21 Old Hollywood Celebrities At The Beginning Vs. End Of Their Careers
21 Old Hollywood Celebrities At The Beginning Vs. End Of Their Careers
Michele BirdThu, September 24, 2026 at 12:31 PM UTC
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The Golden Age of Hollywood was an iconic time in the industry. From the films that became beloved classics to the stars who left lasting impressions, this era changed cinematic history forever. And if you're feeling a little nostalgic, let's take a walk down memory lane to see how these legendary stars looked at the start of their careers vs. the very end:1. To start, here's Marilyn Monroe in 1946:
Richard C. Miller / Donaldson Collection / Getty ImagesHere's Marilyn in 1962:
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Richard C. Miller / Donaldson Collection / Getty Images, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesHer final role was in Something's Got to Give (1962). She died on August 4, 1962.2. Here's James Dean in the 1950s:
Bettmann / Getty ImagesHere's James in 1955:
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Bettmann / Getty Images, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesHis final role was in a 1957 episode of The Big Story. He died on September 30, 1955.3. Here's Audrey Hepburn in the early 1950s:
Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesHere's Audrey in 1992:
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images
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And here are those photos side by side:
Hulton Archive / Getty Images, Vinnie Zuffante / Getty ImagesHer final role was in Always (1989). She died on January 20, 1993.4. Here's Marlon Brando in 1948:
Bettmann / Getty ImagesHere's Marlon in 2004:
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Bettmann / Getty Images, Vinnie Zuffante / Getty ImagesHis final role was in Big Bug Man (2006). He died on July 1, 2004.5. Here's Elizabeth Taylor in the 1940s:
George Rinhart / Corbis via Getty ImagesHere's Elizabeth in 2009:
Michael Kovac / FilmMagic / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
George Rinhart / Corbis via Getty Images, Michael Kovac / FilmMagic / Getty ImagesHer last role was in the 2002 music video for Elton John's "Original Sin." She died on March 23, 2011.6. Here's Judy Garland in 1935:
Archive Photos / Getty ImagesHere's Judy in 1967:
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Archive Photos / Getty Images, Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHer last performance was in the 1963 taping of the song "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" alongside Barbra Streisand. She died on June 22, 1969.7. Here's Shirley Temple in 1935:
Screen Archives / Getty ImagesHere's Shirley in 2006:
Vince Bucci / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Screen Archives / Getty Images, Vince Bucci / Getty ImagesHer final role was in a 1963 episode of The Red Skelton Hour. She died on February 10, 2014.
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8. Here's John Wayne in 1930:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty ImagesHere's John in 1978:
American Broadcasting Companies via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images, American Broadcasting Companies via Getty ImagesHis final role was in The Shootist (1976). He died on June 11, 1979.9. Here's Bette Davis in 1932:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty ImagesHere's Bette in 1988:
Jim Smeal / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images, Jim Smeal / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHer final role was in Wicked Stepmother (1989). She died on October 6, 1989.10. Here's Joan Crawford in 1930:
George Hurrell / John Kobal Foundation / Getty ImagesHere's Joan in 1972:
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
George Hurrell / John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images, Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesHer final role was in a 1972 episode of The Sixth Sense. She died on May 10, 1977.11. Here's Clark Gable in 1930:
Pictorial Parade / Archive Photos / Getty ImagesHere's Clark in 1960:
Silver Screen Collection / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Pictorial Parade / Archive Photos / Getty Images, Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images
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His final role was in The Misfits (1961). He died on November 16, 1960.12. Here's Fred Astaire in 1935:
Silver Screen Collection / Getty ImagesHere's Fred in 1985:
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images, Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHis final role was in Ghost Story (1981). He died on June 22, 1987.13. Here's Lauren Bacall in the 1940s:
Warner Bros. Pictures / Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty ImagesHere's Lauren in 2010:
Kevork Djansezian / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Warner Bros. Pictures / Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images, Kevork Djansezian / Getty ImagesHer final role was in a 2014 episode of Family Guy. She died on August 12, 2014.14. Here's Sophia Loren in 1955:
Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche / Getty ImagesHere's Sophia in 2024:
MEGA / GC Images / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche / Getty Images, MEGA / GC Images / Getty ImagesHer most recent role was in The Life Ahead (2020). She will be 92 this year.15. Here's Gregory Peck in 1947:
Screen Archives / Getty ImagesHere's Gregory in 2000:
PASCAL GUYOT / AFP via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Screen Archives / Getty Images, PASCAL GUYOT / AFP via Getty ImagesHis final role was in a 1998 episode of Moby Dick. He died on June 12, 2003.16. Here's Katharine Hepburn in 1930:
Archive Photos / Getty ImagesHere's Katharine in 1992:
Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Archive Photos / Getty Images, Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHer final role was in One Christmas (1994). She died on June 29, 2003.
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17. Here's Cary Grant in 1933:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty ImagesHere's Cary in 1985:
Ralph Dominguez / MediaPunch via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images, Ralph Dominguez / MediaPunch via Getty ImagesHis final role was in Walk Don't Run (1966). He died on November 29, 1986.18. Here's James Stewart in 1940:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty ImagesHere's James in 1993:
Ron Davis / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images, Ron Davis / Getty ImagesHis final role was in An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991). He died on July 2, 1997.19. Here's Humphrey Bogart in 1930:
Archive Photos / Getty ImagesHere's Humphrey in 1954:
Baron / Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Archive Photos / Getty Images, Baron / Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesHis final role was in The Harder They Fall (1956). He died on January 14, 1957.20. Here's Rock Hudson in 1950:
Universal-International / De Carvalho Collection / Getty ImagesHere's Rock in 1984:
Bob Riha, Jr. / Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Universal-International / De Carvalho Collection / Getty Images, Bob Riha, Jr. / Getty ImagesHis final role was in a 1985 episode of Dynasty. He died on October 2, 1985.21. Finally, here's Brigitte Bardot in 1955:
Bettmann / Getty ImagesHere's Brigitte in 2007:
ERIC FEFERBERG,LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP via Getty ImagesAnd here are those photos side by side:
Bettmann / Getty Images, ERIC FEFERBERG,LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP via Getty ImagesHer final role was in The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot (1973). She died on December 28, 2025.Who's your favorite Old Hollywood celeb? Share in the comments.
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