Entertainment
17 TV Stars Who Looked Completely Different In The Finale Compared To The Pilot
If you're a card-carrying Netflix binge-watcher, you might not notice the subtle change in appearance of your favorite TV stars from one season into the next. That's why it's so surprising when you look back on some of your favorite show's early episodes and certain characters look totally different from how they do in recent seasons. So which TV characters made the grandest TV transformations from the very first season? Click through to find out.
Image: NBC
Joey, 'Friends'
The pilot episode of Friends made everyone’s favorite sandwich inhaler look like a knockoff version of the Fonz, with a terrible haircut and painfully “cool” leather jacket.
Image: NBC
Joey, 'Friends'
Sure, this haircut and button-down combination was a long time coming (mainly because Joey would have stained it with marinara in the earlier seasons), but you have to admit that this look is a serious improvement.
Image: NBC
Luke, 'Modern Family'
Luke was a baby-faced troublemaker in the first season of the sitcom.
Image: ABC
Luke, 'Modern Family'
Today, he’s a troublemaking teenager. My how time flies.
Image: ABC
Hanna, 'Pretty Little Liars'
Hanna looked like she was wearing a “popular girl” costume at the beginning of this series.
Image: ABC Family
Hanna, 'Pretty Little Liars'
In Season 5, Hanna ditched her Ali-inspired look and started taking scissors to most of her clothes.
Image: ABC Family
Jenny, 'Gossip Girl'
Jenny’s attempt to be Blair’s ultimate successor to the Upper East Side throne included stealing Blair’s styling tips.
Image: The CW
Jenny, 'Gossip Girl'
Once she gave up the dream of Queen Bee, Jenny took on a much edgier look.
Image: The CW
Jackie, 'That 70s Show'
Kelso’s girlfriend was all about baby tees and hair clips.
Image: Fox
Jackie, 'That 70s Show'
By the end of the ’70s, Jackie was Fez’s girlfriend and threw away nearly all of her barrettes.
Image: Fox
Haley, 'One Tree Hill'
Haley’s nickname was Tutor Girl. Her passion for sweaters reflected that.
Image: The CW
Haley, 'One Tree Hill'
By the finale, Haley was a mom of two kids, but it was her brilliant hair colorist that really changed her life.
Image: The CW
Jeremy, 'The Vampire Diaries'
Elena’s little brother wore black nail polish in the pilot. Just a reminder.
Image: The CW
Jeremy, 'The Vampire Diaries'
Damn, Jer Bear.
Image: The CW
Rachel, 'Glee'
The numerous “makeover” episodes of Glee really changed the star’s look.
Image: Fox
Rachel, 'Glee'
What a difference bangs — and better clothes — makes.
Image: Fox
Jake, 'Two and a Half Men'
Jake doesn’t look like this anymore… at all.
Image: CBS
Jake, 'Two and a Half Men'
By Angus T. Jones’ final season, his character was no longer a “half man.”
Image: CBS
Rory, 'Gilmore Girls'
Re-watching the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls makes you realize just how young Rory was.
Image: The WB
Rory, 'Gilmore Girls'
Rory grew up into the poised, classy lady we all knew she would become.
Image: The WB
Zack, 'Saved By the Bell'
Zack was just a kid during the first season of this sitcom.
Image: Disney Channel
Zack, 'Saved By the Bell'
Wow. It’s amazing that this Zack could even fit in the same desk as his younger self.
Image: Disney Channel
Stephanie, 'Full House'
Stephanie was the cute, slightly sassy middle child on the family sitcom.
Image: ABC
Stephanie, 'Full House'
By the end of the series, Steph was a “hip,” equally sassy teenager.
Image: ABC
Naomi, '90210'
Naomi was all about big hair in the pilot episode.
Image: The CW
Naomi, '90210'
Naomi smoothed her locks and dressed way more mature in the season finale — which makes sense, considering she was a 19-year-old who acted 35.
Image: The CW
Walter, 'Breaking Bad'
This was Walter in the very first episode of the AMC series.
Image: AMC
Walter, 'Breaking Bad'
Obviously, it wasn’t just his hair style that changed.
Image: AMC
Cory, 'Boy Meets World'
It’s no surprise that a show about growing up had its main character change over the years.
Image: ABC
Cory, 'Boy Meets World'
If you want to see how Cory looks right this second, check out Girl Meets World.
Image: ABC
Miley, 'Hannah Montana'
This was what Miley “Stewart” looked like in the pilot episode of the sitcom.
Image: Disney Channel
Miley, 'Hannah Montana'
Of course, Miley Cyrus’ biggest transformation was still to come.
Image: Disney Channel
Reid, 'Criminal Minds'
Dr. Spencer Reid was a big fan of hair gel in the pilot episode of the procedural.
Image: CBS
Reid, 'Criminal Minds'
Bless the stylist who did this to Matthew Gray Gubler’s hair.
Image: CBS
