The 1970s were a golden era for child stars, with many young actors becoming household names thanks to hit TV shows and blockbuster films. But while some continued in Hollywood, others stepped away from the limelight, changing so much over the years that you’d never guess they were once on our screens. Time has a way of making familiar faces nearly unrecognizable, whether it’s due to lifestyle changes, career shifts, or simply growing older. Let’s take a look at 13 famous child stars from the ‘70s who look nothing like they did back in their heyday.
1. Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady – The Brady Bunch)
Mike Lookinland was America’s favorite little brother as Bobby Brady, the youngest member of The Brady Bunch. With his mop of curly brown hair and boyish grin, he was the classic ‘70s kid, always getting into mischief. But after the show ended, Mike stepped away from acting and eventually became a cameraman, preferring to work behind the scenes. Even so, his legacy remains as prevalent as ever as the sitcom celebrates 55 years, according to Remind.
Today, you’d have a hard time recognizing him, as he sports a shaved head and a full beard. His days of playing the youngest Brady feel like a lifetime ago, and he’s fully embraced a quieter, more private life. While he occasionally appears at Brady Bunch reunions, he’s far from the fresh-faced kid we all remember.
2. Mason Reese (TV Commercial Star)
Mason Reese was one of the most recognizable kids of the 1970s, thanks to his unforgettable appearances in commercials for products like Underwood Deviled Ham and Dunkin’ Donuts. His distinctive voice and cherubic face made him a favorite on talk shows, especially The Mike Douglas Show. Despite his commercial fame, Mason never transitioned into a long-term acting career. But he made a name for himself so well in commercials, MeTV has a ranking of his best ads.
These days, he looks nothing like the red-haired boy America once adored. He’s now an entrepreneur and has owned multiple restaurants in New York City. If you saw him on the street, you probably wouldn’t connect him to the pint-sized TV personality from decades ago.
3. Erin Murphy (Tabitha Stephens – Bewitched)
As little Tabitha Stephens on Bewitched, Erin Murphy grew up in front of America, stealing scenes with her adorable antics and magical powers. She continued acting into the early ‘80s but later decided to step away from Hollywood. Over the years, she’s had various careers, including working as a fashion stylist, casting director, and even a stunt double. A lot has certainly changed for the Bewitched family, writes People.
Now in her sixties, Erin still makes public appearances but looks nothing like the curly-haired little girl from Bewitched. She’s embraced a more glamorous, polished style and has been open about enjoying life beyond acting. While some former child stars struggle with leaving Hollywood, Erin seems to have found happiness in reinventing herself.
4. Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster – The Munsters)
With his pointed widow’s peak and vampire-like appearance, Butch Patrick became famous as Eddie Munster, the mischievous but lovable little werewolf on The Munsters. He kept acting through the ‘70s but eventually stepped away from Hollywood. His post-acting years included struggles with addiction, but he later turned his life around. He’s still seen out and about in Los Angeles, including for holiday shopping, as reported by Parade.
Today, Butch has completely transformed, sporting a rugged, grizzled look that makes it hard to connect him to his child star past. He still embraces his Munsters roots, appearing at fan conventions, but the youthful Eddie Munster is long gone. If you passed him on the street, you’d never guess he was once Hollywood’s favorite little monster.
5. Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver – The Brady Bunch)
Robbie Rist played Cousin Oliver, the bespectacled, bowl-cut-wearing kid brought in to The Brady Bunch in its final season. His arrival was meant to freshen up the show, but it led to the so-called “Cousin Oliver Syndrome,” where adding a cute kid to a show signals its decline. After The Brady Bunch, Robbie worked in voice acting and music.
These days, he sports long hair and glasses and looks nothing like the chubby-cheeked kid from the ‘70s. He’s continued to work in entertainment but in ways that keep him out of the spotlight. You might recognize his voice before you recognize his face!
6. Lisa Whelchel (Blair Warner – The Facts of Life)
Lisa Whelchel became a teen idol in the late ‘70s as Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, playing the rich, spoiled, but ultimately lovable prep school girl. She continued acting for a while but later took a step back from Hollywood to focus on her faith and family. She’s since become an author and inspirational speaker.
Lisa’s transformation is striking—she’s still beautiful, but she no longer has the youthful, high-society look of Blair Warner. Instead, she embraces a more natural style and has built a life outside of acting. While her fans still adore her, they might not immediately recognize her today.
7. Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady – The Brady Bunch)
With her signature blonde pigtails and lisp, Susan Olsen was the ultimate TV kid as Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch. After the show ended, she continued acting but later pursued a career in radio and visual arts. Over the years, she’s become more outspoken about her Hollywood experiences.
These days, Susan’s look is a far cry from the pigtailed little girl America once knew. She’s now a mature woman with a completely different style, making it hard to connect her to her child star days. Even though she occasionally reunites with her Brady Bunch co-stars, the Cindy Brady of the past is long gone.
8. Johnny Whitaker (Jody Davis – Family Affair)
Johnny Whitaker was the freckle-faced, red-haired kid who played Jody on Family Affair, winning hearts with his innocent charm. He continued acting into the early ‘70s but later struggled with addiction before turning his life around. Today, he works as a counselor helping others battle substance abuse.
His transformation is dramatic—his once-boyish face has matured into a weathered, older look. The cherubic kid from Family Affair is no longer recognizable. But despite his hardships, he’s built a meaningful life beyond Hollywood.
9. Kim Richards (Escape to Witch Mountain)
Kim Richards was one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1970s, thanks to her roles in Disney’s Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. With her blonde hair and expressive eyes, she had the perfect look for a young leading lady. She also starred in shows like Nanny and the Professor and James at 16, making her a familiar face in households across America.
Today, Kim looks nothing like the fresh-faced child actress of the ‘70s. After stepping away from acting, she later resurfaced in the reality TV world on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, where fans saw a very different version of her. The years have transformed her, and while she still has some Hollywood connections, she’s far removed from the innocent girl who once charmed audiences.
10. Jay North (Dennis the Menace)
Jay North was the ultimate troublemaker as Dennis Mitchell in Dennis the Menace, bringing the mischievous comic strip character to life. With his bright blonde hair and endless energy, he was the definition of a classic ‘50s and ‘60s TV kid, even though his fame continued into the ‘70s. His face was so well-known that it was hard to imagine him as anything other than the playful, freckle-faced Dennis.
As he grew older, Jay struggled with the pressures of childhood fame and eventually left Hollywood behind. Today, he has a completely different look—his youthful mischief has been replaced by a reserved, quiet demeanor. If you saw him now, you’d never guess he was once the most famous little troublemaker on TV.
11. Danny Bonaduce (The Partridge Family)
Danny Bonaduce played wisecracking middle brother Danny Partridge on The Partridge Family, stealing scenes with his quick wit and confident attitude. With his fiery red hair and mischievous smirk, he stood out even in a cast full of stars. After the show ended, he had a rough time navigating adulthood, struggling with personal demons before reinventing himself as a radio personality.
These days, Danny is almost unrecognizable from his childhood self. His red hair has thinned, his face has matured, and he carries the look of someone who’s lived a full and unpredictable life. While he still has his sharp sense of humor, the boyish Danny Partridge of the ‘70s is long gone.
12. Tatum O’Neal (Paper Moon)
Tatum O’Neal made history as the youngest person to ever win an Academy Award, earning an Oscar at just 10 years old for Paper Moon. With her natural acting talent and striking features, she was one of the most respected child stars of the decade. Her career continued strong into her teen years, but personal struggles and Hollywood pressures made her journey a difficult one.
Now in her 60s, Tatum looks dramatically different from the little girl who starred opposite her father, Ryan O’Neal. Time and hardships have changed her appearance, making her nearly unrecognizable from her ‘70s stardom. While she occasionally makes headlines, she no longer resembles the child prodigy who once captivated audiences.
13. Adam Rich (Eight Is Enough)
Adam Rich was known as “America’s little brother” in the late ‘70s, thanks to his role as Nicholas Bradford on Eight Is Enough. His bowl-cut hairstyle and adorable personality made him one of the most beloved child actors of the era. After the show ended, however, he struggled with the transition out of Hollywood, much like many other child stars.
Over the years, Adam’s appearance changed drastically, and fans barely recognized him in his later years. His youthful innocence was replaced by a rugged, weathered look that was a far cry from his TV days. Though he largely stepped away from the public eye, his transformation remained one of the most dramatic of any ‘70s child star.
Aging, lifestyle choices, and personal reinvention have made these former child stars nearly unrecognizable from their 1970s selves. While some have stayed in the public eye, others have embraced life outside Hollywood, proving that time changes us all. No matter how they look now, their impact on pop culture remains unforgettable.
