7 Beauties of the Past: How Famous Actresses Have Changed over Decades

• Several female stars have undergone drastic physical transformations through time.
• Some have opened up about the effects of aging and cosmetic surgery.
• Nonetheless, these women have lasting legacies despite their physical changes.

Beauty standards constantly evolve in Hollywood, and those who once set these standards navigate the relentless passage of time. Here are several famous beauties from one of Hollywood’s memorable eras.

Faye Dunaway‘s illustrious career is a testament to her versatility and depth as an actress. Rising to fame in the 1970s, Dunaway became known for her roles in defining films such as “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.”

She garnered success very quickly following notable performances on the New York stage. Dunaway even came out on top, beating counterparts, Jane Fonda and Natalie Wood for the part in “Bonnie and Clyde,” which became a worldwide success.

The role also earned the star her first Academy Award at age 27. Notably, Dunaway’s character became influential in the fashion trends as she sported the late 60s style. As a result, she cemented her name in Hollywood’s Fashion Hall of Fame.

Her rapid rise to stardom was a testament to her talent and striking beauty, which captured the attention of audiences and photographers alike. Dunaway graced the covers of magazines including Newsweek working alongside esteemed photographers. Her cheekbones served as one of her outstanding physical features.

Besides her career and looks, Dunaway became a family woman, having married twice. Her first husband was musician Peter Wolf and her second was British photographer, Terry O’Neill. She and O’Neill welcomed a son named Liam together.

Despite facing challenges in her career, Dunaway’s legacy in Hollywood remains untarnished, her experiences shaping her both as an actress and a person.

From Dunaway’s narrative, we look at Tina Louise, whose journey offers a different perspective on life after widespread fame. She has stunning ginger hair and a beauty spot on the left side of her face.

Louise’s transformation from a teenage Broadway star to a beloved television icon illustrates her adaptability and resilience. Best known for her role as Ginger Grant on “Gilligan’s Island,” Louise’s departure from Hollywood in the early 1970s left fans curious about her life beyond the screen.

While starring on “Gilligan’s Island” from 1964 until 1967, she was often in the limelight. But that later changed once she became a parent.

However, her decision to step away reflects a broader narrative of seeking fulfillment beyond public recognition, a choice that resonates with many who have walked similar paths in the entertainment industry.

Louise’s role on the show remains a memorable one. She once shared she starred in the series for only three years but it is still successful to date. According to her, it did well because the cast members did their part. She is now the only living cast member of “Gillian’s Island.”

Aside from Louise’s story, Joan Van Ark’s experiences with fame and public perception add another layer to the exploration of beauty and aging in Hollywood. The actress’s career, notably her role as Valene Ewing on “Knots Landing,” brought her both acclaim and scrutiny.

She left the show following 13 seasons and earned six nominations. Van Ark also won two Soap Digest Awards for Best Actress. Over the years, the now 80-year-old underwent several cosmetic procedures, significantly changing her appearance.

Once she started getting older, Van Ark began to look more different. Some media publications reportedly claimed that she looks like a wax figure. This observation comes from her noticeably tight skin and plumped lips.

Meanwhile, a plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn, speculated on the procedures she might have had. Youn said it is possible that Van Ark had a facelift to make her jawline appear sharper. He also pointed out the veteran’s lifted brow and smooth forehead.

When she made one public appearance once, Van Ark looked different. She reportedly had red-tinted eyebrows and a matching eyeliner but decided to go for a nude color on her lips.

In every appearance she has made since, Van Ark’s physical features have become even more shocking. A source once revealed that when she attended the 40th anniversary event of “Knots Landing” in 2020, her face appeared to have “melted.”

Even her hips reportedly looked disfigured and her skin was also worrying. People blamed Van Ark for resorting to plastic surgery, with one stating that she had ruined her face.

Another claimed that ever since she was little, she never liked the way she looked and decided to do some work on her face to fix that. Regardless, of the criticism, Van Ark is still active in the entertainment industry.

The conversation around aging and beauty takes a natural turn as we delve into Brigitte Bardot’s life, which stands in contrast to the prevailing norms of cosmetic enhancement.

Bardot, once an emblem of sensuality and freedom, chose a path less traveled by public figures: aging gracefully without the aid of cosmetic surgery.

Reflecting on her decision, Bardot’s journey emphasizes the dignity in natural aging, challenging societal norms that often equate beauty with youth. Interestingly enough, despite her apparent beauty, Bardot found herself ugly.

This led her to stalk, idolize, and analyze other people which ultimately made her slip into depression. She even stopped making movies at age 39 once her beauty started to fade.

The actress first rose to international acclaim after appearing in the 1956 film, “And God Created Woman.” She became an icon of the sexual revolution as many were enamored by her.

Bardot also dabbled in modeling and graced magazine covers of publications such as Elle. After gaining success with French films, she pursued American productions and ended up starring in “Act of Love.”

The American audience, men in particular fell in love with Bardot, especially for her explosive sexuality. She was even called, “sex kitten,” with her face all over magazines.

In refusing to age-defy or age-deny, Bardot will leave behind a different legacy altogether. Her story offers a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing trends in celebrity culture.

Building on Bardot’s embrace of natural aging, Yasmine Bleeth’s story adds a contemporary perspective on the scrutiny faced by celebrities as they age. Bleeth’s journey from a “Baywatch” sensation to facing personal and legal challenges has been a topic of public fascination.

The 55-year-old’s appearance changes have sparked debates about the unrealistic expectations placed on women to remain forever young. Online users have discussed Bleeth’s physical transformation through the years on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“I recall they did this to Yasmine Bleeth, remarking that she looked ‘dramatically different from her Baywatch days’. Well yeah, because she’s 55 and not 25, that’s kind of how life works,” commented an online user in January 2024.

Another asked in September 2023, “My only response is “Yasmine Bleeth is 55?!” Where did the time go????” “Unrecognizable?” [That] seems to me to be exactly what Yasmine Bleeth should look like when she’s 55 years old and has no makeup. What were people expecting?” someone else stated. “What happened to Yasmine Bleeth?” one other person penned in August 2021.

Besides her weight being a hot topic on social media, Bleeth has also found herself on the wrong side of the law. The actress got involved in a car accident in 2001 along with a male friend but both of them got off unharmed.

However, the police allegedly found cocaine in her pocketbook. Consequently, Bleeth spent the night at the police department in Romulus, Michigan. She was on her way to the airport set to leave Detriot.

Despite the woes, Bleeth eventually found love when she walked down the aisle in 2002 with club owner, Paul Cerrito. She reportedly met him in rehab two years prior to their nuptials. The couple wed at the Barca resort in Santa Barbara in front of 50 guests.

As we reflect on Bleeth’s experiences, Kathleen Turner’s journey offers insights into redefining beauty and finding strength beyond physical appearance. Turner’s transition from a symbol of allure to an actress celebrated for her enduring talent shows the depth of her character.

The brown-haired beauty first gained prominence after starring in “Body Heat.” Her break-out role in the film reportedly made her a sexual target. “It doesn’t frustrate me that nearly four decades after that film, I’m still referred to as a sexual icon. I got over that a long time ago,” Turner remarked.

She was even rumored to be linked to leading male actors such as Kirk Douglas, Beatty, and Jack Nicholson at the time. However, she shot the gossip, saying she never had any romantic relations with either of them.

Now 69, Turner admitted that it felt strange entering this decade. She rediscovered herself and realized that there was still more that she could do even in old age which she found exciting.

Finally, Geraldine Chaplin’s reflections on a life rich with cinematic achievements and personal growth bring our exploration to a thoughtful conclusion. The 79-year-old’s extensive career and her reflections on life and death provide a poignant perspective on the passage of time.

“I see death just waiting for me, hungry. And so every morning I wake up and I go, ‘Oh. Still here for the moment!'” Chaplin shared, revealing her contemplative approach to aging and mortality.

The actress’s candidness about the challenges of growing older in the public eye offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of those who have spent decades under the spotlight.

Chaplin is the daughter of the legendary filmmaker, Charlie Chaplin. She is the eldest of his eight children whom he welcomed with Oona O’Neill. The dark-haired beauty began her film career starring in “Dr. Zhivago.”

Chaplin initially trained to be a ballerina but ended up on the big screen. Of working side-by-side with her famous father, she revealed he was set in his ways.

“And he was of the Victorian generation and had all the, I would say “defects,” of that time, but maybe they’ve certainly helped me. I mean, his discipline helped me,” the child star divulged.

These seven actresses, each with their unique journey through Hollywood’s dazzling yet demanding industry, reflect the myriad ways in which women navigate the challenges of fame, beauty, and aging.