PEOPLE'S Most Iconic Photos from the Past 50 Years

In the past five decades, top photographers have captured powerful, hilarious and revealing images of stars. PEOPLE’s 50 years of original photography and covers, featuring these and much more, will be featured at the Fotografiska museum in N.Y.C. in an exhibit opening May 10. 

Cher: Feb. 10, 1975

A year after splitting from husband Sonny Bono, the 28-year-old star posed at her Beverly Hills home for photographer Douglas Kirkland as she nervously launched her first solo TV show. “I’m scared to death,” she said. “Nothing prepared me for all this.”

Danai Gurira & Lupita Nyong’o: Feb. 25, 2019

Costars in the Best Picture-nominated Black Panther, the pair shone bright in PEOPLE's Oscar portfolio, photographed by We Are the Rhoades. Gurira said the first movie she remembered seeing was E.T. — and Nyong’o revealed her “first date was going to see Titanic. . . . I loved Leonardo DiCaprio so much that I completely forgot about my date.”

Jennifer Lopez: Dec. 16, 2019

The superstar had an epic year: She earned raves for her performance in the movie Hustlers, celebrated her 50th birthday and landed the headlining gig at the Super Bowl halftime show. In a People of the Year cover story, she posed for Miller Mobley and declared, “I feel the most comfortable and powerful I’ve ever felt.”

Jack Nicholson: Dec. 8, 1975

Three months before winning his first Oscar, for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the legend-in-the-making — photographed by Kirkland — talked about acting (“I don’t like my smile”), drugs (“a social thing with me”) and his growing fame. “A star on a movie set is like a bomb,” he said. “That bomb has got to be defused so people can approach it without fear.”

Tony Hale & Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Sept. 2, 2019

The Veep stars vamped for Ruven Afanador’s circus-themed portfolio of Emmy nominees. “Our characters are so awful to each other that we balance it by being crazy in love off-set,” said Hale. Added Louis-Dreyfus: “It’s a gorgeous thing for this show to be feted, but the real gift has been the actual work itself and forming these relationships.” 

Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak: Oct. 20, 2014

The BFFs and former Office costars paid homage to When Harry Met Sally . . . for Levitt. “I love this movie, and I love their relationship. But I don’t think you and I are like this at all,” said Kaling. Noted Novak: “I think you’re more like Harry, and I’m more like Sally. You can be a little overconfident, and I can be a little fussy.”

The Men of Saturday Night Live: Nov. 28, 2011

Photographer Jeff Riedel had the comedians re-create a famous photo of 1930s ironworkers for a “Retrosexuals” feature in our Sexiest Man Alive issue. From left: Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Kenan Thompson, Bobby Moynihan, Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah, Paul Brittain, Seth Meyers, Bill Hader and Andy Samberg.

Jimmy Fallon & daughter Winnie: June 23, 2014

After taking over The Tonight Show, Fallon borrowed John Belushi’s vintage SNL bee costume (with a mini version for his 11-month-old) for a buzzworthy shoot with Art Streiber.

Shaquille O'Neal & Kevin Hart: Oct. 20, 2014

The 7'1" basketball champ and the 5'4" comedian spoofed the poster for the movie Twins, which starred the similarly mismatched Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, for photographer Danielle Levitt. “I love being big. I am in charge when I walk in a room,” said O’Neal. Declared Hart: “I have the perfect body. It’s short, but it’s perfect.”

Idris Elba: Nov. 19, 2018

Smoldering in a shoot by David Burton, the British actor called his Sexiest Man Alive title “a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.”  He revealed his favorite vice (whiskey), what he wears to sleep (“my birthday suit”) and his rebellious side: “I’m the guy that, if it says ‘Don’t push the
button,’ I’m gonna push it.”

Michael B. Jordan: Nov. 30, 2020

“It’s a good club to be part of,” said the star, photographed by Joshua Kissi, of being named Sexiest Man Alive. He noted his late grandmother collected the issue — and called landing the title “a cool feeling.”

Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson & daughter Rani Rose: May 4, 2020

The mother-daughter stars, along with Hudson’s 16-month-old daughter, joyfully joined forces for the Beautiful Issue, photographed by Coliena Rentmeester. “Mom was my greatest cheerleader,” said Hudson. 

David Beckham: Nov. 30, 2015

As Sexiest Man Alive, the soccer champ bared his tattoos in shots by Marc Hom. Wife Victoria’s favorite body part? “I admit he has got fantastic abs,” she said.

Céline Dion: June 16, 2014

Wearing nothing but a Lanvin dress and a harness, Dion was hoisted to the top of Caesars Palace’s 18-ft. replica of Michelangelo’s David in Las Vegas for this shot by Martin Schoeller. “I don’t like to do easy things. I like to do things that are hard,” said Dion. “I want [my shows] to be very grand. And iconic.”

Dolly Parton: April 4, 1977

As she revved up her solo career, Parton said, “I want people to know there is a lot more to me — good or bad — than they’ve seen so far. All I’m askin’ is a chance to prove it.” Photographer Harry Benson recalls her as “outspoken, friendly, down-to-earth. I liked her immediately.”

Robert De Niro: Feb. 18, 2013

Oscar-nominated for Silver Linings Playbook, the acting legend posed for a slyly humorous portrait on a New York City subway car—next to a passenger reading Fifty Shades Freed. (PEOPLE photo editors Donnamarie Barnes, far left, and Ira Berger, right,  along with photographer Martin Schoeller’s assistant Lauren Juratovac, sat in as fellow riders.) “It’s nice to win, but if you don’t, your life goes on,” said De Niro, a two-time Oscar winner and now a nine-time nominee. “You meet people. It’s nice. Enjoy it.”