26 Throwback Oscars Photos You Have to See to Believe

Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland at the Oscars in 1990.Photo: Fotos International/Getty

The sequins! The hairstyles! The … bananas?

From snapshots of one-time couples — fromJulia RobertsandKiefer SutherlandtoCherandVal Kilmer— to Kodak moments of aThriller-eraMichael Jacksonand a pint-sizedDrew Barrymore, each throwback tells a different story.

Here are some surprising Oscar memories you won’t believe were caught on camera.

01of 261989: Rob Lowe sits with Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.From left: Rob Lowe, Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesHigh school prom or Oscars night?Rob Lowe(whoperformed at the Oscars) joinedformer coupleSarah Jessica ParkerandRobert Downey Jr.at their dinner table at the Governors Ball in 1989.

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1989: Rob Lowe sits with Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.

From left: Rob Lowe, Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

High school prom or Oscars night?Rob Lowe(whoperformed at the Oscars) joinedformer coupleSarah Jessica ParkerandRobert Downey Jr.at their dinner table at the Governors Ball in 1989.

02of 262009: Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman wait backstageShirley MacLaine, Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesShirley MacLaine,Halle BerryandNicole Kidmanwatched the teleprompter backstage before joining past Best Actress winnersMarion CotillardandSophia Lorento present the Best Actress Oscar in 2009.

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2009: Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman wait backstage

Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Shirley MacLaine,Halle BerryandNicole Kidmanwatched the teleprompter backstage before joining past Best Actress winnersMarion CotillardandSophia Lorento present the Best Actress Oscar in 2009.

03of 261989: Drew Barrymore, Corey Feldman, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi meet at the Governors BallFrom left: Drew Barrymore, Corey Feldman, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesWhat makes this photo jaw-dropping?Everything. Barrymore and ex-boyfriendCorey Feldmanshared a moment in 1989 with the latePatrick Swayzeand his wife,Lisa Niemi, at the Governors Ball.

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1989: Drew Barrymore, Corey Feldman, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi meet at the Governors Ball

From left: Drew Barrymore, Corey Feldman, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

What makes this photo jaw-dropping?Everything. Barrymore and ex-boyfriendCorey Feldmanshared a moment in 1989 with the latePatrick Swayzeand his wife,Lisa Niemi, at the Governors Ball.

04of 261988: Jon Voight brings Angelina Jolie and James Haven to the OscarsJon Voight (center) with daughter Angelina Jolie (left) and son James Haven (right).Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesYes, that was a wide-eyedAngelina Jolie, probably up past curfew.Jon Voightescorted his two children, daughter Jolie and sonJames Haven, to the 1988 awards show.

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1988: Jon Voight brings Angelina Jolie and James Haven to the Oscars

Jon Voight (center) with daughter Angelina Jolie (left) and son James Haven (right).Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Yes, that was a wide-eyedAngelina Jolie, probably up past curfew.Jon Voightescorted his two children, daughter Jolie and sonJames Haven, to the 1988 awards show.

05of 261984: Liza Minnelli and Michael Jackson speak at the Governors BallLiza Minnelli and Michael Jackson.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesLiza Minnelliknelt to chat with her close friend Jackson at the Governors Ball following the 1984 show, where Minnelli presented the Best Actress Oscar.

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1984: Liza Minnelli and Michael Jackson speak at the Governors Ball

Liza Minnelli and Michael Jackson.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Liza Minnelliknelt to chat with her close friend Jackson at the Governors Ball following the 1984 show, where Minnelli presented the Best Actress Oscar.

06of 261989: Christian Slater and Winona Ryder attend the Governors BallChristian Slater and Winona Ryder.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesHollywood’s one-time “it” couple andHeathers(1988) costarsChristian SlaterandWinona Ryderwere the cool kids attending the 1989 Governors Ball.

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1989: Christian Slater and Winona Ryder attend the Governors Ball

Christian Slater and Winona Ryder.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Hollywood’s one-time “it” couple andHeathers(1988) costarsChristian SlaterandWinona Ryderwere the cool kids attending the 1989 Governors Ball.

07of 262011: Russell Brand and Helen Mirren go bananasRussell Brand and Helen Mirren having a snack.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesNow that’s a-peeling:Russell Brandand hisArthur(2011) costarHelen Mirrentook a fruit break backstage at the 2011 Academy Awards, where they presented the award for Best Foreign Language Film.

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2011: Russell Brand and Helen Mirren go bananas

Russell Brand and Helen Mirren having a snack.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Now that’s a-peeling:Russell Brandand hisArthur(2011) costarHelen Mirrentook a fruit break backstage at the 2011 Academy Awards, where they presented the award for Best Foreign Language Film.

08of 261984: Val Kilmer escorts Cher to the OscarsCher and Val Kilmer.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesOh, yes, they dated! Cher and Kilmer’s14-year age differencemay not have caused as much of a stir as his and her gravity-defying hair or the fact that Cher was wearing braces (!) at the 1984 Oscars, where theSilkwood(1983) star was up for Best Supporting Actress.

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1984: Val Kilmer escorts Cher to the Oscars

Cher and Val Kilmer.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Oh, yes, they dated! Cher and Kilmer’s14-year age differencemay not have caused as much of a stir as his and her gravity-defying hair or the fact that Cher was wearing braces (!) at the 1984 Oscars, where theSilkwood(1983) star was up for Best Supporting Actress.

09of 262012: Tom Cruise congratulates Meryl StreepTom Cruise and Meryl Streep.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesTom Cruisecongratulated hisLions for Lambs(2007) costarMeryl Streep, who took home Best Actress in 2012 for playingMargaret ThatcherinThe Iron Lady(2011).

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2012: Tom Cruise congratulates Meryl Streep

Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Tom Cruisecongratulated hisLions for Lambs(2007) costarMeryl Streep, who took home Best Actress in 2012 for playingMargaret ThatcherinThe Iron Lady(2011).

10of 261989: River Phoenix attends his only Oscars ceremony with Martha PlimptonMartha Plimpton and River Phoenix.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesAt his first and only Oscars, Best Supporting Actor nominee (for 1988’sRunning on Empty)River Phoenix—who died four years later— attended the show in 1989 with his girlfriend,Martha Plimpton.

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1989: River Phoenix attends his only Oscars ceremony with Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton and River Phoenix.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

At his first and only Oscars, Best Supporting Actor nominee (for 1988’sRunning on Empty)River Phoenix—who died four years later— attended the show in 1989 with his girlfriend,Martha Plimpton.

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1997: Glenn Close dances with Gregory Hines

Glenn Close dancing with Gregory Hines.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

12of 261983: Drew Barrymore attends the Oscars with her mother, JaidDrew Barrymore and her mother, Jaid.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesAn 8-year-old Barrymore wore a mini-me fur shawl while joining her mother,Jaid Barrymore, at the 1983 Academy Awards, whereE.T.(1982) was nominated nine times.

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1983: Drew Barrymore attends the Oscars with her mother, Jaid

Drew Barrymore and her mother, Jaid.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

An 8-year-old Barrymore wore a mini-me fur shawl while joining her mother,Jaid Barrymore, at the 1983 Academy Awards, whereE.T.(1982) was nominated nine times.

13of 261992: Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis walk the red carpetJuliette Lewis and Brad Pitt on the red carpet.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesIn 1992,Juliette Lewis, who was up for Best Supporting Actress forCape Fear(1991), and then-boyfriendBrad Pittmade quite the fashion statement together on the red carpet.

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1992: Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis walk the red carpet

Juliette Lewis and Brad Pitt on the red carpet.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

In 1992,Juliette Lewis, who was up for Best Supporting Actress forCape Fear(1991), and then-boyfriendBrad Pittmade quite the fashion statement together on the red carpet.

14of 261990: Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland attend the Oscars togetherJulia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland on the red carpet.Fotos International/GettyRoberts was seen getting cuddly with her then-boyfriend Sutherland on the Oscars red carpet.

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1990: Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland attend the Oscars together

Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland on the red carpet.Fotos International/Getty

Roberts was seen getting cuddly with her then-boyfriend Sutherland on the Oscars red carpet.

15of 262002: Halle Berry and Denzel Washington make historyHalle Berry and Denzel Washington pose for the press at the 74th Annual Academy Awards.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirectHistory-maker Berry posed proudly with her statue next to then-second-time winnerDenzel Washingtonin 2002 as thefirst Black woman to win Best Actress. Berry won hers for her leading role inMonster’s Ball(2001), and Washington won his Best Actor award forTraining Day(2001).

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2002: Halle Berry and Denzel Washington make history

Halle Berry and Denzel Washington pose for the press at the 74th Annual Academy Awards.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect

History-maker Berry posed proudly with her statue next to then-second-time winnerDenzel Washingtonin 2002 as thefirst Black woman to win Best Actress. Berry won hers for her leading role inMonster’s Ball(2001), and Washington won his Best Actor award forTraining Day(2001).

16of 261981: Robert De Niro and Sissy Spacek win bigOscar winners Robert De Niro and Sissy Spacek during the 53rd Annual Academy Awards.Ron Galella/WireImageAnd the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress at the 53rd Academy Awards went to …Robert De NiroforRaging Bull(1980) andSissy SpacekforCoal Miner’s Daughter(1980).

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1981: Robert De Niro and Sissy Spacek win big

Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Sissy Spacek during the 53rd Annual Academy Awards.Ron Galella/WireImage

And the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress at the 53rd Academy Awards went to …Robert De NiroforRaging Bull(1980) andSissy SpacekforCoal Miner’s Daughter(1980).

17of 261996: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the red carpetWill Smith and Jada Pinkett on the red carpet.Steve Granitz/WireImageWill SmithandJada Pinkett Smithposed at the 68th Academy Awards, which took place two years beforethey tied the knot.

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1996: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the red carpet

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett on the red carpet.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Will SmithandJada Pinkett Smithposed at the 68th Academy Awards, which took place two years beforethey tied the knot.

18of 261985: Pat Morita brings his family to the OscarsPat Morita, Evelyn Morita and family during 57th Annual Academy Awards.Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe late actorPat Morita, best known for his role as Mr. Miyagi in theKarate Kidfilms, brought his whole family to the Academy Awards in 1985.

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1985: Pat Morita brings his family to the Oscars

Pat Morita, Evelyn Morita and family during 57th Annual Academy Awards.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The late actorPat Morita, best known for his role as Mr. Miyagi in theKarate Kidfilms, brought his whole family to the Academy Awards in 1985.

19of 262000: Joey Fatone and JC Chasez of NSYNC goof offNSYNC members Joey Fatone and JC Chasez during the 72nd Annual Academy Awards Governor’s Ball.KMazur/WireImageWho let these guys into the ceremony?Joey FatoneandJC Chasezof*NSYNCwere spotted goofing around at their designated table in 2000.

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2000: Joey Fatone and JC Chasez of *NSYNC goof off

*NSYNC members Joey Fatone and JC Chasez during the 72nd Annual Academy Awards Governor’s Ball.KMazur/WireImage

Who let these guys into the ceremony?Joey FatoneandJC Chasezof*NSYNCwere spotted goofing around at their designated table in 2000.

20of 262011: Jennifer Lawrence attends the OscarsJennifer Lawrence arrives at the 83rd Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 7, 2011.Steve Granitz/WireImageAwww! A youngJennifer Lawrencemade her way into the ceremony in 2011, looking fresh-faced and wide-eyed.

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2011: Jennifer Lawrence attends the Oscars

Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 83rd Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 7, 2011.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Awww! A youngJennifer Lawrencemade her way into the ceremony in 2011, looking fresh-faced and wide-eyed.

21of 261989: Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer share smilesOscar nominees Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer.Barry King/WireImageClose, who was nominated for Best Actress forDangerous Liaisons(1988), posed with her former costarMichelle Pfeiffer, who was up for Best Supporting Actress for the same film. Both were still in great spirits after they lost their respective categories in 1989.

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1989: Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer share smiles

Oscar nominees Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer.Barry King/WireImage

Close, who was nominated for Best Actress forDangerous Liaisons(1988), posed with her former costarMichelle Pfeiffer, who was up for Best Supporting Actress for the same film. Both were still in great spirits after they lost their respective categories in 1989.

22of 261994: Leonardo DiCaprio receives his first Oscar nominationLeonardo DiCaprio during 66th Annual Academy Awards.Barry King/WireImageA youngLeonardo DiCaprioarrived at the 66th Oscars, eager to see if he would win Best Supporting Actor forWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape(1993). Sadly, he lost toTommy Lee Jones, who won for his work inThe Fugitive(1993).

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1994: Leonardo DiCaprio receives his first Oscar nomination

Leonardo DiCaprio during 66th Annual Academy Awards.Barry King/WireImage

A youngLeonardo DiCaprioarrived at the 66th Oscars, eager to see if he would win Best Supporting Actor forWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape(1993). Sadly, he lost toTommy Lee Jones, who won for his work inThe Fugitive(1993).

23of 261980: Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman win forKramer vs. KramerMeryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman with their Oscars forKramer vs. Kramerat the 1980 Academy Awards.Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/GettyWinners in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories,Dustin Hoffmanand Streep were all smiles after earning Oscars for their filmKramer vs. Kramer(1979).

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1980: Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman win forKramer vs. Kramer

Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman with their Oscars forKramer vs. Kramerat the 1980 Academy Awards.Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty

Winners in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories,Dustin Hoffmanand Streep were all smiles after earning Oscars for their filmKramer vs. Kramer(1979).

24of 262000: Drew Barrymore and Tom Green walk the red carpetTom Green and Drew Barrymore at the 2000 Oscars.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicTom Greenand Barrymore arrived at the 2000 ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium one year before they kicked off theirwhirlwind nine-month marriage.

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2000: Drew Barrymore and Tom Green walk the red carpet

Tom Green and Drew Barrymore at the 2000 Oscars.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Tom Greenand Barrymore arrived at the 2000 ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium one year before they kicked off theirwhirlwind nine-month marriage.

25of 261998: Jack Nicholson and Robin Williams win OscarsOscar winners Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson at the 70th Annual Academy Awards.HECTOR MATA/AFP via GettyA-list buddiesJack Nicholsonand the lateRobin Williamsshowed off their Oscars in 1998 for their iconic films,As Good as It Gets(1997) andGood Will Hunting(1997).

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1998: Jack Nicholson and Robin Williams win Oscars

Oscar winners Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson at the 70th Annual Academy Awards.HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty

A-list buddiesJack Nicholsonand the lateRobin Williamsshowed off their Oscars in 1998 for their iconic films,As Good as It Gets(1997) andGood Will Hunting(1997).

26of 262000: Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers walk the red carpetActress Joan Rivers and her daughter, actress Melissa Rivers, arrive at the 2000 Academy Awards.Frank Trapper/Corbis via GettyMother-daughter fashion duoJoan RiversandMelissa Riverswalked the red carpet in 2000 in sublime, glittery gowns.

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2000: Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers walk the red carpet

Actress Joan Rivers and her daughter, actress Melissa Rivers, arrive at the 2000 Academy Awards.Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

Mother-daughter fashion duoJoan RiversandMelissa Riverswalked the red carpet in 2000 in sublime, glittery gowns.

source: people.com