Long before the smartphone era coined the term “selfie,” stars have been striking poses with signs, turning traffic directionals or landmarks into impromptu locations for publicity shots, album covers or magazine features. From golden age Hollywood glamour to rock ‘n’ roll legends, celebrities have always understood the magnetic pull of a classic sign.
Join us on a nostalgic journey as we unveil a star-studded gallery of celebrities immortalizing themselves against the backdrop of memorable signs. These “celebrity-sign selfies” are more than just photos — they’re time capsules of pop culture history.
PHOTOS: CURATED AND CAPTIONS WRITTEN BY JEFF RUSS
Debbie Harry and members of Blondie up to no good in NYC, 1977. We love the enormous Winston sign in the background. Photo by Roberta Bayley.
A grumpy Jim Morrison and his Doors bandmates stand in front of a Coca-Cola sign for their “Morrison Hotel” album photo shoot, 1969. Wait, what’s on the left?
Of course this gallery includes a photo of the Rat Pack at the Sands in Las Vegas, 1960. If you want to know who’s who, read the sign!
Phoebe Cates proudly hoists the poster for her new film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982. Everyone remembers the part about her working at the theater in the mall, right?
Musical legend John Fogerty and the other members of Creedence Clearwater Revival grabbing a quick bite in San Luis Obispo, CA, 1968. Photo by Gerald Gaxiola.
Sultry starlet Abbe Lane, wife of the evening’s headline performer Xavier Cugat, attracts photographers’ attention. And the Jaguar XK120 ain’t too shabby either. Ciro’s Showclub, West Hollywood, 1952.
Lou Ferigno’s Hulk goes on a rampage in New York, 1977.
This may not be a “selfie”, but Led Zeppelin in Paris’ Orly Airport in 1969 makes this list. John Bonham, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant, in case you’re wondering.
The Runaways, with Joan Jett (grimacing, far right), flex in front of the renowned CBGB sign, 1976.
John Wayne enjoying the street sign named after him, on the El Dorado movie set, 1966.
The alternative-rock band REM in a classic sign selfie. Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Bill Berry and Peter Buck aren’t in Athens, GA, anymore.
Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf in front of their hand-painted tour bus, date unknown. If that bus could talk…
Members of KISS just waiting at the bus stop, 1976. Even with the make-up, we can tell this is Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Kris.
It’s Colonel Harlan Sanders himself, gnawing on a drumstick in front of a Nashville KFC, 1966.
Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson poses with his ubiquitous pink Cadillac in front of his Harlem club, 1950’s.
Just like the “Rat Pack” photo, this gallery wouldn’t be complete without The Sopranos cast, in character, doing business at Satriale’s.
Paris Hilton in Times Square posing in front of a photo of herself (of course), 2020.
Because you’ve made it this far, we’ll reward you with this vintage photo of Betty Grable and Lucille Ball posing for a publicity photo in a hand-painted race car. Zoom-zoom!
18 Celebrities-and-Signs Selfies
Long before the smartphone era coined the term “selfie,” stars have been striking poses with signs, turning traffic directionals or landmarks into impromptu locations for publicity shots, album covers or magazine features. From golden age Hollywood glamour to rock ‘n’ roll legends, celebrities have always understood the magnetic pull of a classic sign.
Join us on a nostalgic journey as we unveil a star-studded gallery of celebrities immortalizing themselves against the backdrop of memorable signs. These “celebrity-sign selfies” are more than just photos — they’re time capsules of pop culture history.
PHOTOS: CURATED AND CAPTIONS WRITTEN BY JEFF RUSS