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Side-by-side images of two young women with long dark hair. The left is a black-and-white portrait with direct gaze; the right shows a woman in a classroom, wearing a light shirt, sitting at a desk with a pen.

Before they were walking the red carpet and accepting Oscars, these stars were just regular students with yearbook photos that captured their earliest selves. Some show shy smiles, others had confident poses, but each one offers a rare glimpse into the beginnings of careers that would one day shine on Hollywood’s biggest stage.

These photos might surprise you, revealing goofy grins, bold fashion choices, or playful expressions you wouldn’t expect from an Oscar winner. They are a reminder that even the most famous celebrities started out navigating high school just like the rest of us. Let’s dive into 20 yearbook photos of Oscar-winning celebrities.

1. Angelina Jolie

A young woman with long straight hair, wearing a dark velvet top, looks directly at the camera with a calm expression against a textured, softly lit backdrop.
jennymai93/via reddit.com

2. Jennifer Lawrence

A teenage girl with long blonde hair in a high half ponytail smiles at the camera. She is wearing a green top and dangling earrings against a mottled gray photo background, like a school portrait.
currentroster/via reddit.com

3. Brad Pitt

Black and white yearbook photo of a young man with medium-length hair, wearing a light-colored jacket, dress shirt, and dark tie, smiling slightly while looking at the camera.
commercial_oven_2432/via reddit.com

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

Black and white portrait of a young person with light-colored hair parted to the side, smiling slightly at the camera, and wearing a patterned shirt against a plain background.
currentroster/via reddit.com

5. Jennifer Garner

A young woman with wavy brown hair, large glasses, and a colorful patterned sweater smiles while resting her arms on a surface against a reddish-brown studio backdrop.
jostler57/via reddit.com

6. Halle Berry

Black-and-white portrait of a young woman with curly hair, smiling, and wearing a patterned top. The photo has a soft, studio-style background.
parishilton2/via reddit.com

7. Sandra Bullock

Black and white portrait of a young woman with long dark hair and bangs, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a dark top and a necklace. The background is plain and light-colored.
currentroster/via reddit.com

8. Tom Hanks

Black-and-white portrait of a young man with medium-length wavy hair wearing a tuxedo jacket, white shirt, and bow tie, posing for a formal photo against a plain background.
djf47021/via reddit.com

9. Julia Roberts

Black-and-white portrait of a young woman with wavy hair, smiling, wearing a pearl necklace and an off-the-shoulder top. The style suggests a high school yearbook photo.
currentroster/via reddit.com

10. Matthew McConaughey

Black and white yearbook photo of a young man with short hair, wearing a light-colored collared shirt and a shell necklace, smiling at the camera against a plain background.
currentroster/via reddit.com

11. Reese Witherspoon

A young woman with light skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes looks softly at the camera. She is wearing a white top and pearl earrings, with a gentle smile and a calm expression against a dark, blurred background.
kamenguy83/via reddit.com

12. Emma Stone

A black-and-white yearbook photo of a young girl with straight, shoulder-length hair, wearing a dark top and smiling at the camera.
currentroster/via reddit.com

13. Kate Winslet

A woman with long auburn hair and fair skin lies on her stomach against a dreamy blue background, resting her chin on her hand and gazing thoughtfully at the camera. She wears a black top and a subtle silver bracelet.
almondbutterpecan/via reddit.com

14. Gwyneth Paltrow

Black and white photo of a young woman with long hair, smiling widely, wearing hoop earrings and a jacket, standing in front of a wooden background.
quizpal1/via youtube.com

15. Robin Williams

Black and white portrait of a young man with light hair, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and striped tie. He is looking slightly to the side and smiling subtly.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

16. Natalie Portman

A young woman with long, wavy brown hair sits at a classroom desk, wearing a light blue button-down shirt. She holds a pen and looks directly at the camera, with an open notebook and loose papers in front of her.
adspecialist6598/via reddit.com

17. Anne Hathaway

Black and white portrait of a young woman with long straight hair, wearing a dark top, smiling softly at the camera against a softly blurred backdrop.
currentroster/via reddit.com

18. Jamie Foxx

Black and white yearbook photo of a young person in a graduation gown and tie, holding a graduation cap with a tassel, looking seriously at the camera against a mottled backdrop.
beforefamous/via reddit.com

19. Ben Affleck

Black and white portrait of a young man with short dark hair, wearing a dark shirt over a light collar, looking slightly upward with a neutral expression against a plain background.
currentroster/via reddit.com

20. Jodie Foster

A young person with shoulder-length, light brown hair smiles at the camera. They are wearing a blue and white striped shirt and a gold chain necklace, with a blue background behind them.
gagator43/via reddit.com

Want to see more celebrity yearbook photos?

Check out 20 Yearbook Photos of Billionaires from Before They Were Rich, or take a look at 20 Yearbook Photos of Iconic Child Stars. Finally, if you want to see yearbook photos of the most iconic male criminals, check out 20 Yearbook Photos of History’s Most Infamous Male Criminals.

Meet the Writer

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.