20 Famous Faces We Almost Didn’t Recognize

Denzel Washington made his big-screen debut in the 1981 comedy Carbon Copy. He co-starred as the surprise illegitimate son of a white, buttoned-up executive played by George Segal. The film tried to mine laughs from racial politics, with awkward results. But even in a clunky comedy, Washington’s talent was undeniable. His natural confidence and charisma shone through. It was a shaky start in a forgettable movie, but just a year later he would join the cast of the TV drama St. Elsewhere, and his journey to superstardom truly began.