They Ruled The 70s… But Where Are They Now?
The 70s created megastars who ruled screens and charts, yet fame is fickle. Some names stayed legendary, while others quietly slipped away. The faces once defined an era, but today? Not so much.
David Cassidy
Teen idols don’t get much bigger than David Cassidy. In The Partridge Family, he made millions of hearts race while topping the charts with songs like I Think I Love You. After the show ended, so did his mainstream stardom. By the 80s, he struggled, and his craze faded.
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Telly Savalas
Few actors could make a bald head look as effortlessly cool as Telly Savalas. As the lollipop-loving detective Kojak, he ruled television with his gritty charm and the unforgettable catchphrase, “Who loves ya, baby?” Once the show ended, though, it left younger generations largely unaware of his impact.
Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson was a household name thanks to his role as host of Family Feud in the 70s. His charm and memorable kiss-on-the-cheek antics made him a fan favorite. However, his fame eventually dwindled as game shows evolved and new personalities took over.
Angie Dickinson
Long before female-led crime dramas were common, Angie Dickinson blazed the trail in Police Woman. Her tough, stylish detective persona made her a household name. However, as TV evolved, the roles became scarcer, and despite occasional appearances, she never recaptured her former leading-lady status.
Tony Orlando
His voice dominated the airwaves with Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree. Tony Orlando’s blend of pop and showmanship made him a chart-topper and a variety show star. However, after the 1970s, his mainstream music career took a backseat, and his fame faded.
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Tab Hunter
Though Hollywood’s focus changed, his charm never did. His golden boy image may have faded into nostalgia, but he kept shining through the early 70s with film, theater, and writing. Some stars leave a lasting glow, and one of them was Tab Hunter.
Ann-Margret
She sizzled in movies like Tommy and The Train Robbers, bringing both a pretty face and talent to the big screen. Though Ann-Margret remained a respected performer, the leading roles in blockbusters slowed down, and her mainstream popularity never quite matched her peak Viva Las Vegas era.
Bobby Darin
From Splish Splash to Mack the Knife, Bobby Darin was a crooner with an edge. His ability to shift between pop, jazz, and folk kept him relevant, but his untimely death in 1973 at just 37 meant he never had the longevity of other music legends.
General Artists Corporation (management)/photographer:
George Lazenby
He was James Bond for a single film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but instead of capitalizing on the role, he walked away. Unlike his fellow Bonds, Lazenby never fully regained Hollywood’s favor and left his name more of a trivia answer than a household one.
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Karen Valentine
As the sweet, idealistic teacher in Room 222, Valentine was a staple of early 70s television. She won an Emmy and had guest roles in various shows, but leading roles dried up by the 80s. Without a defining comeback, she quietly faded from the limelight.
Lee Majors
Being The Six Million Dollar Man made Lee Majors one of TV’s biggest action stars. His slow-motion superhero run defined a generation, but after the show ended, the roles shrank. While he still pops up in guest appearances, he never reclaimed his bionic-level superstardom.
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt defined the 70s, her powerhouse voice behind You’re No Good and Blue Bayou. She wasn’t just a singer—she was a genre-bending icon. Though Parkinson’s forced her to retire, her influence still echoes through music history.
Larry Bessel, Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia
Robert Blake
Once a small-screen favorite with his no-nonsense style, his legacy took a darker turn when legal troubles overshadowed his success. His name still sparks recognition, and it’s for reasons far beyond acting. It was a fate that ultimately defined Robert Blake.
Susan Dey
As Laurie Partridge in The Partridge Family, Susan Dey was America’s girl-next-door. She later found success in L.A. Law, but after leaving the show, she withdrew from Hollywood. Unlike some of her TV siblings, she never leaned into nostalgia, making her a rare 70s star who disappeared.
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John Davidson
Hosting game shows and variety specials was John Davidson’s specialty. No matter if it was Hollywood Squares or That’s Incredible!, his megawatt smile was everywhere. However, as television evolved past the variety-show era, so did audience tastes, which left him largely in the past.
Spacemountainmike on Wikimedia
Adrienne Barbeau
Adrienne Barbeau went from Broadway to becoming a 70s TV icon on Maude before becoming a horror movie queen. Films like The Fog and Swamp Thing made her a cult favorite, but as the horror genre evolved, so did casting preferences. As a result, she was out of the mainstream.
Richard Roundtree
As Shaft, Richard Roundtree defined cool in the 70s. His smooth-talking, action-packed detective was a symbol of the Blaxploitation era. Though he had a long career, his later roles never matched his legendary status from that groundbreaking franchise.
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Lynda Carter
She was Wonder Woman, and in the 70s, no one rocked a tiara and lasso better. While she remained active in music and occasional acting gigs, she never found a role as iconic. Today, she’s remembered fondly but not as widely recognized outside of fan circles.
Burt Reynolds
There was no bigger movie star in the late 70s than Burt Reynolds. He had Smokey and the Bandit and Deliverance under his belt and was the ultimate macho leading man. However, flops, personal struggles, and shifting Hollywood trends sent his star plummeting before his passing in 2018.
Farrah Fawcett
One poster. That’s all it took for Farrah Fawcett to become the face of the 70s. Charlie’s Angels made her a household name, but her attempts to distance herself from her blonde girl image. Her tragic death in 2009 cemented her as an icon, but she’s less frequently remembered today.
Penny Marshall
Before she became a hit director, Penny Marshall was best known as Laverne in Laverne & Shirley. Her comedic timing and lovable Brooklyn accent made her a household name. After moving behind the camera for Big and A League of Their Own, her on-screen presence faded.
David Soul
His mainstream career slowed when the cop show boom ended, but his easygoing charm and musical success remain part of 70s pop culture. While the industry moved on, fans never fully did because some stars, like David Soul, leave a mark that lasts.
Linda Gray
No one played soap opera drama better than Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas. She spent years as the tormented, scheming wife of JR Ewing. She did reprise her role in later revivals, but her career outside of the Dallas universe never quite soared.
Cheryl Ladd
Replacing Farrah Fawcett on Charlie’s Angels was no easy feat, but Cheryl Ladd held her own. She became a 70s TV staple with her all-American charm. She continued acting, but she never found another role as iconic, which left her mostly a nostalgic memory of the era.
John Travolta
Yes, Grease and Saturday Night Fever made John Travolta a megastar, but after the 70s, his career stalled. The 80s weren’t kind to him until Pulp Fiction resurrected his fame. Despite that comeback, his more recent roles haven’t held the same cultural impact as his disco days.
Michael York
Cabaret, Logan’s Run, and The Three Musketeers cemented him as a dashing leading man of the 70s. His sharp British charm made him unforgettable, but over time, his career shifted toward supporting roles and voice work. The spotlight may have dimmed, but Michael York’s legacy remains.
Karen Carpenter
Her warm, melancholic voice defined The Carpenters’s soft rock hits like “Close to You” and “Rainy Days and Mondays”. Carpenter’s tragic passing in 1983 cut her career short, and while her music endures, she isn’t often discussed as a mainstream icon today.
A&M Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice) on Wikimedia
Jack Lord
Book 'em, Danno! Jack Lord’s portrayal of Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O made him one of the coolest TV cops of the decade. However, after the show ended in 1980, he retired from acting, and his fame faded along with his decision to leave Hollywood behind.
Jaclyn Smith
Another Charlie’s Angels standout, Jaclyn Smith, was the only Angel to stay for the show’s whole run. Her striking looks and strong presence made her a fan favorite, but after the series, she moved into fashion and business, stepping away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Gabe Kaplan
Welcome Back, Kotter made Gabe Kaplan a sitcom sensation thanks to his lovable portrayal of a wisecracking teacher. The show ended, and he turned to professional poker, leaving acting behind. Today, he’s remembered more for his game skills than his sitcom days.
Tony Curtis
Younger stars took center stage, and his leading-man status slipped, but his charisma kept him working in smaller roles. Decades later, his legacy still shines through classic films and unforgettable performances. That was the magic of Tony Curtis.
United Pictures Corporation on Wikimedia
Donna Summer
The undisputed Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, owned the 70s with hits like “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls”. When the disco era faded, so did her presence in pop culture. Despite later comebacks, mainstream audiences rarely mention her name outside retro music circles.
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George Peppard
By the time he passed in 1994, the spotlight had mostly moved on, but his journey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The A-Team ensured his place in pop culture. Some stars fade quietly, yet their impact lingers like George Peppard.
Trailer screenshot on Wikimedia
Karen Black
Karen Black ruled the 70s horror and thriller genres, starring in Trilogy of Terror, Burnt Offerings, and The Day of the Locust. Her quirky charm made her unforgettable, but as the industry shifted, her unique screen presence became more of a cult fascination than mainstream appeal.
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Joan Collins
Though Joan Collins is best remembered for Dynasty, she was already a big name in the 70s, starring in films and TV series with her signature glamour. However, outside of her 80s reign as Alexis Carrington, her name doesn’t often surface in modern celebrity discussions.
Freddie Prinze
Freddie Prinze skyrocketed to fame with Chico and the Man, which got humor and charisma to television. His tragic death at 22 cut his career heartbreakingly short and made him more of a what-could-have-been figure in Hollywood history. His son, Freddie Prinze Jr, later carried on his legacy.
Debby Boone
Debby Boone gave the world You Light Up My Life, one of the biggest songs of the 70s. While she continued singing, her later work in Christian music never reached the same pop culture heights, which made her more of a one-hit wonder in the public’s memory.
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Robert Hays
Airplane! turned Robert Hays into a comedy legend overnight. His deadpan delivery made the absurd humor of the film even funnier. Despite the film’s success, he never entirely escaped the shadow of Ted Striker and left his name synonymous with one iconic role.
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Robby Benson
With his soft-spoken charm and boyish good looks, Robby Benson became a teen idol in the 70s, starring in Ice Castles and Ode to Billy Joe. Though he later found success as the voice of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, his live-action career never fully recovered.
lynn holly johnson & robby benson - ice castles (1978) by classicfilmrules
Valerie Harper
She played Rhoda Morgenstern in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Rhoda was one of the most beloved sitcom stars of the 70s. However, after her spinoff ended, lead roles became scarce. While she remained respected in the industry, her name isn’t as widely remembered today.
Anson Williams
Stepping behind the camera meant leaving his leading-man days behind, but his impact on one of TV’s biggest hits remained. Decades later, Happy Days fans still remember the charm and talent of Anson Williams.
Pam Grier
Pam Grier was the undisputed queen of Blaxploitation cinema, kicking it in Coffy and Foxy Brown. Her fierce performances made her an icon. The genre lost relevance, along with her mainstream career. Though Tarantino’s Jackie Brown revived her legacy, younger audiences often overlook her impact.
Marilynn K. Yee, Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia
Robert Urich
His smooth-talking, tough-guy roles kept him on screens for years, but after passing in 2002, his name slowly faded from pop culture memory. Still, for fans of classic TV crime dramas, there’s no forgetting Robert Urich.
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Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond ruled the 70s. He led the charts and hosted Donny & Marie. His talent never faded, but music trends and the teen idol craze moved on. He’s still in the business, just not as the fresh-faced heartthrob who once made fans swoon.
