The number 35 – as in the age – has been getting a lot of attention lately after an entertainment outlet remarked that Hillary Duff is “still looking great” despite hitting that particular milestone. Ouch.
We thought it would be fun to look back at how some of our favorite stars looked when they were 35. Some were just starting their careers and others were seasoned pros by their mid-30s. Step back into time with us and see some iconic celebrities frozen in time at age 35.
Debbie Harry in 1980
In 1980, Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry was immortalized by pop artist Andy Warhol, who produced a number of pieces based on her image. In this photo taken in January of the same year, she’s performing with Blondie at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
Oprah Winfrey in 1989
Oprah Winfrey was already a household name when she turned 35. The Oprah Winfrey Show first debuted on television three years prior, in 1986.
Dame Maggie Smith in 1969
Long before she became known to new generations of fans as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise or the Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey, Dame Maggie Smith had established herself as one of the most noteworthy British theater performers of our time.
Ozzy Osbourne in 1983
Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne and his lovely wife Sharon had their first child, Aimee, together just a couple of months before he turned 35. In this photo, he’s sporting a short haircut for an interview on MTV.
Sigourney Weaver in 1984
Already a star for playing Ellen Ripley in Alien, Sigourney Weaver was flying high in 1984, co-starring in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters with Saturday Night Live alumni Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Harold Ramis.
Jacqueline Kennedy in 1964
This candid and surprisingly casual photo of the former First Lady Jackie Kennedy was snapped as she listened to a radio special on her late husband’s birthday in 1964.
Clint Eastwood in 1965
Although 1965 might not have been Clint Eastwood’s favorite year, as his show Rawhide was canceled mid-season, he’s certainly had more than his fair share of hits in the ensuing decades.
Tony Bennett in 1961
Singer Tony Bennett didn’t waste any time while waiting at the airport on this day in 1961. Here he is serenading a TWA “air hostess” with her own microphone.
Denzel Washington in 1989
Actor Denzel Washington won his first Academy Award for a film that was released in 1989 – Glory. He won for Best Supporting Actor, appearing alongside Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman.
Queen Elizabeth in 1961
The young Queen Elizabeth traveled extensively in her 35th year. She toured India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran, Cyprus, and Ghana. This photograph was taken during her visit to Sierra Leone.
Robin Williams in 1986
The much loved and dearly missed comedian Robin Williams is seen here entertaining the crowd at a show in Atlanta in 1986. You can practically feel his energy through his facial expression.
Dolly Parton in 1981
In 1981 the beautiful and talented Dolly Parton became one of the only female country singers to have a number-one single on the country and pop charts simultaneously. It was “9 to 5,” the theme song to the feature film of the same name starring Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda.
Yoko Ono in 1968
Although she’s best known as the partner and muse of former Beatle John Lennon, Yoko Ono is an accomplished and talented musician and artist in her own right. In 1968 she and Lennon recorded their first collaborative album together.
Elton John in 1982
The legendary composer, musician, and singer Elton John is pictured poolside at his villa in Saint-Tropez in the south of France. It sure looks bright enough for some of his trademark sunglasses.
Ron Howard in 1989
Opie grew up! Long after playing little Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, Ron Howard is now one of the most successful directors in Hollywood history. In this 1989 photo, he’s attending the premiere of Back To The Future Part 2.
Muhammad Ali in 1977
Here’s the legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali stylishly dressed in a fur coat during a men’s fashion show. We wonder if he would trade the coat for a vegan version today?
Keith Richards in 1978
Longtime guitarist and songwriter for the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards has lived an extraordinary life. He released his first solo single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” when he was 35.
Suzanne Somers in 1982
Actress Suzanne Somers became a household name co-starring in the ABC sitcom Three’s Company in January 1977. She famously left the show in 1980 when she was fired after asking for a pay raise.
Sir Ian McKellen in 1974
Already an accomplished theater actor, Ian McKellen landed his first film role in 1969, when he was 30. In a career spanning six decades, he has established himself as a cultural icon.
Michael Jackson in 1993
The late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson is pictured here receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the 7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 9, 1993.
Dame Angela Lansbury in 1960
Angela Lansbury had a career spanning more than eighty years. The year 1960 saw her appear in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, which received critical acclaim.
Jane Fonda in 1972
Here’s actress Jane Fonda with the Academy Award for Best Actress she just won for her role in the film Klute. She also made headlines that year for her controversial visit to Vietnam, which earned her the nickname “Hanoi Jane” and got blacklisted in Hollywood.
Tina Turner in 1974
In 1974, Tina Turns the Country On! was released as Tina Turner’s debut solo studio album. Now known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Turner was still part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before her solo career took off.
Madonna in 1993
Madonna is the queen of self-reinvention. Here, she’s wearing a sporty red dress and braids at a premiere party for the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks rom-com Sleepless in Seattle in 1993.
Betty White in 1957
Betty White was certainly a gift to the world. Here she is, at age 35, taking a break on the set of ABC-TV’s romantic comedy series Date with the Angels.
Pamela Anderson in 2002
Yep, this is also 35! Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson is seen arriving for the 37th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on May 22, 2002.
Paul McCartney in 1977
In 1977, Paul McCartney and his band Wings earned their only UK number one single, with “Mull of Kintyre.” It went on to become one of the best-selling singles in history. Here, Paul and Wings perform for the Mike Yarwood Christmas Special which aired on December 25, 1977.
Raquel Welch in 1975
The late, lovely Raquel Welch is seen here in a crowd of people who all look eager to get the 35-year-old’s attention! This year, 1975, she famously performed a duet with Cher, singing “I’m a Woman” on an episode of Cher’s variety show.
Winston Churchill in 1909
In 1909, Winston Churchill “was the victim of a disgraceful outrage by a militant suffragist” who hit him with a dog whip. According to The Guardian, “Mr Churchill seized her and was able to secure the whip after a struggle.” The police then took the woman into custody.
Sammy Davis Jr. in 1960
In 1960, Sammy Davis Jr. married his second wife, the Swedish-born actress May Britt. The year also saw the premiere of Ocean’s 11, in which Davis co-starred along with other members of the Rat Pack.
Joan Rivers in 1968
More from us: Dolly Parton Reflects on Missing Her Longtime Friend Kenny Rogers
In this 1968 portrait of Joan Rivers, we see the blunt and sometimes in-your-face comedian in a softer light.