17 Striking Throwback Photos Of A Young Cate Blanchett
Before she was Elizabeth I or the mystical Galadriel, the ultra-glamorous Carol or the terrifying Lydia Tár, Cate Blanchett was an ambitious upstart from Melbourne, who was making a splash on the Australian theatre scene. After graduating from Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art, she began scooping up awards for her stage work and, within a few years, was cast as the young monarch in Elizabeth. Cue her first Oscar nomination, as well as Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award wins. Cut to more than two decades later, and she’d have two Academy Awards to her name, not to mention the unwavering attention and respect of her industry.
As the actor celebrates her 57th birthday, we rewind to the earliest years of her career, via the most stunning vintage throwback shots.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images1/171994
A fresh-faced, 24-year-old Cate Blanchett with her Sydney Theatre Critics’ Award for Best Newcomer.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images2/171997
Now 28, and in a hat, scarf and leather jacket for the premiere of the Australian rom-com Thank God He Met Lizzie in Sydney.
Ron Galella/Getty Images3/171997
All smiles with her co-star Ralph Fiennes at the New York premiere of Oscar and Lucinda, the Gillian Armstrong film which marks her first leading role.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images4/171998
Gloriously low key at a theatre season launch in Sydney, two months on from the release of Elizabeth.
Steve Granitz5/171999
The picture of understated ’90s chic – a black slip dress and delicate jewellery – and holding her Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Elizabeth. Over the next quarter of a century, she would collect three more, for I’m Not There, Blue Jasmine and Tár.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images6/171999
On the awards circuit in LA in a leather jacket and knit.
Neville Elder/Getty Images7/171999
No image says 1999 more clearly than this one: a red-lipped Blanchett with Melanie Griffith, Gillian Anderson and co, dressed in feather boas for a Valentine’s Day performance of The Vagina Monologues.
Dave Benett/Getty Images8/171999
An LBD with cut-out detailing for the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards with Helena Bonham Carter.
Ron Wolfson9/171999
In an angelic white dress for the SAG Awards in LA, with her Elizabeth co-star Geoffrey Rush.
Steve Granitz10/17In a leather dress, cardi and mules for the Oscar nominees’ luncheon.
Jeffrey Mayer11/171999
For her first time at the Oscars, Blanchett wore this now-iconic John Galliano-designed dress. She may have lost the Best Actress statuette to Shakespeare in Love’s Gwyneth Paltrow, but she and the gown certainly left their mark on Hollywood.
Dave Benett/Getty Images12/171999
Backstage at London’s Noël Coward Theatre (then called The Albery) with her opening night flowers, ahead of starring in David Hare’s Plenty.
Pool BENAINOUS/DUCLOS/Getty Images13/171999
Twinning with Julianne Moore at Cannes, where the pair were promoting Oliver Parker’s An Ideal Husband.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images14/171999
Luminous at the LA premiere of The Talented Mr Ripley.
Jeff Kravitz15/172000
Back at the Oscars as a presenter (alongside Jude Law for the Best Live Action Short category), in another unforgettable look: a backless Jean Paul Gaultier couture number with gold chain detailing. A Y2K triumph.
Ken Goff/Getty Images16/172000
Sequins for the BAFTAs in London, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Talented Mr Ripley.
Eric VANDEVILLE/Getty Images17/172000
In a delicate sheer blouse for the premiere of Sally Potter’s The Man Who Cried, at the Venice Film Festival.
