1. David Cassidy – The Partridge Family’s Fallen Star
David Cassidy wasn’t just a teen idol—he was a phenomenon, thanks to his role as Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family. He sold millions of records, played to sold-out crowds, and even had his own merch empire. But the pressure of being a global sensation at such a young age took a toll, and Cassidy struggled with substance abuse and financial troubles. He tried to distance himself from his teen idol image, but fans still saw him as the bubblegum pop prince of the ’70s.
In later years, he continued to perform and act, but his personal struggles often overshadowed his career. He eventually revealed he was battling dementia, a heartbreaking diagnosis that led to his final years being filled with health complications and legal troubles. He passed away in 2017 at age 67, leaving behind a complicated but unforgettable legacy. While his fame burned bright, it also burned out too soon.
2. Shaun Cassidy – The Pop Star Who Left Hollywood Behind
As the younger brother of David Cassidy, Shaun had big shoes to fill, and for a while, he filled them perfectly. With a string of bubblegum pop hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron,” and his role on The Hardy Boys Mysteries, he was one of the most sought-after teen idols of the decade. His face was everywhere, from lunchboxes to posters, and he even had a massive world tour that sent fans into a frenzy. But by the 1980s, his music career had fizzled, and he slowly stepped away from acting, realizing he didn’t want to be trapped in his teen idol image forever.
Instead of chasing the spotlight, Cassidy pivoted to a successful behind-the-scenes career as a television writer and producer. He’s worked on hit shows like American Gothic, Cold Case, and New Amsterdam, proving he had more to offer than just his good looks and catchy songs. Though he still makes occasional appearances, he’s far happier working behind the camera than in front of it. Unlike some of his fellow teen idols, he left Hollywood on his own terms—and never looked back.
3. Bobby Sherman – From Pop Icon to EMT
Bobby Sherman was a teen sensation in the late ’60s and early ’70s, with hits like “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” and “Little Woman.” He had the boy-next-door charm that made him irresistible to fans, landing roles on shows like Here Come the Brides. His concerts were filled with screaming teenage fans, and for a while, he was one of the biggest teen idols in America. But as the bubblegum pop craze faded, Sherman realized he wanted something more meaningful than just singing love songs.
By the mid-’70s, he had grown tired of the spotlight and decided to pursue a completely different path—becoming a trained EMT and police officer. He found deep fulfillment in helping people, even working as a paramedic trainer for the LAPD. Though he occasionally returns for nostalgic appearances, he’s far more focused on his work in emergency medicine than reliving his pop star past. Fans may have lost their teen idol, but the world gained a real-life hero instead.
4. Robby Benson – The Teen Idol Who Found His Voice in Animation
Robby Benson was everywhere in the ’70s, starring in hit films like Ice Castles and Ode to Billy Joe that solidified his status as a heartthrob. With his boyish good looks, deep blue eyes, and sensitive demeanor, he was a teen magazine favorite and a box office draw. He also starred in One on One, a basketball drama he co-wrote, showing that he had more than just a pretty face. But as he transitioned into the 1980s, he struggled to find roles that matched his earlier success, leading him to explore other avenues in entertainment.
Rather than fade into total obscurity, Benson reinvented himself in voice acting, most famously as the voice of Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He also found success as a director and professor, teaching film at several universities. Though he stepped away from the teen idol spotlight, he never stopped working, proving he had a talent that went far beyond leading-man looks. These days, he’s far more comfortable behind the scenes, but his voice remains one of the most recognizable in Disney history.
5. Leif Garrett – From Teen Heartthrob to Troubled Star
Leif Garrett was the definition of a 1970s teen idol—blond, dreamy, and always flashing a perfectly practiced smirk. He had a successful music career with hits like “I Was Made for Dancin’,” and he starred in TV shows and movies, making him a permanent fixture on Tiger Beat covers. But as the 1980s rolled in, so did substance abuse issues and legal troubles, overshadowing his career. He made multiple attempts at comebacks, but his struggles with addiction followed him for decades, making headlines more for his arrests than his music. In recent years, he’s spoken openly about his past, even writing a tell-all memoir, but he never quite reclaimed his unstoppable stardom of the ’70s.
6. Parker Stevenson – The Other Hardy Boy Who Faded Away
While Shaun Cassidy stole most of the attention, Parker Stevenson was the cool, preppy counterpart on The Hardy Boys Mysteries, winning over fans with his charm and all-American good looks. His easygoing demeanor and chemistry with Cassidy made the show a hit, and for a while, he was a major teen heartthrob. After the show ended, Stevenson continued acting, landing roles in Baywatch and various TV movies, but he never quite reached the same level of fame again. As the 1980s went on, he gradually stepped away from Hollywood, picking up smaller roles but never chasing stardom.
Instead of holding onto his teen idol past, Stevenson found a new passion behind the camera. He became a professional photographer, focusing on landscapes and portrait work. Though he still takes on occasional acting gigs, his Hollywood days are largely behind him. He’s embraced a low-key life, far removed from the screaming fans and magazine covers of his youth.
7. Kristy McNichol – America’s Sweetheart Who Walked Away
Kristy McNichol was one of the biggest young stars of the 1970s, thanks to her Emmy-winning role on Family and her performances in hit movies like Little Darlings. She had a winning combination of girl-next-door charm and genuine acting talent, making her a fan favorite. But behind the scenes, McNichol was dealing with severe personal struggles, including mental health issues that made the pressures of Hollywood overwhelming. By the early ’90s, she made the shocking decision to step away from acting entirely, despite still having a strong fanbase.
After leaving Hollywood, McNichol chose to focus on her personal happiness rather than chase fame. She later came out as gay in 2012, explaining that she had left the industry to prioritize her mental health and live a private life on her own terms. Now, she teaches acting and enjoys a peaceful, out-of-the-spotlight existence. While her fans may wish she had stayed in the business, McNichol seems content with her choice to leave fame behind.
8. Jan-Michael Vincent – From Rising Star to Tragic Decline
Jan-Michael Vincent was one of the most promising young actors of the 1970s, with his rugged good looks and leading-man charisma. He starred in hits like Big Wednesday and The Mechanic, making him a rising box office draw. By the 1980s, he found even bigger fame on TV, playing the lead role in Airwolf. But as quickly as his career skyrocketed, his personal demons caught up with him. His struggles with substance abuse, legal issues, and violent outbursts ultimately derailed his Hollywood career.
By the 1990s, Vincent had faded from the spotlight, with his once-promising career in ruins. Years of addiction and health issues left him nearly unrecognizable, and his final years were marked by financial troubles and a series of health complications. He passed away in 2019, a shadow of his former self. His story remains one of Hollywood’s most tragic cautionary tales, showing just how quickly stardom can slip away.
9. Mackenzie Phillips – A Troubled Teen Star
As a young actress on One Day at a Time, Mackenzie Phillips was a rising star in the 1970s, beloved for her relatable, rebellious persona. But behind the scenes, she was struggling with serious substance abuse issues that eventually led to her being fired from the show. Despite multiple attempts at rehab and career comebacks, she could never quite recapture the success of her early years. She later shocked fans by revealing disturbing details about her troubled upbringing, further cementing her reputation as a Hollywood cautionary tale.
In recent years, Phillips has turned her life around, becoming a counselor for addiction recovery. While she still makes occasional TV appearances, her focus is now on helping others overcome struggles similar to her own. Her journey from teen idol to redemption story is proof that some stars can find purpose beyond Hollywood. Though her career never fully recovered, she seems to have found peace and fulfillment outside of the industry.
10. Donny Osmond – The Teen Idol Who Refused to Quit
Donny Osmond was everywhere in the 1970s, thanks to The Osmonds and his hugely successful variety show Donny & Marie with his sister, Marie Osmond. With his squeaky-clean image and catchy pop hits, he became one of the biggest teen idols of the decade. However, by the early ’80s, his bubblegum pop appeal started to fade, and he struggled to shed his wholesome image in favor of a more mature career. He was stuck in a strange limbo—too old for teen stardom but too tied to his past for reinvention.
Determined to keep his career alive, Osmond reinvented himself multiple times, finding success on Broadway, reality TV, and even in Las Vegas. While he never quite returned to heartthrob status, he managed to stay relevant and respected in entertainment. Unlike many teen idols, he refused to let fame slip away completely, proving he had the versatility to survive in show business for the long haul. Though he’s no longer plastered on teen bedroom walls, he remains a beloved entertainer with a loyal fanbase.
11. Susan Dey – From TV Star to Hollywood Outsider
Susan Dey became a household name playing Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family, but unlike many of her co-stars, she tried to transition into serious acting after the show. She found success in the ’80s with L.A. Law, earning critical acclaim and awards nominations. However, after L.A. Law ended, she seemed to step away from Hollywood altogether, leaving fans wondering where she went. Unlike many former teen stars, she didn’t attempt a big comeback or nostalgia-fueled reunion appearances.
These days, Dey leads a private life, rarely making public appearances or giving interviews. Many fans were surprised that she declined to participate in The Partridge Family reunions, further distancing herself from her past fame. While she’s still remembered fondly, she has chosen to live life on her own terms, away from the pressures of Hollywood. Unlike many of her peers, she disappeared by choice—not by scandal or bad luck.
12. Willie Aames – The Teen Idol Who Became a Financial Advisor
Willie Aames was a staple of ’70s TV, starring in Eight Is Enough and later in the corny but beloved Bibleman series. He was one of the most recognizable young actors of the decade, with his shaggy blond hair and all-American good looks. But after struggling with financial troubles and substance abuse, his career took a downward spiral. By the late ’80s, he was broke, homeless, and struggling to rebuild his life.
Surprisingly, Aames managed to turn his life around in a completely unexpected way—he became a financial advisor. He went from Hollywood heartthrob to helping people manage their money, a transformation few would have predicted. Though he occasionally returns to acting, his primary focus is now on helping others avoid the financial mistakes he made. His journey is one of reinvention and survival, proving that there’s life beyond fame.
