The 1970s were a golden era for television and film, bringing us some of the most memorable child stars who captured our hearts with their talent, charm, and those unforgettable catchphrases that still make us smile today. These young performers became like extended family members as they visited our living rooms weekly, their growth spurts and changing hairstyles marking the passage of time alongside our own children. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to those simpler times and check in on the talented youngsters who once dominated our TV screens and movie theaters.
1. Jodie Foster
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses and directors, Jodie Foster was the quintessential child star of the ’70s, appearing in films like “Paper Moon” and stealing scenes in “Taxi Driver” which earned her a first Oscar nomination at just 14. Her remarkable transition from child actor to adult star was cemented at Yale University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a literature degree while still actively working in film. All these years later, and IndieWire writes that Foster only has one regret related to her career.
Foster went on to win two Best Actress Academy Awards, for “The Accused” (1988) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), eventually adding directing and producing to her impressive résumé.
2. Ron Howard
Beloved as the freckle-faced Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” in the ’60s, Ron Howard truly came into his own as clean-cut teenager Richie Cunningham on “Happy Days” throughout the ’70s. His genuine likability and boy-next-door charm made him a television staple and teen magazine favorite during the decade. SlashFilm explores the finer reasons why Howard stepped away from acting.
Howard eventually stepped behind the camera, becoming one of Hollywood’s most successful directors with films like “Apollo 13,” “A Beautiful Mind” (which won him an Oscar), and “The Da Vinci Code,” proving his talents extended far beyond acting.
3. Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal made history as the youngest performer ever to win an Academy Award, taking home the Oscar at age 10 for her role as the cigarette-smoking con artist in 1973’s “Paper Moon” opposite her father, Ryan O’Neal. Her subsequent films like “The Bad News Bears” and “Little Darlings” established her as one of the decade’s most bankable young stars with a maturity beyond her years. Sadly, Far Out Magazine writes that even an Oscar win for Tatum came with a devastating story.
Unfortunately, her adult years brought well-documented struggles with substance abuse, though she later reclaimed her life and career, penning a candid memoir about her turbulent childhood and appearing in projects like “Rescue Me.”
4. Gary Coleman
With his infectious catchphrase “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” Gary Coleman became an overnight sensation as Arnold Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes,” his comedic timing and charming personality making him one of the highest-paid child actors of the era. Despite his small stature due to a congenital kidney condition that stunted his growth, Coleman’s giant talent earned him young fans everywhere and numerous product endorsements.
Sadly, his adult life was marked by financial troubles, legal problems, and health issues, leading to his untimely passing in 2010 at age 42, a sobering reminder of the challenges many child stars face after fame.
5. Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert grew up before our eyes as the spirited Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie,” a role she landed at age 10 and continued for the show’s entire nine-year run. Her heartwarming portrayal of “Half-Pint” in the beloved series based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books made her one of the most recognizable young actresses of the decade.
Gilbert successfully transitioned to adult roles in television films and served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild, later sharing her experiences in her memoir “Prairie Tale” and competing on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2012.
6. Rodney Allen Rippy
At just five years old, Rodney Allen Rippy became one of America’s most recognizable child stars through his appearances in Jack in the Box commercials, famously struggling to bite into a massive “Jumbo Jack” burger. His infectious laugh and the catchphrase “It’s too big to eat!” made him a pop culture phenomenon, leading to guest spots on popular ’70s shows and even a brief recording career.
After his childhood fame, Rippy studied at California State University and built a career in marketing and entertainment public relations, occasionally making nostalgic appearances at pop culture conventions and in documentaries about advertising history.
7. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol won our hearts—and two Emmy Awards—as the tomboyish Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence on the emotional family drama “Family,” showcasing remarkable depth for an actress who began the series at just 14. Her popularity soared with films like “Little Darlings” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” making her one of the most photographed teens of the late ’70s.
McNichol later joined the cast of “Empty Nest” but retired from acting in 2001 after revealing her battle with bipolar disorder, choosing a quieter life teaching acting at a private school and advocating for mental health awareness.
8. Lance Kerwin
With his sensitive portrayal of James Hunter in “James at 15” (later “James at 16”), Lance Kerwin became the relatable everyman teenager for a generation navigating the complexities of adolescence in the late ’70s. His authentic performances in coming-of-age stories and horror classics like “Salem’s Lot” established him as one of the decade’s most promising young actors.
Kerwin stepped away from Hollywood in the ’90s, dedicating himself to youth ministry work in Hawaii and California, though he sadly passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of performances that genuinely captured the teenage experience of the era.
9. Kim Richards
Before “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” introduced her to a new generation, Kim Richards was one of Disney’s most bankable child stars, appearing in family favorites like “Escape to Witch Mountain” and “No Deposit, No Return.” Her precocious charm and comedic timing made her perfect for Disney’s live-action family films, while her regular appearances on shows like “Nanny and the Professor” kept her in the public eye.
Richards’ adult life brought personal struggles with addiction that played out publicly on reality television, though she has since focused on recovery and her role as grandmother, occasionally returning to acting in small roles.
10. Danny Bonaduce
As the wisecracking redheaded middle child Danny Partridge on “The Partridge Family,” Danny Bonaduce became the archetypal smart-aleck kid character that would influence sitcoms for decades to come. His perfect comic delivery and chemistry with on-screen family members helped make the musical sitcom a phenomenon, spawning hit records, lunch boxes, and a merchandising empire.
Bonaduce’s post-Partridge years included highly publicized legal troubles and substance abuse issues before he successfully reinvented himself as a popular radio personality and reality TV star, proving his resilience and humor remained intact.
11. Quinn Cummings
Quinn Cummings charmed audiences and earned both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations at just 10 years old for her scene-stealing performance as precocious Lucy McFadden in 1977’s “The Goodbye Girl.” Her intelligent, old-soul characterizations continued on the television series “Family,” where she replaced the departing Kristy McNichol as Annie Cooper.
Cummings chose to step away from acting as an adult, becoming an inventor who patented the HipHugger baby carrier, before finding success as a humorous author and blogger writing about parenting and modern life, demonstrating the same wit that made her famous as a child.
12. Leif Garrett
With his feathered blonde hair and dreamy blue eyes, teen idol Leif Garrett transitioned from acting in shows like “Three for the Road” to become a genuine pop star with hits like “I Was Made For Dancin'” dominating the charts. His face was plastered across countless teen magazines as he balanced a music career with acting roles in films like “The Outsiders,” becoming the ultimate ’70s heartthrob.
Garrett’s adult years brought public struggles with substance abuse and legal troubles, though he has spoken candidly about his experiences on reality shows and in his memoir “Idol Truth,” cautioning young performers about the pitfalls of early fame.
The journey from child stardom to adulthood proved vastly different for each of these memorable performers, with some finding continued success in entertainment while others carved out entirely new paths away from the spotlight. Their lasting impact on our collective nostalgia remains powerful decades later, as reruns and streaming services introduce their youthful performances to new generations. Next time you catch a ’70s rerun or spot a familiar face in an old film, take a moment to appreciate these talented youngsters who grew up under the public eye, providing the soundtracks and catchphrases to so many of our childhood memories.
