No Mo’ ‘Fro? Find Out Which Celebs Used to Have Epic Afros Before They Were Stars!

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Who Am I?

Michael Stipe in his Junior Year photo at Collinsville High School, Collinsville, Illinois in 1977 and Michael Stipe arriving for the Can-Do Awards in New York, New York on April 17, 2012

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Michael Stipe, Junior Yearbook Photo at Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois, in 1977, and Michael Stipe Today

The curly-haired and multitalented Michael Stipe started off as an art student at the University of Georgia, focusing on photography and painting. In 1980, Stipe met future bandmate Peter Buck in a record store, and the two decided to start a band, which eventually became the renowned R.E.M. You can’t tell how talented Stipe’s hair is anymore, but Stipe’s crown used to produce some elevating curls. Good thing he’s got an epic music career to fall back on.

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Who Am I?

Viola Davis in her Senior Year photo at Central Falls High School, Central Falls, Rhode Island in 1983 and Viola Davis attending the 98th Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2012

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Viola Davis, Senior Yearbook Photo at Central Falls High School in Central Falls, Rhode Island, in 1983, and Viola Davis Today

The Help actress Viola Davis could have used some hair help back in 1983. While she was rocking the pretty au naturel look, her locks better frame her cute button nose and showstopping smile now. She’s come a long way from being born on a farm in South Carolina to strutting her stuff on the red carpet. Looking trim and trimmed, Viola!

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Who Am I?

Spike (Shelton) Lee in his Senior Year photo at John Dewey High School, Brooklyn, New York in 1975 and Spike Lee at Evidence as a dance company host at the 8th annual gala in New York, New York on February 13, 2012

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Spike (Shelton) Lee, Senior Yearbook Photo at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn in 1975, and Spike Lee Today

Has the talented Lee always looked this calm and collected? Apparently so, since he’s able to keep a straight face in 1975 with an eyebrow-raising Afro that threatens to overtake him in this retro photo. The award-winning director took some good cues at some point, judging by his more closely cropped cut.

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Who Am I?

Prince (Rogers Nelson) in his Freshman Year photo at Central High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1973 and Prince performing at the Hop Farm festival in Paddock Wood, England on July 3, 2011

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Prince (Rogers Nelson), Freshman Yearbook Photo at Central High School in Minneapolis in 1973, and Prince Today

Here’s rock star Prince looking wide-eyed and bushy-haired in his flashback high school freshman pic. Since 1973, Prince has discovered his wide vocal range across a number of different genres, as well as a straightening iron, it seems. One thing hasn’t changed though: He’s still lookin’ mighty fresh!

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Who Am I?

Lenny Kravitz in his 8th Grade photo at John Adams Junior High, Santa Monica, California in 1978 and Lenny Kravitz at the NAACP Image Awards - 2012 in Los Angeles, California on Febuary 17, 2012

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Lenny Kravitz, Eighth Grade Yearbook Photo at John Adams Junior High in Santa Monica, California, in 1978, and Lenny Kravitz Today

Li'l eighth-grade Lenny couldn’t even fit his 'fro in the frame of his junior high photo! The singer-songwriter had a lot going for him (and we're not just talking about hair). All he had to do was tap into his red-carpet-ready potential and get a trim. Lookin’ good now, Lenny!

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Who Am I?

Ice T in his Senior Year photo at Crenshaw High School, Los Angeles, California in 1976 and Ice T at Bing Bar in Park City, Utah on January 22, 2012

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Ice-T, Senior Yearbook Photo at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles in 1976, and Ice T Today

This rapper turned Law & Order: SVU detective hasn’t changed much, judging from his stoic mug in this side-by-side. Looks like Ice-T did ditch his epic 'fro from younger days for a cleaner-looking close crop. Nice, Ice.

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Who Am I?

Ian Ziering in his Senior Year photo at West Orange High School, West Orange, NJ in 1982 and Ian Ziering at Jennie Garth's 40th Birthday Celebration & Premiere Party For

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Ian Ziering, Senior Yearbook Photo at West Orange High School in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1982, and Ian Ziering Today

This well-known actor went from New Jersey Jew to Hollywood hunk. Ziering played Steve Sanders on the hit TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, not 9021-'fro! Ziering’s looking a lot more clean-cut nowadays.

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Who Am I?

Bruno Mars (Peter Hernandez) Senior Year at President Theodore Roosevelt High School, Honolulu, Hawaii in 2003 and Bruno Mars at the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California

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Bruno Mars (Peter Hernandez), Senior Yearbook Photo at President Theodore Roosevelt High School in Honolulu in 2003, and Bruno Mars Today

Aw, Bruno! Mars had a helluva hair dilemma back in high school, but his Hawaiian-groomed hair and high-powered voice took him to new heights in the world of R&B and pop music. Why the hat, Mars? There’s no mo’ 'fro to hide from anyone!

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Who Am I?

Barack (Barry) Obama in his Senior Year photo at Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii in 1979 and President Barack Obama meets with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq at the White House in Washington, D.C. in December, 2011

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Barack (Barry) Obama, Senior Yearbook Photo at Punahou School in Honolulu in 1979, and President Barack Obama Today

Oh, Obama, you had us at hair-o. Despite being a Harvard Law grad and the President of the United States, Obama still succumbed to hair trends back in the day. He’s looking a lot more cool and collected now, though, sans 'fro. A definite upgrade.

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Who Am I?

Angela Bassett in her Junior Year photo at Boca Ciega High School, St. Petersburg, FL in 1974 and Angela Bassett at

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Angela Bassett, Junior Yearbook Photo at Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1974, and Angela Bassett Today

Baby Bassett was on her high school’s homecoming court and worked a huge 'do back in 1974. The glamorous actress hasn’t lost her red carpet smile, but she seems to have lost quite a bit of height! Looks like Bassett found a straightening iron and shears: Goodbye, 'fro; hello, Hollywood!

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Who Am I?

Adam Sandler in his Senior Year photo at Manchester Central High School, Manchester, NH in 1984 and Adam Sandler at

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Adam Sandler, Senior Yearbook Photo at Manchester Central High School in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1984, and Adam Sandler Today

Sandler sure knew how to rock an '80s 'fro. This funnyman and A-list actor started out as a stand-up comic before making it big in his 1995 hit film Billy Madison. He traded in his curly coif for a cap, and the rest is hairstory!