There seems to always be a new batch of young and alluring talent coming through Hollywood these days, but they may have a lot of competition ahead of them, not necessarily just among their youthful selves, but also against the top leading men and women in Hollywood who seem to have the ultimate secret against aging. The frequent new fresh and young Hollywood faces that come in and out of the limelight can be a source of eye candy for everyone, but there are a number of celebrities who prove just with their appearance, that you don’t have to be 25 to be the hottest person in the room anymore.
There are plenty of Hollywood stars who seem to have aged gracefully, some more than others. Is it possible that a bunch of A-listers in Tinseltown have found the mysterious fountain of youth? Whatever their secrets are, it seems to be working for them, whether it’s weight loss, a nip and tuck here and there or just good old-fashion genetics, these celebrities are trying to prove that the days of having to accept the inevitable consequences of aging are something of the past.
Here’s our top 13 picks of celebrities who aren’t just aging pleasantly, but are rather aging backwards.
13. Daniel Craig
Craig made his film debut in The Power of One in 1992, but it wasn’t for another nine years, that his fame would turn international when he had a supporting role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. His appearances in films like Road to Perdition and Layer Cake led to Craig being named the sixth actor to play James Bond in 2005.
At 46, Daniel Craig is aging quite well, with his rugged facial features, muscular physique and blonde hair and blue eyes, it’s hard to believe that 007 was once a skinny, ordinary-looking struggling actor.
12. Halle Berry
Berry has been in the spotlight since the age of seventeen when she won the Miss Teen All-American Pageant. Just a year later in 1986, she was runner up in Miss U.S.A. pageant. She was soon recognized for her beauty and stage presence and became a model which eventually led her to acting. Her true rise to fame began when she starred in Losing Isaiah in 1995.
Now at 48, Berry is as beautiful and youthful looking as ever. She has accredited her appearance to the fact that being diabetic, she avoids sugar as much as possible, which helps with anti-aging.
11. Drew Barrymore
Since her breakout role at six-years-old, in Steven Spielberg‘s blockbuster E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Drew Barrymore has transformed into one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses. She’s been in the spotlight most of her life, whether it was through her troubled teenage years or for starring in an array of successful films, especially throughout the ’90s. Some of her most popular roles were in films like Poison Ivy, Boys on the Side and The Wedding Singer.
February 22nd, is Barrymore’s 40th Birthday and she looks as vigorous as ever, still appearing with that glowing baby-face we have all grown to love over the years.
10. Justin Timberlake
Timberlake got his start on Disney’s, The All New Mickey Mouse Club where he met future band-mate J.C. Chasez. Not long after the Mickey Mouse Club they formed NSYNC and it didn’t take the boy band long to become a big hit with fans internationally, making a place for themselves in the music world. Over the years, Timberlake has broken away from music and has delved into acting, starring in films including The Social Network, Friends with Benefits and Trouble with the Curve.
Fans that have followed Timberlake’s career from the beginning have surely seen a difference in his appearance. The once bleach-blonde, short curly haired boy next door has revamped himself into a suave, charming and respected celebrity.
9. Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon has been a part of the entertainment industry since she was a young child. At 7 she began modeling which led to a number of TV commercials. She had her first major acting role when she was 14 in The Man in the Moon, which led to even bigger and better films like A far Off Place and Jack the Bear. It wasn’t really until 2001 when she starred in the mega hit Legally Blonde that her acting career really took off, establishing her as one of Hollywood’s rising starlets and opening the door for leading roles in huge blockbuster films.
At 38, Reese is now a mother of three and doesn’t look at day over 25. Her youthful, wrinkle-free face makes it seem as though she should be graduating University not approaching middle age.
8. Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey‘s film debut was in Heaven Help Us in 1985. He went on to star in a number of late ’80s and early ’90s college comedy movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Can’t Buy Me Love and Lover Boy. Through the early 2000s he appeared in quite a few TV shows which eventually led him to the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka McDreamy), on the hit medical series Grey’s Anatomy.
Now at 49, Dempsey still has his trademark soft blue eyes and curly black hair just like he did in the ’80s. However, he has since shed that nerdy image he once had, giving him a mature, sexy and age-defying look.
7. Charlize Theron
In 1994, Charlize Theron‘s mother bought her a ticket to L.A. so she could pursue her acting career. She visited all of the Hollywood agents but had no luck. One day while she was at the bank trying to cash a check her mother had sent her, the aspiring actress was told by the teller that they couldn’t help her. After hearing this she made a huge scene which caught the eye of a casting agent standing in line. It wasn’t long after she was noticed that she went on to star in films like Devil’s Advocate, The Cider House Rules and Monster.
Theron is approaching her 40th birthday this year and is aging gracefully. With her model-like figure and flawless skin she keeps looking better and better as the years go by. She has said that beauty comes from experiences rather than appearance and in regards to aging stated, “It’s strange the industry links beauty with youth when women are at their most sensual in their 40s.”
6. Kate Winslet
It’s no secret that the role that changed Kate Winslet‘s life was when she played Rose in James Cameron‘s record-breaking blockbuster Titanic. After the unimaginable attention Titanic received, Winslet was soon an international star, and became a role model for young girls everywhere because of her healthy frame, one that is typically scarce in Hollywood.
Winslet is looking youthful and trimmer than ever these days, and yes… it’s 100% natural. The Oscar winning actress once said when asked if she had cosmetic surgery, “It goes against my morals, the way that my parents brought me up and what I consider to be natural beauty. I will never give in.”
5. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston was a struggling actress for quite some time before she landed the role as Rachel in the long running series Friends. Originally, she was asked to audition for the role of Monica but she refused. Through the huge success of friends, Aniston was able to make a smooth transition from TV to film and has become one of the most famous and sought after actresses today.
Now at 45, Aniston has traded in that girl next door image and has transformed into an ageless Hollywood beauty. She is known for taking a natural approach when it comes to the aging process and she has never looked better.
4. George Clooney
George Clooney started his acting career in television, with small roles on popular shows like The Facts of Life, Roseanne and Sisters. He eventually landed a starring role on the award-winning soap opera series ER. During the success of ER, Clooney starred in an array of films like From Dusk Till Dawn, One Fine Day, and Batman & Robin.
Now in his mid-50s the mature silver-haired fox nicknamed “Gorgeous George” is far from the baby-faced Dr. Doug Ross he played in the ’90s, but looks better than he did in his thirties.
3. Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper‘s big break was on the hit show Alias back in 2001. After he left Alias Cooper starred on other TV shows that were unfortunately unsuccessful; ones like Jack & Bobby, Touching Evil and Kitchen Confidential. He managed to get small parts in many different films over the years, but his big movie break didn’t come until his role as Phil in the comedy The Hangover. Now Cooper is one of the most popular actors in Hollywood and has starred in blockbuster films like American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper.
Cooper just celebrated his 40th birthday and is aging amazingly well. The once slender, average looking, and wavy haired actor is now suave and charming with piercing blue eyes and has also been named “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine.
2. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez‘s big break came in 1990 when she was offered the job as a fly girl on the hit comedy In Living Color. After two years she went on to dance for Janet Jackson and eventually landed a role in her first major film called My Family. It wasn’t until another two years later when she starred in Selena that her career took off to unimaginable heights.
It’s been over 12 years now since J-LO’s “Jenny From The Block” days, and if anything Lopez’s fashion sense (remember the cargo pants?) has matured a great deal. Luckily her skin has not, something she achieves by maintaining a healthy lifestyle full of exercise, a balanced diet and plenty of water.
1. Nicole Kidman
The redheaded Aussie made her US debut in the thriller Dead Calm in 1989, and it wasn’t long after that she starred in blockbuster films like Days of Thunder, Far and Away and Batman Forever.
From the time we were first introduced to Kidman back in ’89 to now, the actress’s looks have evolved from a fresh, vibrant young girl with wild and curly red locks to an elegant A-lister with a sleek and natural glowing appearance.
She is quoted as saying, “To be honest, I am completely natural. I have nothing in my face or anything. I wear sunscreen, and I don’t smoke. I take care of myself. And I’m very proud to say that.”