Nicole Kidman Then & Now: See Photos of Her From ‘Days of Thunder’ to ‘Big Little Lies’

There is no one like Nicole Kidman. This Hollywood Icon & Oscar winner started off small before bursting into the legend we know her as today.

Nicole Kidman has come a long way since her early days growing up in Sydney. The Australian actress began her career in the early 1980s and has since become one of the most enduring and versatile stars in Hollywood. But as with all icons, greatness doesn’t happen overnight—and yes, in Nicole’s case, it started with big crimped hair and classic ’80s style.

From her breakout roles in Australian films to starring alongside then-husband Tom Cruise, and later winning an Oscar for her unforgettable portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours (2002), Nicole has proven time and again that she can do it all. She brings drama and spectacle in films like Moulin Rouge! and Australia, takes dark and daring turns in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Dogville, and Big Little Lies, and even adds a touch of heart in family favorites like Paddington.

Her personal life has also evolved alongside her career. Nicole adopted two children, Connor and Isabella, during her marriage to Cruise, and later welcomed two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, with country star Keith Urban. Once known as one of Hollywood’s most steadfast couples, Nicole and Keith’s nearly two-decade marriage came to an unexpected end in 2025 when she filed for divorce.

Through every chapter. Nicole has remained a symbol of transformation, resilience and timeless elegance. Scroll through to see more photos of Nicole Kidman through the decades.

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