years ago
What's with the obsession with posting birthdates in the titles? It has nothing to do with the topic.
#129
Bob Dylan At A Piano
#130
George Harrison And Wife Patti Boyd, 1969
#131
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
#132
John Lennon Signing An Autograph For His Killer Just Hours Before His Death, December 8th, 1980
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What do you think ?
DrBronxx 3 years ago
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Jane Alexander 3 years ago
Love history, but love some of these people for their sound or their portrayal, their art. Billie, for example wasn't about 'celeb' she was about that voice. (betcha' that's not BH in that pic above, she'd a been about 44. born 1915
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Socks 3 years ago
Just like your comment. Welcome to the internet. A big vat of the same stuff on different pages
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Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Not a single rare photo in the bunch. And yes, we've seen the exact same pictures at least three times in the last few months.
DrBronxx 3 years ago
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Jane Alexander 3 years ago
Love history, but love some of these people for their sound or their portrayal, their art. Billie, for example wasn't about 'celeb' she was about that voice. (betcha' that's not BH in that pic above, she'd a been about 44. born 1915
Load More Replies... Socks 3 years ago
Just like your comment. Welcome to the internet. A big vat of the same stuff on different pages
Load More Replies... Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Not a single rare photo in the bunch. And yes, we've seen the exact same pictures at least three times in the last few months.
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