We may be familiar with Vin Diesel and The Rock's bare-head aesthetic, but these before & after transformations have us blown away. Back before they embraced the smooth-shaved look, these stars were almost unrecognizable.
Bruce Willis
Once upon a time, in 1987, just a few years before Die Hard 2, Bruce Willis had a full head of hair. The then-32-year-old was at the top of his game. Not to mention his slicked-back hair.
As years went on, and the industry got more intense, things changed for Willis. He's still the same legend - unfortunately, he's struggled with health scares in recent years. Nonetheless, we can applaud Willis for dominating the scene for as long as he did. John McClane will forever go down in history.
Howie Mandel
It's wild to think that Howie Mandel once rocked a full head of hair. Needless to say, it worked. During the 80s, it seemed not many had taken a liking to the bald aesthetic as the mullet was at its peak of popularity - and the comedian is the perfect example.
According to ABC News, Mandel's new look was nothing to do with his career. But in order to focus on his battle with OCD and anxiety with germs, having hair was no longer an option. Yet again, this bold bald look worked out in his favor as it has become the signature look of the America's Got Talent judge.
Taye Diggs
Back in the 90s, everything was short and small. From skirts to sunglasses, this was the peak of celebrity style, where most rocked the same fashion. For Taye Diggs, it was all about his small hoop silver earrings - worn with the matching silver-lined minuscule shades. And how could we forge the short-shaved buzz cut?
Diggs' bald look was out of his control as he reported to Men's Health in 2015 he was losing his hair. "So as soon as I saw those corners inching towards the back of my head, I took it all off—as opposed to just watching the hair fade away," he noted. We love to see him embracing his age with open arms.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
We are used to focusing on The Rock's hefty muscles. His large built body is enough distraction from the fact that he doesn't, well, have any hair. Yet, we never have really noticed anything different. Although, back in the day, he had a long dark mane that exuded an entirely different vibe.
We have become far too familiar with Johnson's clean-shaved aesthetic, and he seems to rock the buzzcut look like a star. "I'm not bald because I went bald. I'm bald because my hair is a cross between an afro and hair from a Lama," the actor hilariously revealed back in 2017. Noted.
Samuel L. Jackson
Back in 1994, before Samuel L. Jackson trademarked his variety range of specs, the audience focused their attention elsewhere. Although he looks exactly the same every year, it's difficult to ignore the short head of hair he once possessed. Of course, he later changed his mind and went for something a little more bold.
In the short space of two years, Jackson took the plunge and shaved off all of his hair. Now we can focus on his spec collection even more. Though we can't help but notice how the man hasn't aged a day since that left picture. What's his secret?
Jon Cryer
Before Jon Cryer became the aimless roommate in Two & A Half Men, he soared through Hollywood with his heavy head of hair. At the peak of his Pretty in Pink fame, Cryer's long locks were everything the camera desired. The subtle swoosh did the trick, but we guess all good things come to an end.
Though he has maintained his acting skills, Cryer is no longer the proud owner of the brunette mane that once sat on his head. Although, he likes to keep things tamed as he prefers to grow out his dark beard rather than holding down the fort with hairspray and endless wash routines. He's still the same Cryer.
Woody Harrelson
In 1986, Woody Harrelson was the ultimate bachelor with his blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes. His luscious long locks were the talk of the town, though it didn't last for long. When he changed his look, he also changed his roles in movies, attracting a different on-screen persona.
Looking at the works of Zombieland, Now You See Me, True Detective, and The Hunger Games, his new look worked perfectly for a different genre. That being said, we can't quite picture that guy on the left fighting zombies or becoming a mischievous magic scam artist. In fact, it seems his bold look earned him quite the career.
Vin Diesel
This one might be our most surprising… yet. While everyone is familiar with Vin Diesel, it is shocking to come across a photo of him with a full head of hair. Though we might start to believe it is photoshop or become skeptical about him using wigs, everyone goes through changes - and this just happened to be one of his.
The Fast & Furious star is all about the ride-or-die, fixing oil tanks, and revving engines. Now, it wouldn't exactly be practical to have a head of hair pressured against the wind while driving over 100 mp/h. Something to think about - which brings us to our next legend...
Kevin James
Kevin James has always been a man with soft brown locks that almost look too conditioned. He is most commonly recognized when his hair is cut short with a cropped cut at the sides, as seen in The King of Queens. As time passed, he dabbled around with haircuts, but he might have finally found the perfect one.
"I did shave my head ... it was [for a role] and God was leading me that way I think," he recalled. Now, he is embracing everything, au natural. As seen in the 2021 comedy series The Crew, when he's not wearing his cap, it's all bold and bald underneath. And we're here for it.
J.K. Simmons
When it comes down to J.K. Simmons, it's almost impossible to find evidence that he once was not the bald legend we see today. Without tracking down unreleased images from childhood, he rocked a salt & pepper head of hair in Spider-Man. As edgy as he looked, it was all about sticking to what he knows.
Some might say that Simmons rocks the best bald look in town. After being cast in well-established characters of his generation, there is no better way to trademark his new appearance. Even so, he stands out from the rest without having the slightest goatee appearance. He takes the bald look the whole way.
Michael Keaton
American actor Michael Keaton is professionally known for his comedic and dramatic characters. His most renowned stint might go to his leading role as Batman in 1991. Despite the Keaton we know and love today, he's since taken charge of a completely different look.
Considering the Batman suit, the Beetlejuice look, and even The Founder classic suit and tie, it seems Keaton's latest look is here to stay. The remaining tuffs continue to add character, but his lean and sturdy build pair perfectly with his bold aesthetic. Don't get on his bad side, folks.
Stanley Tucci
It's the guy with the round specs everyone knows and loves: Stanely Tucci has created some of the best looks in movie history. From sparking the audience's attention with his pink-haired character from The Hunger Games to his wispy look in Captain America. Though, it seems that he was destined to stay bald.
Throughout all of his characters, it's clear that he can pull off anything, as seen in The Devil Wears Prada. The clean-shaven head completes his look as he continues to view the outside world through the small rectangular lenses that sit upon his nose. Just imagine what his closet looks like...
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne might have debuted every look known to man. He has grown out both his beard and head of hair, and also shaped the simple goatee on his chin to compliment his facial structure - yet, it seems he has reached his final decision.
As seen in the side-by-side snaps above, Fishburne has ditched the mane and is all about bearing it all for the world to see. No beard, no hair, just Fishburne. He is his own character, and there's nothing better than that. The actor has done his time and the crime, and we think his latest look is here to stay.
Channing Tatum
Considering his chiseled facial structure, Channing Tatum might as well have blue and yellow hair, and he would still be making fans swoon. We're not hating on his spiked, gelled hair. Yet, his recent and reoccurring look has caught a substantial amount of attention.
From 22 Jump Street to She's The Man and Step-Up, he slowly but surely cut his hair shorter and shorter. "There is nothing, and I mean nothing, as good as finishing the hardest job of my life. And then shaving my head and letting the character go," he revealed of his post-production ritual. It all makes sense now...
Christopher Meloni
Chris Meloni has been keeping bad guys off the streets for as long as we can remember. But throughout his time as Detective Stabler, the Law & Order: SVU actor has made quite the transformation. And we're not the only ones who have noticed...
“hi @Chris_Meloni do you miss when you actually had hair or are u having fun living the egg head life,” one user shaded the actor on Twitter. His response? "Acceptance is a beautiful thing to experience.” As if we didn't love the guy enough already.
John Malkovich
Something just doesn't sit right with us when it comes to John Malkovich donning a full head of hair, long too. But back in 1985, Malkovich wasn't yet a part of the bald squad until years passed, and he finally found what he was looking for.
The Of Mice and Men actor reached a point in his life where the look just wasn't working for him. Something was missing - or needed to be missing. That's when he finally took the plunge and shaved it all off. Still, there's a sporadic grey goatee in sight every now and then. But this is the Malkovich we all know and love.
Steve Harvey
Same mustache, different TV host. Steve Harvey is mostly recognized for his bright and light pearly whites and mustache that haven't changed in over ten years. Yet, to our surprise, the iconic comedian had a life before we knew him, and it involved a clean-cut head of hair with a pair of classic 90s shades.
The guy that has a smile that can be spotted from a mile away once had a fairly thick head of hair that matched his facial hair. The Family Feud host decided it was time to ditch the cropped cut and focus on his stache as if it was his prized possession. We have to give it to him - the look is still going strong.
Mark Strong
When we take a look at Mark Strong in Zero Dark Thirty or even in the 1996 production of Emma, he is completely unrecognizable. Strong has always been on the bald team. So, there really is no talking him into growing his hair out. Although, as an actor in high demand, his various roles require various hairstyles.
Taking into consideration unidentifiable aesthetics, this comes down to the power of hair and make-up. Most of the time, when Strong takes on a film where his role requires hair, it usually involves a wig. But despite the hassle that his balding hair has caused him, he'll be the first to call it "a blessing in disguise," as he told BBC.
John Travolta
It's hard to imagine a John Travolta without the characteristics that make up his T-Birds persona. We can't imagine how much gel the Grease star has used in the past, but what we do know is that he might have run out. We could say his hair was the epitome of most of his characters - but now things are a little different.
He is still the same John Travolta, but he most definitely looks different. Just a few years back, the Grease movie star took a major risk in shaving off his head of hair. This doesn't mean it did any damage. In fact, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Travolta said he shaved his head "on a whim." Good for him!
Billy Joel
Perhaps it's only right that the legend who produced songs such as Vienna and Piano Man would have a full head of locks that fit his charming persona. The King of the 80s welcomed his fame with a thick head of hair. Yet, it was only a matter of time before it disappeared. Someone cue the nostalgia.
Age works in many wonderful ways, and it just so happens that Mr. Joel kept his bright blue eyes and talent - but eventually got rid of the mane. "I started losing my hair when I was in my 50s," he recalled. While he might look different performing these days, his voice sounds just as familiar.
Billy Zane
Nothing beat the 90s thick and arched bang haircut. Similar to the stylings of Johnny Depp, Billy Zane once possessed the same head of hair. Almost completely unrecognizable, the actor was not always a fan of the bald look. But eventually, time caught up with him, and it was time for a change.
Thankfully, Billy Zane wouldn't be Billy Zane without his signature bald head. He had the tendency of going back and forth over the years with shaving his head and re-growing it, but it seems that he realized nothing could beat the bold look. As it became a part of his persona, he never went back to the brush.
Alan Arkin
Before becoming an Academy Award Winner, the man of the Muppets captured intriguing photos with the presence of his brown locks. While Arkin began acting at a young age, it was all about the motion picture aesthetic of a perfect smile with great hair to match. For Arkin, his look seemingly helped him land roles in gems like Catch-22.
As established, age affects people in weird and wonderful ways. For Arkin, his hair went away just like his years of youth. Although he remains a Hollywood legend, his bald look only enhanced his career. The transition to the shaved style ironically took him back to the beginning, allowing him to fit the part of more mature roles.
James Spader
This might just be the most luscious blonde locks we have ever laid our eyes on. While the 80s were prime for big hair everywhere, James Spader might have won this round. His disco-inspired aesthetic complemented the blonde whisps even more. Spader aged liked fine wine but left his hair behind.
These days, the Blacklist actor prefers a sharper look. "The way his life has been for the last 20 years, he's moving from place to place. I thought that he should have a haircut that he could do himself," he explained of his character's low-maintenance bald hair. Fair point.
Ed Harris
Up next is another star whose balding ways helped push his career. But don't take our word for it. "I think it shaped my career," the Westworld actor admitted. "I don't think I get the credit I deserve for being bald and playing parts in films meant for people with hair."
Though he is not entirely unrecognizable, thanks to his baby blues, he kept a few things consistent throughout the years. While he has completely balded at the top, he has kept the nostalgic 80s sideburns. Not to mention, his acting skills are just as present today.
Michael Chiklis
Michael Chiklis has found his passion for crime, drama, and, particularly, horror productions. With that in mind, it might be harder to take him seriously with a full head of champagne locks. It seems that Chiklis realized his hair might have been a burden when it came to roles, considering his now-signature bald look.
Chiklis took the plunge and grabbed the razor. It was a go big or go home moment, and he wasn't going to drop his career. After bidding farewell to his locks, he secured roles in American Horror Story, 10 Minutes Gone, and The Shield. It seems his new look was just what production was looking for, and we respect the dedication.
Aaron Paul
While Aaron Paul might have a need for speed, he might have experienced the same issue as Vin Diesel. It's almost impossible to enjoy the same amount of horsepower when there's a bundle of knotted hair flying around. Although Paul kept his hair quite short in a buzzcut style, it clearly wasn't short enough.
In fact, it was his idea for his Breaking Bad character to debut a bald 'do in season 4. How did he see it? "Whenever we go through something traumatic in our lives... you tend to sort of shed some hair, different hairstyles, start fresh, start new." Talk about art imitating life...
Jonathan Banks
Is that Jonathan Banks? His signature pristine cut hijacked majority of the roles he played back in the 80s, such as Aaron in the 1991 thriller production of Blind Side, and especially his first major role in Beverly Hills Cop in 1984. Those regular barber shop trips did him justice with the old Hollywood cut.
But, just like all those other Hollywood gems, they were too get to let go of. While Banks has dominated multiple seasons of Breaking Bad, it would be hard to picture all the action with a full head of hair - it just doesn't fit the part like his bald image does. Thankfully, we don't think Banks is growing out his hair any time soon.
Sean Connery
There is no doubt in our mind the original 007 star would have excelled in the movie with a bald head. Sean Connery perfectly portrayed the glamorous peerless spy of his generation. His hair might have pushed the producers to give him the part, but we can't blame them. Even bald, he still manages to look sleek in his suit and tie.
With or without hair, Connery always had a charming feature about him that Hollywood went crazy for. The Scottish actor adopted his bald look in the best ways possible, keeping it long at the sides while it swiftly transitioned into a clean-cut grey beard. He's still got it like he did in 1962.
Patrick Stewart
The English actor has majored in acting for almost seven decades, so there was no way his hair was getting in the way of his career. The young Patrick Stewart typically showed up on the big screen with a sleek side parting and a thick head of hair - one of which being his 1976 role in I, Claudius. Yet, not for long.
As Stewart later revealed, the actor began balding at the young age of 19. After contemplation, he ultimately went back to his roots and decided to shave it all off. With wigs not out of the question, it seems his bald head turned out to be the best thing that happened to his career.