# Actors who become unrecognizable when old **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081 "2017-03-26T17:41:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/21 "2017-03-27T02:46:05Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Likewise, his foray into professional boxing. I think it was wrestling. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/22 "2017-03-27T03:42:52Z")
Oh my god, people got older. They got wrinkles, their faces sagged, they put on weight, maybe they lost their hair or it turned gray or white. Is everyone posting in this thread under 30? Have you never seen this progress in real life? This is such a sad statement on what passes for our culture. Aging happens. Get used to it, with any luck it will happen to you too. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/23 "2017-03-27T04:01:29Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Oh my god, people got older. They got wrinkles, their faces sagged, they put on weight, maybe they lost their hair or it turned gray or white. Is everyone posting in this thread under 30? Have you never seen this progress in real life? > > This is such a sad statement on what passes for our culture. Aging happens. Get used to it, with any luck it will happen to you too. Don’t have a cow. Some people look like just an older version of their younger selves, while others become unrecognizable. This thread is about the latter. I don’t see anyone making judgments about it. Take a deep breath, please. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/24 "2017-03-27T04:10:42Z")
Kathleen Turner was the first name that came to my mind. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/25 "2017-03-27T04:42:18Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Oh my god, people got older. They got wrinkles, their faces sagged, they put on weight, maybe they lost their hair or it turned gray or white. Is everyone posting in this thread under 30? Have you never seen this progress in real life? > > This is such a sad statement on what passes for our culture. Aging happens. Get used to it, with any luck it will happen to you too. Under 30? I’m 68. This thread has nothing to do with mocking old people because they haven’t aged particularly well. It’s about actors who have changed so much from their younger selves that it’s very difficult to recognize they are the same person. Why you should believe such a topic is defamatory of the old is completely beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/26 "2017-03-27T06:19:33Z")
In photos it doesn’t show as well but I saw this voice I swore I knew when watching “42”. I was shocked to find out it was Max Gail. Wojo looked totally different from his Barney Miller days to me. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/27 "2017-03-27T07:10:54Z")
Howie Manndel isn’t _that_ old, but he looks hella different on _Deal or No Deal_ from how he looked during his stand-up years. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Pork-Chop\_Express](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@The\_Pork-Chop\_Express](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Pork-Chop_Express)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/28 "2017-03-27T07:37:13Z")
Jeff Bridges has morphed into Kris Kristofferson. [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNTU1NjM4MDYzMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjIwMjMyMw@@._V1_UY317_CR11,0,214,317_AL_.jpg) ](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNTU1NjM4MDYzMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjIwMjMyMw@@._V1_UY317_CR11,0,214,317_AL_.jpg) [![](https://i68.servimg.com/u/f68/13/68/39/11/kris11.jpg) ](https://i68.servimg.com/u/f68/13/68/39/11/kris11.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/29 "2017-03-27T07:59:43Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > If you think Brando became unrecognizable before, you should see him now. The OP didn’t specify tense and Fisher is equally not alive, if that’s what you’re getting at. He also became a certifiable maniac in his old age; maybe young Marlon was still crazy but hid it better. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Howie Manndel isn’t _that_ old, but he looks hella different on _Deal or No Deal_ from how he looked during his stand-up years. In a similar vein, Weird Al Yankovic looks unrecognizable after changing his hair (head and facial) and getting LASIK or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/30 "2017-03-27T08:08:26Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Oh my god, people got older. They got wrinkles, their faces sagged, they put on weight, maybe they lost their hair or it turned gray or white. Is everyone posting in this thread under 30? Have you never seen this progress in real life? > > This is such a sad statement on what passes for our culture. Aging happens. Get used to it, with any luck it will happen to you too. Oh my god, here come the scolds, as per usual. People age differently. Some individuals age well, others don’t. In Top Gun, the two leads were born a fortnight apart. Tom Cruise; in [Top Gun](http://screencrush.com/442/files/2015/12/1401x788-Top-Gun-3.jpg). Tom Cruise;from [a couple of years ago](http://media.vanityfair.com/photos/5385f8edf66e8d8371000216/master/pass/tom-cruise-emily-blunt.jpg). Antony Edwards [as Goose](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fa/4f/1f/fa4f1f63f1ffcf9389050e4a36357d83.jpg): Antony Edwards (on the left)[from last year:](https://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/vulture/2016/03/25/recaps/25-billions-02.w710.h473.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/31 "2017-03-27T09:01:08Z")
Danny DeVito: [On Taxi.](http://us.cdn281.fansshare.com/photos/dannydevito/danny-devito-celebrity-1308757613.jpg) [Today at 72](http://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/styles/bio_pics_detail/public/2013/10/danny-devito-400x600.jpg?itok=KOpT2gCi&c=dc2927bd3a9447f509825c0b4005e6b1) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/32 "2017-03-27T12:42:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Howie Manndel isn’t _that_ old, but he looks hella different on _Deal or No Deal_ from how he looked during his stand-up years. Actually quite the opposite. Saw him on _Conan_ a bit ago and I am amazed at how much he looks just like he did years ago. Well, except for the hair. In the “Are they sure they’re IDing the right person?” category, [here’s](http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/784302/Joni-Mitchell-Sir-Elton-John-70th-birthday-party) supposedly Joni Mitchell going to Elton John’s birthday party. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/33 "2017-03-27T13:22:52Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Oh my god, here come the scolds, as per usual. People age differently. Some individuals age well, others don’t. To me, what I’ve noticed, famous women do a lot worse than the male side. An old facelift/face fixing of any kind is the worse! Melanie Griffith comes to mind, I could be wrong about which actress but pretty sure its her I might not be around for when the big butt Kardassian’s butt falls and not around for Angelia Jolie’s lips (if she is the one with big lips) deflate…but I’d sure like to see that Smoking does a lot to your looks in the long run. I’d say that smoking to stay thin is not a trade for a crappy looking face later in life! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/34 "2017-03-27T13:25:28Z")
We all get old, and it makes changes, and I can’t fault people for that. I didn’t recognize William Daniels in a recent picture > **[William Daniels - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=7nPXAo0a&id=073CA75FF01DEAD8493403EDCE70EBD0EB7F74F3&q=William%2BDaniels&simid=608019314402918467&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. > **[William Daniels - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=LPs7Jq6v&id=30ABE5DD2AA6297641BF87E10CCCD734EEC38460&q=William%2BDaniels&simid=608044517276913129&selectedIndex=27&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. In my mind, he still looks like John Adams. > **[Actor William Daniels Photo Gallery | Official Site](http://www.williamdanielstheactor.com/gallery.html)** > > View photo gallery on actor Williams Daniels official website. View photos of William Daniels in notable roles, behind the scenes & in his early years If they ever film The William Daniels Story they ought to get Chris Hayes from MSNBC to play him: > **[Chris Hayes MSNBC - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=iqQ%2bbpF4&id=99CB82DBB6ED097C685071C857BCFC507C05FE91&q=Chris%2BHayes%2BMSNBC&simid=607998427975454090&selectedIndex=5&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. The one that amazes me is Walter Matthau. In his old age gravity seemed to be particularly nasty in drawing every part of his face down - he eyebrows, his nose, his jowls. He was still recognizably Walter Matthau, but he looked like Walter Matthau – The Incredible Melting Man. I can’t find any pictures that really show it – I think they always post the ones that show his “good side”, but watch _Grumpy Old Men_ or _Grumpier Old Men_ to see what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/35 "2017-03-27T14:02:31Z")
I didn’t recognize a recent photo of Matt LaBlanc [https://goo.gl/images/wz2qDQ](https://goo.gl/images/wz2qDQ) This is how I remember him [https://goo.gl/images/frHe8u](https://goo.gl/images/frHe8u) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/36 "2017-03-27T14:06:14Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > In a similar vein, Weird Al Yankovic looks unrecognizable after changing his hair (head and facial) and getting LASIK or whatever. To me this is slightly different, in that his look is really a character look, sorta like Charlie Chaplin or Groucho Marx. The character is not how they look in real life. Take away the character elements and yeah, he’s unrecognizable because he looks “normal”. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/37 "2017-03-27T15:18:44Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Howie Manndel isn’t _that_ old, but he looks hella different on _Deal or No Deal_ from how he looked during his stand-up years. Two other standups who have changed from their trademark early look: Bobcat Goldthwait [then](https://www.doyouremember.co.uk/uploads/n6872hJ6bg.jpg) and [now](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Bobcat_Goldthwait_May_2015.jpg/220px-Bobcat_Goldthwait_May_2015.jpg) Emo Phillips [then](http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1224316519emo_philips_6626.jpg) and [now](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5458/9242012707_e0cb46b5a9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/38 "2017-03-27T15:27:57Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I didn’t recognize a recent photo of Matt LaBlanc 😕 He looks pretty much the same, but with grey hair. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/39 "2017-03-27T15:32:39Z")
One that surprised me was Bradley Whitford. He’s 57 years old. I’m assuming his hair has been turning for a while and he’s been dying it. But he looked like [this in 2014](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.charitybuzz.com/images/107081/original.jpeg_1378929462?1378996227) and [this in 2016](https://m.hrc.onl/cms/original_images/whitford-cover-photo.jpg). The change was so sudden I literally didn’t recognize him until he spoke. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081/40 "2017-03-27T15:35:39Z")
One actor I’m surprised about is **Frank Langella**. I admire the man’s superb acting skills, but I was amazed at his seemingly abrupt transformation from long-haired Byronic heart-throb in films like **The Twelve Chairs** and **Dracula** > **[Frank Langella Dracula - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=IrPgbDaj&id=9F71048BDF196BDEDCD267BD13770936355EA2E8&q=Frank%2BLangella%2BDracula&simid=608004711520996744&selectedIndex=2&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. to stubble-haired scary serious guy without, apparently, passing through any pupal stages [![](https://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ln/20140407/draft_day_premiere_080414_80415/frank-langella-draft-day-los-angeles-premiere_4145684.jpg) ](https://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ln/20140407/draft_day_premiere_080414_80415/frank-langella-draft-day-los-angeles-premiere_4145684.jpg) I first saw this manifestation on stage when he played the part of Salieri on Broadway in _Amadeus_. **Billy Joel** underwent a similar metamorphosis, but at least he smiles. A guy I knew in grad school did the same thing. He had those Langellan locks in grad school, and is now a sour-faced bald professor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-become-unrecognizable-when-old/783081.md?page=3)