Stories

Another school year is winding down. For high school graduates, the world is at their feet. With so much time and opportunity ahead of them, what lies ahead can seem pretty scary. At one point in time, our favorite television celebrities were in that position. They had the daunting task of figuring out what to do after crossing the stage at graduation. Do they move out a pursue a career in show business, like Lucille Ball and Roseanne Barr, or do they go to college to obtain a degree? Before their careers materialized, this is what these 15 celebrities looked like in high school. We used the 1990 book Yearbook by the creators of Memories Magazine to find these photos. 1. Matthew McConaughey: Long before McConaughey was a leading man in Hollywood, he was just another teenager attending Longview High School in Texas. While there, he played on the tennis and golf teams and was also part of the Pan Am club. headcramp 2. Chris Pratt: Chances are, you recognize Pratt for one of his most iconic roles—either in Parks and Recreation, Jurassic World, or as a hero in Guardians of the Galaxy. As a student at Lake Stevens High in Washington, he was on the wrestling team, he ran track, and he also played football. headcramp 3. Anna Faris: Faris, who is widely known for her starring roles in funny flicks like Scary Movie and The House Bunny, recently admitted that she didn’t start dating men until her senior year of high school. She would eventually go on to marry Chris Pratt. headcramp 4. Halle Berry: Berry is noted as one of the most talented and beautiful actresses in Hollywood. In high school, things weren’t much different for the starlet. In fact, in her senior year, she was voted the class prom queen! headcramp 5. Reese Witherspoon: After graduating from an all-girl’s high school in Nashville, Tennessee, Witherspoon has admitted that she was a nerdy teen—though, she was still quite popular at the time as well. headcramp 6. Will Ferrell: Ferrell is one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedians and it’s easy to see why. He’s likable and hilarious, much like he was when he was in high school. As a student, he won the vote for best personality; he was also the king of his senior class’s winter ball. headcramp 7. Tina Fey: While attending Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania, Fey was a member of the school newspaper staff. It’s easy to see how that activity played into her eventual role as an anchor during Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. headcramp 8. Will Smith: While he is certainly known as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men today, Smith was first recognized as The Fresh Prince, a name he picked up while he was a high school student in Philadelphia. headcramp 9. Bruce Willis: Somewhat surprisingly, Willis was regarded by his fellow classmates as one of the most school spirit-oriented students while he was a Penns Grove high school student in Carneys Point, New Jersey. Go team! headcramp 10. Blake Lively: Lively’s friends have noted how busy the Hollywood starlet was while she was a student at Burbank High School in California. This is likely because she boasted a hefty resume of extracurricular activities! headcramp 11. George Clooney: As a student at Augusta High School in Augusta, Kentucky, Clooney was a member of the varsity basketball and baseball teams. While his athleticism is well-known in Hollywood (the leading man once joked about a time when he and his cronies challenged fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio in basketball—and won), it is less known that he suffered from Bell’s palsy when he entered high school at age 13. headcramp 12. Brad Pitt: Regarded as one of Hollywood’s most handsome leading men for decades, Pitt was voted “most popular” and “best dressed” while he was a student at Kickapoo High School in Missouri. He carried these superlative well into his adult life, too! headcramp 13. Oprah Winfrey: As a student attending East High School in Nashville, Tennessee, Winfrey was voted most popular. While an exceptional student, she also partook in many extracurricular activities, including student government and others. headcramp 14. Julia Roberts: As an outgoing student at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia, this leading actress engaged in an art of a different variety: music. She played the clarinet as a member of her high school band. Who knew? headcramp 15. Tom Hanks: As a student at Skyline High School in California, Hanks remembers that he was regarded as a geek during his formative teenage years. He also recalled that he was extremely shy during that period of time! headcramp Share this story on Facebook with friends. Credits: headcramp Related: Celebrities Who Looked Totally Different Before Fame 16 Vintage Drivers’ Licenses Of Celebrities