Then and now: A vision of celebrities hanging out with their younger selves

(Pocket-lint) – One fairly recent trend has been for people to take on the decade challenge – posting images of themselves years ago compared to now, to show just how much or how little they’ve changed over the years.

One master of Photoshop took the challenge in a different direction though. Ard Gelinck started posting images of celebrities and well-known faces on Instagram alongside images of their former selves. 

In some cases, decades have passed since the original photos, the comparisons are something really special. Journey with us through history as we present a selection of our favourites. 

Young Joe Biden and President Biden 

In time for the Inauguration of US President Biden, Ard created this brilliant Photoshopping showing a young Joe Biden from 1967 pictured alongside his older self. We wonder if the younger Joe had any idea of his future prospects. We love that his smile hasn’t changed over time. 

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is one of those actors who not only barely seems to age but gets better with every passing year. Here we see him posing with his much younger self, the noticeable difference being a very 80s vibe in the original photo. 

Young Chris Rock and older Chris Rock

We really enjoy these images where Ard hasn’t just Photoshopped recent images but has taken the subject as a child and set up a comparison from decades later. Comedian Chris Rock certainly looked like he was fun even as a child. 

Gillian Anderson and Dana Scully

We’ll happily admit to having a crush on Gillian Anderson back in the day when she was playing Dana Skull in The X-Files. Now she’s in comedies like Sex Education, things have changed a lot for the actress but she’s just as awesome. In fact this image may well be proof that it’s not just men that get better with age. 

Macaulay Culkin and Kevin McCallister

Many years have passed since Macaulay Culkin starred as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, yet he’s still got the same mischevious look nailed. We wonder what advise a grown-up Macaulay would give to his younger self. 

Ted Danson & Sam Malone

We were thoroughly disappointed when The Good Place came to an end but it warms our hearts to see Ted Danson on the screen in any guise and honestly, this image of him blended with an old one from Cheers is fantastic too. 

Peter Venkman and Bill Murray 

Bill Murray is making a return to the role of Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters Afterlife and we’re psyched. The man, the myth, the legend is everyone’s favourite, especially the internets. This image of him side-by-side with himself spans decades and it’s almost as fantastic as he is. 

Keanu Reeves

Recently referred to as “Breathtaking” Keanu Reeves is another handsome acting legend who’s surrounded by myths and urban legends. We do know that he’s set to return to the screen for the new Bill & Ted film, another Matrix movie and, of course, more John Wick. Here we see an ageing, but no less cheerful Keanu side-by-side with his younger self. 

Pierce Brosnan

This now and then comparison shows that Pierce Brosnan is another one of those frustratingly handsome men that just gets better with age. What a gaze. Arguably one of the best Bond actors still has it. 

Al Pacino and Tony Montana

Al Pacino has played many different characters over the years, but if we say the words “say hello to my little friend” then one, in particular, comes to mind. Several decades have passed since he appeared in Scarface but Al Pacino is still a regular favourite on the big screen. Al Pacino has appeared in at least 60 films, which is quite a feat. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Former Mr. Olympia, Conan the Barbarian, Terminator and Governor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger has plenty of achievements under his belt. Now he’s seen in all his glory, both then and know thanks to the talents of Ard Gelinck.

Han Solo and Harrison Ford

It’s always a pleasure to see Harrison Ford doing his thing and no doubt most people remember him fondly for playing Han Solo. Recent outings to the franchise mean we get to see now and then visions not just of the actor, but of him in Star Wars mode too. 

Sean Connery

It’s a subject of much debate on the internet, but in our mind, Sean Connery is the best Bond. He’s also an incredible actor and a handsome devil. This Photoshopping of him standing next to his younger self only goes to show how he’s only getting better with age.

Michael J. Fox

We’re huge Michael J. Fox fans and even more so of Back to the Future – what self-respecting geek isn’t? So this image of Mr Fox hanging out with Marty McFly is truly a thing of beauty.

Christiano Ronaldo

It turns out that footballing legend Christiano Ronaldo has always had a bit of a cheeky grin. We bet when he was this young though he never dreamt of what the future would hold for him.

Tom Cruise

An older, but still dapper Tom Cruise is seen here next to his younger self. Many years have passed, but Cruise may well be proof that some men get better with age. 

Amy Winehouse

English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse may have tragically passed away in early 2011, but here she lives on with two beautiful visions of her past in one brilliantly crafted photo. 

Robert De Niro

The brilliant Robert De Niro hugs his younger self. A throwback to an era when he had a much more impressive head of hair. We wonder what these two versions of him would talk about if they could really meet up like this. 

Freddie Mercury

Another British singer-songwriter gone, but not forgotten. This photo works as a brilliant homage to the lead vocalist of Queen who was also recently paid tribute to in Bohemian Rhapsody, the superb biographic starting Rami Malek.  

Richard Gere 

Richard Gere started acting in the 1970s, he’s come a long way since. He’s even been seen as a sex symbol a few times over the decades. Thanks to Ard Gelinck, we now get to see him like we never have before. There are probably at least twenty years or more between these photos, yet they’ve been convincingly Photoshopped together. 

Tom Selleck

We’re not sure what Tom Selleck’s secret is, but this side-by-side photo of him seems to show his moustache getting better with age. There’s no denying he’s magnificent and this brilliant Photoshopping is a wonderful piece of art that we’re sure he’d love. 

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood might be pushing 90 years old, but he’s still in the acting game and going strong too. He started acting in the 1950s and later moved on to directing and producing too – creating quite a brilliant filmography over the decades. This amazing Photoshopped image shows a weathered but not broken Clint Eastwood with his young self happily and grumpily posing for the camera. 

Ralph Macchio

Wax on, wax off. Years on, years off. A brilliant “then and now” vision of acting legend Ralph Macchio, best known for his role in The Karate Kid. It looks more like a photo of a proud father and his son, but we love how the younger version appears to be looking off into the middle-distance, perhaps wondering what lays ahead in his future. 

Will Smith 

The Fresh Prince kicks it with a suited and booted grown-up version of himself. We really enjoy the little touches to this Photoshopping – like the backdrop that makes it appear like they’re both at the same photoshoot. 

Julia Roberts

A classic snap of Julia Roberts during her role in Pretty Woman. Hilariously, the original photo showed Julia Roberts embracing co-star Richard Gere, but she’s now hugging an older version of herself thanks to the power of Photoshop.

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler might be best known as Fonzie from 1970’s sitcom Happy Days, but his smile is just as awesome today as it was all those decades ago. This is one happy chappy, who’s still got acting chops too – we loved him in HBO’s “Barry” in 2018. 

Mel Gibson

Action hero star and acting legend Mel Gibson is yet another addition to this list of brilliantly handsome men who have just got better with age. We love the happy results of this Photoshopping too. It might not be as convincing as the others, but it’s hard to see past the piercing gaze anyway. 

Tom Hanks

They say that you should never get on a plane, boat or space ship with this man as he doesn’t make for a great travelling companion. He does, however, make an amazing actor. He also makes another great “then and now” photo. 

Sylvester Stallone

This Photoshopping seems perfectly timed considering the rekindling of the love for Rocky and its rebooting with spin-off film Creed. Sylvester Stallone keeps on throwing great punches too. 

Michael J. Fox (again)

We’ve always had a soft spot for Michael J. Fox. He’s not had an easy life thank to his battle with Parkinson’s but he’s not let it hold him back from doing great things. This Photoshopping is not quite as fantastic as the man, but certainly a good tribute to him. 

Daniel Radcliffe 

A thoroughly enjoyable vision of a young Harry Potter (aka Daniel Radcliffe) with his older and more worldly self. We thoroughly enjoy this Photoshopping and how it’s presented with the young Radcliffe sitting taller above his older self. 

George Clooney 

This is one then and now photo that really stands out from the rest. Somehow, the younger George Clooney almost doesn’t even look like the same man. 

Daniel Craig and Sean Connery 

Ok, so this one isn’t technically a celebrity with a younger version of themselves, but it still deserves to be on the list as it shows the latest Bond actor with one of the most well-known actors of our time. Sean Connery, unfortunately, passed away in 2020, but this image is a brilliant homage to him and a great view of two awesome Bonds. 

This is just a taste of the amazing works of Ard Gelinck, be sure to stop by his page and follow him for more in future. 

Writing by Adrian Willings.