Entertainment

Say Cheese! 27 Celeb Throwback Pics That Will Bring You Back to School

EntertainmentPublished Aug 19, 2016
By Tanvier Peart
Celebrities high school throwback photos

Who can remember back to the days of navigating school halls, the jitters you felt trying to make new friends, and signing up for extracurricular activities for the sake of getting into college? Life in school was certainly no walk in the park. It definitely had its ups and downs, along with the occasional crush on the popular bad boy that would put Dylan McKay to shame. But you know what else was just as nerve-racking? School photos.

Eek, don't even mention them!

Consider yourself extremely lucky if you were able to snap a good pic that never came back to haunt you -- though something tells us most weren't so lucky. Given cheesy adolescent photos with bad hairdos and shiny red acne are pretty common, it doesn't hurt to take a stroll down memory lane for the sake of a few laughs.

So before you get your kids ready for their school pics this year, check out some throwback snaps of our favorite celebrities in their younger school days. Some are pretty adorable ... and others are, well, pretty interesting.

Images via Splash News; Hannah Lorch / Splash News; Katielee Arrowsmith/Splash News

1/27
Leonardo DiCaprio-placeholder
Leonardo DiCaprio
Splash News

Leonardo DiCaprio

It's no secret how much of a looker Leonardo DiCaprio was growing up. But man, this high school pic is beyond adorable. Wouldn't you have loved to bump into Leo during history class, or be just a few lockers down from him?

More from CafeMom: Then & Now: 10 Awkward Male Child Stars Who Grew Up to Be Gorgeous

2/27
Amy Poehler-placeholder
Amy Poehler
Splash News

Amy Poehler

This. Photo. Of. Amy. Poehler. Is. EPIC! Her hair definitely wins the award for best '80s style. (Heaven only knows the amount of hair spray Amy went through to make that 'do possible.) Aside from her stunning look, Amy was actually quite active during her days in high school. Not only was Poehler on the basketball and soccer teams, but she also got her high kicks and spirit fingers in on the cheerleading squad.

3/27
Taylor Swift-placeholder
Taylor Swift
Splash News

Taylor Swift

Who else can remember mom or dad (likely mom) dragging you to the department store for a cheesy photo shoot with that smoky backdrop? Yeah, this photo is bringing back those oh so wonderful memories. Taylor Swift was definitely a cutie pie during her younger years.

4/27
Chris Pratt-placeholder
Chris Pratt
Splash News

Chris Pratt

Before he became one of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt was a high school "Class Clown" who could also kick your butt on the wrestling mat. Even with those choppy '90s bangs, Chris still looks like a cool friend to have.

More from CafeMom: 20 Doting Hollywood Dads Who Are Getting the Job Done

5/27
Ryan Reynolds-placeholder
Ryan Reynolds
Splash News

Ryan Reynolds

If eyes are truly windows to the soul, one can only imagine what Ryan Reynolds was thinking about in this photo. Maybe he knew he would become one of the raunchiest and wickedly awesome superheroes in the Marvel galaxy. Maybe Ryan knew he would marry one of the prettiest women alive (that's Blake Lively, in case you didn't know), and father beautiful children the world will likely never see. Or, maybe Ryan Reynolds is just waiting for recess to start.

6/27

Jennifer Lopez

Who knew Jennifer Lopez was a high school track runner? (No wonder she has such amazing legs!) 

JLo is giving us all sorts of fierceness in her face. She is determined to reach the finish line and refuses to let anything get in her way. Go, Jennifer, go!

7/27
Mila Kunis-placeholder
Mila Kunis
Hannah Lorch / Splash News

Mila Kunis

OMG, Mila Kunis was so freaking adorable in middle school! Doesn't she have that smile that says, "My mama paid a good price for these pictures so I'm making sure she gets her money's worth"? Yup, this likely hung up on the refrigerator.

More from CafeMom: 14 Celebrity Couples Who Also Work Together

8/27
Matt Damon-placeholder
Matt Damon
Splash News

Matt Damon

Before he became Jason Bourne, Matt Damon was a student at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Massachusetts, along with his bestie Ben Affleck. One can only imagine how many people had a major crush on Damon -- just look at this picture-perfect pose and that hair. Matt Damon embodied Zack Morris before Saved by the Bell became a thing.

9/27
Tina Fey-placeholder
Tina Fey
Splash News

Tina Fey

It's so hard to believe Tina Fey was a mean girl in high school, but she was. "[Bullying] was a disease that had to be conquered. It's another coping mechanism -- it's a bad coping mechanism -- but when you feel less than ... in your mind it's a way of leveling the playing field. Though of course it's not," Fey admitted to The Edit. Thankfully, Tina learned the error of her ways and has been warming our hearts with laughter ever since.

10/27
Reese Witherspoon-placeholder
Reese Witherspoon
Splash News

Reese Witherspoon

Wowza! Take a look at Reese Witherspoon's high school photo. Doesn't it look like a dreamy headshot? Seeing as Reese started landing gigs in her teens (who else loved The Man in the Moon?), maybe this pic was a leftover she used for the Harpeth Hall Academy yearbook? Regardless, it's one of the best snaps we've seen.

More from CafeMom: 17 Ways to Enjoy the Celeb Life in Real Life Without Breaking the Bank

11/27
Gwen Stefani-placeholder
Gwen Stefani
Chris Whittle / Splash News

Gwen Stefani

No need to do a double take here; this is in fact Gwen Stefani. Before she started rocking out onstage, Gwen was just your average California girl who enjoyed playing soccer and swimming on her high school team.

12/27
Adam Levine-placeholder
Adam Levine
Katielee Arrowsmith/Splash News

Adam Levine

Even though Adam Levine looks the exact same as he did in high school (minus all the tats of course), there's something about his Brentwood High pic that's really ... spooky. Is anyone else getting an American Horror Story/I will stalk you if you break up with me kind of vibe from his stare? Then again, maybe the call time for Adam's yearbook pics were early in the morning.

13/27
Amy Adams-placeholder
Amy Adams
Splash News

Amy Adams

Aww. Just look at this photo of young Amy Adams! She looks like a gal pal we would love to have over for a sleepover. We could play endless rounds of Dream Phone and watch Clarissa Explains It All and Are You Afraid of the Dark? on SNICK.

More from CafeMom: 21 Celebrity Daughters Who Look Just Like Their Moms

14/27
Ben Affleck-placeholder
Ben Affleck
Phil Penman/©Splash News

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck is giving us straight swag in this high school pic. It looks like Ben is saying, "Yeah, I know I'm going to make it as an actor, win a couple of Oscars, and land a few 'meh' roles (RIP, *Gigli*) -- but just wait. I'm going to be Batman."

15/27
Emma Stone-placeholder
Emma Stone
Splash News

Emma Stone

No matter how many high school characters Emma Stone played on the big screen, this pic of her is quite darling. Hopefully you soaked it all in, considering Emma Stone dropped out of high school after filming Superbad without any regrets. "I was playing a senior, and had I graduated I would've missed that opportunity, and had I missed that opportunity I wouldn't be here right now," Stone once told Vanity Fair. We're so happy everything worked out!

16/27
Taylor Schilling-placeholder
Taylor Schilling
Wayland / Splash News

Taylor Schilling

Not to be confused with her character Piper's mugshot on Orange Is the New Black is this fun yearbook pic of Taylor Schilling. The actress is all smiles and is giving us so much Alicia Silverstone realness.

More from CafeMom: How Well Do You Know 'Orange Is the New Black'? (TRIVIA)

17/27

Brie Larson

Who knows if Brie Larson ever got around to studying the ins and outs of ancient Egyptian civilization. All we know is she got herself an Academy Award and has been kicking ass on screen for quite some time. At least Brie got the acting ambition right. PS: Look at the shade she threw at the gal above her in the yearbook, LOL!

18/27
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Eva Mendes
Splash News

Eva Mendes

It's sad to think Eva Mendes was bullied, but that only proves meanness does not discriminate. "I was a gawky, skinny girl with big teeth and that made me an easy target. I had two bullies and they tortured me all through junior high school," Mendes told the Daily Mail. Thankfully, Eva was able to find the inner strength to stand up to her bullies and now enjoys a life full of confidence.

19/27
Paul Rudd-placeholder
Paul Rudd
Splash News

Paul Rudd

Oh my gosh, Becky, look at that mullet! Actor Paul Rudd had some serious hair during his days at Shawnee Mission West High School in Missouri. Between that and the popped collar, Rudd definitely had his '80s look down. His face, though? Looks exactly the same!

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20/27
Elizabeth Banks-placeholder
Elizabeth Banks
Splash News

Elizabeth Banks

My, was Elizabeth Banks the quintessential high schooler. Not only was she a cheerleader (she switched to coaching after she broke her leg), but she also starred in many high school stage productions. And then there's her high school yearbook photo, which looks all sorts of whimsical and blemish-free.

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21/27
Eva Longoria-placeholder
Eva Longoria
Splash News

Eva Longoria

Big hair. Big collar dress. Yup, Eva Longoria was all about the '80s in high school. (Molly Ringwald would be proud.) She was probably one of the trendiest kids at her Corpus Christi, Texas, high school!

More from CafeMom: Bedazzled Shirts! Big Bangs! 13 Celeb #TBT Pics From the '80s & '90s That Make Us LOL

22/27
Taylor Lautner-placeholder
Taylor Lautner
Splash News

Taylor Lautner

No, this isn't a recent pic of Taylor Lautner. He was actually in high school in southern California (Valencia High, to be exact) at the time, though that didn't last long. (Taylor had pretty steady acting gigs when he was 12.) Still, he looks just as cute as he does today ... minus that spiky hair.

23/27
Renee Zellweger-placeholder
Renee Zellweger
Splash News

Renee Zellweger

Those who have something to say about Renee Zellweger's looks need to have several seats. She was a looker back in the day and is a looker now. In fact, Renee was extremely loved in high school, which speaks to her beauty both on the inside and out. 

More from CafeMom: 15 Female Celebrities Who Were Accused of Being Too Thin

24/27
Stanley Tucci-placeholder
Stanley Tucci
Splash News

Stanley Tucci

Looking good, Caesar Flickerman! (That's a nod to The Hunger Games, in case you didn't catch it.) Stanley Tucci looks just like his former high school self -- minus the hair, of course. Tucci was not only the co-captain of his high school soccer team, but looked quite dashing in a blazer and sweater.

25/27
Alec Baldwin-placeholder
Alec Baldwin
Splash News

Alec Baldwin

Would you look at Alec Baldwin. He would fit right in on *The Partridge Family* or *The Brady Bunch*! Though we doubt we'll ever see Alec rocking the "Justin Bieber" 'do anytime soon, it sure is fun to look back on his yearbook pic at Berner High School in New York.

26/27
Queen Latifah-placeholder
Queen Latifah
Splash News

Queen Latifah

All hail the queen! Dana Owens, aka Queen Latifah, was quite the force in high school. Not only did Queen start rapping in a female group, but was a forward on the girls' basketball team and helped lead them to a championship. Look at Latifah in action!

More from CafeMom: 20 Celebrities Who Have Mastered the Workout Selfie

27/27
Jesse Eisenberg-placeholder
Jesse Eisenberg
Splash News

Jesse Eisenberg

Call us crazy but Jesse Eisenberg kinda looks cute in his school pic. Sure, he practically looks the same as he does now, but there's something jovial about his gaze that gets us excited for his future. This Jersey boy is going places.

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