Kelsey Grammer being 29 always shocked me. I think it’s a combination of things: for one, you didn’t have as much pervasive plastic surgery, so people aged more naturally. Also, EVERYONE smoked, and that takes a toll. But, also, there was less of a drive back then to look like a youth — you dressed to age up more than age down. Teens didn’t set the culture the way they do now. 

But you're so right.  My dad looks 40 in his high school senior pic.  But he looked the same at 40. So idk...

I wonder if part of it is the fashions? Like in the 70’s and 80‘s people were wearing plaid and corduroy as teenagers, which just seems more mature to us?

I know exactly what you mean. My grandmother looks 50 in her wedding photos but she’s 19

I wonder how much of it is psychological. Like, back when these shows were on, we viewed these people as “old.” So, we associate their styling and their clothes with being older. If we dressed Jason Alexander and Kelsey Grammer back then the way we dress today as 20 and 30 somethings, would they no longer look old? Like, but Betty White in a modern hairstyle back then, and she probably looked more her age. 

I’m in my 40’s now and my mom was a grandma at 42! A GRANDMA! I truly think that we take better care of our hair and skin these days. I have no excuses for mom jeans and feathered hair, but I’ll talk your face off about raves and docs. 

Enjoy your youth while you have it. Each new year could be your last, or a pandemic…

I always talk about how odd it is that people looked so much older when they were young pre…. I guess 90s? Idk I saw a picture of a 26 year old man in the 80s and he looked a hard 40. Was there something like In the water? 

Also on TV. Like Jason Alexander was 29 in the first season of Seinfeld. But he legit looked older than Jerry who was 35 at the time. 

Also did you know most of the golden girls were only in their 50s and early 60s on the show? 

Kelsey grammar was 29 in the first season of cheers.

Red Foxx was only 49 in the first season of Sanford and Sons!!!

I’m so glad that something has evolved and 20 somethings can fully play and look like teens.

Why did young people in the past look so old