14 Throwback Photos of Michelle Pfeiffer That Prove She's a Timeless Beauty
14 Throwback Photos of Michelle Pfeiffer That Prove She's a Timeless Beauty
Kate Hogan, Emily KrauserFri, April 3, 2026 at 12:45 PM UTC
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From left: Michelle Pfeiffer is photographed in Los Angeles on Dec. 1, 1996; Michelle Pfeiffer as Samantha 'Sunshine' Jensen on 'B.A.D. Cats'Credit: Armando Gallo/ZUMA Studio/Shutterstock; ABC via Getty -
Michelle Pfeiffer's first acting credit came in 1978 on an episode of Fantasy Island, but her breakout role was in 1983's Scarface
Pfeiffer has been nominated for three Academy Awards
She wed husband David E. Kelley in 1993
Michelle Pfeiffer has always been a timeless beauty.
The actress had her breakthrough as Elvira Hancock in 1983's Scarface, but she got an early start on shows like Fantasy Island, Delta House and CHiPs. Pfeiffer's star only grew brighter, playing the iconic role of Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns.
Her performances in 1988's Dangerous Liaisons, 1989's The Fabulous Baker Boys and 1992's Love Field earned her Oscar nominations for all three films. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she continued to wow on the big screen, while walking red carpets and appearing alongside other stars like Glenn Close and Tom Cruise.
She made her return to the small screen on the Paramount+ series The Madison in 2026.
Ahead of her appearance on the Apple TV comedy Margo's Got Money Troubles — premiering on April 15 and created by Pfeiffer's husband, David E. Kelley — take a look back at some of Pfeiffer's best throwback photos from the beginning of her career.
01 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer in 1978-1979
Michelle Pfeiffer poses for a promotional photo for the ABC series 'Delta House' in 1979Credit: ABC via Getty
Pfeiffer's first on-screen credit came in 1978, with a single episode appearance as Athena on season 2 of Fantasy Island. (She returned to the series for another episode during season 4, playing a different role as Deborah Dare in 1981.)
In 1979, the actress had a guest spot on CHiPs, a recurring role on Delta House and an appearance in the TV movie The Solitary Man.
02 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer in 1979-1980
Michelle Pfeiffer poses for a promotional photo for ABC's 'B.A.D. Cats'Credit: American Broadcasting Companies via Getty
Pfeiffer had a golden glow in a promotional photo for her ABC series B.A.D. Cats, which had a short-lived 10-episode run in 1980.
03 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer in 1982
Michelle Pfeiffer lies in a ship's air vent at Gladstone's restaurant in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on July 5, 1982Credit: Paul Harris/Getty
During a July 1982 photo shoot in Pacific Palisades, Calif., just before Grease 2 was released, the actress kicked her feet up at an oceanside restaurant called Gladstone's.
04 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield in 1982's Grease 2
Michelle Pfeiffer as Stephanie and Maxwell Caulfield as Michael in 1982's 'Grease 2'Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
Many fans fell in love with Pfeiffer in 1982's Grease 2. She starred as Stefanie Zinfield opposite Maxwell Caulfield as Michael Carrington.
05 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer and Jeff Goldblum in 1985
Michelle Pfeiffer and Jeff Goldblum appear in Hamburg, Germany, in 1985Credit: VIRGINIA/ullstein bild via Getty
Pfeiffer and Jeff Goldblum promoted their film Into the Night together in Hamburg, Germany, in 1985.
06 of 14
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Michelle Pfeiffer and Val Kilmer in 1985's One Too Many
Michelle Pfeiffer as Annie and Val Kilmer as Eric in 1985's 'One Too Many'Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Did you know Pfeiffer starred in the after-school special One Too Many in 1985? She shared the screen with the late Val Kilmer, who died at the age of 65 in April 2025. The TV movie served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of drunk driving.
07 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer and Rosanna Arquette
Rosanna Arquette (left) and Michelle Pfeiffer attend the private screening of 'After Hours' at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on Sept. 11, 1985Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Pfeiffer was spotted enjoying a night on the town with fellow actress Rosanna Arquette in this undated black-and-white photo.
08 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer in 1987's The Witches of Eastwick
From left: Jack Nicholson as Daryl Van Horne, Michelle Pfeiffer as Sukie Ridgemont, Susan Sarandon as Jane Spofford and Cher as Alexandra Medford in 1987's 'The Witches of Eastwick'Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty
Talk about an iconic cast! Pfeiffer starred alongside Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon and Cher in 1987's The Witches of Eastwick.
09 of 14
Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer in 1989
Glenn Close (left) and Michelle Pfeiffer attend the 61st Academy Awards Governor's Ball at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 29, 1989Credit: Barry King/WireImage
Actresses Close and Pfeiffer shared a laugh at the 1989 Governor's Ball, following the 61st Academy Awards, in L.A.
10 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer and Tom Cruise in 1990
Michelle Pfeiffer and Tom Cruise attend the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 20, 1990Credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
At the 1990 Golden Globes, Pfeiffer held up her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for The Fabulous Baker Boys as she posed for a photo alongside fellow winner Cruise.
11 of 14
Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tim Burton in 1992
From left: Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tim Burton attend the premiere of 'Batman Returns' at Mann's Chinese Theatre in L.A. on June 16, 1992Credit: Barry King/WireImage
Batman Returns costars Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton and Pfeiffer joined their director, Tim Burton, for an event celebrating their film at TCL (then Mann's) Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1992.
12 of 14
Martin Scorsese and Michelle Pfeiffer in 1993
Martin Scorsese stands next to Michelle Pfeiffer during 'The Age of Innocence' premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in N.Y.C. on Sept. 14, 1993Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty
Director Martin Scorsese escorted Pfeiffer into the N.Y.C. premiere of The Age of Innocence in September 1993. For the occasion, the actress donned a ruffle blazer and beret.
13 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley in 1993
Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley attend the 'Age of Innocence' premiere at Ziegfeld Theater in N.Y.C. on Sept. 13, 1993Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Following the premiere of The Age of Innocence, Pfeiffer left hand-in-hand with Kelley, whom she'd marry months later. The pair would go on to raise two children together, daughter Claudia Rose Pfeiffer and son John Henry Kelley.
14 of 14
Michelle Pfeiffer in 1996
Michelle Pfeiffer is photographed in L.A. on Dec. 1, 1996Credit: Armando Gallo/ZUMA Studio/Shutterstock
Pfeiffer practically glowed in this photo taken in Hollywood in December 1996.
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