Back in the ’70s, long before smartphones and social media, there was one surefire way to show your admiration for a star—you tacked their glossy face to your bedroom wall. Teen magazines like Tiger Beat and Dynamite delivered the goods, and movie stars delivered the swoons, the smirks, and the dreamy stares that made every fan’s heart race. Whether you had them taped above your bed, tucked into your locker, or framed in your imagination, these actors ruled the decade in style and stole countless hearts along the way. Here are 14 movie stars from the ’70s who absolutely belonged on your wall.
1. John Travolta
John Travolta went from class clown on Welcome Back, Kotter to disco king in Saturday Night Fever, and overnight he was everywhere. His glossy hair, white suit, and dance moves made him a teen dream—and by the time Grease hit theaters, he was the boy next door and the bad boy rolled into one. Collider posits that Travolta’s career might have taken a different trajectory, but the star might have subverted life’s plans.
He had charm, he had rhythm, and he had that look that made fans tear out entire centerfolds. For many teens, Travolta was their first movie crush—and he stayed there well into the ’80s.
2. Farrah Fawcett
That poster. You know the one—red swimsuit, tousled hair, and that dazzling smile. Farrah Fawcett lit up bedrooms across America and became the ultimate ’70s bombshell. Remind writes that for all we know about Farrah’s career, there was one moment in particular that shaped her life in the industry forever after.
Though best known for Charlie’s Angels, she also made waves on the big screen in films like Logan’s Run. She wasn’t just a pretty face—she had presence, poise, and plenty of fans scribbling her name in the margins of their notebooks.
3. Robby Benson
Robby Benson had the soft-spoken sensitivity that melted hearts across the country. With roles in Jeremy and Ode to Billy Joe, he played earnest, kindhearted young men that felt approachable and sincere. As detailed on TVInsider, Benson also boasted a well-rounded career both in front of and behind the camera.
He wasn’t flashy—he was thoughtful, and that made him stand out. His boyish looks made him the perfect poster pick for teens who wanted more poetry than punk.
4. Mark Hamill
He may have started off as a farm boy on Tatooine, but Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker became the reluctant hero that an entire generation rooted for—and swooned over. With his feathered hair and wide-eyed idealism, he was more than just a space traveler; he was an icon.
His rise to fame was meteoric after Star Wars premiered in 1977, and fans across the galaxy rushed to hang his face next to their X-wing posters. He was sweet, heroic, and easy to fall for.
5. Christie Brinkley
Though more widely known as a supermodel, Christie Brinkley made her mark in movies by the very end of the decade and into the next. Her brief but unforgettable role in National Lampoon’s Vacation sent heart rates soaring.
She had the California girl look that became the dream for countless teens. Whether in print ads or film cameos, Christie was a poster mainstay for anyone who loved big smiles and beachy vibes.
6. Jan-Michael Vincent
With his rugged good looks and intense stare, Jan-Michael Vincent was the kind of star who looked like he could ride a motorcycle through your heart—and leave tire tracks. His performances in Big Wednesday and White Line Fever turned him into a magnetic presence on and off the screen.
He had the bad-boy edge without being too rough around the edges. If you were into action, adventure, and that California cool, Jan-Michael was the one to hang above your dresser.
7. Olivia Newton-John
When Grease premiered, it wasn’t just Sandy’s transformation that made jaws drop—it was Olivia Newton-John’s voice, her style, and her effortless sweetness. She gave off best-friend energy with movie star charisma.
Whether you were swooning over her in her poodle skirt or her black leather pants, she became a staple in teen bedrooms everywhere. Olivia was wholesome, elegant, and a total knockout.
8. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett had the hair, the music career, and the acting chops to make him a full-fledged teen idol. Whether singing on stage or appearing in films like Walking Tall and Thunder Alley, he had a boyish grin and superstar appeal.
He showed up in nearly every teen magazine of the time, often with a microphone or a denim jacket. He wasn’t just on the wall—he was the wall.
9. Jacqueline Bisset
Jacqueline Bisset had classic beauty and a mysterious quality that kept audiences—and posters—lingering on her gaze. With roles in films like The Deep and Murder on the Orient Express, she brought sophistication to the teen idol wall.
She wasn’t the bubbly girl next door—she was the dream older sister’s friend who left everyone breathless. Her photo shoots in white t-shirts and natural lighting became legendary.
10. Richard Gere
While his biggest heartthrob status came in the early ’80s, Richard Gere’s breakout in 1977’s Looking for Mr. Goodbar started the momentum. His brooding eyes and quiet intensity made a lasting impression.
He had that mysterious aura that made you lean in closer. If your poster wall leaned more moody than bubbly, Richard Gere probably had a prime spot.
11. Tatum O’Neal
The youngest ever Oscar winner for Paper Moon, Tatum O’Neal quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her charm, wit, and talent beyond her years. She was relatable and cool, and she had a tomboy edge that stood out.
Teens loved her not just because she was cute—but because she felt real. She brought smarts to the poster world, and her star power held up well into the next decade.
12. Sylvester Stallone
Rocky Balboa wasn’t just a boxer—he was an inspiration. Stallone’s underdog energy and emotional honesty made him more than muscle. He was driven, determined, and a symbol of perseverance that teens looked up to.
Whether in boxing trunks or leather jackets, Stallone made you believe in second chances and sweat equity. For many, having his poster was less about crushes and more about motivation.
13. Susan Dey
Susan Dey’s role as Laurie Partridge gave her a permanent spot in teen hearts. With her big eyes and quiet confidence, she became the poster girl for smart, understated beauty.
As the ’70s progressed, her film roles multiplied, and her fanbase never wavered. If you had a Partridge Family record nearby, chances are you had a Susan Dey photo hanging nearby, too.
14. Erik Estrada
Thanks to CHiPs, Erik Estrada rolled into the ’70s spotlight with flashing lights and an even flashier smile. His tan, his uniform, and that feathered hair made him a teen sensation almost overnight.
Estrada had swagger, but also a kind of approachable charm. It was hard not to grin back at his grin, even from the wall of your bedroom.
Whether it was because of a wink in a movie scene or a smile in a photo spread, these stars lived rent-free on bedroom walls across the country. They weren’t just actors—they were the icons who watched over us during sleepovers, slow dances, and first crushes.
