40 Celebrities and Their Old Hollywood Doppelgängers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Charlotte Chilton, Victoria Dawson Hoff

published 2 March 2020

We love playing the twin game with lookalike stars who dominate today, but what about the modern A-listers who look exactly like icons from yesteryear? From old Hollywood glamazons to current "It" girls, here are the mind-blowing side-by-sides of some of our favorite celebs and their counterparts from another era.

•••

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter (subscribe here).

Helen Mirren (1970) and Jennifer Lawrence

From the big eyes to full cheeks, it's hard to tell the difference between a young Helen Mirren and Jennifer Lawrence.

Sophia Loren (1961) and Sofia Vergara

Both in looks and personas, Sofia Vergara is Sophia Loren's modern-day counterpart. Given their sultry looks, it's no surprise the two women became sexy screen sirens.

Lauren Bacall (1950) and Karlie Kloss

If they weren't decades apart in age, we'd be pretty sure that Lauren Bacall and Karlie Kloss, with their heart-shaped face and deep set eyes, were long-lost twins.

Ava Gardner (1950) and Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler possesses the same delicately fair skin, dark hair, and green eyes that made Ava Gardner one of the biggest film stars in the '40s and '50s.

Sade (1990) and Jourdan Dunn

If you told us model Jourdan Dunn was the '80s singer Sade's clone, we'd believe you. Their almond-shaped eyes are almost identical.

Ali MacGraw (1969) and Kendall Jenner

People have often compared model Kendall Jenner to the '70s actress Ali MacGraw, and it's clear why. It's not just their long dark hair though—they give the same look to the camera, too.

Olga James (1957) and Brandy

We think it's their oval faces and slender jawlines that make Brandy the spitting image of '60s actress Olga James.

Tom Selleck (1974) and Ian Somerhalder

A pre-mustache Tom Selleck reminds us a lot of The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder. Maybe Ian should give a 'stache a go?

Audrey Hepburn (1954) and Lily Collins

Both Audrey Hepburn and Lily Collins have the acting chops to back up their beauty. The two actresses also share many of the same petite facial features.

Gladys Knight (1970) and Uzo Aduba

No, you're not seeing double. Orange is the New Black star Uzo Aduba has the same million-watt smile that Gladys Knight was known for.

Brigitte Bardot (1958) and Michelle Williams

She may have played Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn, but Michelle Williams more closely resembles French film star Brigitte Bardot, if you ask us.

Clark Gable (1932) and George Clooney

It's his soft eyes that make the devilishly handsome George Clooney a dead ringer for legendary actor Clark Gable.

Shalom Harlow (1996) and Olivia Wilde

Shalom Harlow and Olivia Wilde share the same square-shaped face, high cheekbones, and almond eyes. And lucky for both of them, this combo seems to be the key to being photogenic.

Mick Jagger (1968) and Harry Styles

Not only are they both chart-topping singers, but Harry Styles takes after the legendary Rolling Stones singer in the looks department, too, sharing a similar nose and eyes.

Dorothy Dandridge (1950) and Maya Rudolph

Actresses Dorothy Dandridge and Maya Rudolph share the same oval-shaped face and subtle smile.

Heath Ledger (1997) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

A few years his junior, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is very reminiscent of the late Heath Ledger with their thin smiles and dark, deep eyes.

Helen Hunt (1988) and Leelee Sobieski

The resemblance between Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski is remarkable. We think it's their oval face shape and serious stare.

Fred Astaire (1950) and Vincent Cassel

We're not sure if French actor Vincent Cassel has the dance moves of Fred Astaire, but between their strong chin and slight grin, we'd say he's a chip off the ol' block.

Raquel Welch (1965) and Minka Kelly

Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly resembles actress Raquel Welch in many ways, like their wide-set eyes and stunning smile.

Madonna (1986) and Sky Ferreira

The Queen of Pop and up-and-coming artist Sky Ferreira owe it to their short, sleek jawline for looking so similar. They have pretty similar brows, too.

James Dean (1950) and James Franco

From their steely stares to their chiseled jawlines, James Franco looks eerily similar to the late actor Jame Dean.

Jayne Mansfield (1950) and Megan Fox

Megan Fox may not share Jayne Mansfield's platinum blonde hair, but their brown eyes and full pouts make Megan nearly identical to the late film star.

Carla Bruni (1990) and Bella Hadid

It isn't just her success on the catwalk that has the fashion world buzzing that Bella Hadid is the next Carla Bruni—her high cheekbones make her a dead ringer for Bruni back in the '90s, too.

Zora Neale Hurston (1950) and Queen Latifah

In every other way, Queen Latifah is truly unique, but when it comes to her looks, the singer and actress has a striking resemblance to novelist and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston.

Hedy Lamarr (1938) and Rose McGowan

The '30s film star Hedy Lamarr was known for her fair skin and dark hair. Almost 60 years later, Rose McGowan launched her film career with features reminiscent of the late actress.

Lucille Ball (1951) and Debra Messing

Even though Cate Blanchett is slated to play Lucille Ball in the Amazon biopic about the late actress, we're still holding out hope that Debra Messing will get to play her one day. It's not just their fiery red hair—their personalities seem similar, too.

Tammi Terrell (1966) and Taraji P. Henson

Empire actress Taraji P. Henson bears an uncanny resemblance to '60s Motown singer Tammi Terrell. It's like looking in a mirror—well, for Taraji P. Henson, that is.

Ginger Rogers (1935) and Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera and '40s icon Ginger Rogers share more similarities than just being blonde bombshells. They also both made it in Hollywood as singers.

Burt Reynolds (1966) and Mark Ruffalo

Sure, Mark Ruffalo and Burt Reynolds are both immensely talented and famously laid-back actors, but they also share the same jawline.

Marilyn Monroe (1953) and Gwen Stefani

We know Gwen Stefani will be elated by this matchup. After all, the singer first started dying her hair platinum blonde to emulate the screen star. Their famous red pouts are just the cherry on top.

Jane Birkin (1960) and Jessica Paré

This is our official plea for Jessica Paré to play Jane Birkin on screen. One was a '70s fashion icon and the other played a '70s housewife on Mad Men, but both are the spitting images of one each other.

Stevie Nicks (1978) and Cara Delevingne

Both Cara Delevingne and Stevie Nicks exude a rocker chic energy that's undeniable, but the two also share the same adorable button nose.

Katharine Ross (1960) and Kate Mara

Are we seeing double? We think it's their brown eyes that make Kate Mara looks just like The Graduate star Katharine Ross.

Sharon Tate (1965) and Rose Byrne

Three Sharon Tate films premiered in 2019, but not one cast Sharon's present day doppelgänger (at least, according to us), Rose Byrne.

Joan Crawford (1946) and Kate Winslet

Joan Crawford was famous for her high, arched brows, which she popularized in the '40s. We think that the same characteristic on Kate Winslet is what makes the two actresses look so much alike.

Ann Margret (1973) and Isla Fisher

It's normally Amy Adams that the public confuses Isla Fisher with, but looking back a few decades we can't help but see the likeness between Isla and Bye Bye Birdie actress Ann Margret.

Joan Fontaine (1940) and Chloë Grace Moretz

Both Joan Fontaine and Chloë Grace Moretz started acting as children, but their high cheekbones and sharp chins give them even more in common.

Paul Newman (1963) and Ansel Elgort

Both Paul Newman and Ansel Elgort have worked on an impressive number of films, and both actors share the same full lips and jawline.

Sandra Dee (1958) and Carey Mulligan

Between Sandra Dee and Carey Mulligan's pale complexions, full cheeks, and almond eyes, the two actresses could not be more alike—despite working in Hollywood decades apart from one another.

Robert Redford (1970) and Brad Pitt

From their floppy blonde hair to their chiseled jawline, it's easy to see why Brad Pitt and Robert Redford were the heartthrobs of their respective generations.

Victoria Hoff is the associate editor at ELLE.com, covering everything from fashion to beauty to wellness. She first joined the team as the editorial assistant in 2013. When she isn't working, she spends her days in Brooklyn eating (vegan) tacos, yoga-ing, and curating her collections of healing crystals and mom jeans.