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.
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Rare Photo Of Kermit The Frog And Jim Henson
They spent so much time together that they were practically like one body and mind.
Goldie Hawn, 1964
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.
Captain Kirk And Spock Eating And Having A Laugh
I love his photo! I've never seen it before, but... look at their smiles!
Christopher Reeve And Robin Williams
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.
Here Is A Rare Photo From The First Day Daniel Radcliffe Met Rupert Grint
Louis Armstrong Playing Trumpet For His Wife, Lucille, In Front Of The Great Sphinx And Pyramids In Giza, Egypt
Paul Mccartney And Daughter
Lovely stuff. From the same photo session that produced the back cover of his first solo album in 1970 ("McCartney"), that's his newborn daughter, Mary, and the pic was taken by his then-wife, Linda McCartney. Here's the more famous version from the album: 04_big-634...17f087.jpg 
but not rare at all. i have the same one on my living room ❤️
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Is it just me or does his expression say “what have I done?!” And hers says “look what I did.”
Or maybe he just looks like a new parent who has a baby and is seriously sleep deprived.
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that made me laugh so hard for no reason.. thank you 😭😭
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I never realized before that a young Paul looked a lot like Diego Luna (Cassian Andor from Star Wars)
Really? I've always thought Luna looks like a young McCartney. When I saw pictures I actually thought it was de-aging cgi.
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There's a couple of Beatles pages on Fb that post photos, and it's interesting to me that in the photos with Julian (Lennon's son) it is always Paul who is holding his hand or talking to him while John is in the background. I think Paul was destined to be a Dad.
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.
Audrey
Elvis Signing An Autograph
Johnny Depp Holding A Super-Soaker On The Set Of "Sleepy Hollow"
Original Star Wars Cast
Brothers Joaquin And River Phoenix
Johnny Cash Performing For Prisoners At Folsom Prison. January 13, 1968
He felt sympathy for the prisoners because I think he was in jail himself
Shirley Temple, 1928. Cutest Photo Of All Time?
Marilyn Monroe, June 1949
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?
Cher, 1970
Bruce Lee
Paul Newman And Clint Eastwood
Young Robin Williams In Front Of The Famous Comedy Store
Young Meryl Streep
Marlon Brando, Before And After Makeup For Portraying Don Corleone In The Godfather
Elizabeth Taylor Photographed By Robert Vose For The Look Magazine, 1956
The Beatles, 1957. John Lennon – 16 Years Old, George Harrison And Paul Mccartney – 15
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.
Princess Diana's Dance With John Travolta At A White House State Dinner On November 9, 1985
Rarely seen, except every in every Bored Panda post about "rarely seen" celebs
Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams & Dante Basco On The Set Of Hook
Nancy Reagan With Mr. T. Christmas, 1983
Salvador Dali, 1930s
Alfred Hitchcock And A Baby On The Set Of The Birds (1963)
Grace Kelly's Wedding To Prince Rainier III
Mj vs. Mj
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.
Elton John At Dodger Stadium, 1975
One Of The Most Beautiful/Real Photos Of Marilyn Monroe Taken By Richard Avedon. He Caught Her Off Guard
Pacino And De Niro
Audrey
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.
Muhammad Ali Trains In A Pool At The Sir John Hotel In Miami, 1961
Young Heath Ledger
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).
Audrey Hepburn Jumping. 1955. Photo By Philippe Halsman
Prince Harry, Prince William And Princess Diana
Young Leonardo Dicaprio
Feeding Hannibal Lecter A French Fry On The Scene Of Silence Of The Lambs
Rare Color Photo Of The Kennedys
Sophia Loren Was Born On September 20th, 1934
Young Johnny Depp
Young John Lennon With His Puppy
Ursula Andress And Sean Connery Sunbathing In The Bahamas While Filming Dr. No (1961)
Young Connery is not as handsome as Old Connery. He really grew into his face as he aged.
Billie Holliday
This photo of Yourna DeSilva was taken by William Claxton in 1960. Billie Holliday died in 1959.
Meryl Streep Was Born On June 22nd, 1949
Leonardo Dicaprio On The Set Of "Critters 3"
Debbie Harry And David Bowie
Deborah Harry was - and still is - one of the sexiest women alive!
Rare Color Photo Of James Dean. Classic Cool
Ava Gardner And Burt Lancaster On The Beach
Sid Vicious Going To A Bowie Concert In 1973
Nirvana
Behind The Scenes Of Grease, 1978
JFK & JFK Jr
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?
Clint Eastwood
The Clintons, Beginning Of ’70
Kurt Cobain And Frances Bean
Young Johnny Depp
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
Audrey Hepburn And Grace Kelly Backstage Of The Academy Awards In 1956
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.)
Jimi Hendrix At Woodstock, Monday Morning, August 18th, 1969
Lynda Carter Was Born On July 24th, 1951. Here She Is As Wonder Woman In The Mid 70's
Stevie Nicks, 1975
T.j. Fantini, Britney Spears (11) And Justin Timberlake (12) In 1993 When They Were On The Mickey Mouse Club
Whitney Houston And Michael Jackson
Arthur Miller And Marilyn Monroe, 1957
Marilyn Monroe Performing For Troops Stationed In Korea, February 1954
Bob Marley On Beach With Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakspeare, Mother Of Damien Marley
I met a man who used to work for Bob Marley. He said he was the most charming man ever.
Jimi Hendrix Behind The Camera As He Films Janis Joplin Backstage
Audrey
Pillow Fight With The Beatles
Kate Moss And Johnny Depp
Louis Armstrong, Photo By Dennis Stock
Johnny Depp Smiling, 1983
Lauren Bacall And Humphrey Bogart
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.
Sophia Loren Taking Off Her Stockings
Robert Deniro And Joe Pesci On The Set Of Raging Bull
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).
Jimmy Page
Frank Sinatra And Dean Martin In The Recording Studio
Elvis Photobooth 1950's
Frank Sinatra Getting Out Of A Helicopter With A Drink In His Hand
David Bowie And Elizabeth Taylor, 1975
This was from the first time they met. He had kept her waiting for hours.
Jimi Hendrix In Action. Great Photo Of The Roadie Having To Hold Up The Amp Stack
Brigitte Bardot Photographed By Ghislain Dussart, 1965
Johnny Cash
Jack Nicholson And Marlon Brando
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.
James Dean Reading Poetry
Sarah Jessica Parker And Robert Downey Jr, 1985
Elvis Helping Johnny Cash With His Hair
Jimi Hendrix Dressed As Santa Claus, 1967
George Clooney With Long Hair
Elton John, Then Owner Of The Nasl’s Los Angeles Aztecs, Takes A Graceful Swing In Front Of George Best
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." - George Best
Picasso & Brigitte Bardot, Photo By Jerome Brierre
Debbie Harry And Andre The Giant
Classic James Dean
Al Pacino On The Set Of The Godfather, 1972
Dean Martin And Audrey Hepburn On The Set Of Sabrina (1954)
Marilyn Monroe And Marlon Brando
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.
Elvis In The Army
Probably his best years. All his "handlers" and "friends" (i.e., manipulators and hangers-on) had to take a back seat to the military.
John, Yoko, And Sean
Young Sinatra
Brigitte Bardot In A Bikini, 1963
Michael Jackson Was Born On August 29th, 1958. Here He Is In His Younger Days
Very Rare Photo Of Nirvana Before They Were Famous. You Haven't Seen This One Before
Dustin Hoffman Was Born On August 8th, 1937. Here He Is With Meryl Streep With Their Oscars
Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner On Their Wedding Day, November 7, 1951
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
April 16th, 1941. Bob Feller Throws The Only Opening Day No Hitter In History Beating The White Sox 1-0
Led Zeppelin
Robert De Niro Was Born On August 17th, 1943. Here He Is With Martin Scorcese
Angelina Jolie Was Born On June 4th, 1975
John Lennon And His Psychedelic Rolls Royce
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.
John Lennon Selfie During The Beatles Last Concert On August 29th, 1966 At Candlestick Park In San Francisco
Mick Jagger Was Born On July 26th, 1943. Here's Mick, Keith Richards And Bob Dylan At Micks 29th Birthday Party
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
Elvis Kissing His Date, A Mystery Woman, In 1956. Photo By Alfred Wertheimer, Taken In Richmond, Virginia
Beatles Performing On The Roof Of Apple Records, 1969. Final Public Appearance
Ann-Margret And Elvis
Mick Jagger Was Born On July 26th, 1943. He's Pictured Here With John Lennon In 1974
What's with the obsession with posting birthdates in the titles? It has nothing to do with the topic.
Bob Dylan At A Piano
George Harrison And Wife Patti Boyd, 1969
Some-Old-Photos-Twitter
John Lennon Signing An Autograph For His Killer Just Hours Before His Death, December 8th, 1980
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Listen, these are pretty people but it kind of turns into some sort of hero / princess worship sometimes. Crucially, women like Marilyn Monroe were mercilessly exploited for their beauty. How about we stop the exploitation at some point? There are many other, ‘olden times’ famous people we can admire instead.
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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Just like your comment. Welcome to the internet. A big vat of the same stuff on different pages
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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.
Adjusted title: "A mixture of rare and all-time-famous pictures of celebrities."
Listen, these are pretty people but it kind of turns into some sort of hero / princess worship sometimes. Crucially, women like Marilyn Monroe were mercilessly exploited for their beauty. How about we stop the exploitation at some point? There are many other, ‘olden times’ famous people we can admire instead.
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... Just like your comment. Welcome to the internet. A big vat of the same stuff on different pages
Load More Replies... 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.
