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

Some showbiz stars won over fans with their striking beauty in their heydays. However, they have changed with time, leaving room for scrutiny. These women have aged differently. From Faye Dunaway to Tina Louise and even Brigitte Bardot, fans have always wanted to know more about them.

Faye Dunaway: A Blend of Talent and Timeless Beauty

Faye Dunaway became famous for her roles in “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” She epitomizes versatility and depth in acting since her rise in the 1970s.

The actress 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.”

The role of Bonnie in the classic film 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. She cemented her name in Hollywood’s Fashion Hall of Fame.

The award-winning star’s rapid rise to stardom was a testament to her talent and striking beauty. Naturally, this 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 have shaped her both as an actress and a person.

Tina Louise: Embracing Change After the Spotlight

Dunaway’s evolution is slightly different from that of Tina Louise. Louise’s journey offers a distinct perspective on life after widespread fame. She has stunning ginger hair and a beauty spot on the left side of her face.

Louise’s transformed from a teenage Broadway star to a beloved television icon. This illustrates her adaptability and resilience. She is known for portraying 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 after becoming a parent as she welcomed a daughter.

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

That said, 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. The star believes it did well because the cast members did their part. Now decades since it aired, Louise is the only living cast member of “Gillian’s Island.”

Joan Van Ark: The Impact of Celebrity on Self-Perception

Aside from Louise’s story, Joan Van Ark’s tale is that of continued criticism. The actress’s career, notably her role as Valene Ewing in “Knots Landing,” brought her both acclaim and scrutiny.

The television star left the show following 13 seasons and earned six nominations. Van Ark also won two Soap Digest Awards for Best Actress for her role in the series.

The blonde-haired veteran has experiences with fame and public perception. This adds another layer to the exploration of beauty and aging in Hollywood. Over the years, the now 80-year-old underwent several cosmetic procedures. These have significantly changed 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 her 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, 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.

Brigitte Bardot: Choosing Natural Aging Over Artificial Preservation

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

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

She once reflected on her decision. Bardot’s journey emphasizes the dignity of natural aging. She challenges 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.

Yasmine Bleeth: The Realities of Aging in the Public Eye

Building on Bardot’s embrace of natural aging, Yasmine Bleeth’s story adds a contemporary perspective on celebrity scrutiny over growing old. 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 a buzz. There have been 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.

While fans are wondering about Bleeth and want to know more, a lot has happened in her life. Besides her weight being a hot topic on social media, she 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 before their nuptials. The couple wed at the Barca resort in Santa Barbara in front of 50 guests.

Kathleen Turner: Redefining Beauty and Strength with Age

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.

Geraldine Chaplin: A Legacy Beyond the Silver Screen

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 is candid about the challenges of growing older in the public eye. She 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 have each had their own unique journey in Hollywood. While the industry is demanding, they have survived in ways they thought best. Their lives show how women deal with fame, beauty, and getting older in different ways.