23 Pics From the Past That Are 'Old School Cool'

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 03/15/2024 in ftw

Were people in the old days cooler than people now? When you look at "kids these days" with their broccoli haircuts and influencer trends, it's easy to think that old-school looks were the way to go. People back then knew how to take life by the horns without hiding behind screens and social awkwardness; at least that's what we like to tell ourselves. These 23 pics of celebrities and normal people from the 50s through the 90s show them how they were: seriously cool.

Take Jodie Foster for example. The iconic actress is coming off of starring in the hit show "True Detective: Knight Country," and was also nominated for best supporting actress this year for her role in "Nyad," 47 years after her nomination in the same category at 14 years old for "Taxi Driver." But while "The Silence of the Lambs Star" is undoubtedly still cool, a photo of her ripping her skateboard through the streets of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background in the 70s is about as cool as can be.

Check out that photo, along with plenty more fun snaps that show celebs and family members rocking out the old-fashioned way.

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1.
Original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter 1979.
2.
“My parents at their wedding in ‘85.”
3.
Robert De Niro and Chazz palminteri on the set of “A Bronx Tale” 1993.
4.
Filming 'that' iconic pool scene, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” 1982.
5.
“My dad and his friends in the 80's.”
6.
In 1999, a moderately successful Manhattan executive chef submitted an unsolicited essay entitled Don't Eat Before Reading This to the New Yorker magazine. It transformed him into a highly successful writer and television personality.
7.
Barack and Michelle Obama in their living room with their newborn daughter Malia, 1998.
8.
13-year-old Cherilyn Sarkisian, arrested for "borrowing" her mother's car in 1959. She is now better known as Cher.
9.
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd on the set of The Great Outdoors, 1987.
10.
Carrie Fisher feeding Meryl Streep a piece of chocolate cake, 1991.
11.
Lauren Holly and Jim Carrey, 1994.
12.
June Juanico photographed by her boyfriend Elvis Presley in the 50s. June is still alive at 85.
13.
Mark Hamill and Annie Potts on the set of Corvette Summer, 1978.
14.
Pamela Anderson and Scott Baio, early 1990s.
15.
My parents during Carnaval in the 80s.
16.
Thirty-eight year old Oppenheimer, 1940s.
17.
Nina Hartley, Las Vegas, 1997.
18.
Jaleel White, Mark Wahlberg and Will Smith shooting hoops in 1991.
19.
Marilyn Monroe, 1946.
20.
21.
David Lee Roth and his signature leap circa 1982.
22.
1991 surveillance photo of Bonanno crime family mobsters.
23.
Jodie Foster riding a skateboard in Paris in the 70s.

1.
Original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter 1979.
2.
“My parents at their wedding in ‘85.”
3.
Robert De Niro and Chazz palminteri on the set of “A Bronx Tale” 1993.
4.
Filming 'that' iconic pool scene, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” 1982.
5.
“My dad and his friends in the 80's.”
6.
In 1999, a moderately successful Manhattan executive chef submitted an unsolicited essay entitled Don't Eat Before Reading This to the New Yorker magazine. It transformed him into a highly successful writer and television personality.
7.
Barack and Michelle Obama in their living room with their newborn daughter Malia, 1998.
8.
13-year-old Cherilyn Sarkisian, arrested for "borrowing" her mother's car in 1959. She is now better known as Cher.
9.
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd on the set of The Great Outdoors, 1987.
10.
Carrie Fisher feeding Meryl Streep a piece of chocolate cake, 1991.
11.
Lauren Holly and Jim Carrey, 1994.
12.
June Juanico photographed by her boyfriend Elvis Presley in the 50s. June is still alive at 85.
13.
Mark Hamill and Annie Potts on the set of Corvette Summer, 1978.
14.
Pamela Anderson and Scott Baio, early 1990s.
15.
My parents during Carnaval in the 80s.
16.
Thirty-eight year old Oppenheimer, 1940s.
17.
Nina Hartley, Las Vegas, 1997.
18.
Jaleel White, Mark Wahlberg and Will Smith shooting hoops in 1991.
19.
Marilyn Monroe, 1946.
20.
21.
David Lee Roth and his signature leap circa 1982.
22.
1991 surveillance photo of Bonanno crime family mobsters.
23.
Jodie Foster riding a skateboard in Paris in the 70s.