Ever since the invention of photography, humanity has spent significant amounts of time capturing their lives in these small snippets. Although the earliest technology was extremely time-consuming, it soon became much quicker and easier to use, resulting in the ability to take truly candid images. The following photos are delightfully strange, as they were taken of historical figures at unexpected times or with unexpected people.
Prince Charles and Alan Alda
M*A*S*H was one of the top shows of the 1970s. It followed the medical staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. It was so popular, in fact, that the set was even the scene of a royal visit. King Charles III, when he was still a Prince, came to the US for a 12-city tour. One of the stops that he made was at the 20th Century Fox studio.
He had apparently shown interest in seeing the production process of the show, so was invited to have lunch with the cast as well as watch them while they filmed an episode. While he was there, it was reported that he spent time flirting with the women who played nurses.
Eleanor Roosevelt and Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple captured the hearts of Americans throughout the Great Depression when she was catapulted to fame while starring in multiple films at an early age. Eleanor Roosevelt was just as enthralled with the child as everyone else when they met in March 1938 when the first lady visited her on set.
The photograph of Temple and Roosevelt was taken while they were watching one of her latest films during the studio tour. It was personally signed by the actress, who wrote, “To Mrs. Roosevelt; Love, Shirley Temple.” They met again when the young star was invited for a barbecue at the White House.
Nancy Reagan and Mr. T
Perhaps the most shocking photo in this collection is that of the former First Lady Nancy Reagan kissing the head of Mr. T, dressed as Santa, while she sits on his lap. The display took place during a 1983 tour of the White House Christmas decorations. Mr. T had been invited personally by the first lady because of the anti-narcotics messaging that he promoted to children, something in line with her own campaigns.
After pleading with a number of reporters to sit on his lap, Reagan took pity on him and decided to do it herself. What she added, however, was the kiss on the head. Afterward, Mr. T said “Oh wow! Now that’ll start some scandals. Thank you Mrs. Reagan. Wow, she kissed me!” Her actions caused shock among the press in attendance, as this was completely out of character for her.
George H.W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger
In the winter of 1991, Arnold Schwarzenegger was invited to the presidential retreat, Camp David, by President George H.W. Bush. The president took it upon himself to teach the actor how to use an American sled, not an Austrian one like he was used to, which ultimately ended in disaster. Fortunately, there was a photographer there to capture the event.
The pair left the top of the hill completely out of control, only to crash into then-First Lady Barbara Bush, who ended up with a broken leg. To reminisce about the events at Camp David, Bush sent Schwarzenegger a copy of the photo with a personal inscription which read: “Arnold – Turn, [dang] it, Turn!!”
Al Capone
You would never know by looking at the face of this sweet five-year-old child that he would grow up to become one of the most notorious American gangsters of all time. Taken around 1904, it shows Al Capone alongside his brother. It was likely taken in Brooklyn, New York as that is where their family raised them.
Only nine years later, Capone would drop out of school after hitting one of his teachers. Before he even turned 16 he would be involved in his first gang, the James Street Boys, before joining the Five Points gang. Eventually, he would go on to become the boss of his own crime gang, the Chicago Outfit, earn himself the nickname “Scarface,” and be sent to prison – all before age 35.
Buzz Aldrin
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin might earn himself some accolades for the best selfie ever taken for this one – the first ever selfie to be taken in space. He took it when he was on the Gemini 12 NASA mission in 1966, the first trip to space that had astronauts working outside of the spaceship.
When a print of the selfie was put up for auction in 2015, it sold for an impressive $9,200. As cool as his selfie was, Aldrin earned himself another first as an astronaut, the first man to urinate in space, while on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. He was also the second man to walk on the moon.
Cary Grant and Amelia Earhart
Arguably the most famous female aviator in history, Amelia Earhart visited Cary Grant on the set of his 1935 film Wings in the Dark. The movie revolved around a female aviator who is drawn to a flying ace and inventor, played by Grant.
The female aviator, played by Myrna Loy, was supposed to be loosely based on Earhart herself. It’s no wonder, then, that during filming Earhart was invited to the set to act as a consultant. Although Grant and Earhart met on set, and posed for a number of photos, there is very little else known about their meeting.
Alice Cooper and Groucho Marx
Alice Cooper, the “Godfather of Shock Rock,” and Groucho Marx, the famous comedian and vaudeville performer, couldn’t appear to be more different. Cooper is known for his eccentric musical performances, long black hair, and heavy makeup, while Marx was known for making people laugh with his grease-paint mustache and thick eyebrows. However, the pair struck up an unlikely friendship after they first met.
They met while performing a duet together at Frank Sinatra’s birthday party. Later in life, when they were both living in Beverly Hills, they became even closer. During episodes of insomnia, Marx would call Cooper late at night and the two of them would watch classic movies and drink beer until he was able to sleep.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates, the creator of the massive technology company Microsoft, might be one of the wealthiest men in the world now, but he is really just like any other person. That includes getting into trouble with the police for traffic infractions.
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While driving in Albuquerque, New Mexico he was pulled over by the police and brought to jail where he had a mugshot taken. He had failed to stop at a stop sign and was driving without a license.