30+ Vintage Pictures Of Cats With Celebrities
Vintage cat photos have a way of stopping the scroll, especially when they feature celebrities, artists, and other familiar faces from another era. This collection pulls together more than 30 old images that show just how long cats have been stealing the spotlight.
From Hollywood stars to musicians, photographers, and public figures, the pictures capture a mix of playful, elegant, and sometimes surprisingly ordinary moments. They also highlight the work of Paula Leite Moreira, whose Instagram project preserves rare cat images from archives, collections, and old magazines.
Some of these photos feel timeless, and a few are downright strange in the best way. Read on for a nostalgic look at cats and celebrities through the years.
1. Deanna Durbin, Canadian Actress and Singer
2. Kurt Cobain, Nirvana
3. George Harrison, The Beatles
"Take a look at these portraits of George Harrison accompanied by his Persian cat named Korky. High dose of cuteness, right? Surrey, United Kingdom, 1965."
4. Herbert Tobias, a German photographer with his cat
Moreira shared about herself: “I'm a journalist, I work with content production, and I've always wanted to create a project where I could exercise my research and writing skills. At the beginning of the quarantine, still in 2020, after having seen a photo from the 19th century on the internet, I found myself interested in looking for more old records of cats. I loved delving into it and decided to share what I found, resulting in the realization of this project.”
Needless to say, some of the photos she’s found are incredible and truly unique. And Moreira was kind enough to share how she finds these gems.
“I search through the internet in historical collections, archives, image banks, and international magazines. When I find a random photo without a lot of reliable information, I look elsewhere until I get enough information about each photo.”
5. Una Stubbs, British Actress
6. Photograph by French photographer Pierre Jamet
7. Albert Schweitzer, German theologian, organist, musicologist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician.
8. Audrey Hepburn with her husband, Mel Ferrer
"British actress Audrey Hepburn was photographed with her husband, American actor and director Mel Ferrer, and their kitten on their farm in Rome, Italy, in 1955."
9. Photograph by American photographer Harold M. Lambert
10. Henri Cartier-Bresson, French Photographer
11. French Soldier
"Photo of a French soldier who took some time to feed a small baby."
12. Clint Eastwood
"A real treat for our eyes, American actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood was portrayed at home with his kitty by photographer Larry Barbier around 1960 in Los Angeles, California, United States."
13. Janis Joplin
In a digital landscape dominated by the charm of feline imagery, it is no surprise that the project led by Moreira has garnered attention, with the adoration for cats clearly evident. The statement about cats being the "kings of the internet" resonates deeply with fans of her Instagram account, which many believe deserves a far larger following. The sentiment that her collection of vintage cat pictures is a unique treasure serves as a reminder of the simple joys these images can bring. Moreira's personal connection to her cats, particularly her beloved 18-year-old kitten Sofia, adds an endearing layer to her work. This intimate bond underscores how cats are not just internet sensations but cherished companions that enrich our lives, making it all the more compelling for audiences to engage with her captivating collection.
14. John Bevins Moisant, American Pilot
"American pilot John Bevins Moisant had the company of his kitten, Mademoiselle Fifi, in his portraits and even on his flights."
15. Paul Gallico, Writer
16. Wanda Landowska, Polish Musician
17. Paul McCartney, The Beatles
"None other than the star Paul McCartney sitting on the doorstep and enjoying the company of his dog Martha and two kittens that are in his lap. London, United Kingdom, 1967."
18. Grace Kelly
"All the beauty of the American actress Grace Kelly, who would later become Princess of Monaco, when posing with a pet around 1948 for the lenses of photographer George Rinhart."
19. Ava Gardner, American Actress and Singer
Before cat memes took over, kids and cats were already getting the same pure-magic treatment in these vintage photos.
20. Dalai Lama XIV
"None other than the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, enjoyed the company of his pet cat at his home in Dharamshala, India, circa 1979."
21. This Kitty turned the tables and took over the camera
22.
23. British Henry Behrens
24. Mary Pickford, Canadian-American Actress and Producer
25. Socks The Cat, Former First Pet Of The United States
"This wide-eyed ragdoll was known as Socks the Cat and was former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary's first pet."
26. James Dean
"Take this wonderful sequence of photos of American actor James Dean with his kitten Marcus, a gift given by actress Elizabeth Taylor at the end of the filming of Giant, in which they acted together, 1955."
27. Elizabeth Montgomery
"American actress Elizabeth Montgomery playing the character Samantha with the kitten Ling-Ling in the television series Bewitched in 1965."
28. Celia Hammond, British Model
29. Boy with his kitten
"Brian Hudson, a boy of just ten years old, taking care of his kitten Bluey, who had recently been adopted by the family. Sydney, Australia, 1955."
30. Photo captured by owner, Walter Chandoha
"A real leap of the cat immortalized by the lens of its human, Walter Chandoha, in 1951. The cat, known as Loco, was rescued by the photographer from the freezing streets of New York and became his first feline model."
31. Judy Garland
"Scary tales can be very frightening, but nothing that the company of a kitten doesn't solve. In the picture, American actress, singer, and dancer Judy Garland, in 1938."
32. John And Jacqueline Kennedy
"Historical photo of then-Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy accompanied by his wife Jacqueline, daughter Caroline, and the family cat. This was the last weekend together before the Democratic candidate began the campaign for the presidency of the United States, circa 1960."
33. Freddie Mercury, Queen
"The eternal muse Freddie Mercury with his dear pet kitten, Tiffany, in 1986. Extraordinary men know how to love little cats."
34. Elinor Glyn, British Novelist
35. Giuseppe Ungaretti, Italian Poet
36. Jorge Luis Borges, Argentine Writer
37. Wilfrid Hyde-White, British Actor
38. Anthony Perkins, American Actor
39. Mary Austin, Ex-Girlfriend of Singer Freddie Mercury
"Portrait of British Mary Austin, ex-girlfriend and one of the greatest loves of Freddie Mercury, posing with a black cat in 1984."
40. Christine Keeler, British Model
41. US Senator Helen Ring Robinson
42. Helen Gurley Brown, American Author
43. Jean-Louis Trintignant, French Actor
44. Local Celebrity, Alice Stacy
"Alice Stacy, a 91-year-old woman, hugs her cat named Mischief while Good Boy, her dog, sits next to her at the Columbia Point housing project in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, United States, in 1988."
45. Joey Ramone, Ramones
46. Nise Da Silveira, Psychiatrist
47. Leonor Fini, Argentine Painter
48. Patricia Highsmith, American Writer and Screenwriter
49. Paolo Ferrari And Laura Tavanti, Italian Actors
50. Long John Baldry, British Blues Musician
Moreira made sure to share a commonly accepted message within the animal-loving community.
"My message is: love and respect the cats. And if possible, adopt. There are many abandoned animals waiting for years for the chance to have a family and a safe home. Knowing you saved a life is the best reward ever."
If you enjoyed this unique collection of photos, be sure to share this article with your friends, family, and fellow cat lovers!
Want more celebrity-level cat poses? See how a professional “catographer” shoots them.
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