Iconic Moments From The Past You've Never Seen Before
By Sophia Maddox | September 21, 2023
'Jungle Pam' was the drag racing sweetheart of the 1970s.
Here is a collection of groovy photos you may not have seen before. It includes snapshots of some of your favorite performers from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, many of which were taken before they were big stars. It also includes some trendy fads of the sixties and seventies, as well as memorable moments and events. Side back, relax, and take a trip through nostalgia land as you scroll through these photos.
During the 1970s, Lynda Carter was steadily making her mark in the entertainment world before her iconic portrayal of Wonder Woman. Born on July 24, 1951, in Phoenix, Arizona, Carter began her career as a beauty queen, winning the title of Miss World USA in 1972. Her striking looks and charisma quickly drew attention in Hollywood, leading to guest appearances on popular television shows like "Starsky and Hutch" and "The Bobby Darin Show." While her breakthrough role as Wonder Woman came in 1975, it was in the early '70s that Lynda Carter was laying the foundation for her future stardom, captivating audiences with her presence and talents.
"Don't look, Ethel!!!" Doing the limbo at a nightclub in LA, 1964.
The Limbo, the game this woman is playing, was quite popular during the 1950s and 1960s. It was a fun activity at parties, bars, and roller rinks. The Limbo was based on a tradition from the tropical island of Trinidad. It was usually played at wakes and, like the Limbo we know today, involved participants trying to pass under a bar that was periodically lowered. In the 1950s, a Trinidad dancer, Julia Edwards, the First Lady of Limbo, toured around the Caribbean, United States, Europe, and Asia. She appeared in several movies, most notably Fire Down Below in 1957, which helped popularize the Limbo.
"Life goes on within you and without you" - George Harrison (photo from 1967)
British musician and former Beatle, George Harrison was the driving force in introducing the Beatles’ to Transcendental Meditation in 1967, the same year this photograph was taken. Transcendental Meditation, a form of silent mantra meditation, was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India in the 1950s. This technique promoted relaxation, stress relieve, self-awareness, and allows practitioners to access a higher level of consciousness. Harrison, along with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, attended a lection in England given by Maharishi. He was so moved by what he heard that he encouraged the other Beatles to join him in Rishikesh, India, to study with Maharishi for several weeks in 1968.
"She doesn't have to be all gussied up," James Dean said of Italian actress Pier Angeli, "She's wonderful just as she is." They had a brief romance in 1954.
James Dean and Italian actress Pier Angeli had a short-lived but passionate romance in the 1950s. The two were filming different movies on adjoining lots on the Warner Bros. studio – Angeli was shooting The Silver Chalice and Dean was filming East of Eden. There were rumors that the couple’s loud love making could be heard coming from Dean’s dressing room on several occasions. Alas. Pier Angeli’s mother forced her to break it off with the broody actor when she learned that he was not Catholic. According to stories, they continued to see each other in secret until Dean’s untimely death. Angeli has called James Dean the love of her life and her friends maintain that she never fully recovered from his death in 1955.
"The winner ain't the one with the fastest car. It's the one who refuses to lose." Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt Sr., also known as The Intimidator, was one of the greatest racecar drivers in the history of NASCAR. He was a member of the Earnhardt family dynasty. His father was the racecar driver Ralph Earnhardt. His son, Dale Jr. is also an elite racecar driver and his daughter, Kelley, is the vice president of JR Motorsports. Although racing in an inherently dangerous sport, the word was still shocked when Dale Sr. was tragically killed on February 18, 2001, during a crash in the final lap of the Daytona 500. He suffered a basilar skull fracture in the accident. The incident was the turning point in NASCAR as it forced the sport to adopt new safety systems to protect its drivers.
A very colorful and very groovy photo of Linda Ronstadt in Topanga, California. (1971)
Shortly before this photograph of singer and hippie chick, Linda Ronstadt released her second solo album, Silk Purse. For this album, Ronstadt took the advice of Janis Joplin and sought out Elliot Mazer to produce it. Joplin had worked with Mazer on her Cheap Thrills album and had a positive experience. Although Ronstadt also enjoyed working with Mazer, she later claimed that she was not entirely happy with the album, which was recorded entirely in Nashville. Despite this, Ronstadt’s first solo hit single, “Long, Long Time” came from her Silk Purse album. The single earned her her first Grammy nomination in the category of Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Female.
Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris take a break while filming "The Way of the Dragon" in 1972.
The 1972 film The Way of the Dragon, which was released in the U.S. under the name Return of the Dragon, is notable for several reasons. The action-comedy film was written, co-produced, and directed by legendary martial artist Bruce Lee. In fact, this film marked is only complete directorial project. The Way of the Dragon also starred Lee and was the last of his movies to be released in his lifetime. Another point that makes The Way of the Dragon significant is that it was Chuck Norris’s movie debut.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth get food on a McDonalds run while on tour, 1978.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth were polar opposites, yet when they came together in the rock band Van Halen, it was a magical combination. According to the story, the Van Halen brothers, Eddie and Alex, met Roth when he auditioned to be in their band. Neither brother particularly liked Roth, but they did like his sound system. That’s really what helped them decide to bring Roth on board. Eddie Van Halen was much more reserved. He was not flashy or flamboyant on stage. But Roth was. He was so gregarious that he soon became the front man of the band. Van Halen and Roth were both strong personalities, which is why Roth eventually left Van Halen.
Getting ready for the family road trip in the station wagon, back in the 1960s.
In the years before the national mandatory seat belt law went into effect in 1989, a family road trip in the station wagon meant folding down the backseat so the kids could sprawl out with blankets, pillows, and toys. Suitcases made the perfect dividers to keep annoying little brothers away. Of course, there were no cell phones, tablets, or portable DVD players. The seatbelt-less backseat riders were forced to pass the time with coloring books, card games, and the standard road-trip games, like the license plate game. Fun times!
Inconceivable! Here's co-stars Andre the Giant, Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn from the funtastic movie, "Princess Bride" in 1987.
Today, everyone knows the 1987 movie The Princess Bride as a classic action, fairytale, love story, sword fighting, family film, but its cult following came well after it debuted in the movie theatres. The Princess Bride, based on a 1973 fantasy novel, enjoyed a modest box office return. But it found a whole new audience when it was later released on VHS and DVD. DVD sales alone exceed $53 million. Part of the appeal of the film is the unique characters, including this trio, Andre the Giant’s teddy-bear-like Fezzik, the revenge seeking Indigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin, and Wallace Shawn as the fast-talking Vizzini.
Jaclyn Smith looking pretty in pink, 1976.
Like fellow Angel Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith worked as a model before joining the cast of the hit 1970s television detective show, Charlie’s Angels. She appeared in several television commercials, including ones for Listerine mouthwash, Breck shampoo, and Wella Balsam shampoo. It was her modeling gigs and her stunning good looks that earned her a spot on Charlie’s Angels. Once the series ended, Smith proved her acting chops by tackling the title role in the made-for-TV movie, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
John and Jacqueline Kennedy watching the boats go by in 1962.
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier had much in common, so it is no wonder that they hit it off so well when they were formally introduced in 1952. Their families ran in the same social circle. They were also both Catholic, enjoyed reading and writing, and had both lived abroad. Jackie later admitted that she was attracted to John’s athletic build, his wit, and of course, his family’s wealth. The couple found it difficult to spend time together since John was campaigning for U.S. Senate at the time. John proposed right after the November election, but Jackie waited to accept. She was working as a journalist and was being sent to London to cover the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. When she returned, she accepted his proposal.
Kate Jackson sunbathing in the 1970s.
Although she was cast as the brainy Angel on TV’s Charlie’s Angels, this photo shows us a whole different side of actress Kate Jackson. Jackson, unlike her fellow Angels, had already starred in two hit TV series before landing the role of Sabrina Duncan in Charlie’s Angels. Equally beautiful, slim, and sexy as her co-stars, Jackson’s character wore turtlenecks and stylish business suits while her co-stars wore dresses with plunging necklines and tank tops with no bras.
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich with his pro-tennis player dad, Torben Ulrich, in the mid 1970s.
Danish born Lars Ulrich, the drummer for the band Metallica, grew up in a comfortable, middle-class family in Denmark. His father, Torben Ulrich, and his grandfather, Einer Ulrich, were both professional tennis players. As a youth, Lars trained to follow in their footsteps. The family even moved to Los Angeles when Lars was 16 years old so that he could continue his tennis training. In Denmark, Lars was a great player. He was ranked in the top ten in his age group. But in the United States, he has some stiff competition. In 1980, he failed to make his high school’s seven-man tennis team. That helped to cement his decision to pursue another path – music.
Newlyweds Arthur Miller and his lovely wife Marilyn Monroe in 1957.
Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe were an unlikely couple, yet their marriage – Monroe’s third – was her longest one. Miller was a brainy, reserved playwright and Monroe was a party girl who loved the limelight. Although the physical attraction was strong, Miller found his bride to be dull. He could not carry on deep, meaningful conversations with her. Despite her sex symbol status, Monroe was insecure. She needed a husband who doted on her and stoked her fragile ego. And then there was the added stress of two miscarriages and one ectopic pregnancy that Monroe experienced and the guilt that followed.
Photo of The Supremes performing on a TV show in Detroit in 1965.
The Supremes, with Diana Ross as the lead singer, was one of Motown’s most commercially successful vocal groups. The Supremes reached the peak of their popularity in the mid-1960s, about the time this photograph was taken. The group had a dozen number-one singles and is ranked in the number 16 position on Billboard’s list of the Hot 100 artists of all time. Under the direction of Motown president Barry Gordy, The Supremes were able to take their brand of African American rhythm and blues to a mainstream audience, thus paving the way for future Motown artists.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1986.
As a band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were still in their infancy when this photo was taken in 1986. The group formed in 1983 in LA with members including vocalist Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith, guitarist John Frusciante, and bassist Flea. Although they billed themselves as an alternative rock band, their sound encompassed a wide variety of sounds, including funk, hard rock, hip hop, psychedelic rock, metal, rap, and nu age. They have always defied pigeonholing. Perhaps this was the secret to their success as one of the best-selling bands of all times. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, earned six Grammys, and have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sid and Marty Krofft's "Lidsville" was a campy kid's TV show that was on from 1971–73, with Butch Patrick and Weenie the Genie.
After the success of H.R. Pufnstuf and The Bugaloos, Sid and Marty Krofft launched a third television show, Lidsville, that ran from 1971 to 1973. Like their other shows, Lidsville was trippy. The storyline followed a teenager named Mark who fell into a magician’s hat and arrived in a bizarre land of living hats called Lidsville. The hat characters took on the stereotyped personas of the human characters who would wear them. For example, the baseball hat was a sports fanatic and the cowboy hat spoke with a twang. Of course, Mark had to match wits with a villain, played by Charles Nelson Reilly, as he tried to find his way home.
Sigourney Weaver as 'Ellen Ripley' in "Alien" (1979)
Sigourney Weaver's portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the film "Alien" is nothing short of legendary. Released in 1979 and directed by Ridley Scott, this science fiction horror masterpiece solidified Weaver's status as a Hollywood icon. As Ripley, she exuded strength, resilience, and a fierce determination that captivated audiences. Her character's battle against the relentless and terrifying Xenomorph alien creature became a defining moment in cinematic history. Weaver's performance transcended traditional gender roles, setting a new standard for female protagonists in the genre. Her nuanced portrayal, combined with the film's suspenseful atmosphere and groundbreaking special effects, ensured that "Alien" would forever be remembered as a landmark in both science fiction and horror cinema.
Sonny and Cher stylin' in NYC, 1973.
When this photo was taken of singer duo Sonny and Cher, their musical careers were on the upswing, but their marriage was in a downward spiral. They had achieved stardom in the 1960s with their hit songs “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On” and had landed their own television variety show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Both of them were unfaithful and wanted out of the marriage, but their fame was tied to them as a couple. Finally, in early 1974, Sonny filed for a separation. Cher responded by demanding a divorce. Their divorce was officially final on June 26, 1975.
The Clash
“London Calling,” “Should I Stay or Should I Go?,” and “Rock the Casbah” are just some of the hits by The Clash, a British rock band from London that was a driving force behind the original British punk rock wave, as well as the subsequent post-punk and new wave movements. The Clash, which consisted of members Joe Strummer on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Mick Jones, lead guitarists and vocalist, drummer Topper Headon, and bassist Paul Simonon, Part of The Clash’s appeal was that is brought together a variety of musical genres from rock and funk to reggae and ska.
The Police walking around in New York, 1978.
One of the best-selling bands of all time, The Police, a rock band that formed in 1977 in London, produced hit album after hit album and hit single after hit single. Who can forget “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Roxanne,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” and the mega-hit, “Every Breath You Take”? The Police have earned six Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hal of Fame in 2003. Four of their five studio albums are on Billboard’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Who knew?! Sam Elliott was a pin-up in "Teen Beat" back in 1976.
The year 1976 was a big one for mustached actor Sam Elliott. Starting in 1976, he took on the lead role of Sam Damon in the miniseries Once and Eagle, appearing along with Amy Irving, Melanie Griffith, and Kim Hunter. He also had a starring role in the 1976 movie Lifeguard, in which he played Rick Carlson. This film marked his breakthrough as a performer. And then, of course, there was this spread in Teen Beat magazine that capitalized on his sudden fame and beefcake value.
Who remembers "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" TV series starring Edward Mulhare and Hope Lange, 1968-70.
Do you remember the short-lived TV sitcom, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir? It ran for only two seasons, one on NBC in 1968, then one on ABC in 1969. The TV show was based on the 1947 movie of the same name which was adapted from the R. A. Dick novel that was published in 1945. The television series starred Hope Lange as Mrs. Muir, a young widow who moves into a seaside cottage in Maine with her two young children and a housekeeper. Unbeknownst to her, the house is haunted by a sea captain, portrayed by Edward Mulhare, who died in 1869.
"Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage in the late 1980s.
Actor Peter Dinklage studied drama in college in the late 1980s and set his sights on an acting career. He initially found it difficult to land roles, not because of his dwarfism, but because he refused to be cast in roles that mocked his condition, such as playing a leprechaun. He found success by doing things his way. You will remember Dinklage for his role as the abrasive children’s author, Miles Finch, in the Christmas classic, Elf. He is also a star of the Game of Thrones fantasy drama series based on the works of author George R.R. Martin. From 2011 to 2019, Dinklage portrayed Tyrion Lannister on the popular HBO series.
A teenage Steve Irwin, late 1970s
Steve Irwin, shown here when he was still a teenager, was born to be a wildlife expert. His father, Bob Irwin, was a herpetologist and his mother, Lyn, was a wildlife rehabilitator. The family moved from their home in Melbourne, Australia, to Queensland so that Bob and Lyn Irwin could start the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, a small zoo-like facility. Steve literally grew up surrounded by crocodiles, snakes, and other reptiles. As he grew older, he feed the crocodiles and handled the animals in front of visitors. As his father looked on, Irwin began to wrestle crocodiles when he was just nine years old.
At just 17 years-old, Twiggy set the standard for fashion in 1967.
Although her given name is Lesley Lawson, the English fashion model earned the nickname Twiggy because of her thin build. In the 1960s, when she was still just a teenager, she was the hottest model in the fashion industry and a beloved British cultural icon. A waif-like, leggy, large-eyed girl, Twiggy sported bobbed hair and lots of mascara to give her a modern, androgynous appearance. Twiggy was named “The Face of 1966” and, the next year, she was named the British Woman of the Year.
Beatlemania outside of Buckingham Palace, 1965.
Things got a little crazy in October 1965 when the Beatles paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace where the Fab Five was to receive the honor of becoming Members of the Most Honorable Order of the British Empire. The Queen herself, just ten years into her lengthy reign, presented John, Paul, George, and Ringo with their MBE. Later, Queen Elizabeth II knighted two of the Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Outside the doors of the palace, teenage girls fully inflicted with Beatlemania, eagerly awaited a glimpse at the Fab Five.
Daisy, Luke and Bo Duke, 1980.
John Schneider was only 18 years old when he landed the role of Bo Duke on the hit TV action series, The Dukes of Hazzard. He starred with two other relative newcomers, Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach who played Bo’s cousin’s Luke and Daisy. Schneider knew that the producers were looking for a good ‘ol boy type to play Bo so he adopted this persona for his audition. He arrived in a beat-up pick-up truck, swigging a beer and wearing a cowboy hat. He hadn’t shaved in several days and purposely spoke in a Southern accent. The casting director loved it.
Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe on the set of "Something's Got To Give" 1962. Martin refused to finish the film with anyone but Monroe as his co-star, so when she died unexpectedly in August 1962; the film was abandoned.
At the time of her untimely death, Marilyn Monroe had just been dismissed from the movie, Something’s Got to Give. Before she was fired from the set, she did something that would have been both historic and shocking. For the iconic pool scene in the movie, Monroe was fitted with a body stocking. Monroe dismissed the outfit and chose to swim around the pool wearing only a pair of where underthings. When the scene wrapped up filming, Monroe called in photographers to take still shots of her. Despite her boldness, Monroe was too absorbed in her personal struggles to focus on the film. When she left, the studio tried to replace her with Kim Novak, Lee Remick, or Shirley MacLaine, but her co-star, Dean Martin refused to work with any other actress.
Elvis and Ann-Margret first met on a soundstage at Radio Recorders studios in Hollywood. (1963)
Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, who co-starred in Viva Las Vegas, were involved in a not-so-secret love affair even though the King of Rock ‘n Roll had been in a long-term relationship with Priscilla, the woman he would eventually marry. According to stories, the affair between Elvis and Ann-Margret was fast and intense. Ann-Margret later called Elvis her soulmate and claimed that the two discussed marriage. But Elvis was engaged to Priscilla and Priscilla had learned of the triste from the tabloid newspapers. Officially, the lovers ended their relationship, but it was claimed that they continued to see each other in secret.
Former 1970s-80s Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Lynn Swann was one of the best-known NFL players in the country. After playing football for the University of Southern California where he was an All-American, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL draft. He led the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins and three Pro Bowl victories. In 1975, he was named the MVP of Super Bowl X. When he retired from the game, he worked as a sports broadcaster, served as the head of the President’s Council on Fitness, and was the Republican candidate for the Governor of Pennsylvania in 2006.
Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo on the set of "The Munsters"
At 6-foot, 5-inches in height, actor Fred Gwynne stands out from the crowd. In the 1960s, he starred in two hit television shows, Car 54, Where Are You? and The Munsters. He resisted being typecast in roles that accentuated his unusual height and went on to a successful film career. He appeared in The Cotton Club, Pet Sematary, and played the hard-nosed judge in My Cousin Vinny. He also penned and illustrated a series of children’s books, proving that he was a diverse and creative entertainer.
Freddie Mercury rehearses with the Royal Ballet in 1979.
It seems like an odd combination, but in 1979, Freddie Mercury appeared on stage with the Royal Ballet for a gala in which the troupe danced to “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” Although Mercury was not a trained dancer and was not asked to sing in the show, he hit the stage with gusto as the dancers presented a unique, modern dancer routine. It was Mercury’s job to thrill and shock the audience in hopes of encouraging them to donate more money to the gala’s cause.
Groovy movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)
When the teen comedy adventure film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, hit the theatres in 1986, audiences loved it. Matthew Broderick, who starred as the title character, already has a few successful teem flicks under his belt by this time. In fact, the movie’s writer, director, and co-producer John Hughes said they he had Broderick in mind as he wrote the script. The role of Ferris’s buddy was eventually awarded to Alan Ruck, but several other notable actors were considered for the part, including Anthony Michael Hall, Tom Cruise, Michael J. Fox, Jim Carrey, John Cusack, and Johnny Depp.
Here's Johnny... Carson’s groovy clothing line from 1970.
He hardly seems like a fashion icon, but in the 1970s, Johnny Carson was a trendsetter of men’s fashions. He popular show, The Tonight Show, put him in the spotlight. He once wore a turtleneck sweater while hosting the show. Men across the country rushed out to buy similar sweaters. And then he wore a Nehru suit on air and kicked off a nationwide fad. The producers of the show noticed this and sought to capitalized on it. They launched the Johnny Carson Apparel Company to design and market Carson’s own clothing line that was heavy on the polyester.
Miss Elizabeth at SummerSlam, 1988.
The 1988 SummerSlam marked the first of the SummerSlam pro wrestling pay-per-view event that was produced by the World Wrestling Federation. The hype and excitement leading up to this event was palpable, as the WWF wanted. The more excitement translated into more pay-per-view buyers. For the match, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage took on their arch-rivals Ted DiBaise and Andre the Giant. It was actually Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s manager, shown here, who won the match. She whipped off her skirt to reveal her panties, thus distracting Andre the Giant and Ted DiBaise long enough for Hogan and Savage to win.
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, 1986.
Talented singer, guitarist, songwriter, and actress Susanna Hoffs was the face of the girl band, The Bangles, in the 1980s. The Bangles’ first album, a self-titled release in 1982, enjoyed moderate success, as did their follow-up album, All Over the Place in 1984. But it was their 1986 album, Different Light that propelled the band to stardom. The album produced such hit singes as “Manic Monday”, “Walk Like an Egyptian”, and “If She Knew What She Wants.” When The Bangles broke up in 1989, Hoffs launched a solo career and released her first solo album, When You’re a Boy, in 1991.
Tears for Fears, 1984.
A leader in the new wave synthesizers, the 1980s English band Tears For Fears was a driving force in the pop music scene for the 1980s and 1990s and part of the Second British Invasion that was fueled by MTV. The band’s debut album, The Hurting, was released in 1983 and produced three hit songs, “Pale Shelter,” “Mad World,” and “Change”. The band’s second album, Songs from the Big Chair, reached the number one spot on the Billboard chart in 1985. Two of the group’s biggest hits, “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, came from this album. Tears for Fears has garnered numerous awards and accolades.
Clint Eastwood holding a small armadillo in 1971.
This photo of actor Clint Eastwood holding an armadillo was taken during the filming of the Western, Two Mules for Sister Sara, which starred Shirley MacLaine. Filmed on location in Mexico, Two Mules for Sister Sara tells the story of a mercenary, played by Eastwood, who unwillingly teams up with a nun, played by MacLaine, to help a group of rebels during Emperor Maximilian’s puppet government in Mexico in the years following the American Civil War. The benefits of filming on location is the native wildlife that sometimes wanders onto the set…like this little guy here.
Janis Joplin and her acoustic guitar in the 1960s, before she was famous.
When Janis Joplin was a teenager living in Texas, she was an outcast who was bullied and ostracized. She did have a group of friends, one of whom introduced her to blue artists like Lead Belly, Bessie Smith, and Ma Rainey. Joplin later recalled how her introduction to blue aided her decision to become a singer herself. She learned to play the guitar and wrote blues and folk music. After high school, Joplin enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin. She continued to be eccentric in college and was profiled by the school newspaper in a 1962 article titled, “She Dares to Be Different.”
Manhattan Beach, 1957.
Manhattan Beach, located in Los Angeles County, California, has long been a mecca for sun worshippers, beach volleyball players, and surfers. Part of three beach cities that include Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach stretches a little more than two miles along the sandy Pacific Ocean. Much of the city of Manhattan Beach, in fact, was built on sand dunes that flanked the beach and continue to offer ideal vantage points from which to watch the beautiful sunsets that silhouette the Manhattan Beach fishing Pier.
Morgan Freeman was a regular on the Emmy-winning PBS kids series, "Electric Company"
Early in his career, renowned actor Morgan Freeman was a regular on the children’s television series, The Electric Company. He appeared on the show from 1971 to 1975, and although he appreciated the financial stability that the show brought him, he was not happy there. He later acknowledged that his participation on the show helped him get established as an actor and contributed greatly to growing his fan base, yet the filming schedule left little room to pursue other projects and he believed that his part on The Electric Company didn’t allow him to hone his acting skills. He quit the show in 1975.
Patrick Swayze in the film, "Roadhouse," 1989.
Patrick Swayze was the perfect combination of sexy, hunky muscle dude and sensitive intellectual in the 1989 hit movie Roadhouse. As a professional bouncer, his character was hired to clean up a roadside bar in Missouri, but to do so, he also has to clean up the entire corrupt town. Kelly Lynch stars as a doctor who treats his knife wound and eventually falls in love with him. Although Roadhouse was a box office success, it was not highly regarded by film critics when it was released. In the years that followed, however, more and more people are calling the film underrated.
The Joker' (Jack Nicholson) and 'Batman' (Michael Keaton), 1988.
After considering several big name Hollywood stars to play the title character in the Tim Burton-directed film, Batman, which was released in 1989, Warner Bros. Studios settled on Michael Keaton. The studio was taking a risk on him as he was known as a comedic actor and had not yet handled large serious roles. Casting Jack Nicholson to portray The Joker, Batman’s archrival, was an easy decision, but Nicholson had some demands. He demanded a share of the film’s earnings, his own filming schedule, and top billing.
The natural beauty of actress Katharine Ross, 1966.
Beautiful Katharine Ross was in the early stages of her Hollywood career when this photo was taken of her in 1966. She made her movie debut the year before in Shenandoah, a Civil-War drama. That same year, she had a supporting role in Mister Buddwing and began filming The Singing Nun, which was released in 1966. Throughout the remainder of the 1960s and through the 1970s, she continued to star in acclaimed movies, including The Graduate, Hellfighters, and The Stepford Wives.
TV host and actress Kelly Ripa in her high school photo, late 1980s.
Wearing typical 1980s big hair, actress, dancer, and television host Kelly Ripa is seen in this photo from her high school days. As a student at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, Ripa was an outgoing and popular cheerleader. The school’s drama teacher, Jim Boeckle, recognized Ripa’s acting potential and encouraged her to participate in school shows. She later said, “I owe so much of my career to him.”
Live Aid concert was 33 years ago on this date at Wembley Stadium in London, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened the event.
Live Aid, which took place on July 13, 1985, was a multi-venue concert fundraiser to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Two mega-musical events took place simultaneously in London and in Philadelphia. Approximately 72,000 people attended the London event at Wembley Stadium, which was opened by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and another nearly 89,500 people attended the Philadelphia show. In addition, the performances were broadcast around the world to an estimated audience of 1.9 billion people in 150 different countries.
John Travolta, Los Angeles. 1976
In the late 1970s, John Travolta’s best-known movies focused on music … and a diverse range of music, at that. In 1977, he helped bring disco music and dancing into the national spotlight with Saturday Night Fever. In 1978, he starred with Olivia Newton-John in Grease, a musical film that recalled life in the 1950s. And in 1980, he was instrumental in kicking off the country music craze with his movie, Urban Cowboy, which co-starred Debra Winger.
Very 80s photo of George Michael and Brooke Shields.
In this totally ‘80s photograph, it looks like actress Brooke Shields is fan-girling over singer George Michael. But it could be the other way around. George Michael could be starstruck by meeting the teen model and actress. With her controversial roles in Pretty Baby and Blue Lagoon and her modeling shoots for Calvin Klein jeans, Shields was becoming a super famous person. As for Michael, he was enjoying success with his music, including the number-one mega-hit, “Careless Whisper.”
