Mayim Bialik Is 50! See Vintage Photos of the Former Child Star — from Her Early Career to Her Blossom Russo Era
- - Mayim Bialik Is 50! See Vintage Photos of the Former Child Star — from Her Early Career to Her Blossom Russo Era
Stephanie SengweDecember 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM
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Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik is 50!
The actress who brought the eccentric and precocious Blossom Russo to life first got her start earning small roles here and there in the late '80s before landing her breakout role in 1990. Bialik would helm Blossom for five seasons, bringing the laughs and the drama alongside Joey Lawrence, Michael Stoyanov, Tedd Wass, Jenna von Oÿ and more.
Though she took a hiatus in pursuit of higher education — she earned her PhD in neuroscience in 2007 — she made a grand return to acting as Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory in 2010.
As the actress turns 50 on Dec. 12, 2025, look back at some of her early days.
01 of 16
Rising to the Occasion
Michael Becker/ABC via Getty
Mayim Bialik, Bradley Gregg
Before she was known as Blossom, the young star got her start on TV shows such as Beauty and the Beast, The Facts of Life, Webster and more. Above, she's pictured getting a shoulder ride from Bradley Gregg on an unaired episode of Once a Hero in 1987.
02 of 16
Young Jetsetter
The young star was snapped holding a stuffie while heading for a flight at the Los Angeles International Airport in 1987.
03 of 16
Working Girl
Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Mayim Bialik
Above, the actress is pictured taping an episode of The Facts of Life in 1988.
04 of 16
Oh, the '80s
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Mayim Bialik
Fourteen-year-old Bialik was adorable in an oh-so-'80s blue and magenta ensemble as she attended the Fashion Show to Benefit Love Is Feeding Everyone (L.I.F.E.) Charity in 1989.
05 of 16
Jumping for Joy
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Mayim Bialik
She showed off aerobic skills during a photoshoot in 1990.
06 of 16
Getting Sporty
She flashed her winning smile during the MacLaren Children's Hospital Benefit held at Henry Winkler's home in Toluca Lake, Calif. in March 1990.
07 of 16
In Full Bloom
Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Mayim Bialik
Bialik landed her breakout role as Blossom in 1991. She would play the spunky, intelligent and quirky titular character for the show's five seasons.
08 of 16
Big Celebrations
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The cast of Blossom
Bialik and her castmates celebrated the show's milestone 100th episode with a cake that fittingly paid tribute to her character's signature bucket hat.
09 of 16
A Girl and Her Trumpet
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Mayim Bialik
Acting is hardly the only talent this powerhouse possesses. In 1991, the 16-year-old wowed the audience, playing trumpet alongside Chuck Findley on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
10 of 16
Blossoming
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Mayim Bialik
She lent her support by attending an Evening Under the Harvest Moon Benefit for Tree People in 1991.
11 of 16
Russo Gang
Bialik and her onscreen brother, Joey Lawrence, were dressed to the nines for the 17th Annual People's Choice Awards in 1991.
12 of 16
Bringing the Color
Touchstone Pictures/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Malim Bialik
Always colorful, Bialik wore a floral dress for a portrait shoot to commemorate season 3 of Blossom in 1992.
13 of 16
Star Power
Jaleel White
The star was photographed at the NBA Celebrity Dunk Contest with fellow child star, Jaleel White during the 1993 NBA All-Star Weekend.
14 of 16
Keeping Cool
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Mayim Bialik
She served ultra-cool in a varsity cardigan, denim shorts (jorts, if you will) and checkered Converse while strolling through LAX in 1993.
15 of 16
Applause All Around
Lesly Weiner/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Mayim Bialik
She showed off her long tresses and cool style for an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993.
16 of 16
All Grown Up
The actress brought her bright smile to the taping of NBC's 75th Anniversary Celebration in 2002.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
