Puberty is a time of life that most of us would rather forget. It’s a painful time of awkwardness, and yearbook pictures capture this in perfect, embarrassing perfection. Adulthood gives us the ability to look back at those pictures and laugh, but it wasn’t funny after those cameras captured your gawkiness for all to see in the yearbooks.
It’s hard to believe that some of our favorite celebrities of all time were also once awkward kids with embarrassing yearbook photos. Do you think you can guess who these people are from their school pictures?
Who is she?
It’s hard to believe that this shy little girl with her self-conscious smile and braids would one day become a style icon with millions of fans across the globe.
See if you can guess the others?
Taylor Swift
While Taylor was an adorable kid, it’s hard to predict her meteoric rise to fame that would come after this photo was snapped. Taylor would go from awkward teen to the beautiful, talented, award-winning superstar she is now.
It can't be her! Right?
This girl next door couldn’t have known that her clock was Tik Tocking its way to fame and stardom. Looking innocent and sweet, this girl would make her mark in the music scene in a big way, with crazy sexy hairstyles and face painting.
Ke$ha
Ke$ha may be a super star and talented performer, but she has fallen prey to her abusive manager. We know Ke$ha can do anything, though, and she’ll be just fine.
I'll start laughing now...
If you look really hard behind the glasses, awkward smile and bowl haircut, you may see a glimpse of the man who would be recognized as the sexiest man alive. Here is living proof that any one can overcome the clumsiness of puberty.
George Clooney
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George Clooney has been making the ladies’ hearts beat a little faster for decades. Just like his transformation from his school picture, he is proof that some things get even better with age. George Clooney rightfully takes his place with all the other Hollywood heartthrobs that have made women swoon for generations.
And this guy is...
This picture is adorable enough, portraying a chubby little face with a good-natured gaze behind his glasses and a warm smile behind his braces. When you consider who this wavy-haired little boy is, though, it takes the entire picture to an entirely new level.
Ryan Seacrest
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According to Ryan’s mother, Ryan always had show business on the brain. While the other boys were playing baseball or goofing around with action figures, Ryan would pretend to be on talk shows with a microphone firmly clenched in his hands. While his yearbook photo is cute enough, he certainly grew into a beautiful man.
Are you sure you know him/her?
Crooked teeth and questionable haircut, what this little girl lacks in childhood beauty she makes up for in dazzling personality that radiates from her happy face. Not everyone can be photogenic as a child, even those who would go on to make their living in front of the camera.
January Jones
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Did you recognize her? January Jones would turn into the swan after this unlikely yearbook photo. This actress and model would gain fame in Hollywood for her roles in movies such as “Seeking Justice” and “Unknown.”
This funny guy is...
This kid’s photo isn’t the worst on this list; in fact, this young man is rather handsome with his stylish jacket and curly hair. He looks earnest and wholesome. He is a completely lovable young man, and one that probably had the girls passing him notes all year long.
Jamie Foxx
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Jamie Foxx certainly grew into a sexy and talented actor, with the ability to make us laugh no matter what he’s doing. The only girl who may be passing him notes these days may be Katie Holmes, but we may never know for sure.
Do you recognize this cute kid?
What if your awkward school photo wasn’t awkward as all? This beautiful girl has a unique, luscious unibrow that she still has today, and her smile was as beautiful then as it is now. This star currently is a sex symbol with long, beautiful dark hair and gorgeous lips.
Megan Fox
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Can you see it now? Megan Fox is still a beautiful young lady. This star of the “Transformers” franchise has men lining up to see her world-famous smile.
Who is she?
This little girl has an adorable smile, sweetly mussed hair, and a slightly starry expression that makes you wonder if she was day dreaming of the supremely popular actress she would become one day.
Zooey Deschanel
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Young Zooey was destined to be a star. Her mother was an actress and her father was a cinematographer and director, so her calling as an actress was probably already slated when the picture was taken. Zooey’s role in “New Girl” has cemented her place in the hearts of adoring fans everywhere.
Easy (I think)
This picture is like an example of every embarrassing yearbook picture ever snapped. Crazy hair, gap toothed grin, and the look of mischief in those beautiful young eyes. Think you know who this is?
Zac Efron
Zac Efron first danced his way into our hearts in “High School Musical,” and has been stepping all over them ever since. This sex symbol, starring in many hit films, is certainly a far cry from his school photo although we are pretty sure he still made the girl’s hearts race even then.
Wait... It's ... umm...
Take a closer look at those peepers behind the glasses and see if you can recognize that gorgeous smile with the red lips, and those perfect features under those 80’s bangs. Can you see her? The only thing really awkward about this picture is the sweater.
Jennifer Garner
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You can’t miss the resemblance between now-Jennifer and teen-Jennifer now. She certainly grew up and became one sexy, elegant woman. She and her ex, Ben Affleck, are role models for divorced parents everywhere with their perfect co-parenting techniques.
Has not changed a bit
It’s like someone trimmed this handsome young man’s hair with a pair of hedge clippers. Nonetheless, the beautiful smile may be a dead giveaway for this yearbook photo’s identity.
Chris Pratt
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt was a high school wrestler when this picture was taken. His coach asked him what he was planning to do when he grew up, and Chris told him that he wasn’t sure, but he knew he’d be famous and rich. Chris Pratt certainly became both things.
This cute teen is...
Even with a crooked smile, this teen was a beautiful blonde. With a little fashion sense, time, and braces this girl would grow into a talented actress with a huge fan base. Do you recognize her?
Blake Lively
Blake Lively stole the show “Gossip Girl,” and is a sexy, well adjusted woman with several kids of her own, making us wonder what their yearbook photos will look like.
Guess who!
That’s not a caterpillar on this kid’s lip, it was (we assume) a valiant attempt at a mustache. This picture makes us laugh, but the man who grew from the kid makes us laugh even harder.
Jimmy Fallon
Believe it or not, when this photo was taken, funnyman Jimmy Fallon was considering the priesthood. We are as glad that he decided to pursue comedy instead as we are that he chose to shave the mustache off.
Boy or girl?
This adorable little boy with the anime eyes and spiky hairstyle isn’t exactly what you think. He is actually a she! What a cute little tomboy. She would grow into her own soon enough.
Cristin Milotti
The eyes have it; there is no mistaking those gorgeous peepers. Cristin has been involved in “The Wolf of Wall Street” and the series, “How I met your Mother.”
Who is she?
Don’t mess with the blonde in the red headband; her expression says it all. Maybe her look was because she was composing her first rap song while the picture was being snapped.
Iggy Azalea
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It’s true, the Australian Iggy Azalea did begin writing her rap lyrics around the time this photo was taken; maybe it really does explain her no-nonsense expression.
This guy! I know him!
In a truly awkward yearbook moment, this rather odd-looking young man with his big eyes and big dark hair seems to be pleading for rescue from the photographer. Hard to believe he would go on to develop a rap-port with millions of fans as a grown-up.
Eminem
Rapper Eminem sure grew into one gorgeous, talented and sexy man; he has certainly come a long way.
Wait.... it's... it's...
It doesn’t even seem possible that this adorable little girl with the infectious smile and unkempt pigtails would go on to be the winner of five Grammys as well as many other awards for her music. There is no way to see the tragedy that would befall her as an adult, either.
Amy Winehouse
Listening to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” is a chilling look into her life and, ultimately, her death. In 2011, Amy became a member of the 27 club; those stars who would die by the age of 27. She was found by her bodyguard in her room.
One Crazy Transformation
This chubby little fellow, in all his insecure glory, would grow up to date such Hollywood beauties as Kate Moss and Katy Perry. He has a somewhat unhappy look to him here that makes us want to go back in time and tell him he would grow into one of the most well-known figures in Hollywood.
Russel Brand
Russel Brand wasn’t always the outspoken man he is today. He confesses that in his childhood, he felt completely alone and battled Bulimia, which would revisit him again in adulthood as well.
Russel feels pity for the kid in this picture and the constraints that held him captive as a child. He confesses that although he loved his mother, his childhood was quite difficult.
Future Supermodel?
Not quite ready for her closeup, this awkward yearbook photo shows a girl with a crooked smile and untamed hair that would one day grow into a supermodel. While one can see the beauty in this young lady, no one could imagine the surprises her future held for her.
Kate Moss
This picture is a typical 80’s photo, with a typical 80’s hairstyle, typical 80’s crooked little smile, and a typical 80’s shirt. There is nothing typical about Kate Moss now, though; the beautiful supermodel is one of the most famous in the business.
That Sheepish Grin Belongs to...
This awkward young charmer rocks the braces and odd haircut with his sleepy eyes, but he looks naïve and shy.
Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven may have talent and charm to spare, but he also has scandals that rocked his world. He is just one of many Hollywood A-Listers who have been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. Because of these allegations, Jeremy’s show “Wisdom of the Crowd” was canceled.
As Cute As Ever
It is easy to see the beautiful woman behind the young girl’s smile. She is full of the spice of life, even in this photo. Her hairstyle may not be posh and polished, but you may recognize her anyway.
This may be one of the most surprising on the list. It seems former Spice Girl has it all. Fashion designer, pop star, mother- she is something of an icon of the successful woman today as she struts her stuff with impeccable fashion across the globe.
Victoria Beckham
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The gorgeous Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh Spice in the insanely popular girl band, The Spice Girls, is a mother, a fashion designer, and a pop star. Of all the things she is known for, one thing may be surprising; she was a very insecure teenager.
She admits that when she was 18, she would tell herself: “I know you are struggling right now. You are not the prettiest, or the thinnest, or the best at dancing at the Laine Theatre Arts college.” If she could have seen a few years into the future, she would have known she would turn out just fine.
From Geek to Goth
This young girl is a pretty teen, despite her glasses and braces. Her smile says she has it all figured out; she is a nerd with a plan.
Avril Lavigne
The rather geeky girl in the photo couldn’t have known that she would be a punk-rock star known across the globe. Avril Lavigne has no regrets about her childhood or upbringing, saying that it was perfectly normal and full of family, sports and friends.
Guess the Frizzball
There’s not much of a clue in this picture that this teenager would grow into an award-winning actress, full of elegance and grace. We’re not kidding, who she would become is the opposite of who she was here.
The beautiful and incredibly talented Nicole Kidman was anything but the confident and powerhouse of a woman she is today when she was growing up.
With her frizzy hair and rosy complexion, she admits that she was an incredibly shy teenager who did not even feel comfortable walking into a crowded restaurant by herself.
Nicole Kidman
From frizzy, out of control hair to sleek and stylish, Nicole Kidman is unrecognizable in her yearbook photo. While she personifies confidence now, she used to be so shy that she felt incredibly awkward walking into restaurants alone.
So cute as a kid, who could it be today?
This future starlet was cruise-ing beautifully before meeting her ex-husband. As adorable in this picture as she is now, this star was never up a creek without an oar. Can you guess who she is?
She started out on Dawson's Creek, and got stuck with that role for a long time, even after the show ended. Only in the past years did she succeed in leaving her role in the dust. Her ex-husband is quite a sofa jumper, but her daughter is amazing.
Katie Holmes
“Dawson’s Creek” was the launchpad for Katie Holmes, but she has moved on to diverse TV roles, the big screen, producing and directing. She is currently ranked on The Sexiest Women Alive lists in America and Britain. Her ex-husband, Tom Cruise, might even still agree.
Same Shia Different Hair
We’re not entirely sure what this incredibly gawky young man was doing when the picture was snapped; maybe questioning his hair style and fashion choices? He would grow up and become YouTube famous with bizarre clips, and have multiple public drunkenness arrests in his adulthood.
Shia LeBeouf
Before Shia LeBeouf would gain his fortune and fame, along with all the complications that accompany it, he was just a normal kid like any other, perpetually stuck in an awkward yearbook photo, being raised in poverty by his mother.
The Same Serious Face
This young man is easily recognizable from the look on his face; it is the same serious look he carried throughout a franchise of very popular films. Here, he was in the twilight of his youth; he would soon glitter and glow into the hearts of girls everywhere. Can you guess who this solemn faced young man is?
Robert Pattinson
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Robert Pattinson really looks the same now, minus the dorky haircut. He is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood after his role as Edward in the “Twilight” franchises. Team Edward, anyone?
The glasses are gone today
For a clue as to who this slick kid is, look at the eyes and the lips. Imagine him without the glasses. Can you see it? His smirk exudes a confidence that is a little at odds with his awkward snapshot.
Jake Gyllenhaal
When Jake Gyllenhaal posed for this picture, he was already working in his chosen career. His big screen debut was in the film, “City Slickers.” Jake is, of course, a Hollywood heartthrob with the exact same smile in this picture.
What's her name?!
While the girl in this picture is already incredibly beautiful, the woman she became wouldn’t be caught in a blouse like this, or with her hair teased up into this bouffant style. This girl has the low-down on everyone from her block. Any idea who she may be?
Jennifer Lopez
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Her face is still pretty much the same, but Jennifer Lopez’s sense of style and the way she wore her hair sure has changed. J-Lo is every guy’s dream girl, and every girl’s envy. These days, she is basking in happiness with her boyfriend, A-Rod.
You don't know her!
While you may see some similarities in this girl’s face with the sexy bombshell she would become, that’s about the only similarities you will see.
This mullet wearing dark haired teenager would go on to be bay-watched on TV in the 1990’s, and the subject of pinup posters in many boys’ rooms. Can you see who she is?
Pamela Anderson
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Pamela Anderson was the personification of the saying, blondes have more fun. A little hair dye, some lip plumping, and this teen would go from very already very pretty to absolute knock out. She made the boys’ hearts race a little faster whenever she slo-mo-ed across the sand in “Baywatch.”
Just a Little Effort and...
Who would this adorable cherubic child grow to be? With his straight edged bangs and sweet looking face, you want to reach out and hug him tightly. He would move on from this elementary school snapshot to become a music icon.
Calvin Harris
From adorable child to an A-List celebrity, Calvin Harris shows that with a little haircut and time, you can be a sexy heartthrob. Calvin Harris has famously dated many gorgeous women, such as Taylor Swift.
Recognizably hot
Yeah, this one is almost too easy. There is no way to hide his insane hotness, even during a yearbook photo. While most teens pose awkwardly for their pictures, this one looks like he was made to be in front of the camera, which, in fact, he was.
A popular kid throughout his high school years, this guy was a part of several sports teams, like golf, tennis and swimming. It must have been the pits being a guy competing for the girls in this school.
Brad Pitt
From a photo that looks like a professional model headshot to a career in Hollywood that included multiple hit and critically acclaimed films, Brad Pitt is the epitome of rugged good looks. No girl can resist the bare-chested Achilles in the 2004 epic film, “Troy.”
This Cool kid must be...
With this smug look, this teen knows he is too cool for school. He obviously already knew he was destined for big things. This actor, however, had some difficulties in his teen and tween years, with an alcoholic father and his parents divorcing when he was only 12.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck was a handsome teen, obviously, and would go on to earn a teenage movie part in the movie, “Dazed and Confused.” This movie was only the beginning, and his career took off from there.
Today, the cool teenager in this picture is a screenwriter, producer, and, of course, sought after actor.
I'm sure you know this Guy...
Don’t laugh at the hair gel, we’re pretty sure this was a thing once. This young man looks dressed to the nines for his picture day, with his suit and tie and pasted on smile. He would go on to become a successful actor, with nominations for two Golden Globes and four Academy Awards so far.
But he never felt like his looks where anything special growing up, stating: "I never lived the life of 'Oh, you're so good-looking'. People thought I was a girl when I was little because I looked like a girl—maybe because my mother would keep my hair really long".
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is widely considered one of the best-looking actors in Hollywood these days, even though he denies it was always this way. He claims that growing up, not only was he not told he was a good-looking guy, he was mistaken for a girl when he was very young because his mother kept his hair long.
She always wanted a ring
From the queen of the prom to the queen of pop, this is one girl who knew she had it all together even as a teen. No one ever told her that high school pictures were supposed to be awkward and unattractive.
The girl in this photo was just embarking on her massive career by joining in school groups like choir and dance.
Beyoncé
There is only one Beyoncé, and she and her husband Jay Z reign supreme on the music scene. Destiny’s Child, a wildly popular girl’s group, defined a generation but Beyoncé had more in store for her fans when she went solo, making hit after hit and rocking out, Queen B style.
The voice of God
This one is easy. The same intensity in his eyes in this yearbook picture is the same one he kept throughout his spectacular, all encompassing career. At the age of nine, he starred in his school play; maybe this is what made him choose his career in Hollywood.
This actor would almost succumb to pneumonia around the same time this picture was taken.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman has been a man on the scene for decades, with numerous films and awards to his name. He was honored recently with the Sag Lifetime Achievement Award. We wonder if he narrated his own teenage life?
This everyday teen turned into...
Can you see past the rather unpleasant choice in blouses and earrings to see the beauty of the girl wearing them? This is one teen who never hungered for fame as a young adult.
The actress admits that throughout her childhood, she was plagued with anxiety and feelings of displacement that would disappear when she took the stage.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence knew early on that she wanted to be an actress. She would ditch the dangly earrings and go on to portray the heroine, Katniss, in the Hunger Games franchise, making her one of the highest grossing actresses of all time, despite her youth; Jennifer Lawrence is only 28.
Can you recognize his happiness?
This is a singer who still embraces floral button-down shirts but has long since lost the tall afro. This picture proves that this singer has always been happy. By the time this yearbook picture was taken, he had already known he would be a musician.
This cool kid wasn’t too cool to be in the marching band, where he played the drums and keyboard. Any idea who he is?
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams has accomplished so much since this photo was snapped. He has made quite a name for himself in the music industry as self-made genius in the field. He is a record and film producer, songwriter, singer and rapper.
This funny hairdo belongs to...
There is no way to miss this funny man’s identity in this high school photo. He would have one of the top-rated shows of all time, although it was famously a chow about nothing.
He had a wonderful childhood in his native New York, developing a comedic style all his own at a young age. He got many of his jokes from his father, a Hungarian Jew, who collected them during World War II.
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld, star of the self-titled show “Seinfeld” would captivate an audience and keep them tuning in for more for years. What he lacks in hair now, compared to this yearbook picture, he has made up for in success, money and fame.
Jerry Seinfeld is widely considered one of the best stand-up comedians of all time.
This serious guy is...
While he may look like the poster boy of good, clean living and the role model for every teen in school, this teen was hiding a secret. He was constantly in trouble at school, was turning towards a gangster lifestyle, and even served a short time in jail for cocaine possession.
Snoop Dogg
Rapper Snoop Dogg now has signature dreadlocks and a string of albums, but he never left trouble far behind him. He was discovered by fellow rapper Dr. Dre and would be an instant hit, selling 3 million albums and becoming one of the biggest names in rap music for many years now.
You'll never guess...
This basketball looks more than a little out of place being held by this somewhat geeky, bespectacled boy with the scrawny arms in this pic. Little could anyone have known that he would blossom into an amazing Hollywood triple threat and land one of the most beautiful women to grace the screen?
Joe Manganiello
We imagine that Sophia Vergara is as proud to be married to hunky Joe Manganiello as he is to be her husband. How could this basket ball clutching kid have known that he would end up a writer, director, and award-winning actor with such a stunning wife?
Once a Diva, always a diva
Even with outrageous eighties hair, this teen should be easily recognizable as the pop princess with an astounding five octave vocal range. Even though this sweet young girl looks happy, her childhood was difficult.
The daughter of a black father and a white mother, this star-to-be was never quite comfortable in her own skin and faced racial discrimination from both sides.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey not only survived her difficult childhood, it would make her the strong and determined woman she became. Determined to fulfill her music industry dreams, Mariah would face rejection in the early years, finding no one who wanted to listen to her music.
She currently has sold well over 2000 million albums and is one of the bestselling musicians ever.
Yippee ki yay, it's...
This serious young man is well conformed to his dress code, with his tie and suit. Future guy, though, will find his fame in a torn muscle shirt in a very popular movie franchise.
While he looks happy and well adjusted, this teen suffered a severe stutter that he could only overcome when he was acting on the stage. Maybe this was when he developed the acting bug and would pursue his dreams, proving that ambitions die hard. Know who he is?
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis may be known for movies like “Armageddon” and “Die Hard,” but all told he has more than sixty movies to his credit to date. Finding his comfort zone on stage would lead to an amazingly successful acting career.
Does he look funny?
This comedian hasn’t changed one bit in the years between this picture and his current success. Sadly for this dreamy eyed teen, he had a tragic childhood.
His father would be murdered by his lover, leaving him in foster care for a year, and his mother would become gravely ill later that same year. Using humor as a defense, this funnyman would later grace the stage in sold-out comedic performances and have many roles in laugh-out-loud movies.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is on Comedy Central’s top comedians of all times list, holding a respectable number ten. On top of his stand-up, his movie appearances would earn him multiple Golden Globe Awards nominations.
Thankfully, despite his heavy and dark childhood, Eddie Murphy found the solace he needed in comedy and shares it with the rest of us.
Romantic or evil? Mathew McConaughey
Ah, the memories of an 80’s puka shell necklace. Only the coolest kids had these, and judging by this guy’s self-confident smirk, he knew he was “in.”
His childhood wasn’t entirely smooth, and he dealt with constant confusion as his parents would divorce, marry, divorce again, and marry again three times in total.
Nonetheless, this teen was probably quite a babe magnet in high school, a trend that followed him into adulthood.
McConaughey's career has seen so many different stages. From his breakout in Dazed and Confused to becoming the star of romantic comedies, to channeling his more serious side in the drama category, he has proved he can conquer all genres and has an Academy Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award to prove it.
Mathew McConaughey
From his role in “Dazed and Confused” to becoming the ultimate rom-com icon, Matthew McConaughey would prove he was a force to be reckoned with on the big screen.
He would branch out into other genres such as drama and earn multiple awards such as Critics’ Choice Movie, Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Screen Actor’s Guild.
Can you see the vision in his eyes?
That sleepy look and bow tie were already hinting at great things for this teenage dreamer. In fact, by the time this yearbook picture was snapped, this young man had been dabbling with his dad’s video camera and a few friends to produce a few amateur movies.
Here, he makes school pictures look like a walk in a park; success was not an alien concept for him. Did you guess who he is?
Steven Spielberg
With films like Jurassic Park, ET, Jaws, and many, many more over the course of a highly successful career, Steven Spielberg would follow his dreams and go on to direct some of the most popular films in all of movie history, becoming a name synonymous with directing in Hollywood.
Can you recognize this guy?
Already a lady’s man by the time this high school picture was snapped, this dreamy teen would conquer hearts as easily as he would later conquer challenging film roles. He was quite a successful football player in his day, too, which probably added to his allure for the girls.
Tommy Lee Jones
While Tommy Lee Jones would become a highly successful actor in amazing films like 1993’s The Fugitive, he seems to have lost some of those polished good looks that he had in high school.
This fresh looking prince is...
This one isn’t much of a challenge. This actor/performer hasn’t changed a bit since this yearbook photo was taken. He oozes the easy self-confidence that has followed him through his life and career, making him one of the most popular artists of music and film of all time.
Will Smith
When faced with an offer to go to MIT and study, Will Smith decided that he would take a different route. He is, to date, the only actor to have had 8 consecutive movies that had box office grosses over $100 million. Fresh Prince of Bel Air? More like Cool King of the Silver Screen.
So... who's the kid in the photo?
