By Emma Specter July 24, 2026 Play/Pause Button Pause Video: Getty Images Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Jennifer Lopez has been many things over the years—a dancer, actor, musician, mother, producer, fashion icon, philanthropist—but today, she’s a birthday girl. As the Hollywood and music legend turns 57, we’re marking the occasion by taking a tour through the early years of her sprawling career.
From her promotional tour for the 1997 film Selena to turns in films like Anaconda , Maid in Manhattan , and Monster-in-Law , here are 15 beguiling old images of Jennifer Lopez.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 1/15 1992 Lopez during a portrait session in Los Angeles.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 2/15 c. 1994 In a promotional still for the short-lived CBS drama Hotel Malibu .
Expand Photo: Getty Images 3/15 1995 At the Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in 1995.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 4/15 1996 Lopez with costar Becky Lee Meza during a press conference for Selena at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 5/15 c. 1997 On stage in the biopic Selena .
A Day of Espressos, Edith Piaf, and Epic Vintage Shopping with Cortis Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge Talk Samba, Shaved Heads, and Sherlock Holmes in the Latest Off the Cuff 18 Vintage Photos of Audrey Hepburn’s Idyllic Summertime Style Bey and Jay! Timothée and Kylie! The Celebrities Cheering on the 2026 World Cup Final Expand Photo: Getty Images 6/15 1997 Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno .
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 7/15 c. 1997 In the Oliver Stone crime drama U Turn .
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 8/15 c. 1997 In the neo-noir Blood and Wine , co-starring Jack Nicholson, Stephen Dorff, Judy Davis, and Michael Caine.
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 9/15 c. 1997 In Anaconda.
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 10/15 c. 1998 In Steven Soderbergh’s crime-comedy Out of Sight , co-starring Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Catherine Keener, and Albert Brooks.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 11/15 2000 Promoting the sci-fi horror film The Cell in Madrid.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 12/15 2002 Shooting Maid in Manhattan , co-starring Ralph Fiennes, in Central Park.
Expand Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection 13/15 c. 2002 In Michael Apted’s psychological thriller Enough .
Bey and Jay! Timothée and Kylie! The Celebrities Cheering on the 2026 World Cup Final 18 Vintage Photos of Audrey Hepburn’s Idyllic Summertime Style Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge Talk Samba, Shaved Heads, and Sherlock Holmes in the Latest Off the Cuff A Day of Espressos, Edith Piaf, and Epic Vintage Shopping with Cortis Expand Photo: Getty Images 14/15 2002 Promoting her J.LO clothing line and greeting fans at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 15/15 2004 On the Los Angeles set of Monster-in-Law , co-starring Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes.