Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been in the spotlight so long, it’s easy to forget how they got there.
Some achieved their dream of winning an Oscar after years of hard work and daring roles, while others are still hoping to hear their names called.
The celebrities on this list have changed hairstyles, film genres, and even romantic partners over the years, but they have kept their love for their craft intact.
Here’s what many Hollywood icons looked like at their first Academy Awards, as young, starry-eyed entertainers starting their careers, compared to their latest appearances at the 2026 awards.
#21 Goldie Hawn—1971
In 1971, Goldie presented the award for Best Actor at the 43rd Academy Awards.
The previous year, she had won Best Actress for Cactus Flower, but did not attend the ceremony.
"I never got dressed up. I never got to pick up the award. I regret it,” she told Variety in 2023, explaining that she didn’t expect to win at all.
"I forgot it was on television that night," Goldie admitted. "Then I woke up to a phone call at like 4 in the morning. And it was a man's voice and he said, 'Hey, congratulations, you got it.' 'I got what?'”
This year, the star attended the ceremony with her daughter and Best Actress nominee, Kate Hudson.
The previous year, she had won Best Actress for Cactus Flower, but did not attend the ceremony.
"I never got dressed up. I never got to pick up the award. I regret it,” she told Variety in 2023, explaining that she didn’t expect to win at all.
"I forgot it was on television that night," Goldie admitted. "Then I woke up to a phone call at like 4 in the morning. And it was a man's voice and he said, 'Hey, congratulations, you got it.' 'I got what?'”
This year, the star attended the ceremony with her daughter and Best Actress nominee, Kate Hudson.
12points
#22 Ava DuVernay—2014
In 2014, the director released one of the most successful films of her career: Selma, a biopic about Martin Luther King Jr. The film was nominated the following year for Best Picture but lost to Birdman.
Glory, the song by John Legend and Common for Selma, won for Best Original Song.
At the March 15 ceremony, the filmmaker went public with her boyfriend.
When asked by Essence to fill in the blank in response to “I am proud of myself for…," Ava beamed as she replied, “Right now I am proud of myself for coming to the Oscars with my honey.”
Glory, the song by John Legend and Common for Selma, won for Best Original Song.
At the March 15 ceremony, the filmmaker went public with her boyfriend.
When asked by Essence to fill in the blank in response to “I am proud of myself for…," Ava beamed as she replied, “Right now I am proud of myself for coming to the Oscars with my honey.”
11points
#23 Kirsten Dunst—2005
Kirsten joined Orlando Bloom in 2005 to present Best Film Editing. She styled her hair in an updo and donned a very 2000s pink dress.
The Power of the Dog actress returned to the ceremony last Sunday to support her husband, Jesse Plemons, who starred in Bugonia.
The Power of the Dog actress returned to the ceremony last Sunday to support her husband, Jesse Plemons, who starred in Bugonia.
9points
#24 Alicia Silverstone—1996
Back in 1996, a 19-year-old Alicia Silverstone walked the Oscars red carpet before presenting the award for Best Makeup.
The previous year, the “it girl” had her big break in the teen comedy Clueless.
Alicia, now 49, portrayed Sandy Gatz, Teddy's mother, in Bugonia.
The previous year, the “it girl” had her big break in the teen comedy Clueless.
Alicia, now 49, portrayed Sandy Gatz, Teddy's mother, in Bugonia.
8points
#25 Spike Lee—1990
The famous director first attended Hollywood’s biggest night in 1990. He was nominated in the Best Original Screenplay category for Do the Right Thing, but lost to Dead Poets Society.
At the ceremony, actress Kim Basinger called out the Academy for failing to nominate Spike’s film for Best Picture.
“We’ve got five great films here, and they’re great for one reason: They tell the truth,” she said. “But there is one film missing from this list that deserves to be on it because, ironically, it might tell the biggest truth of all. And that’s Do the Right Thing.”
The BlacKkKlansman filmmaker attended the ceremony this year to support actor and frequent collaborator Delroy Lindo, who was nominated for Sinners.
At the ceremony, actress Kim Basinger called out the Academy for failing to nominate Spike’s film for Best Picture.
“We’ve got five great films here, and they’re great for one reason: They tell the truth,” she said. “But there is one film missing from this list that deserves to be on it because, ironically, it might tell the biggest truth of all. And that’s Do the Right Thing.”
The BlacKkKlansman filmmaker attended the ceremony this year to support actor and frequent collaborator Delroy Lindo, who was nominated for Sinners.
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6points