#OscarsThrowback: Revisit The A-List's First Ever Oscars Appearances
Want to see what all your favourite stars looked like back at their first EVER Oscars show? Well right this way then...
Want to see what all your favourite stars looked like back at their first EVER Oscars show? Well right this way then...
Awards season is upon us so it's only right that we celebrate the Oscars glory by revisiting some vintage snaps from yester-year. We've collated all the stars' first ever appearances on the Academy's storied red carpet, and boy are there some some corkers...
There's baby-faced Leo in his tux looking about 12 in 1994 (two years before he looked set to make it big after starring in Romeo + Juliet) and Tom and Nicole looking very vintage back in the day. Oh, and we've also got some questionable outfit choices from the late '90s and early noughties sported by A-list actresses, who are today renowned for their sartorial choices but obviously needed a little time to find their style (we forgive you Hilary Swank and Penelope Cruz, it happened to us too).
However, there's also a whole heap of stars who've just kept getting it right since they first stepped out into the limelight all those years ago - Keira Knightley, for example, absolutely killed it back in 2006 in an a-symmetrical Vera Wang dress. And when she made her red carpet Oscars return last year, she looked incredible once again. Hats off also to the timeless style of Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Stone too, showing us that sometimes glamour is just in your DNA.
First up we have this vintage snap of Cate from the 1999 celebration, which is quite obviously, everything. That same year she'd just starred along Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley and was starting to get noticed in Hollywood for her acting skills, although we totally rate this detailed, slinky dress too...
Cate Blanchett
Click through to see what your Oscar favourites looked like back then, and how they've evolved..
Cate Blanchett
When it comes to legendary Hollywood actresses, Cate is up there with the best of them. She kept things simple and classy in this Maison Martin Margiela dress and turquoise necklace in 2015.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Keira Knightley
Keira's career reached incredible heights in the early noughties thanks to film hits like Bend It Like Beckham and Pride & Prejudice, and this beautifully structured Vera Wang fishtail dress from the 2006 show has gone down in Oscar-dress history as one of the best.
Keira Knightley
Keira walked the Oscars red carpet last year looking nothing short of ethereal in this Valentino cream number. She was also pregnant with her first child with husband James Righton.
Naomi Watts
We are in love with this cut-out Armani print dress that Naomi wore to the 2015 ceremony, and how on point is her make-up too? Naomi's flawless look comes two years after she was nominated for a gong in the film Lo imposible.
Naomi Watts
Naomi had started to attract big movie roles when she attended her first Oscars bash in 2002 and we love the neckline detail on this dress. She'd just starred in Mulholland Dr. to critical acclaim the year before, so no wonder she looks chuffed.
Halle Berry
This dress + Halle Berry = excellent. At the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001 Halle's outfit was pleasingly ethereal. And it makes us hanker after 90s sequins.
Halle Berry
12 years after winning an Oscar for Monster's Ball in 2001, Halle returned to the red carpet in 2013. Thoughts on this sequined, striped, shiny, Versace dress?
Jennifer Aniston
We're not ecstatic about Jen's chunky vintage Bulgari necklace, but we have to admit this figure-hugging Rochas gown in 2006 ticked all the red carpet boxes. Jen attended the Oscars this year after starring in The Break-Up alongside Vince Vaughn and rocked the poker-straight hair that she'd also popularised in her Friends days.
Jennifer Aniston
Despite her long career and recent move into more challenging indie flicks like Cake, Aniston's never been nominated for an Oscar. This doesn't stop her from turning up and looking fabulous, though, and in 2015 she owned this strapless, sparkly Atelier Versace gown which she paired with her signature honey-blonde waves.
Kate Hudson
There are no words to really describe all that's going on in Kate Hudson's first Oscars outing circa 2001. So we'll just let you feast your eyes on this photo and leave it there.
Kate Hudson
Wow what a difference a few years makes, eh? Kate brought the retro glamour in this Atelier Versace dress back in 2014 and paried it with sweeping waves and classic make-up. Surely one of the best Oscars outfits ever, we reckon.
Sienna Miller
Boho overload with this emerald green dress and gold arm-bracelet, or Grecian goddess? We're not totally sure with Sienna's outfit from the 2004 show.
Sienna Miller
Sienna's career has continued to boom since her first Oscars appearance, and naturally her fashion choices have garnered her heaps of praise too. Here she is last year in a simple Oscar De La Renta dress which we totally want to borrow.
Beyoncé
A 24-year-old Bey attended the Oscars back in 2005 in a very low-key black velvet fishtail dress and sparkly earrings.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé last attended the Oscars in 2009, when she was performing onstage with Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfried and Hugh Jackman (random?). This House Of Dereon dress certainly turned heads on the arrivals carpet too.
Ben Affleck
The dream-team that are Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won an Oscar right at the start of their careers in 1997 for the screenplay they wrote together for Good Will Hunting which also starred Robin Williams. And aww, just look at how young Ben looks!
Ben Affleck
Fast foward a few years and Ben was strutting down the red carpet as a fully-fledged Hollywood legend, with wife at the time Jennifer Garner. Oh and he's opted for a beard too which we totally approve of.
Kerry Washington
When Kerry began to see her star rise a few years ago thanks to her role in political-drama show, Scandal, she walked the red carpet at the Oscars in 2013 wearing this cerise, strapless dress - and looked stunning doing so too.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington last attended the Oscars wearing this patterned, peplum (it's still popular for red carpet dresses, it seems) Mui Mui frock last year. And doesn't she look the picture of elegance?
Julianne Moore
Back in 1998 Julianne attended the Oscars in this modest cream ensemble, complete with a shawl and clutch bag. Directional.
Julianne Moore
How is it possible that Julianne's look just continues to improve over time? The actress walked the red carpet last year in this ethereal white dress, and picked up the Best Actress gong for her role in Still Alice. Winning!
Leonardo DiCaprio
Would you look at Leo's cherub-like innocence at the 1994 Oscars bash? Would you have guessed he'd later become one of Hollywood's most successful actors (and lotharios)? Well, ok, maybe it was a bit obvious.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Hotly tipped for Oscars glory in 2014 for his role in blockbuster Wolf Of Wall Street, Leo looked extremely dapper in his Georgio Armani tux walking the red carpet but missed out on the award.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese walked the red carpet with Ryan Phillipe in 1999 who she married the same year and don't they look adorable? The two met on the set of Cruel Intentions in 1999 and look so fresh-faced in this candid glam shot, it makes us feel old just looking at it.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese's face hasn't changed all that much - she's still the natural beauty she was in her teens and we love her for it.
Renée Zellweger
1999: the year of the dot-com boom - and tight, satin doiley-inspired dresses, apparently. Zellweger wore this at the 71st Oscars bash a few years before she asked Carolina Herrera to become her go-to dress designer. Phew.
Renée Zellweger
Oh what a difference 14 years makes. When Zellweger last walked the Academy Awards carpet in 2013, she was back on sartorial form with this perfectly-fitted gold dress by her (now) go-to designer, Carolina Herrera.
Jennifer Lawrence
Oh doesn't Jen look super-young at the Academy Awards outing in 2011? The actress was just 20 when she sported this ruby-red, form-fitting, Calvin Klein dress that oozed old-school Hollywood glam and was just perfect for her first ever Oscars night. Also, we reckon it's possible that this was the best blow-dry of all time, ever.
Jennifer Lawrence
Fast forward three years and Jen's chopped her hair off, but returned to her style roots with another slinky red dress. This time it's Dior and it's complete with a bodice and peplum detail. This was Jen's last Oscars appearance (taken a year after she won for Silver Linings Playbook) - she skipped the 2015 ceremony to chill in Boston with her dogs.
Angelina Jolie
Because Angelina's such a well-established actress these days, it's easy to forget that she comes from a highly successful showbiz family. Here she is in 1988 aged 10 (ahh!), looking shy and unbelievably cute as she walks the red carpet with her brother and Father, actor John Voight. Her dad had already won an Oscar at the time and was nominated for his second when this photo was taken.
Angelina Jolie
An unbelievable 26 years later, and Angelina Jolie is walking the red carpet as an established actress and director who's been nominated twice at the Oscars for her work on-screen (in 1999 for Girl Interrupted and 2008 for Changeling). Here she is at the 86th Academy Awards looking absolutely stunning in a slinky Ellie Saab dress.
Drew Barrymore
Ok so this isn't technically Drew's first ever Oscars appearance (she attended the 1983 academy Awards in a pink tutu-style dress and fur collar but we have to forgive her because she was only eight), but this is the first image of the actress as an adult-attendee at an Oscars soiree. At this point (1998) Drew had already seen her star rise and fall thanks to her part in E.T., battled drink and drug addiction, become legally emancipated from her parents, lived in a mental institution and starred in over 25 films. Wow.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore last attended the official Oscars bash in 2005 when she was starring in rom-coms like Fever Pitch (2005) and 50 First Dates (2004). She kept things simple in this strapless black dress with lace panelling at the sides.
Scarlett Johansson
2004 and Scarlett Johansson was glowing in green at the 76th Annual Academy Awards in this Alberta Ferretti gown which she reportedly bought on holiday in Seattle (aka Emerald City). How fitting.
Scarlett Johansson
Last year Scarlett wowed in green again, stepping onto the red carpet in a Atelier Versace dress and a super-cool shorn haircut. FYI, this was also the year that John Travolta planted a really awks kiss on Scarlett's face in front of all the paps.
Kate Winslet
This vintage snap of Kate at her first Oscars bash in 1996 was taken after she gained critical acclaim for her role in Sense And Sensibility, and one year before she was propelled to stratospheric fame for her part in Titanic. She opted to keep things British in the fashion-stakes, wearing a candy pink dress from Vivienne Westwood.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet cut a statuesque figure the last time she attended the Academy Awards - probs because she was dressed in a stunning, silk YSL number and had a yellow diamond bracelet dripping from her wrist...
Julia Roberts
Remember when Julia and Kiefer were a thing? This photo of them attending the Oscars in 1990 was taken just a year before Julia reportedly called off their wedding. Julia was up for Best Actress for her role in Pretty Woman, losing out to Jessica Tandy from Driving Miss Daisy, on the night.
Julia Roberts
Julia last walked the Oscars runway in 2014 when she wore a stunning dark-blue dress by Givenchy which featured lace detail, structured paneling and peplum detail.
Sandra Bullock
This is officially what Sanda looked like during her first Oscars apperance in 1996; the big hair, the choker - oh take us back to the '90s please, it's our happy place.
Sandra Bullock
2014 was the year Sandra attended the Oscars wearing this gloriously-glam Alexander McQueen number. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Gravity, four years after winning for her part in The Blind Side.
Anne Hathaway
Anne's 2007 Oscar appearance was utterly flawless back, two years before she was given a nomination for her role in Rachel Getting Married. This strapless lace number whispers glamour.
Anne Hathaway
It seems Anne hasn't aged a day since her first Oscars outing, and rocking this strapless monochrome number in 2014, the actress proved why her fashion sense has also stood the test of time.
Johnny Depp
Back in 2004, Johnny Depp was sporting a curtain fringe on the red carpet when he attended the Oscars with then-girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis. He was up for an Oscar for his role in Pirates Of The Caribbean, but missed out to Sean Penn for his role in Mystic River.
Johnny Depp
Depp doesn't grace the Oscars carpet much - his last show was in 2008 when he arrived with his partner Vanessa Paradis.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt's first Oscar outing was back in 1992 when he attended the show with then girlfriend Juliette Lewis.And even then it was kinda obvious he'd be destined for an amazing career, don't you reckon?
Brad Pitt
Now Brad's married to Angelina, and the two are nothing short of Hollywood royalty. How glam do the pair look at the 2014 Oscars? We love how Brad never seems to age either (he was 51 when this was taken, say what?!).
Penelope Cruz
Back when shawls and shine were all the rage, Penelope attended the 72nd Oscars show as a budding 25-year-old actress from Spain. She'd just starred in Pedro Almodóvar's drama All About My Mother, the year previously, and had started to appear on the Hollywood radar...
Penelope Cruz
Penelope Cruz is pretty in pink last year, wearing a sweeping dress by Giambattista Valli. This photo comes 6 years after the won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Spanish-American flick, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Salma Hayek
Salma's Oscars debut was back in 1997 when she walked the red carpet with Mexican actor Luis Miguel. And is that a tiara we see? How very '90s...
Salma Hayek
Salma opted to wear British label Alexander McQueen for her Oscars outing in 2013 and we're totally in love with the stunning neckline detail and slinky fit. The Mexican-American actress has never scooped an Oscar or Golden Globe but always attends events looking nothing short of amazing...
Nicole Kidman
Vintage Tom & Nicole brings a smile to our faces. The youth, oh look at the youth in their faces. Back in 1997 the couple had already been married for seven years and were deemed Hollywood royalty when they attended red carpet events together. Tom Cruise has just starred in Jerry Maguire and Nicole had enjoyed fame with Batman Forever and My Life.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman received a lot of stick for her 2014-2015 film roles in Grace Of Monaco and Queen Of The Desert, but at least she still looks absolutely flawless when she rocks up to industry events. She can do no wrong in this Louis Vuitton dress from 2015.
Gwenyth Paltrow
Gwenyth's 1999 dress is now the stuff of red carpet legend. The actress stuck with the winning 90s formula of strapless princess-style dress for her appearance back when she also picked up an Oscar for her role in Shakespeare In Love.
Gwenyth Paltrow
Gwenyth Paltrow loves to opt for pastel colours, and at the 2015 Oscars she stayed true in this Ralph Russo gown, complete with a corsage on the shoulder.
Jessica Alba
There's something about a vintage noughties Oscar photo that really warms our hearts. Here we have Jessica Alba in 2006 in this nude (or is it yellow) embroided number by Versace, which we actually love.
Jessica Alba
The last time Jess attended the Academy Awards was back in 2008 when she was pregnant with her first child Honor, who was born four months later. This purple, feathered Marchesa gown is maternity wear of dreams.
Hilary Swank
Ok so back in 2000 we all made mistakes, and Hilary is no exception it seems. There's a lot going on in this ruffled, Randolph Duke dress but luckily Swank has an Oscar to detract from her sartorial choice - she won Best Actress for her role in transgender-drama, Boys Don't Cry.
Hilary Swank
Swank is as renowned for her challenging movie roles as she is for her flawless fashion sense these days. Here she is stunning onlookers in a feathered Gucci dress in 2011.
Cameron Diaz
Back in 1995 Cameron's star was just starting to come up; she'd just starred in The Mask in 2004 which was one of the biggest grossest films of the decade. Thoughts on this silky baby pink number and sultry pout? We give it two thumbs up.
Cameron Diaz
Diaz last walked the red carpet during the Oscars in 2012 when she strutted her stuff in this nude, strapless Gucci gown. The actress also made a few naughty jokes that year (about Jennifer Lopez's butt) when she presented Best Makeup onstage with Lopez.
Jennifer Lopez
Although Jennifer's never been nominated, she's a regular on the Oscars circuit. In 1997, she'd starred in flicks Anaconda and Selena and for her first Oscars, she chose designer Phillip Bloch to dress her in this slinky Badgley Mischka number. She then stuck with the label for her next two Oscars outings.
Jennifer Lopez
2015 was the year Jen rocked up to the Oscars wearing this sparkly, nude Ellie Saab dress. And Lopez's voluminous outfit presented some difficulties when she presented the Best Costume Design award - she nearly didn't make it off the stage as she almost tripped. Oops.
The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.
-
Marie Claire Loves - Give the gift of Prada this Christmas
Looking for gifting inspiration? Prada's selection of festive gifts are guaranteed to please
By Marie Claire
-
Sabrina Carpenter has spoken out following her separation from Barry Keoghan
By Jenny Proudfoot
-
Ethan Slater’s ex wife has broken her silence on their split in an open letter
By Jenny Proudfoot