Born in Arlington County, Virginia, in 1964 and raised in West Germany and Austria, Sandra Bullock was a high school cheerleader with big dreams before she headed to East Carolina University, graduating in 1987 with a BFA in drama. Then it was off to New York City, where, after taking classes in the Meisner Technique, Bullock landed a string of gigs on television and in independent films before booking her breakout role as Annie Porter in 1994’s Speed.

Nabbing her first Golden Globe nomination in 1995 for her performance in While You Were Sleeping, Bullock has gone on to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, an MTV Movie Award, a whopping seven People’s Choice Awards, and more accolades, gaining worldwide recognition for her roles in films including The Proposal, The Blind Side, and Gravity.

Here, in honor of her 61st birthday—Sandra, if you’re reading this, drop the skincare routine posthaste!—a roundup of deepy charming photos from the early years of Bullock’s storied career.

Photo: Getty Images

1/15

c. 1990

Bullock as Tess in NBC’s short-lived television adaptation of Working Girl.

Photo: Getty Images

2/15

1994

Taking a bus driver’s test to promote Jan de Bont’s Speed.

Photo: Getty Images

3/15

1994

In graphic sleeves and blue jeans at the Pacific Design Center with Samantha Mathis.

Photo: Getty Images

4/15

1994

Appearing on the 500th episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which also featured Bill Braudis and John McLaughlin.

Photo: Getty Images

5/15

1994

With Adam Sandler backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Getty Images

6/15

1995

Wearing a LBD and darling blond ringlets at the First Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in Hollywood.

Photo: Getty Images

7/15

1996

On the set of Richard Attenborough’s In Love and War, co-starring Chris O’Donnell and Mackenzie Astin.

Photo: Getty Images

8/15

1996

Going full bombshell in a strapless brown Calvin Klein gown and shimmery choker at the 68th annual Academy Awards, where she was a presenter.

Photo: Getty Images

9/15

1996

Being escorted by her father, John Wilson Bullock, at the 22nd Annual People’s Choice Awards.

Photo: Getty Images

10/15

1997

Looking every bit the California girl with her pretty, beachy highlights and ditsy print at the 3rd Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.

Photo: Getty Images

11/15

1998

Sporting a very ’90s nude-lip-and-wispy-bang combination at the New York premiere of Hope Floats.

Photo: Getty Images

12/15

1999

Doing a tango—or something—with her co-star Ben Affleck on the set of Forces of Nature.

Photo: Getty Images

13/15

2000

In character as FBI Agent Gracie Hart (alongside Michael Caine’s Victor Melling) in Miss Congeniality.

Photo: Getty Images

14/15

2000

As Gwen Cummings in 28 Days.

Photo: Getty Images

15/15

2001

Making an entrance at the 2001 Golden Globe Awards.