Most of the images we see of past famous names like John Kennedy or Elvis Presley are professional photos, hiding beneath layers of posing, manipulation and over exposure to the iconic imagery. But here and there, genuine photos from their real lives do slip through, changing our view of these famous people of history, and giving us a more human aspect to examine. Here are some great photos from the photos albums of some very famous names:
John D. Rockefeller giving charity on his 84th birthday
Future President Obama having fun with his granddad at the beach
James Dean as a boy
Albert Einstein at the beach, 1939
A self portrait of artist Escher
Elvis's last vacation, Hawaii, 1977
Siblings Michael and Janet Jackson as kids
Winston Churchill examining a Tommy-Gun
Marlon Brando showing a cat some love
Marilyn Monroe performing acrobatics at the beach
Sean Connery, fourth on the left, wins third place in the Mr. Universe competition
John and Jackie Kennedy in a photo booth, 1953
John Wayne takes a vacation in the 40s
Tyrannical dictator Fidel Castro enjoying his freedom while visiting Moscow
Helen Keller meets Charlie Chaplin
Albert Einstein as a child
Tolstoy at age 20
Winston Churchill wearing an old fashioned bathing suit
Marylyn Monroe in a rare photo as a brunette
Nelson Mandela wearing authentic tribal clothes