Even celebrities aren't immune to time. They may have more resources to stave off its ravages, but the years still go right on by. In 2020, many of the celebrities we've grown up watching either turned or are soon to turn 40. Most of them look pretty darn good for their age, so it's not surprising that their 40th birthdays seem to have snuck up on us. When we think about it, though, a lot of these celebrities have been on our TV screens and sounding through our radio speakers for half of our lives — if not more.
Considering the unusual nature of 2020, many of these celebrities didn't have big celebrations this year, instead choosing to stay home and celebrate quietly with their families — so the public may not have taken notice of their landmark birthdays. Others, of course, couldn't resist the opportunity to have all eyes on them and celebrated the big 4-0 like they likely would have any other year. Whether subdued and mellow, or over-the-top and extravagant, we're sure marking the year with a new decade of life has been meaningful for them.
Still, we can't quite wrap our minds around the fact that these seemingly forever young celebs have been alive for four decades. Does that mean we're getting old too? (We suppose it just might.) Keep reading to see which of your fave celebs turned 40 in 2020.
Kristen Bell
With her sweet baby face, and the youthful voice she uses as Anna in Disney's Frozen, it's definitely hard to believe actress and producer Kristen Bell turned 40 this year. She celebrated her birthday on July 18, with a makeup-free Instagram selfie from her bed — and we stan. We hope this funny lady keeps bringing the laughs for another 40.
Channing Tatum
Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum quietly turned 40 on April 26. The Magic Mike star really didn't hit it big in Hollywood until he was almost 30, so it makes sense that a lot of us feel like he's younger than he actually is. Plus, he definitely looks good for his age, but isn't that often the case with male actors?
Jake Gyllenhaal
OK, if we're being honest, we actually thought Jake Gyllenhaal was older than 40 — not because he looks old, but for the opposite reason of why it's hard to believe Channing Tatum is 40. Jake has been famous practically all of his life, which means we've been watching him practically all of ours. Nevertheless, he won't turn 40 until December 18. 2020.
Zooey Deschanel
Everyone's favorite adorably quirky actress, Zooey Deschanel, turned 40 at the beginning of 2020. Her birthday is January 17, so she got to celebrate her 40th before things got weird. From her Instagram post, it looks like she had a fun party that featured lots of balloons and streamers that match her personality perfectly.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian first entered out collective consciousness nearly 15 years ago, and she was already well into adulthood by then — so even though her ever-changing face and body don't look like that of a typical 40-year-old, the reality TV star and businesswoman celebrated her 40th birthday with a massive (and controversial) birthday getaway to a private island in the South Pacific on October 21.
Ryan Gosling
Once again, we kind of assumed Ryan Gosling was in his 40s, so we were a bit surprised to find out that he actually doesn't turn 40 until November 12. The actor got his start back in the early 1990s on the Mickey Mouse Club, so he, too, has been on our screens since we were kids. Maybe we just assumed he must be much older than us since he was so successful at such a young age?
Christina Aguilera
Another MMC alumna, Christina Aguilera, is staring down her upcoming 40th birthday (like, "what?"). The iconic "Beautiful" singer will turn 40 on December 18, and we have to say she's really come into her own. Christina will be closing out her fourth decade with a fantastic career, a beautiful family, and a huge amount of confidence.
Macaulay Culkin
Actor Macaulay Culkin will always be tiny Kevin McAllister in most of our minds, but he turned 40 over the summer. The offbeat actor celebrated his birthday on August 26, and while the dates add up, it is pretty shocking that one of our childhood icons is quickly approaching middle age. We'll all get there eventually.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Playwright, actor, and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda turned 40 early in the year on January 16, but we have to admit, we thought he was older. As the creator of both the smashingly successful Hamilton and In the Heights, Lin-Manuel is just so dang successful it's hard to believe he hasn't been around for longer. He does kind of seem to have an old soul.
Rebel Wilson
Funny woman Rebel Wilson turned 40 on March 2, and after having to cancel the big birthday party that she had planned for her 40th, had a quiet celebration. Rebel honestly looks a bit younger than she is. (Her skin is absolutely beautiful, and she just has a fun and youthful spirit.) Wishing her many more awesome birthdays.
Jessica Simpson
We swear, when we were teenagers Jessica Simpson and her ilk all seemed so much older than us, but as it turns out, most of them were born in the same decade we were. Jessica turned 40 on July 10, and it seems like she might be aging in reverse. Maybe it has something to do with her recovery from an alcohol and drug addiction, but whatever she's doing now, is definitely working. She's just radiating joy.
Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama may have starred on a hit show that was set in the 1970s, but he wasn't born until 1980. The actor and activist turned 40 on January 30. He's another one we assumed was older — especially now that he plays such a mature character on the police drama NCIS, and typically sports a scruffy face. There was also that drama when he dated the much-younger singer Demi Lovato, that made him seem like an old man when he was just 30. Their age difference seems like less of a big deal now that Demi's well into adulthood, but Wilmer seemed ancient standing next to the then 18-year-old.
Venus Williams
No. Nope. No way. There's no way elite athlete Venus Williams is 40. (Actually, she is.) Tennis legend Venus turned 40 on June 17, and it just makes the rest of us look bad. It's hard for any professional athlete to still be playing their sport at 40 — let alone to still be competing — but Venus is quite impressively defying the odds.
Nick Cannon
Television personality, outspoken activist, and dad of three — with another on the way — Nick Cannon, just recently hit the big 4-0. Nick is another celeb who seems to have been a part of our lives as long as we can remember, but he has such an energetic, youthful personality that it's still hard to believe that he's 40. He celebrated his birthday on October 8.
Jenna Dewan
Actress, dancer — and the ex-wife of previously mentioned Channing Tatum — Jenna Dewan will turn 40 on December 3. Jenna has had a long career, has been married and divorced, and is a mom of two, but she looks so dang good. (It's still surprising that she's 40.) In addition to dance, she's also a Pilates devotee, which is likely part of what helps keep her so healthy, youthful, and fit.
Nick Carter
Despite his youthful countenance Backstreet Boys frontman Nick Carter is in fact 40, and quickly pushing 41. (Only 40? Yep. That's right.) Nick, who's now a married dad of two, is the youngest member of the iconic boy band. He celebrated his 40th birthday at the beginning of the year, on January 28, a date any BSB fan worth her salt probably has ingrained in her memory.
Christina Ricci
Actress Christina Ricci may forever have a baby face, but a baby she is not. Christina turned 40 on February 12. Like Macaulay Culkin, many of us may always see her as she appeared in 90s favorites Casper and The Addams Family, but Christina has had an incredibly active career that has shifted to mostly artsy independent films over the years.
