1. Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond was the clean-cut dreamboat who made every teen swoon. Years later, he’s still performing with that same electric charm. From Broadway stages to Vegas residencies, he’s never really left the spotlight. He recently told The Guardian, “I’m still having the time of my life.” His music, faith, and family remain central to his life. And yes, he’s still flashing that signature smile. For fans who grew up with Donny posters on their walls, it’s comforting to see that some stars keep their shine long after the screams quiet down.
2. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett had the hair, the voice, and the stare that melted millions of hearts. But his journey took a darker turn with addiction and fame-related struggles. These days, he’s clean and honest about what he went through. In his memoir Idol Truth, he admitted, “I didn’t know how to be me without the fame.” Leif now lives in Los Angeles and embraces a more grounded life. His story is less about celebrity now and more about recovery, and fans who once adored him still root for his ongoing healing.
3. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy wasn’t just a teen crush; he was a full-blown obsession for many. After riding the wave of pop stardom, he took a sharp turn and became a successful writer and producer. He created hit shows like Invasion and American Gothic. These days, he also performs one-man storytelling shows filled with music and memories. “I used to sing,” he tweeted, “now I write the drama.” It’s a creative shift that suits him well. Even without the feathered hair and denim jackets, Shaun still knows how to keep an audience close.
4. Robbie Benson
Robbie Benson captured hearts in Ice Castles and One on One. But he became a whole new kind of star when he voiced the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Beyond that, Robbie directed episodes of Friends and Ellen, teaching film at universities and writing about his health journey. He’s had multiple heart surgeries and remains an advocate for heart health. “I’m grateful for every heartbeat,” he once told People. Fans still remember that soulful look, but his legacy now includes depth, creativity, and quiet, enduring strength.
5. Susan Dey
Susan Dey had that poised, cool presence as Laurie Partridge that made her unforgettable. After finding success on L.A. Law, she quietly stepped away from Hollywood. No drama, no headlines, just a calm departure into private life. She now lives outside the spotlight and rarely gives interviews. According to former castmate Shirley Jones, Susan always valued her privacy. And somehow, that fits perfectly with her composed image. Fans still admire her choice to walk away, proving that sometimes the most powerful decision is knowing when you’ve said all you need to say.
6. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol wasn’t just talented; she was electric on-screen. From Family to Little Darlings, she made you feel everything. But behind the scenes, she was dealing with bipolar disorder and eventually decided to leave acting. “I wanted to live my life authentically,” she told People. Now living in Los Angeles with her partner, she focuses on teaching and volunteering. She occasionally appears at nostalgic events but avoids the fame game. Kristy’s story isn’t just about leaving Hollywood, it’s about choosing peace, wellness, and the freedom to live on her own terms.
7. Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal had her breakout at just 10 years old with Paper Moon, winning an Oscar and skyrocketing to fame. But fame didn’t shield her from personal battles. Addiction, family conflicts, and health issues followed her into adulthood. Still, she continues to act and share her story through books and interviews. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’m still here,” she told The New York Times. Now living with resilience and candor, Tatum remains a reminder that even when fame fades, strength and survival can be the most powerful story of all.
8. Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert was everyone’s favorite frontier daughter as Laura Ingalls. But she didn’t stop there. After her acting years, she served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and ran for Congress. Now, she lives quietly in the Catskills with her husband, actor Timothy Busfield. “This is the most authentic version of myself,” she shared with People. She gardens, writes, and enjoys the slow rhythm of off-grid life. Melissa’s journey feels like a gentle chapter you didn’t know you needed, where the story finally breathes in peace and purpose.
9. Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield wasn’t just “Jessie’s Girl.” He was also Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and a full-blown Tiger Beat favorite. Decades later, he still performs to packed venues and releases music fans truly care about. He’s also written novels and spoken openly about his struggles with depression. “I’m lucky I still get to do this,” he told Rolling Stone. There’s something steady about Rick’s presence. He never disappeared or tried to reinvent the wheel. He just kept going, one chord at a time, making room for both the joy and the truth.
10. Willie Aames
Willie Aames was a lovable face on Eight Is Enough, then a crusader as Bibleman. But his real life had twists too. Financial setbacks forced him to start over, eventually working as a cruise director. Today, he works behind the scenes in family entertainment and speaks at faith-based events. “There’s grace in starting over,” he told The Christian Post. His life now reflects growth more than glamour. For fans who once watched him on screen, it’s comforting to see that even childhood fame can lead to something deeper, steadier, and more meaningful.
11. Scott Baio
Scott Baio was the cool guy as Chachi on Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, and his smirk lived rent-free in millions of teen hearts. Today, he’s still in the spotlight, though mostly for his outspoken political views. “I’m not trying to win a popularity contest,” he said in a recent interview. He continues to act occasionally and spends time with his family. Whether fans agree with him or not, Scott’s transition from heartthrob to headline-maker shows how complicated growing up in the public eye can really become.
12. David Cassidy
David Cassidy was everything in the early ’70s. As Keith Partridge, he made millions swoon. But his later years were marred by addiction and health issues. In 2017, he passed away from liver failure at 67. In one of his last interviews, he confessed, “So much wasted time.” His story hit fans hard, especially those who grew up dreaming of him. But the music, the posters, and the memories still live on. David was the definition of a teen idol, and even with a painful ending, his light never truly went out.
13. Davy Jones
Davy Jones was the cheeky Brit in The Monkees, and his charm made him a Tiger Beat regular. After the group split, he stayed close to music, acting, and Monkees reunion tours. In 2012, he died of a heart attack at 66, leaving fans heartbroken. “He was one of a kind,” bandmate Micky Dolenz said afterward. Davy brought joy with every smile and song, and many fans still feel that loss deeply. He may be gone, but he lives on in the beats of bubblegum pop and the laughter of reruns.
14. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman was everywhere once, singing catchy hits and winning hearts in Here Come the Brides. But unlike most stars, Bobby chose to leave fame behind. He became an EMT and later a deputy sheriff, helping others instead of soaking in the limelight. “I needed to do something more meaningful,” he once said. He’s lived privately ever since, rarely doing interviews. For fans who remember screaming at his concerts, it’s a surprising twist. But one that makes sense. Sometimes, the greatest act of all is walking away with grace and purpose.
15. Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson was one of the earliest heartthrobs to come from television. Starring with his family on Ozzie and Harriet, he smoothly shifted into rock stardom. Tragically, he died in a plane crash in 1985 at just 45. “He was born into it,” his son Gunnar once said, “and he carried it with grace.” Ricky’s music still plays softly in the background of American nostalgia, and his story reminds us how quickly brilliance can flicker out. He helped write the blueprint for the teen idol path and left behind a lasting melody.
16. Jan‑Michael Vincent
Brooding, intensely handsome, and unforgettable. He rose to fame in the early 1970s with Going Home (Golden Globe nomination) and The Mechanic, received acclaim in Big Wednesday, and is best known for Airwolf (1984–87), where he earned around $200,000 per episode, making him the highest-paid actor on American television at the time. His later years were marred by substance abuse, legal issues, serious health problems (including a car crash, a broken neck, and eventual leg amputation), and financial decline but fans still remember his charisma and teen-idol appeal.
17. Maureen McCormick
Sweet‑smiling Marcia Brady wasn’t just a TV character, it was the fantasy. Maureen’s long blond hair, radiant grin, and girl‑next‑door charm made her a “dream” for many fans in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Despite battling addiction and personal hardship later in life, she emerged with honesty and grace. Her transformation from Marcia to a resilient adult continues to inspire those who once had a poster of her on their wall.
18. Valerie Bertinelli
Smart, sunny, and utterly relatable, Valerie lit up One Day at a Time in the late ’70s as Barbara Cooper, making her a crush for viewers across generations. She embodied warmth and authenticity: a girl in corduroy and clogs who felt like someone you knew. Over the years, she’s embraced honesty and self‑acceptance, openly discussing her struggles in memoirs like Losing It. Still beloved by fans who remember falling for her just as much as they cheered her growth into adulthood.
19. Lance Kerwin
As the quietly thoughtful James, He became a teen idol starring as James on James at 15, (later James at 16) in the late 70s, and earned a reputation for thoughtful, emotional performances in Salem’s Lot and various TV movies. Lance offered genuine emotional depth amid cheerleader‑and‑football clichés. His subtle, soulful presence lit up living rooms and made shy viewers feel less alone. His sudden passing in 2023 at age 62, touched many who never forgot his gentle strength and authenticity, an early teen idol who earned fans’ lasting loyalty.
20. Rob Lowe
Arriving at the tail end of Tiger Beat’s golden era, Rob Lowe defined ’80s charm: handsome, witty, and just a touch cheeky. From The Outsiders to St. Elmo’s Fire, he captured hearts with both smolder and smile. Decades later, he remains effortlessly handsome, and occasionally funnier than you’d expect, proving that early crushes can last.
21. Tony DeFranco
At just 13, Tony fronted The DeFranco Family and scored a massive hit with “Heartbeat (It’s a Lovebeat),” selling over two million copies and landing on the cover of Tiger Beat month after month. He was positioned as the teen‑idol of the early ’70s, Canadian, sweet-faced, bubblegum-pop perfect, but his star faded as rapidly as it rose. Still, fans remember Tony’s earnest charm and the magic of that era when his face was everywhere.
22. John Travolta
Before Grease, there was Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979). Travolta’s confident swagger, curly hair, and playful grin made him a teenage dream in the mid‑’70s. That smooth transition from TV heartthrob to Hollywood legend with breakthrough talent in Saturday Night Fever and Grease, made him one of the most memorable teen‑idol glow‑ups ever, a steady heartthrob whose appeal only deepened over time.
23. Lisa Whelchel
Blair Warner on The Facts of Life was the stylish, sassy girl you couldn’t help but admire, and maybe love a little from afar. Whelchel’s poised presence, soft voice, and that perfect prep‑school look made her the crush you’d hang posters of but never admit it. Over time, she traded glamour for grounded faith, embracing faith and life coaching but fans still remember her as that glam girl next door.
24. Matt Dillon
With his rough‑around‑the‑edges smolder, Matt captivated audiences in Tex and The Outsiders (1983). He felt like someone on the fringe who saw you: vulnerable, real, electric. That outsider persona made him unforgettable, he wasn’t just handsome; he was emotionally honest and compelling in ways that hit deeper than a typical teen‑idol pose.
25. Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields became a ubiquitous teen idol in the late ’70s and early ’80s due to modeling and roles in Pretty Baby, The Blue Lagoon, and more. She appeared on countless teen magazine covers, shaping perceptions of youthful beauty. Though controversy surrounded her early roles, her impact on teen culture and pop‑icon status is well documented. Even when overexposed, her presence shaped a generation’s idea of youthful allure, soft, sophisticated, and quietly unforgettable.
26. Parker Stevenson
Stevenson played Frank Hardy in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979), alongside Shaun Cassidy, and achieved teen‑idol status among Tiger Beat readers in the late ’70s. The show’s fanbase praised the on-screen chemistry and youthful rebellion tones. Though he stepped back from the spotlight over time, that early allure remains, Tiger Beat readers still remember the boy-next-door mystery-solving heartthrob.
27. Billy Warlock
With his beach‑blond appearance and compelling smile, Billy Warlock became well-known from daytime dramas like Days of Our Lives and later via Baywatch and The Bold and the Beautiful. He earned visibility on teen‑oriented media, resonating as a youthful soap star during his peak fame. He may not have stayed a teen idol as long as some, but his short burst of golden charm made a big impression.
28. Michael Damian
Michael Damian portrayed Danny Romalotti on The Young and the Restless, and in 1989 released a cover of “Rock On” that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning him music‑star status and cementing his appeal to daytime-TV fans who admired his romantic role and musical talent.” He brought real emotion to daytime TV and music, offering an earnest crush you believed in. His blend of drama and sincerity kept fans tuned in and hearts aflutter.
29. Kristoffer Tabori
The kind of thoughtful, bookish crush you didn’t see coming, Kristoffer Tabori may not have dominated covers, but his quiet, brooding performances stood out in TV movies and episodic TV in the 1970s and 80s. Raised in a show‑biz family and trained in stagecraft, he moved from acting into Emmy‑winning directing, voice work (like HK‑47 in Star Wars games), and audiobook narration. That depth and versatility set him apart.
30. Justine Bateman
Justine Bateman rose to fame in the 1980s as the witty and edgy Mallory Keaton on Family Ties. She later expanded her career into directing (debuting the feature Violet in 2021), writing (Fame: The Hijacking of Reality, Face: One Square Foot of Skin), and technology (earning a UCLA degree in digital media/computer science), all while maintaining a thoughtful, authentic creative voice. Fans who once adored her as Mallory still respect her as a creative, thoughtful woman today.
This story 30 Tiger Beat Stars You Had a Crush On, Some Are Still Stealing Hearts, Others Are Gone but Not Forgotten was first published on Daily FETCH
