Before Philly’s famous athletes, musicians, actors and politicians became famous, they went to high school in these parts. And in high school, Pink already looked emo. Bradley Cooper looked like Bradley Cooper. Ruben Amaro was a “momma’s boy.”
For a special TBT, Billy Penn has nine high school photos of famous people who grew up in Philadelphia or people who got famous once they moved here.
Ruben “Moma’s Boy” Amaro, William Penn Charter 1983
The Phillies GM went to high school at William Penn Charter before moving onto Stanford and then a career in the Major Leagues. He’s son of an MLB player but apparently was a lot closer to his mother.
Wilt Chamberlain, Overbook High School 1955
It’s not that difficult to pick Chamberlain out of the group. In the yearbook, he was referred to as “one of the great basketball players of our time.”
Bradley Cooper, Germantown Academy 1993
Cooper was quite the extracurricular superstar. He was involved in newspaper, Latin Club, Business Club, tennis, basketball, cross country and the poetry club.
Tina Fey, Upper Darby High School 1988
Looks a bit like Liz Lemon at the same age.
Chip Kelly, Manchester Central (N.H.) 1980 or 81
His senior quote is priceless, though not quite comprehensible.
@SmittyBarstool My parents are friends with Chip. How underrated is his yearbook pic and quote? #InChipWeTrust pic.twitter.com/W8V3tctGc5
— Stephanie Duval (@Stephi_Star) April 29, 2015
Pink aka Alecia Moore, Central Bucks West
Before she became Pink, Moore still had the punk-emo look crafted to perfection. She dropped out of high school to pursue music but not before this junior-year pic.
Ed Rendell, Riverdale County School (N.Y.) 1961
So it’s kind of difficult to see the Ed Rendell we know so well from this high school picture. But look into the eyes, and it starts to look like him. Back in high school, his classmates foretold of his political prowess, writing that he could become president.
Will Smith, Overbrook High School 1986
He should definitely still go by Willard.
Chase Utley, Long Beach Polytechnic (Calif.) 1997
Utley had the same serious, clean-cut look as a teenager that he’s sported in all his years with the Phillies.
