The Way They Was (Part 2)

In part one of this series (Click here to go to Part 1) we looked at how a few celebrities looked in their younger years before they made it big. It was kind of inspiring since it was obvious that most were pretty average looking and evolved into the glitterazzi we all know and love today.

This batch is no different except we threw in a few that were pretty bright eyed and fresh looking in their youth before being run over by the steamroller known as age. Once again it is inspiring to know that celebrities are just like us. Enjoy.

John Travolta


Growing up in the 70s, who didn’t want to be John Travolta? Growing up in the 2000’s nobody wants to be John Travolta. Okay that was a bit harsh……. he’s still cool and takes on pretty daring roles. Gotta love Barbarino.

Terry Hatcher

I’m still amazed she was actually a Bond girl. She’s looking pretty thin lately – a bit too thin which tends to be a wee bit off putting but she still has her moments on Desperate Housewives where she’s almost attractive…….almost.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle is stunning and was pretty darn cute when she was younger as well. She had that all American girl look and grew up to be one of the sexiest Hollywood villains ever. She is Catwoman. Grrrooowl! (I digress)
Madonna
I’d say something bad about her except for two things – first, she kind of scares me and could probably take me in a fight (look at those biceps!) and secondly she’s still freakin’ awesome. Her body of work (and body) have pretty much spoken for themselves over the years but she could skip a few workouts and pop a couple of glazed donuts once in a while.
George Clooney
Wow – what to say? George is the embodiment of every bad grade school picture ever taken but thankfully that picture provides hope for the countless size 8 bowl haircut wearing geeks everywhere – you too can grow up to look like George Clooney……..though not likely.

The Way They Was (Part 2)

Continuing where we left off from Part 1, lets continue our look at how some celebrities looked when they were younger. In some cases you can see they’ve aged gracefully, others – not so much. You can also tell which have a team of plastic surgeons on their payrolls. I’ll leave it up to you to determine which group each star falls into.

As I mentioned in my original post, if you invest thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery, work out all day and have an army of personal trainers and private chefs cooking succulent, low carb meals – you better be tight abbed, ripped with buns of steel, a perfect complexion, perky breasts that can repel shrapnel and flowing, shiny hair that can cause rainbows to spontaneously appear when you walk into a room………….. just sayin’.
Nicole Kidman
What goes better with pasty white skin than red curly hair? How about a tan? She’s obviously very pretty but get out in the sun once in a while – it won’t kill you. It’s not like it gives you cancer……….oh wait – nevermind.
Sara Jessica Parker
Ok seriously, has this girl ever looked good? How does she snag all the beauty product endorsements? How does she continue to get roles? How does she not get hunted down by zombie fearing citizens? I’m not saying I’m God’s gift to the opposite sex, but I’m pretty damn sure if I put on a dress and shaved my head I’d still be getting hit on more than her. Not that I’d really want to test that theory, but you get the point.
Kiefer Sutherland
One thing is certain, Kiefer knew how to rock the 70s porno stache back in the day. Jack Bauer would probably have killed porno stached Kiefer if he ever ran into him since he looks kind of suspicious and creepy, but then again that’s more than enough for Jack to go all Rambo on you.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie certainly looks a lot different than she did in 1987. Looking at her, it seems pretty obvious where Pete Burns from Dead or Alive gets his inspiration from when he sees his plastic surgeon. Too bad his doctor sucks in a fierce way.
George Michael
Before Georgie Boy was getting caught in men’s rooms doing naughty things with undercover cops, George Michael made all the ladies scream as one half of Wham! Safe to say that George, like his music, is looking (and sounding) better with age.

Retro Celebrity Disses and Put Downs

When you watch the chemistry between a couple of actors at the top of their game on the big screen you tend to think to yourself what a wonderful life they must have and how great it must be to be working opposite other famous actors. You figure they can’t possibly have the same problems you do in your job like dealing with the obnoxious slob in the cubicle next to yours or the whiny girl in accounting that always seems to be at your desk just as you’re about to head out to lunch.

Well guess again. Although many actors have great experiences while filming with their co-stars, others have less than happy thoughts after the fact and aren’t afraid to express themselves. Here are a few for your consideration.
Susan Sarandon once said of Mel Gibson, “He’s somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun. He’s beautiful, but only on the outside.” Ouch. I’m pretty sure Mel mentioned something about her outer beauty as well and how he wanted to go all Atilla on her but I’m pretty sure it’s not the same thing.
Kris Kristofferson commented on his “A Star Is Born” co-star Barbara Streisand saying, “Working with Barbara Streisand is pretty stressful. It’s like sitting down to a picnic in the middle of a freeway.” Well, that paints a pretty picture don’t it? He’s not alone though. Tennis star Pete Sampras used to date Babs and he once noted, “She’s what I call a pitching wedge. She looks good from about 150 yards away.” I don’t think in all recorded history has a woman ever been compared to a golf club.
Ava Gardener seemed a little embittered towards her ex-husband Frank Sinatra when he married actress Mia Farrow. Ava said, “I always knew he’d end up in bed with a boy.” Meeeeow. Having said that, looking at the picture kind of makes it hard to dispute. Well played Ava……well played.
Frank Sinatra was one of the hottest crooners in music for the longest time until a good ol’ boy from Memphis took the country by storm. Elvis Presley – nuff said. What did ol’ blue eyes think of Elvis’s style of music? He said, “His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac.” Seriously Frank, how do you really feel? Always remember, Frank may have been the Chairman of the board, but Elvis was the King. Thank ya vury muuch.
I would have asked what’s up with Melanie Griffith’s sunglasses but they really are the least of her problems at the moment. Here’s what the Antonio Banderas loving actress said about working with James Wood, “It is like being pregnant. At first you are happy. Then you think it was a mistake. And in the end you want it to be over.” Geez – where is the love? Who knows, maybe James is difficult to work with, but having said that, it’s also true that James Woods is actually prettier than Melanie.

Before They Were Famous Part 3

Many a young actor has been faced with making commercials as a way to pay the bills that can hopefully lead to something bigger and better. If they’re lucky, it will be an advertisement that is classy and have artistic merit that they can proudly look back on. On the other hand, it may be something they regret ever doing and hate anyone for bringing it up.

Here’s a look at a few more examples of commercials featuring celebrities before they made it big – you decide what category they belong in as mentioned above. To check out the first installment, click here and the second installment, click here.


Before hanging with friends as Joey Tribiani, Matt LeBlanc did a Heinz Ketchup commercial that was actually pretty cool. Even back then you could almost picture the classic line oozing out of him made famous years later on Friends, “How yooooou doin’…..?”

Bruce Willis made an appearance on our second installment, with hair, dancing away in a Levi’s ad. Here he is again in a Seagram’s commercial, still with hair, which illustrates clearly he wasn’t afraid to ham it up for the camera.

Not to be outdone by her ex-husband, here’s Demi Moore, before the half million dollars worth of cosmetic surgeries, doing her thing in a Coke ad. I think this ad is older than Ashton Kutcher………..just sayin’.

Finally, rounding out our retro look at celebrities in advertising is Neo himself, Keanu Reeves, in a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes ad from 1987. I can honestly say I’ve never seen such a look of pure joy, such satisfaction (ecstasy?) from any one eating a bowl of cereal before.

What’s in a Name? (Part 1)

If you’re going to make it in show business you need to have a good name. You also may want to use a different name to allow yourself a little anonymity when you want to get away from it all. You also may need a new name to help bolster the image your trying to portray. Let’s face it, John Wayne would never have commanded the respect in those Westerns if he went by his real name, Marian Morrison. Here’s a list of some famous people and their not so famous real names.

Demi Moore – Demetria Guynes (named her kids Rumer Glenn, Scout Larue, Tallulah Belle)

Tom Cruise – Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

Shania Twain – Eileen Twain (married a guy named Mutt Lange)

Bono – Paul Hewson

Prince – Prince Rogers Nelsen
Eddie Money – Eddie Mahoney

Winona Ryder – Winona Laura Horowitz

Meg Ryan – Margaret Hyra

Seal – Sealhenry Samuel

Meatloaf – Marvin Lee Adair

Martin Sheen – RamonĂ³n Estevez

Joan Rivers – Joan Sandra Molinsky

Jackie Chan – Chan Kong Sung (means Born in Hong Kong)

Alice Cooper – Vincent Damon Furnier

Stevie Wonder – Steveland Judkins

The Way They Was (Part 1)

It’s always cool to see what celebrities looked like when they were younger and what they look like now for a couple of reasons. Not only does it “humanize” them in terms of making them look more like everyday people you come across in daily life, but you see that often times they were very average looking in their younger years but are now quite attractive.

It’s kind of inspiring and makes you think that one day, you too may be better looking and more attractive as well. Especially if you invest thousands of dollars in plastic surgery, workout for the better part of the day, have a personal trainer, a personal dietician, and personal assistants that can take care of things for you while you workout – like take your kids to soccer practice.

Angelina Jolie

Looking like a little cutie in 1988 – no sign that she’d grow up to be the homewrecker that she is although since she bagged Brad Pitt, somehow she gets a pass from scorn. Hmmmmmm.

Brad Pitt

Just as good looking today as he did in 1987. Funny how when Billy Bob Thorten split with his wife to be with Angelina Jolie he was labelled a pig and a scoundrel. Mr. Pitt does it and all the woman high five each other. Double standard? Just sayin’…….

Halle Barry

I think Halle Berry looked great in 1986 and then every year after. Though she’s been known to wear a gold belt from time to time, she hasn’t worn a leotard with USA printed on it for a while.

One word – “The Hoff”


Considering the macho roles he’s had plus the fact he played the part of a life guard for a while, you’d think back in 1980 he would have spent a little more time at the gym trying to bulk up a bit with some muscle rather than all that time blowdrying his hair.

Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson if you’re nasty. Cute as a button in 1984 and sexy as hell today. Anyone remember her on Good Times ?
Pierce Bronson
Clearly a Burt Reynolds fan in 1981, the future James Bond seemed to get more suave and good looking as he aged. Clearly couldn’t afford a stylist in early ’80s .