Last night I happened upon the Instagram account of Dutch graphic designer Ard Gelinck (@ardgelinck) and I thought it was so cool. He takes photos of celebrities and makes a side-by-side images that makes it look like they are hanging out with their younger self.
He has over 5000 images and though I didn’t see them all, I did do a lot of scrolling and scrolling down memory lane LOL.
I decided to do an 80’s themed post so I could include all my childhood celebrity crushes (and hopefully some of yours as well!).
Hope this takes you back a bit and brings you some smiles…
#1 Rob Lowe
Let’s start with a celebrity who has somehow only gotten better looking with age. Though my kids know him from Parks & Rec, he will forever be Sodapop from The Outsiders to me.
#2 Brad Pitt
Seriously, how are these guys aging so well?? So not fair…
#3 Brooke Shields
My first memory of Brooke Shields is from The Blue Lagoon. It came out in 1980, when I was ten years old. It was Rated R, so I have no idea why I ever would have seen it, but somehow I did. Gotta love 80’s parenting! My kids know her as the crazy neighbor Rita on The Middle. Who knew the “Do you know what comes between me and my Calvins?” model would turn into a really good comedic actress?
#4 Ralph Macchio
Another Outsiders alum, the original Karate Kid was often featured on my teenage bedroom wall. I remember when I was about 12, my friend’s friend’s neighbor’s friend (LOL) supposedly had his ACTUAL address. So one night at a sleepover, we wrote him gushing fan letters. Never heard back, and frankly, Ralph, I’m still a little upset…
#5 Jon Bon Jovi
One of the most iconic 80’s rockers ever…to this day if Livin’ on a Prayer comes on the radio, I turn it all the way UP!
#6 Winona Ryder
Heathers came out when I was in high school and everyone quickly became obsessed with the dark comedy. Turns in hits like Beetlejuice, Reality Bites and Edward Scissorhands followed. My kids have only ever known her as “the mom from Stranger Things” which kinda makes me wanna cry…
#7 David Hasselhoff
The main thing I remember about David Hasselhoff in the 80’s is that my brother was obsessed with Knight Rider. I think the theme song will forever be stuck in my head…
#8 Drew Barrymore
The quintessential childhood actress. The whole world fell in love with the 7-year-old when she starred as Gertie in E.T.. Despite some turbulent teenage years, Drew went on to become a successful producer, director, talk show host and author.
#9 Johnny Depp
Kids today know Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean, but his younger photo takes me right back to 21 Jump Street…
#10 Madonna
Hands down one of the most recognizable 80’s celebrities in the world, it’s hard to believe the Like a Virgin singer is now 64 years old.
#11 Michael J Fox
Family Ties was an iconic 80’s sitcom and Alex P. Keaton stole the show. And who could forget Marty McFly from Back to the Future? Now he is perhaps just as well known for his crusade to cure Parkinson’s disease.
#12 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Ok, ok, I know The Rock wasn’t really on anybody’s radar until the 90’s, but I included him because his younger photo was just too cute not to share…
#13 Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was an 80’s movie making machine. From The Outsiders to Risky Business to Top Gun, it seemed he was everywhere. If you haven’t seen the new Top Gun, I highly recommend it. I actually wasn’t super excited to see it, but everyone kept telling me how good it was, so I went and it really was great! Also, it’s kind of freaky how this guy doesn’t age. Like, which one is the younger one in the photo??
#14 Jennifer Grey
“Nobody puts baby in the corner.” Everyone wanted to be The Dirty Dancing actress when Patrick Swayze was flying her around LOL…
#15 Keanu Reeves
The Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure star is widely regarded as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Seriously, it seems every day I see another news story about Keanu Reeves saving the day…helping strangers on the side of the road, quietly donating millions to charity, etc.. I love seeing people using their success for good.
#16 Cyndi Lauper
I mean, could it even be an 80’s list without Cyndi Lauper? Time After Time is still one of my favorite songs to this day.
#17 Tom Selleck
Though he was more my mom’s crush than mine, Magnum, P.I. was a huge show in the 80’s. I will always love him best as Richard on Friends.
#18 Neil Patrick Harris
Oh, how I loved Doogie Howser, M.D. as a teen, and then loved him again as an adult in How I Met Your Mother.
#19 Julia Roberts
The Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman actress has one of the biggest smiles in Hollywood and looking at these side-by-side photos, has hardly changed at all…
#20 Luke Perry
Making another exception to my 80’s list, as Beverly Hills 90210 didn’t come out until 1990. But all my friends and I had a crush on the edgy Dylan McCay. And now I get to re-watch the whole series with my 14-year-old, who I believe also has a crush Dylan McCay. Rest in peace, my friend.
#21 Billy Joel
Last but not least, my childhood idol, Billy Joel. We grew up in the same town, and I was obsessed with his music. When I was 16, I pretty much stalked him one weekend and ended up on his BOAT. Read my crazy story here “The Day I Hung Out With Billy Joel”
