By Megan Riedlinger
6:49pm PDT, Jul 21, 2023
_
The 2000s delivered a lot of hunky heartthrobs, but none as mysterious and chiseled as Josh Hartnett — the Minnesota-born hottie who starred in a string of hit flicks throughout the late '90s and '00s. To celebrate his 45th birthday on July 21, 2023, we're rounding up some photos of our favorite Josh moments from early in his career… starting with this film still from "40 Days and 40 Nights."
Keep reading for more vintage Josh…
MORE: Most nostalgia-inducing throwback photos of Freddie Prinze Jr.
_
Right before his career kicked off in 1998 with a starring role in "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later," a casual Josh Hartnett posed for photos in Los Angeles in 1997 in a white T-shirt and ripped jeans.
MORE: Nostalgia-inducing vintage photos of Ricky Martin
_
Curious how Josh Hartnett could have gotten any hotter in 2004? Just add glasses! The star looked sharp and suave in spectacles at the Marc Jacobs show during New York Fashion Week that year.
MORE: The best nostalgia-inducing photos of The Beatles
_
So angelic! Josh Hartnett showed off prayer hands in this portrait from 1997.
_
Early in his career, Josh Hartnett attended the 1997 premiere of "U-Turn" in Los Angeles in a super dressed-down look: a wrinkled white T-shirt, baggy trousers, scuffed dress shoes and a button-up shirt draped over his shoulder.
_
What a difference nearly a decade makes! Josh Hartnett rocked a tuxedo and bow tie nine years later at the premiere of his film "The Black Dahlia" at the 2006 Venice Film Festival.
_
Josh Hartnett rocked longer tresses and a more buttoned-up look at a 2006 Academy Awards pre-party. The hunk looked sharp in a blazer atop a collared shirt and sweater paired with dark jeans and boots.
_
One of Josh Hartnett's hunkiest roles? World War II pilot Danny Walker in the 2001 blockbuster "Pearl Harbor," in which he starred alongside Ben Affleck.
_
Josh Hartnett showed off his quirky cute side during a photoshoot in Los Angeles in 1997.
_
That smolder! Josh Hartnett served up one of his signature poses while arriving at the 2002 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a chic black suit and tie.
_
Josh Hartnett sported a buzz cut when he played a soldier in the 2001 war film "Black Hawk Down."
_
Ready for Tiger Beat! Josh Hartnett struck the perfect poster pose in this snapshot from 1997.
_
Josh Hartnett showed off some new facial hair while stopping by MTV's "TRL" in 2004.
_
For 1999's "The Virgin Suicides," Josh Hartnett transformed into a '70s heartthrob — just look at that hair! He played Trip Fontaine in the Sofia Coppola-directed flick and amassed plenty of fans in the process.
_
Oh, to be on the receiving end of that wave! Josh Hartnett offered a smile and a hello to photographers at Italy's Venice Film Festival in 2006.
_
Josh Hartnett solidified his movie star status in the early '00s. He flashed a grin at the "Black Hawk Down" premiere in 2002.
_
It's like he's staring straight into your soul! Josh Hartnett struck a soulful pose during a photoshoot in Los Angeles in 1997.
_
Josh Hartnett looked sharp at the Los Angeles premiere of his 2004 flick "Wicker Park" in this suit and tie combo.
_
Though his fame was on the rise, Josh Hartnett still preferred to keep things casual at movie premieres. He attended the premiere of "Hollywood Homicide" in 2003 in a sport coat, an unbuttoned dress shirt with a T-shirt underneath and jeans.
_
Josh Hartnett sported a buzz cut and a shy smile at the London "Pearl Harbor" premiere afterparty in 2001.
_
Making a splash in Hollywood! Josh Hartnett scored a Teen Choice Award nomination for choice breakout star thanks to his performance in the 2000 flick "Here on Earth." He and co-stars Chris Klein and Leelee Sobieski played characters involved in a love triangle.
_
Josh Hartnett was so cool that he could keep it casual for film premieres, as evidenced here at the Los Angeles premiere of his movie "O" in 2001.
_
Josh Hartnett could certainly rock a beanie! The star sported one of his favorite types of headwear while stopping by the "Late Show with David Letterman" studio in New York City in 2006, rocking it with a dress shirt, a cardigan and jeans.
_
Josh Hartnett showed off another beanie — this one blue — paired with layered white and gray T-shirts at yet another casual movie premiere, this time for the 1999 film "Happiness."
