1. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy was a triple threat in the late ’70s, singer, actor, and heartthrob. With his chart-topping hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and his starring role in The Hardy Boys, he had fans fainting at concerts and mobbing him in public. But when the teen idol craze cooled and the show ended, Cassidy decided to pivot. Instead of chasing the spotlight, he reinvented himself behind the camera, building a successful second act as a television writer and producer. His work on shows like American Gothic and Invasion proved his creative range, though many still remember him first as the boy who sent teens screaming in the ’70s.
2. Leif Garrett
With his golden curls, wide smile, and soft pop hits, Leif Garrett became the ultimate poster boy of the late 1970s. He was everywhere, on magazine covers, television appearances, and concert stages filled with screaming teens. But as quickly as he rose, his career faltered. The shift in music trends away from bubblegum pop left him struggling to adapt, and his personal battles with substance abuse dimmed his once-bright star power. Though he continued to work in music and acting here and there, Garrett never recaptured the heights of his teen idol fame, becoming more remembered for the frenzy of his youth than for his later career.
3. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol captured hearts in the 1970s with her natural charm and talent, starring in Family and Little Darlings. She became one of the most beloved young stars of her generation, admired for her down-to-earth personality as much as her acting. Yet her career took a sharp turn in the 1980s when she began struggling with mental health challenges. Choosing her well-being over the pressures of Hollywood, McNichol quietly retired from acting in her 30s. While she occasionally reappeared in small projects, she largely stepped away from the spotlight, leaving fans with fond memories of her youthful energy and groundbreaking performances.
4. Robby Benson
Robby Benson was the sensitive, soulful star of countless teen magazines in the 1970s, known for films like Ice Castles and Ode to Billy Joe. His boyish looks and emotional roles made him a favorite among young audiences. But as he matured, Benson transitioned away from the teen idol image and found success in other corners of entertainment. He became a respected director, working on TV episodes, and most famously lent his voice to the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Though his days as a teen heartthrob faded, Benson carved out a meaningful career behind the camera and in voice work, leaving a quieter but lasting legacy.
5. Susan Dey
As Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family, Susan Dey was a household name and a fan favorite throughout the 1970s. Her striking looks and charisma made her a teen idol who graced countless magazine covers. After the show, she pursued dramatic acting, earning acclaim in L.A. Law and other projects. But unlike many of her peers, Dey eventually chose to step away from fame altogether. By the early 2000s, she retired quietly, avoiding the Hollywood spotlight and living a private life. Though she left acting behind, Dey remains cherished in pop culture history for her iconic role as part of America’s favorite fictional musical family.
6. Parker Stevenson
Parker Stevenson rose to fame as one-half of the mystery-solving duo on The Hardy Boys, where his good looks and easy charm made him a teen idol of the late ’70s. Fans also followed his high-profile marriage to actress Kirstie Alley, which kept him in the public eye beyond his television work. But as the teen heartthrob wave faded, Stevenson shifted into smaller acting roles in television and film, never quite reaching the same level of frenzy he experienced in his youth. Today, he’s remembered fondly for The Hardy Boys while also enjoying a quiet career as both an actor and accomplished photographer.
7. Valerie Bertinelli
Valerie Bertinelli became America’s sweetheart on the hit sitcom One Day at a Time, where her role as Barbara Cooper turned her into a relatable teen star. She was adored for her girl-next-door image, which made her a regular fixture in the fan magazines of the era. While her teen idol status faded with age, she managed to stay in the public eye, in part through her marriage to rocker Eddie Van Halen and later as a popular TV personality. Bertinelli successfully reinvented herself as a bestselling author and Food Network star, but her days as a teen idol remain tied to her breakout sitcom success.
8. Jan-Michael Vincent
With his rugged good looks and intense screen presence, Jan-Michael Vincent was a rising star in the 1970s and early ’80s, appearing in films like Big Wednesday and The Mechanic. His fame peaked with the TV series Airwolf, which cemented him as a leading man and action hero. Yet his promising career unraveled quickly as struggles with addiction and health problems took their toll, overshadowing his talent and charisma. Though he continued to appear in smaller projects over the years, Vincent’s early spark as a teen idol was never recaptured, and his later life was marked more by personal battles than Hollywood triumphs.
9. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman was one of the original teen idols of the late 1960s and early ’70s, winning over young audiences with his music, television roles, and undeniable charm. Hits like “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” made him a pop sensation, and his presence on shows such as Here Come the Brides kept him firmly in the spotlight. But at the height of his fame, Sherman made a surprising choice: he walked away from Hollywood to serve as an EMT and later a police officer, dedicating himself to helping others. His decision to prioritize service over stardom left fans shocked, but also deeply respectful of his life path.
10. Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa Sue Anderson became a familiar face to millions as Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, where her heartfelt performances made her one of the most popular young stars of the decade. After the show ended, Anderson sought new roles, appearing in movies and TV projects, but she never found another part that matched her earlier success. Over time, she began to step away from Hollywood, preferring a quieter life with her family. While her career slowed, Anderson’s legacy remains firmly tied to her iconic role on Little House, which continues to endear her to generations of viewers.
11. Jimmy McNichol
Like his sister Kristy, Jimmy McNichol enjoyed his own wave of teen idol fame in the late ’70s, acting in TV shows, making guest appearances, and even launching a short-lived music career. His easygoing personality and good looks made him a hit with young fans, landing him on the pages of teen magazines alongside the biggest stars of the era. But unlike many of his peers, Jimmy chose to step away from Hollywood early, preferring a quieter, family-centered life. He later devoted himself to raising his children and focusing on causes close to his heart, including environmental work. While he may have left show business, his brief but memorable time as a teen idol still resonates with fans who grew up watching him.
12. Maureen McCormick
Forever remembered as Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch, Maureen McCormick became one of the ultimate teen idols of the 1970s. Her role as the picture-perfect older sister made her a cultural icon, and fans eagerly followed her beyond the show through interviews, appearances, and her musical projects with the Brady cast. But after the series ended, McCormick’s career faced obstacles, as typecasting and personal struggles made it difficult for her to transition into more adult roles. Despite the setbacks, she later found stability and renewed fame through reality television and public appearances. While her teen idol days belong to the Brady era, McCormick remains a beloved figure who overcame challenges to reconnect with her audience.
This story 12 ’70s Teen Idols Who Were Everywhere, Then Suddenly Gone was first published on Daily FETCH
