Valerie Bertinelli Shares Rare Photo From 1979 Shoot With Legendary Photographer Herb Ritts
The actress reminisces about her early career with the famed photographer
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Valerie Bertinelli recently took a trip down memory lane, sharing a stunning black and white portrait from early in her career. The 64-year-old actress posted a flashback photo from 1979-1980 on Instagram, capturing a rare collaboration with renowned photographer Herb Ritts.
The image shows a young Bertinelli with her signature hairstyle from that era, beautifully captured in Ritts’ distinctive black and white portrait style. The photograph showcases the natural beauty and charisma that helped launch her career.
“I believe this was the only opportunity I ever had to work with Mr. Ritts and this was very early on in his career. He was so sweet and so very kind to me,” Bertinelli captioned the post, tagging Herb Ritts’ official account.
The Ritts Connection
What makes this flashback particularly significant is the timing. The late 1970s marked the beginning of Herb Ritts’ career before he became one of the most influential fashion and portrait photographers of the 1980s and 1990s. Ritts, who passed away in 2002, would later go on to photograph numerous celebrities and supermodels, creating iconic images that defined an era.
For Bertinelli, this shoot appears to be a cherished memory of working with someone who would later become a legend in photography. Her warm recollection of Ritts’ kindness speaks to the photographer’s reputation for creating comfortable environments for his subjects.
Bertinelli’s Nostalgic Streak
This isn’t the first time Bertinelli has shared memories from this period in her life. Just days earlier, she posted another throwback photo from 1979/80 with the caption: “#waybackwednesday 1979/80 I think I’ll be channeling this girl for the rest of the week 🥰 #badass #whoknew.”
The actress seems to be in a reflective mood lately, sharing various moments from throughout her career. In another recent post celebrating her birthday, she wrote: “April 23,1960 8:00p Wilmington, Delaware. Went through it all 😅 in the last handful of years and I’m so grateful for the downs as much as I am for all of the ups I am blessed to experience. The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here. I can see it. I feel it.”
Career Renaissance
Bertinelli’s nostalgic posts come as she experiences something of a career renaissance. She recently premiered as the host of a new game show called “Bingo Blitz” on Game Show Network. In a recent interview promoting the show, she opened up about her life journey and why she continues to be transparent about her personal experiences.
According to posts on her social media, she’s also working on a new book, adding to her previous written works that have resonated with fans for their honesty and vulnerability.
Looking Back At A Storied Career
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Bertinelli first gained fame as a teenager playing Barbara Cooper on the sitcom “One Day at a Time” from 1975 to 1984. Her role on the show made her a household name and earned her two Golden Globe Awards.
Throughout her career, she has appeared in numerous television series and movies, later reinventing herself as a television host for shows on the Food Network. More recently, she’s been open about her personal life challenges, including her weight loss journey and her divorces, connecting with audiences through her authenticity.
The photo with Ritts captures Bertinelli at a pivotal time in her career, when she was already a television star on “One Day at a Time” but still early in what would become a decades-long presence in entertainment.
For fans of both Bertinelli and photography, the shared image offers a fascinating glimpse into a moment when two careers – one already flourishing, one just beginning – briefly intersected, creating a timeless portrait that continues to resonate more than four decades later.
As Bertinelli continues sharing these glimpses into her past while embracing new opportunities, she demonstrates the rare ability to honor her history while remaining relevant in an ever-changing entertainment landscape.
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