I'm In Shock After Seeing A Young Sam Elliott — And 20 Other Celebrity Silver Foxes That Have Dramatically Changed Since Their First Roles

BuzzFeed
·6-min read

Hollywood loves a leading man...especially when they age like fine wine. From silver foxes to Zaddys, there's just something about famous older men that people can't get enough of...

Man in a suit, smiling while sitting in a car, with photographers taking pictures outside the window
Tom Merton / Getty Images

Which is why I decided it was the perfect time to take a stroll down memory lane and compare how well these celeb guys have aged since their first roles. So, without further ado, let's see just how much some of our favorite male celebs have changed throughout their careers:

1.Patrick Dempsey, at 20 years old, for his role in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High TV adaption (1986):

Patrick Dempsey in a suit and tie, posing against a blurred, colorful background
Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Patrick Dempsey now:

Patrick Dempsey smiling at an event, wearing a blue blazer over a dark shirt
James Gourley / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Young man with curly hair wearing a suit, red shirt, and tie, in front of a colorful, abstract background
Young man with curly hair wearing a suit, red shirt, and tie, in front of a colorful, abstract background
Patrick Dempsey smiles and poses in a blue blazer and black shirt at a public event
Patrick Dempsey smiles and poses in a blue blazer and black shirt at a public event

James Gourley / Getty Images

2.Sir Ian McKellen playing the poet John Keats in the TV show Solo when he was 31 years old (1970):

Young Ian McKellen in a vintage-style outfit with a cravat, looking serious
Radio Times / Radio Times via Getty Images

Sir Ian McKellen now:

Ian McKellen, seated and smiling, wears a light suit and a colorful floral scarf
Dave Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images for The Wolseley Hospitality Group

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Young Ian McKellen in a classic period costume with a high-collared shirt and ascot
Young Ian McKellen in a classic period costume with a high-collared shirt and ascot
Ian McKellen in a light-colored suit with a colorful floral scarf, sitting at a table with hands clasped
Ian McKellen in a light-colored suit with a colorful floral scarf, sitting at a table with hands clasped

Radio Times / Getty Images, Dave Benett / Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Wolseley Hospitality Group

3.Mark Harmon, in his first movie role, for the film Comes a Horseman (1978), when he was 27 years old:

Mark Harmon, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, sits outdoors on grassy terrain, looking thoughtful.
United Artists / ©United Artists/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

Mark Harmon now:

Mark Harmon in a black suit sits between two women, one in a sleeveless top and the other in a yellow blazer, at an event panel
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man in a plaid shirt and jeans sits on grass, looking thoughtfully into the distance
A man in a plaid shirt and jeans sits on grass, looking thoughtfully into the distance
Adriana Louvier, Mark Harmon, and Vanessa Vasquez sit and smile during a press event, with the large
Adriana Louvier, Mark Harmon, and Vanessa Vasquez sit and smile during a press event, with the large

United Artists / ©United Artists/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection, Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

4.Steve Martin in his first feature film, The Jerk (1979), at 34 years old:

Steve Martin dressed as a soda jerk, wearing a white uniform with a bow tie and cap labeled "Navin", looking surprised
© Universal / courtesy Everett Collection

Steve Martin now:

Steve Martin smiling, wearing glasses, a light blazer, and a yellow shirt
Monica Schipper / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Steve Martin dressed as a soda jerk with a white uniform and hat labeled
Steve Martin dressed as a soda jerk with a white uniform and hat labeled
Steve Martin smiles, wearing glasses, a light blazer, and a yellow shirt
Steve Martin smiles, wearing glasses, a light blazer, and a yellow shirt

/ ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection, Monica Schipper / Getty Images

5.James Earl Jones in his second-ever movie role in the film The Comedians (1967), when he was 36 years old:

A young James Earl Jones in a suit tie sitting in a scene from 1967 film "The Comedians"
Courtesy Everett Collection

James Earl Jones in 2019:

James Earl Jones smiling, wearing a dark blazer and glasses
John Atashian / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Elizabeth Taylor in a dress holding hands with Richard Burton in a suit, Sidney Poitier in a suit sitting in a chair from a scene in a film
Elizabeth Taylor in a dress holding hands with Richard Burton in a suit, Sidney Poitier in a suit sitting in a chair from a scene in a film
James Earl Jones smiling, wearing glasses and a dark blazer over a black shirt
James Earl Jones smiling, wearing glasses and a dark blazer over a black shirt

Courtesy Everett Collection

6.Christopher Meloni in one of his first movie roles for the film, Bound (1996), when he was 35 years old:

Christopher Meloni wearing sunglasses, a dark red blazer, and a light-colored tie, looking straight ahead with a serious expression
Gramercypictures / ©GramercyPictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Christopher Meloni now:

A bald man in a checkered blazer with a white shirt beneath, standing outdoors
Marc Piasecki / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man wearing dark sunglasses, a dark suit, and a light tie stands outdoors. He has short hair and wears a single earring
A man wearing dark sunglasses, a dark suit, and a light tie stands outdoors. He has short hair and wears a single earring
A man with a bald head wearing a checkered blazer over a light dress shirt is standing outdoors
A man with a bald head wearing a checkered blazer over a light dress shirt is standing outdoors

Gramercypictures / ©GramercyPictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, Marc Piasecki / WireImage

7.Timothy Olyphant in one of his first roles for the TV show High Incidence (1996-1997) when he was 28 years old:

A young Timothy Olyphant lying on a floral-patterned couch wearing a striped polo shirt, resting his head on his hand
Abc / ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Timothy Olyphant in 2023:

Timothy Olyphant on the red carpet, wearing a black suit with an open-collar shirt, posing for the camera
Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Ghetto Film School

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man reclines on a floral armchair, resting his head on his hand, wearing a casually striped polo shirt
A man reclines on a floral armchair, resting his head on his hand, wearing a casually striped polo shirt
Timothy Olyphant poses in a black suit on the red carpet at a celebrity event
Timothy Olyphant poses in a black suit on the red carpet at a celebrity event

Abc / ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection, Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Ghetto Film School

8.Morgan Freeman, in his first significant TV role on The Electric Company (1971-1977), when was in his thirties:

Morgan Freeman wearing a hat poses smiling with sunglasses perched on his head in front of a sign that reads "The Electric Company," leaning on large letters "TV"
©CTW/Courtesy Everett Collection

Morgan Freeman now:

Morgan Freeman, seated wearing a grey suit with a white shirt, dark sneakers, and sunglasses, poses while resting one leg on a chair
Arnold Jerocki / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Morgan Freeman smiling and posing behind large
Morgan Freeman smiling and posing behind large
Morgan Freeman sits on a chair, wearing a gray suit, white shirt, sunglasses, and black sneakers with one leg in a medical boot
Morgan Freeman sits on a chair, wearing a gray suit, white shirt, sunglasses, and black sneakers with one leg in a medical boot

/ Courtesy Everett Collection, Arnold Jerocki / WireImage

9.Clint Eastwood in a promo shot for the TV show, Rawhide, which he starred in from 1959 to 1966:

Clint Eastwood in a close-up portrait, wearing a checkered shirt with a slight smile
Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images

Clint Eastwood in 2020:

Clint Eastwood at an event, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and a dark tie, standing in front of a backdrop with gold emblems
Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Close-up of Clint Eastwood smiling slightly, wearing a checkered shirt
Close-up of Clint Eastwood smiling slightly, wearing a checkered shirt
Clint Eastwood at an event, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie, standing in front of a backdrop with an emblem
Clint Eastwood at an event, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie, standing in front of a backdrop with an emblem

Courtesy Everett Collection, Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic

10.Jeff Goldblum, at 27 years old, in the disco flick, Thank God It's Friday (1978):

Young Jeff Goldblum, in a suit, holds a dollar bill, looking at the camera. The background has a palm tree and blurred figures
Courtesy Everett Collection

Jeff Goldblum now:

Jeff Goldblum in a tuxedo, smiling on the red carpet at an event
Mike Marsland / Mike Marsland / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A person stands confidently, holding a dollar bill in one hand. The background features an out-of-focus setting with a large palm frond and indistinct figures
A person stands confidently, holding a dollar bill in one hand. The background features an out-of-focus setting with a large palm frond and indistinct figures
Jeff Goldblum smiling on the red carpet, wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt and a black bow tie
Jeff Goldblum smiling on the red carpet, wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt and a black bow tie

Courtesy Everett Collection, Mike Marsland / Mike Marsland/WireImage

11.Tommy Lee Jones in the 1977 made for TV movie, The Amazing Howard Hughes, at 31 years old:

Sam Neill in a tan jacket, tie, and striped pants, holding a gray hat against a plain backdrop
CBS via Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones in 2023:

Tommy Lee Jones in a pinstripe suit with a patterned tie at a red carpet event for Paramount+ Original Movie
Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man poses in a studio, wearing a tan jacket, pinstriped pants, and holding a hat
A man poses in a studio, wearing a tan jacket, pinstriped pants, and holding a hat
Tommy Lee Jones poses in a pinstriped suit at a Paramount+ Original Movie event backdrop
Tommy Lee Jones poses in a pinstriped suit at a Paramount+ Original Movie event backdrop

Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage

12.Colin Firth, in a promo shot for his first film Another Country (1984), when he was 24 years old:

Colin Firth leans casually against a brick wall, dressed in a suit, sweater, and tie
Orion Pictures Corp / ©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection

Colin Firth in 2022:

Colin Firth poses in a checkered suit and white shirt at a black carpet event
Axelle / FilmMagic

Here's a side-by-side-comparison:

Colin Firth in a vintage-style photo, wearing a suit with a sweater underneath, standing against a brick wall in an alleyway
Colin Firth in a vintage-style photo, wearing a suit with a sweater underneath, standing against a brick wall in an alleyway
Colin Firth at an event, wearing a checkered gray suit and white dress shirt, standing against a backdrop with wooden panels and partial lettering
Colin Firth at an event, wearing a checkered gray suit and white dress shirt, standing against a backdrop with wooden panels and partial lettering

Orion Pictures Corp / ©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection, Axelle / FilmMagic

13.Anthony Hopkins as Richard the Lionheart in the 1968 film The Lion in Winter, when he was 31 years old:

Young Anthony Hopkins with a beard, wearing studded medieval-style clothing, leans against a stone wall looking pensive
Screen Archives / Getty Images

Anthony Hopkins in 2022:

Anthony Hopkins poses in a suit and tie at a formal event
Karwai Tang / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man in medieval costume, with a contemplative expression, leans against a stone wall
A man in medieval costume, with a contemplative expression, leans against a stone wall
Anthony Hopkins in a black suit and tie, attending an event
Anthony Hopkins in a black suit and tie, attending an event

Screen Archives / Getty Images, Karwai Tang / Getty Images

14.Idris Elba, in one of his first movies, The Gospel (2005), when he was 33 years old:

Idris Elba in a pinstripe suit and patterned tie, seated at an event
Sony Pictures / Sony Pictures/Everett Collection

Idris Elba in 2023:

Idris Elba smiling in stylish green attire at a formal event
Cindy Ord / Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Idris Elba wearing a pinstripe suit and tie, seated among others at an indoor event
Idris Elba wearing a pinstripe suit and tie, seated among others at an indoor event
Idris Elba smiling, wearing a modern green suit with an asymmetric design, posing at a formal event
Idris Elba smiling, wearing a modern green suit with an asymmetric design, posing at a formal event

Sony Pictures / Sony Pictures/Everett Collection, Cindy Ord / Getty Images for Vanity Fair

15.Sam Elliott in a promo shot for the TV show Mission Impossible, in 1970 when he was 26 years old:

Young Sam Elliott in a pinstripe suit with a striped tie smiling at the camera, with his hands on his hips
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

Sam Elliott in 2023:

Sam Elliott poses holding an award statue, wearing a dark suit and a white shirt at the Screen Actors Guild Awards
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A man smiles while posing with his hands on his hips, wearing a pinstripe suit and a tie
A man smiles while posing with his hands on his hips, wearing a pinstripe suit and a tie
Sam Elliott holds an award while dressed in a formal dark suit and white dress shirt at the Screen Actors Guild Awards
Sam Elliott holds an award while dressed in a formal dark suit and white dress shirt at the Screen Actors Guild Awards

Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images, Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

16.Robert Redford on the set of one his first films Inside Daisy Clover (1965), when he was 29 years old:

Young Robert Redford in a suit jacket and open-collared shirt, posing against a plain background
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Robert Redford in 2021:

Robert Redford smiles, dressed in a white suit jacket over a white shirt
Valery Hache / AFP via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Robert Redford, wearing a white shirt and dark jacket, poses against a yellow background
Robert Redford, wearing a white shirt and dark jacket, poses against a yellow background
Robert Redford smiling and wearing a light-colored suit jacket with a white shirt
Robert Redford smiling and wearing a light-colored suit jacket with a white shirt

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images, Valery Hache / AFP via Getty Images

17.Stanley Tucci in a promo shot for the short-lived TV show, Wiseguy (1988-1990), when he was 28 years old:

Young Stanley Tucci sits casually in a red chair, wearing a black turtleneck. His left hand is resting on his face and his right hand on his lap
CBS via Getty Images

Stanley Tucci in 2023:

Stanley Tucci, wearing glasses, a black shirt, and a gray cardigan, with arms crossed at a public event
Nbc / Nathan Congleton / NBC via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Man seated casually, wearing a black turtleneck and black pants, slightly smiling and resting his hand on his face. Name not provided
Man seated casually, wearing a black turtleneck and black pants, slightly smiling and resting his hand on his face. Name not provided
Stanley Tucci wearing glasses, a black shirt, a gray cardigan, and a watch, looking thoughtfully to the side
Stanley Tucci wearing glasses, a black shirt, a gray cardigan, and a watch, looking thoughtfully to the side

CBS via Getty Images, Nbc / Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

18.Anderson Cooper, in a promo shot for ABC News in 1997, when he was 30 years old:

I don't know who this is. A person in a checkered shirt with a backpack holds a video camera, leaning against a brick wall
Abc Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Anderson Cooper in 2023:

Anderson Cooper at "Watch What Happens Live" event, wearing a dark blazer over a light dress shirt
Bravo / Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A young man holding a video camera, leaning against a wall outdoors, wearing a plaid shirt and carrying a backpack
A young man holding a video camera, leaning against a wall outdoors, wearing a plaid shirt and carrying a backpack
Anderson Cooper on the 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' set, wearing a dark blazer over a blue shirt, smiling at the camera
Anderson Cooper on the 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' set, wearing a dark blazer over a blue shirt, smiling at the camera

Abc Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images, Bravo / Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

19.Don Cheadle at 28 years old in a promo shot for The Golden Girl's sequel, The Golden Palace (1992):

Don Cheadle in a suit with a paisley tie, posing against a textured studio background
CBS via Getty Images

Don Cheadle in 2016:

Don Cheadle poses at the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, wearing a leather jacket and a stylish scarf
Matthias Nareyek / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Don Cheadle is posing in a professional headshot, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and a patterned tie
Don Cheadle is posing in a professional headshot, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and a patterned tie
Don Cheadle poses at the Berlin International Film Festival wearing a leather jacket and scarf
Don Cheadle poses at the Berlin International Film Festival wearing a leather jacket and scarf

CBS via Getty Images, Matthias Nareyek / WireImage

20.Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter (1978), his first major movie role at 35 years old:

Christopher Walken looks directly at the camera, wearing a white shirt with a black bow tie and suspenders
Universal / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Christopher Walken in 2023:

Christopher Walken holding a trophy while standing on a red-carpeted staircase
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Christopher Walken in a formal outfit with a white shirt and black bow tie, looking directly at the camera.
Christopher Walken in a formal outfit with a white shirt and black bow tie, looking directly at the camera.
Christopher Walken holding an award while standing on a red carpet, wearing a gray suit with a black shirt
Christopher Walken holding an award while standing on a red carpet, wearing a gray suit with a black shirt

Universal / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection, Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images

21.Kurt Russell in the TV show Love, American Style (1969) when he was 18 years old:

A young man wearing a herringbone jacket, collared shirt, and tie, standing in front of a painting with yellow flowers
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

Kurt Russell in 2023:

Kurt Russell smiling, wearing a black suit and glasses, standing in front of an Apple TV+ backdrop
Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

A young man in a herringbone-patterned blazer, white shirt, and loosened tie stands in front of a framed floral painting
A young man in a herringbone-patterned blazer, white shirt, and loosened tie stands in front of a framed floral painting
Kurt Russell smiling in front of an Apple TV+ backdrop at a media event. He is wearing glasses and a suit jacket
Kurt Russell smiling in front of an Apple TV+ backdrop at a media event. He is wearing glasses and a suit jacket

Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images, Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage

Which silver fox do you think has changed the most? Are there any other celebs who are aging like fine wine? Let us know in the comments!

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