What 20 iconic actors looked like when they were in their 20s

• Many of the world's most acclaimed actors and actresses looked wildly different in their 20s.
• In addition to their physical looks, the careers of these actors looked very different than they do now.
• For example, Harrison Ford was a struggling actor throughout his 20s who used carpentry to supplement his acting career.
• Other actors, like Maggie Smith, were already getting cast in life-changing roles at age 22.

Some of today's most iconic celebrities were once young actors struggling to make a name for themselves on the stage and screen.

Here is a look at 20 of the most prolific actors working in Hollywood today and what they, and their lives, looked like when they were in their 20s.

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Tom Hanks was cast in a slasher film at age 23.

Now 62-years-old, Tom Hanks has had a prolific acting career that has spanned multiple genres of film. In his 20s, Hanks moved to New York City from California and got his first film role in the slasher "He Knows You're Alone" (1980).

In 1981, he met actress Rita Wilson while filming the show "Bosom Buddies" Then, at age 29, Hanks acted alongside Wilson again in the film "Volunteers" and would later marry her in 1988.

Four decades later, Hanks is best known for his work in "Big," "A League of Their Own," "Cast Away," and voicing Woody in the "Toy Story" franchise.

At 26, Meryl Streep was a successful Broadway actress.

A versatile actress, to say the least, Meryl Streep is one of the most awarded actresses working today.

Currently 69-years-old, Streep was born in New Jersey in 1949. After graduating from the Yale School of Drama at age 26, Streep moved to New York City and was soon cast in multiple Broadway shows.

Streep's first feature role was alongside Jane Fonda in "Julia" (1977), and in 1978 she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "The Deer Hunter." In the years since, Streep has appeared in seemingly countless films including "Sophie's Choice," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Into the Woods," and "The Post."

Forest Whitaker was 21 when he was cast in his first film.

At 57-years-old, Forest Whitaker has had a long and celebrated career in film.

Born in Texas in 1961, Whitaker largely grew up in California and went on to study drama in college. At age 21, Whitaker was cast in Cameron Crowe's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and received roles in "The Color of Money," "Platoon," and "Good Morning, Vietnam," soon after.

As he has aged, Whitaker has gone on to receive acclaim for his acting abilities in dramas like "Bird," "The Last King of Scotland," and "The Butler." Most recently, Whitaker has played prominent roles in the blockbusters "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Black Panther."