When you hear the word groovy, you immediately think back to the time when everything was grand and luxurious and wow. A time when you could walk down Holywood Boulevard and meet your most amazing star doing things us normal folk could find ourselves doing.
These days, it seems we are left with memories of grandness, but looking at these pictures you would understand how these icons of culture became who they are.
Marilyn Pumping Iron
You probably know Marilyn Monroe from her permanent place as America’s favorite blonde bombshell, but did you know that she hit the weights to keep trim? This rare photo shows how she toned up.
Robert DeNiro Sr. & Jr.
When you think of the iconic actor Robert DeNiro, you probably think of the tough-talking New Yorker he’s embodied in so many different roles in classic films like Taxi Driving and Raging Bull.
But like everyone else on the planet, Robert was once a baby. This picture shows him with his father, world-renowned painter Robert DeNiro Sr., with whom he shared a very close father-son relationship. Robert Junior even dedicated one of his awards to his dad!
Continue with the time machine tour...
Chaplin & Einstein
You may not associate the two in any way, but silent film actor Charlie Chaplin and renowned scientist Albert Einstein did live during the same era in history. In fact, their paths crossed more than once!
Both European immigrants to the United States (Charlie was born in England and Albert was from Germany), they immediately clicked when Albert met Charlie while he was touring the US. Charlie ended up inviting Albert over for dinner, and the rest is history.
Young Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama has reached international celebrity status for his peace-promoting efforts and meetings with major figures from US Presidents to Hollywood actor Richard Gere. But we forget that before he became the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso was a simple boy born in 1935 to a farming family in Tibet.
When a man ascends to such a great position of power – his Holiness took control of his country at the age of 15 – we forget he was once a child.
Princess Di
The princess who captures everyone’s heart with her beauty, grace, and a tragic love story. Princess Diana was unlike any other royals before her. this photo illustrates on example. When she took her kids to Disneyland (Red haired Harry is on her back) she stood in line just like the regular folk looking chic and casual.
Two Legends, One Kitchen
These two are musical legends, there is no doubt about it. And it would make sense that Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson would have a close friendship, after all they worked together on their song “The Girl is Mine”
Ultimately, their friendship would come to an end when on quite the sneaky business move, Jackson outbid McCartney to the rights of the Beatles songs and bought a 50 percent stake. “I think it’s dodgy to do something like that,” McCartney once said of the buyout. “To be someone’s friend and then, buy the rug they’re standing on.”
Amy Winehouse back in the day
This is a photo capturing a young Amy Winehouse before the fame and fortune in 1990 visiting Paris. Without her big hair beehive and distinguishing makeup, the star is barely recognizable!
I think this photo is pretty tragic and it shows a healthy young girl who, thanks to addiction and an eating disorder, would eventually pass away at the young age of 27. Known for her distinguishing soul voice and brilliant hits, she will always be fondly remembered.
Dreamy Meryl Streep
What a sight to behold. A young and fresh-faced Meryl Streep riding the underground in 1981. This photograph reminds us of the beauty this actress is and why she has remained a star for as long as she has.
She is often described as ‘the best actress of our generation’. Nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards, winning three, and nominated for 31 Golden Globes and winning eight, it is more nominations and wins than any other performer!
Baby Brad
Brad Pitt has shown Hollywood longevity like no other. The actor and producer has received multiple nominations and is known to be one of Hollywood’s golden boys who can melt your heart with his sexy smirk.
Currently, Brad is in headlines for allegations against him by his ex-wife Angelina Jolie for not paying child support, but just look at this gorgeous picture of a young Brad in his heyday and remains of better days gone by.
Blonde bombshell
She was an icon of the generation. Sultry, sexy yet innocent Monroe became the most popular sex symbol of the 1950’s and acted like an emblem for the era’s attitude towards sexuality. Looking at this exquisite rarely seen photo, it’s no wonder why,
Behind that wide gorgeous smile and those blonde curls, Monroe suffered internally from substance abuse, depression and anxiety and having the constant attention of the public did not make it any easier.
British Royalty
This photo is honestly priceless. You have British royalty both literally, and pop culture royalty when back in 1997 Prince Harry and his father had a meeting with the Spice Girls.
Rumors were swirling back before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot that the Spice Girls would be performing at the royal wedding which really would have brought this photo full circle. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but Posh and Becks were guests at the big event!
Young Lovers
These two were gorgeous, famous, and in love when they dated back from 1984 to 1991. I mean can you imagine more of a power couple than Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.? unfortunately, his substance abuse drove them apart.
Robert visited his famous ex in014 with the intention to get some stuff off his chest and make peace with the Sex and the City star. On seeing her and making peace Downey Jr. stated: "She's so great and so cool and so funny and so in command." I got to meet her kids and I saw the way she and Matthew live, and I respect both of them so much.'
Performing Master
You don’t get knighted by the queen for being average. Just ask Sir Elton John, English pianist, singer and composer who, from the looks of this picture, can perform like no other.
Elton John is one of those artists who has received more music awards that you can count. From five Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards – winning two awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the first Brits Icon in 2013 for his "lasting impact on British culture", an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, a Disney Legends award, and the Kennedy Center Honours in 2004, and the list goes on.
Darling Heath
There us something heart-breaking about looking at this picture of the young Heath Ledger. The gorgeous young actor who was a professional at method acting had a rich career that still has so far to go before his life tragically came to an end.
Ledger took his own life at the age of 27. The actor was in a long battle with depression and many claimed that his role as the Joker in the Batman series, for which he locked himself in an isolated hotel room for weeks in preparation, was the last straw that pushed him over the edge.
Freddy Mercury in action
The flamboyant stage persona of Freddie Mercury was known and revered far and wide. The British singer also wrote numerous hits for Queen such as the best song of the century, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody”.
This legendary shot was taken as Mercury wrote in a dirt bike during one of Queen's shows in 1980. We can imagine, like always, it was a performance to remember
A Waltz to Remember
Honestly, it is hard to think of a more glamorous and iconic shot. Here we see John Travolta and the late Princess Diana dressed up looking glam as can be sharing a dance at President Ronald Reagan’s event back in 1985!
The Greece and Saturday Night fever star may be known for his dance moves on the screen, but it certainly looks as though Princess Diana had absolutely no problem keeping up and looking like a total princess doing it!
James Dean, Yes Please
This cultural heartthrob who, to this day is the most gorgeous man in Hollywood history, was known to be the icon pf teenage disillusionment and social estrangement which he personified in his film ‘Rebel Without a Cause”.
This picture is of James Dean with his cat, Marcus. A few days before the actor took his own life in 1955, he asked his friend to take care of his “loved one”, Marcus the cat. But there is more about this special furry friend. It was actually a gift to Dean from his co-star in the film Giant, Elisabeth Taylor.
Jayne Mansfield’s Publicity Stunt
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this iconic snap definitely proves it. Jayne Mansfield and Sophia Loren were natural rivals at the time. Jayne, a blonde bombshell, and Sophia, a smoldering brunette, were both gorgeous women who often had to compete for the same roles at a time in Hollywood when there weren’t many opportunities for women.
The tension between them is palpable, and you can see the disapproval just radiating from every one of Sophia’s pores.
Disney Cuties
Ph back in the day these two were best buds. The 80’s babies first met when they were Mousketeers during the golden era in Mickey Mouse Club’s history. Their friendship ran so deep that Timberlake’s mom adopted Gosling briefly during the filming of the Mickey Mouse Club because Gosling’s mom had to return to Canada for work!
Clearly, now there is some tension between these two whites, 30’something, non-offensive stars that used to be brothers as in every interview they beat about the bush regarding whether are not they are still in touch and tend to avoid each other on red carpets….I smell a fish!
Another Bowie Beauty
He is that much of a legend that David Bowie deserves to mention on our iconic picture list, and yup! Here is another one of him looking cool as anything taking a puff of his cigarette with strange multi-coloured hair.
A main fact as to why he is the only star appearing twice on this list of icon pictures s for a very simple reason: this singer, songwriter and actor is marked by his reinvention of visual representation!
Bill Gates and the data tower
This is how you sold new technology in the 1990’s.
Bill Gates is shown here demonstrating how much data could be stored in a single CD-ROM. In 1994, this technology was pretty mind-blowing.
A rare occurrence
This picture will literally give you chills. On the right, we have the recently deceased Cuban political dictator Fidel Castro, and on the right holding the fishing rod is the legendary “El Che,” also known as Che Guevara, who assisted the Cuban revolution alongside Castro.
The two met for the 26th of July Movement, to overthrow the residing Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista. This historical photo shows them sailing to Cuba on the yacht named The Granma. You can thank us for sounding smart when you mention this at your next friends’ gathering.
Playing his heart out
The image snapped by Robert Willoughby is of none other than Big Jay McNeely, a famous blues artist and saxophonist from Los Angeles, California in 1953.
Here he is blowing the audience’s mind at the Olympic Auditorium in 1953. McNeely was also a member of the jazz band The Tenor Saxophone Honkers and had many smash hits all the way up until the 1960s.
A legend in the flesh
Here is an iconic photo of the famous and most notable English director and producer up until today, Alfred Hitchcock. The location is in France, at the Cannes Film Festival in 1972. He is riding a bike by the dock, or maybe he is just posing for the camera.
Alfred Hitchcock was quite an original individual, after reaching success in Britain cinema, followed by an international directing and producing career. He then moved to California and changed Hollywood history forever.
The Clintons, 1975
In this precious rare photo, the young lovers play volleyball in Fayetteville, Arkansas, before they became history’s most prominent political power couple.
They’ve both come a long way, haven’t they?
The Royal Mug Shot
Isn’t this the most badass mug shot you have ever seen? Taken in 1970, The King of Rock N’ Roll still managed to keep his cool while being arrested. Well, he did have some experience in dancing to the Jailhouse Rock.
If only all mug shots had so much swagger.
The Kid Terminator
The young muscular fella before you is no else than the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger! This photo was taken during Young Schwarzenegger’s first bodybuilding competition in Austria.
The famous actor started his bodybuilding career at the tender age of 14, never knowing his abs of steel and enormous arms will soon make him one of the world’s favorite action stars.
The name’s Connery…Sean Connery
Who was your favorite James Bond? Daniel Craig? Maybe Pierce Brosnan? This little Jamaican girl seems to adore the young, suave Sean Connery, who’s signing a coconut just for her during filming.
Not long after this was taken, the iconic ‘Dr. No’ was released and the entire world fell in love with the British spy.
Perfect
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis isn’t just Hollywood’s Scream Queen. As a matter of fact, long after her terrifying debut in John Carpenter’s 1978 hit, Halloween, Curtis became somewhat of a fitness icon, clad in revealing leotards and all.
In the romantic 1985 film Perfect, Curtis starred alongside John Travolta as a female aerobics instructor who falls in love with a reporter working on a less-than-flattering story about health clubs. If that’s not Oscar material, we don’t know what is!
Hanging with The Pearl
Otherwise known as The Pearl, Janis Joplin will forever be remembered as one of the best female rockers of all time. Joplin performed on the second day of Woodstock rocking a colorful and psychedelic dress. She didn’t know about the festival until a few days before, but luckily for the crowd, she found out just in time and was one of the biggest names to perform.
Brigitte Bardot at the French Riviera
French actress Brigitte Bardot was one of the biggest icons of the 1950s and 1960s, with a wide array of films such as And God Created Woman, Contempt and A Very Private Affair. The photo below shows the actress at the beach in Cannes, where she graced many a red carpet.
Though Bardot originally started as a ballerina and a model, her talent eventually led her to the big screen where she made her debut in the popular comedy Le Trou Normand when she was only 18. Later on, she became a major sex symbol and is now considered one of the most recognizable faces of cinema.
Stars, they’re just like us
This photo of Elizabeth Taylor was taken in 1948, when she was just seventeen years old in her bedroom. Taylor is reading love letters sent to her by her famous football champion boyfriend, Glenn Davis.
Glenn Davis was a Heisman trophy winner and stole the young actress’s heart at such a young age. But the pair didn’t make it to far and the following year, the gorgeous heartbreaker moved on and got engaged to William Pawley Jr., an ambassador’s son.
Abraham Lincoln’s expression
Here’s former President Abraham Lincoln before and after the Civil War. You can definitely see he wasn’t the same man afterwards. Lincoln was elected for president when he was 52 years old, and by the time his term ended, he looked like a very old man.
Lincoln served as president for 4 years, and 4 years can feel like a very, very long time.
Heartthrob heartache
This pictures snapped of James Dean at a gas station in 1955 was just before his fatal car accident hours later. This was the last picture captured of the “Rebel Without a Cause” actor. The photographer managed to catch his last few hours on camera.
At least he looks happy in the photo and took advantage of his final day doing what he loves most, racing cars. The iconic celebrity will be forever remembered by his good looks and talents. So sad he died so early, he had a big lust for life!
Marilyn Can Fix It
America’s most glamorous silver-screen vixen, Marilyn Monroe, didn’t start off her life in the most luxurious of circumstances. You might be surprised to learn that she was orphaned at a young age and married a neighbor at age 16 in order to escape a life of poverty.
When her then-husband went overseas during World War 2, Marilyn went to work in a Van Nuys factory. This photo of her is credited with making her famous, and the rest is history.
Audrey Hepburn Shopping With Her Pet Deer
Nowadays, having a small Chihuahua or Pomeranian poking out of your purse is par for the course for almost all the starlets in Hollywood. However, we’ve never seen a movie star with a pet like this before!
Yes, that really is a deer, which Audrey Hepburn named “Pippin.” She was filming the movie Green Mansions, and producers encouraged her to spend time off-set with the deer so that their scenes together would look more natural.
Lucille’s Great Balls Of Fire
Everyone knows and loves Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, the dynamic duo from the classic 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but this snapshot isn’t of a real-life emergency.
You can breathe a sigh of relief, as it’s just a scripted scene from an episode of the beloved series. Lucy was donning a fake nose in order to disguise herself after accidentally slamming a custard pie into William Holden’s face!
Hemingway In The Tub
One of the biggest superstars of the English literary scene has a legacy that’s gone on for a century after his death. Ernest Hemingway is most known for his amazing novel The Old Man and the Sea.
What you may not have known about the iconic author, however, is that rather than sitting at a desk, one of his favorite places to come up with ideas for stories was actually in his bathtub! Who knows what he was brewing in there?
Walt Disney Eating Chicken
When it comes to entertainment, Disney is the most well-known name. From Disneyland to Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe under its belt, you can be sure that Disney succeeds in whatever it wants to.
It might be hard to remember though, that it all started with humble creator Walt Disney and his original characters like Mickey Mouse. Back then, Walt Disney was just a simple cartoonist who enjoyed kicking back and snacking on chicken.
Santa Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix, known for his wild onstage guitar-smashing antics and being one of the most legendary acts to perform at the most iconic music festival of all time, Woodstock, is heavily associated with the psychedelia and excesses of the 1960s.
You might be shocked to see a photo of him embodying Saint Nick, but that’s exactly what’s happening here. Jimi donned the Santa Claus getup for an advertisement in now-defunct magazine Record Mirror. He’s definitely at his peak here.
Dog Helping His Little Friend
There’s a reason why the saying “dog is a man’s best friend” is so well known – because it’s been proven time and time again, and this photo is a perfect example of it. We can see in this photo that this boy is getting some major help from his canine pal.
It’s solid proof that if you treat a dog well, he’ll be there by your side through thick and thin, proving he’s just as loyal as any two-legged friend.
Muhammad Ali Beats The Beatles
Both the Beatles and Muhammad Ali are considered icons of the 1960s, albeit for wildly different reasons. The Beatles were credited with introducing the “British invasion” of English pop music to American airwaves.
Muhammad Ali was a champion boxer who wasn’t afraid to spout his political beliefs at one of the most tumultuous times in history. This photo shows the amazing moment when the odd couple met – one of them a media darling, the other a less popular figure.
Houdini In Chains
Harry Houdini’s name isn’t just really fun to say, it has also become synonymous with magic and an inseparable part of the American lexicon. He first came to the US as a penniless immigrant from Hungary, but ended up becoming one of the most well-known (and well-paid) performers of his era.
He was well-respected for his intense escape acts, which often involved him being either locked in chains wrapped around his body or put in a straitjacket.
First Class On The Titanic
Most people associate the Titanic with its horrific capsizing and the James Cameron blockbuster movie that came almost a century after the most famous sinking of all time. So you might have forgotten that the actual ship was basically the equivalent of a floating 5-star hotel.
Decked out with the most luxurious materials of the time, only the fabulously wealthy could afford to make the cross-Atlantic journey in the Titanic’s amazingly indulgent first class cabins.
General Elizabeth
You probably associate the reigning royal ruler of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, with civility, upper-class manners, and extremely proper etiquette. So you might be surprised to see that during World War II the young princess wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in order to help out with the allies’ war effort.
She rolled up her sleeves, enlisted, and was promptly trained as a mechanic. Yes, that’s really her behind the wheel of a military truck!
Marilyn Scores Again
Since Marilyn Monroe was so loved, it made sense that she was invited to various events. Back in 1957, the iconic blonde bombshell was invited to make an appearance at a soccer match between the Israeli team HaPoel Tel Aviv and the US National Soccer Team, which was held at Ebbets Field.
Marilyn was so enthusiastic about the sport that the players and referees let her kick the ball around a bit on the field before the game officially began.
Sergeant Presley
Elvis Presley rose to fame in the 1950s for challenging the social norms of the era. He ushered in a new age of suggestive dancing, which involved swiveling one’s hips and a few pelvic thrusts thrown in for good measure.
Many people disapproved of him – that is, until he decided to serve alongside his countrymen in the Korean-American War. He enlisted in 1958, but only lasted a short while – he was released after his beloved mother died unexpectedly of a heart attack.
Sinatra Shaving
Frank Sinatra is considered a major man’s man, but that doesn’t mean he was afraid to pamper himself in order to look as good as possible. This iconic photo was taken by Life photographer John Dominis in 1965, who dedicated a full month to shadowing the iconic singer in order to get the most intimate portrait possible of Sinatra’s daily life.
His strategy worked – the photo was an instant classic, and even Sinatra himself admitted that he liked it.
Lights, Camera, Danger!
In the current era of computer wizardry and CGI effects, you might wonder how a company like MGM got such an iconic image of a roaring lion for their opening credits. Well, the answer is more simple – and more dangerous – than you’d think.
Back in 1928, they simply grabbed Leo the Lion and irritated him a bit, let the cameras roll, and hoped for the best. There were no reported fatalities, so apparently, the studio’s risk paid off.
Diving In The Thames
Not every iconic photo has to involve the most well-known historical figure of the era. Sometimes, just like in real estate, it’s location, location, location that is really what matters in the end. This picture is a perfect example of that – it depicts two unknown commoners jumping fearlessly into London’s River Thames.
The Houses of Parliament and the Westminster Bridge are clearly visible in the background. The setting is what makes this photo totally timeless and unforgettable.
The Power Of Education
This photo is one of the most powerful ever taken and instantly evokes an important chapter in American history. Dorothy Counts was the original integrator of a previously all-white school in 1957. Tensions ran high, and many of the students made the fact that they didn’t want her in the school very clear.
However, Dorothy remained cool, calm, and collected despite the challenging circumstances. She said later on in interviews that her strong faith in God kept her going.
Young Bill & Hillary
Everyone knows that former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, the former Senator from New York State, have had their fair share of ups and downs in their decades-long marriage.
But we might forget that they were once young and in love, meeting at the peak of the summer of love in 1970 at Yale University. In this photo, you can see the passion and enthusiasm that they had for each other in the early days of their romance.
Andre The 19-Year-Old Giant
Everyone knows who Andre the Giant is – he’s one of the most easily recognizable names from the wrestling world. You might not know this, but Andre the Giant actually competed in the first ever WrestleMania in the history of the WWE, bravely facing off against the iconic Hulk Hogan.
Due to his 7 foot, 4 inch height he was referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world.” In this photo, he’s attending a fashion exhibition in Paris.
Einstein At The Hopi House
Way back in 1931, Albert Einstein took a trip to America. He was considering joining Caltech, but along the way decided to play tourist and visit a few sites of interest. He stopped near the Grand Canyon at the Hopi House.
The tribe welcomed him warmly, letting him wear a traditional Hopi headdress. Here he’s seen with a variety of tribe members, both adults and children, along with his wife. You can see how open-minded the scientist was.
Obama & Friends
Though we tend to forget it, the leader of the free world isn’t born into that position. Before he becomes President of the United States of America, he has to grow up first.
Even though the circumstances aren’t familiar, we’re sure that you’ll quickly figure out who the shaggy-haired cutie on the left is – yup, none other than the former American president, Barack Obama. Sometimes when figures are larger than life, we need to remember that they’re human too.
Carol Wayne On The Johnny Carson Show
During the golden age of The Tonight Show, back when Johnny Carson was still the show’s host, actress Carol Wayne rose to fame for her many appearances as the Matinee Lady. However, despite being beloved by the public, she ended up rising to fame for morbid reasons.
She passed away unexpectedly while on a Mexican vacation with hubby Edward Durston. There was much public speculation into her mysterious death, but no conclusion about foul play was ever made.
Arnie & Sly
When we think of the action-packed and testosterone-soaked flicks of the 1980s, it’s impossible not to think of the iconic roles of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. They had major roles in films such as The Terminator, Rocky, and Rambo.
The dynamic muscular duo are so similar to each other that they even dated the same woman – Danish actress and model Brigitte Nielsen – but the two remain inseparable even now. Check out how close they were back then!
Marilyn & Billy Wilder
Despite being one of the most beautiful women of her era, Marilyn Monroe was not exactly a director’s dream to work with. Due to her struggle with addiction to prescription medication and undiagnosed ADHD, she had many issues remembering her lines.
Even the simple words ‘It’s me, Sugar” took her an astounding 47 times to get right. Apparently, she kept reversing the order of the words and said “Sugar, it’s me.” Here, director Billy Wilder attempts to help her.
Model Milla
The stunning model, actress, and musician Milla Jovovich was once determined by Forbes to be the highest paid model in the world back in 2004, and it is easy to see why.
This stunning photo was taken in 1988, the same year she would act I her first film, The Night Train to Kathmandu. Can you believe she is only 13-year-old in this photograph? Clearly there was no awkward stage for this talented woman.
Post-Divorce Bliss
This ecstatic picture of Nicole Kidman captures her exhilarations right after she was granted a divorce from her first husband, Tom Cruise. A young Kidman could not look happier!
The two movie stars met in 1989 and quickly tied the knot in 1990. During their relationship, they starred in hit films together such as Far and Away and Eyes Wide Shut. But it seems even having insane on-screen chemistry can’t secure a marriage and in 2001, Tom Cruise abruptly filed for divorce for reasons still unknown to the public.
Louis Reard & Model
