![25 Iconic Actors at the Start of Their Careers vs. Now (PHOTOS)](https://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2023/10/attachment-tom-cruise-young.jpg?w=980&q=75)
25 Iconic Actors at the Start of Their Careers vs. Now (PHOTOS)
Not only is Hollywood an incredibly hard place to get your foot in the door, but it's an even more difficult one to stick around in for decades. Ever-changing trends, shifting audience preferences, and persistent ageism can mean that today's biggest stars could soon become tomorrow's has-beens.
Though crafting a long-lasting career in the industry seems next to impossible, there are a handful of actors who have withstood the test of time. Their careers—some of which began when they were just kids—have spanned decades and are still thriving. These stars have churned out hit after hit, set box office records, and wormed their way deep into the hearts of audiences around the world.
In celebration of these beloved stars, Stacker looked back at photos of 25 actors from around the time they got their big break and traced their careers to where they are today. Using information from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and celebrity news outlets like People, the following list highlights the careers of these icons.
Read on to see if your favorite actor made the cut.
25 Iconic Actors at the Start of Their Careers vs. Now
Gallery Credit: Stacker
More From 98.1 KHAK
![21 Celebrity Couples We Totally Forgot Were Previously Married](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2023/11/attachment-celebrities-you-didnt-know-were-married.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The 10 Best Onscreen Portrayals Of Real-Life People](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2023/07/attachment-BIOPIC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Steven Spielberg Says Tom Cruise ‘Saved Hollywood’s Ass’](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/05/attachment-attachment-top-gun-maverick.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Meryl Streep Joins Cast of ‘Only Murders In The Building’](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2016/07/meryl-streep-photo-getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Named Best Reviewed Movies of 2022 on Rotten Tomatoes](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/05/attachment-attachment-top-gun-maverick.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Is Finally on Streaming](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/12/attachment-tgm-ff-125r2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tom Cruise Hypes ‘Top Gun’ Streaming Release By Jumping Out of a Plane](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/12/attachment-tom-cruise-sky-diving.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Everything New on Netflix in January 2023](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/11/attachment-90SHOW_101_Unit_01179RC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Is Returning to Theaters](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/05/attachment-tgm-ff-002r.jpg?w=980&q=75)