By Jessica Wedemeyer
9:36am PDT, Aug 25, 2022
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Prepare to feel practically ancient! Billy Ray Cyrus celebrates his 61st birthday on Aug. 25, 2022. To mark the occasion, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the hottest retro photos of the actor and country music star — who shot into the spotlight when he dropped the hit single "Achy Breaky Heart" in 1992 — starting with this early '90s portrait of the two-time Grammy winner that had us feeling all sorts of things back in the day.
Now keep reading for more nostalgia-inducing photos of Billy Ray in his heyday…
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Billy Ray Cyrus and his ridiculously adorable daughter Miley Cyrus, who was nearly 3 at the time, had a super-cute daddy-daughter moment during a tribute to Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 8, 1994.
RELATED: Celebs' kids all grown up: Then and now
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Billy Ray Cyrus sported a bold button-down shirt as his signature mullet cascaded across one shoulder during a photo shoot in Frankfurt, Germany, on Aug. 28, 1992.
RELATED: '90s stars who've barely aged
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Double the Billy Ray Cyrus, double the fun! The country music star unveiled his wax figure at the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California, on July 24, 1993. He sported a short-sleeved hooded flannel for the occasion.
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In the early 2000s, Billy Ray Cyrus finally embraced a new hair trend: The scruffy singer sported a shag 'do at a party for the 18th Annual Gemini Awards in Toronto on Oct. 20, 2003.
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Billy Ray Cyrus wore a leather vest (sans undershirt, of course!) with jeans during a photo shoot in Frankfurt, Germany, on Aug. 28, 1992.
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That jacket! Billy Ray Cyrus flashed a peace sign while rocking his favorite fringed jacket over an athletic jersey, jeans and cowboy boots in an undated photo from early in his career. (During the early '90s, he often made public appearances in that jacket, which true fans will instantly recognize!)
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Iconic! The king and queen of '90s country music — Billy Ray Cyrus and Shania Twain — posed together at an afterparty for the 1999 ACM Awards in Los Angeles.
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Billy Ray Cyrus, is that you?! The baby faced musician looked practically unrecognizable in this undated photo from his pre-fame days.
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Billy Ray Cyrus's baby blues smoldered in this undated photo from early in his career.
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Billy Ray Cyrus sported lots of leather — along with a shorter mullet with blonde highlights — during the Love Ride charity motorcycle rally in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2001.
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Billy Ray Cyrus sparkled while performing during a tribute to Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 8, 1994. (The King would surely approve of that rhinestone-encrusted blazer!)
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Have mercy! It was a meeting of '90s icons when Billy Ray Cyrus introduced his nearly-3-year-old daughter Miley Cyrus to "Full House" star John Stamos during a tribute to Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 8, 1994.
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It's the soul patch for us! Billy Ray Cyrus rocked a shag hairdo and the tiniest amount of facial hair during a Disney Channel photocall in New York City on Feb. 9, 2006, a month before "Hannah Montana" debuted.
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It's unclear when exactly this photo of Billy Ray Cyrus was taken, but we feel confident guessing that — based on his ensemble — it was somewhere between 1992 and 1995! The rising star paired a sleeveless tee featuring a Southwestern motif with mismatched pants in a truly '90s party print.
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Billy Ray Cyrus rocked a leather blazer while picking up one of two trophies — favorite new country artist and favorite country song for "Achy Breaky Heart" — during the 20th American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 25, 1993.
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Date night! Billy Ray Cyrus and second wife Tish Cyrus coupled up during the 48th Annual BMI Country Awards in Nashville on Oct. 3, 2000. The duo — who share five children including her two older kids from her first marriage (Billy Ray also has an older son from a previous relationship) — married in 1993 and split for good in 2022.
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It was denim on denim for a smoldering Billy Ray Cyrus during the 29th Academy of Country Music Awards in Universal City, California, on May 3, 1994.
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Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus made the 2006 ACM Awards a family affair! Just two months earlier, their hit sitcom "Hannah Montana" debuted on the Disney Channel, launching Miley to international superstardom.
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Billy Ray Cyrus posed with a private jet in Chicago on May 20, 1995. Our favorite part of this pic? His leather gloves with zipper details down the wrists.
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Another day, another tank top for Billy Ray Cyrus! The country music star showed off his arms while rocking out in Nashville on June 9, 1992.
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Two of the biggest stars of the early '90s — singer, actress and beauty queen Vanessa Williams and country music star Billy Ray Cyrus — caught up during a Grammy Awards party in Los Angeles on Feb. 24, 1993.
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Billy Ray Cyrus sported a Canadian tuxedo while promoting his 2001 medical drama "Doc" at the Marriott Marquis in New York City circa 2000.
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Billy Ray Cyrus hopped on a Harley for the Love Ride charity motorcycle rally in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2001.
