1. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was the ultimate poster boy of the late ’70s. With his blond hair, wide smile, and bubblegum pop songs, he seemed to be everywhere. Teen magazines couldn’t print his face fast enough, and his covers flew off shelves. He even tried acting, appearing in both TV shows and movies, but it was his pop stardom that made him a household name for a few short years.
But fame came at a cost. As the ’80s rolled in, Garrett’s music career fizzled and personal struggles took center stage. He battled substance abuse and tried several times to revive his career, but the magic of his teen idol days never fully returned. Today, he’s remembered less for his talent and more for the way he symbolized fleeting youth stardom.
2. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy had the perfect recipe for fame: good looks, catchy tunes, and a famous family name. His pop songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron” made him the heartthrob of countless bedrooms, while his role on The Hardy Boys Mysteries cemented his teen idol status. Fans screamed at his concerts and swooned whenever he appeared on TV.
However, Cassidy quietly stepped away from the spotlight. He moved behind the scenes in Hollywood, becoming a successful television producer and writer. Though he reinvented himself in the industry, his teen idol glow faded with the decade. Most people today don’t realize just how big of a deal he was in the late ’70s.
3. Parker Stevenson
Parker Stevenson had it all in the ’70s—rugged good looks, starring roles, and a place alongside Shaun Cassidy on The Hardy Boys Mysteries. He had the kind of clean-cut charm that parents approved of and teens adored. His posters were on walls everywhere, a mix of preppy and dreamy that made him irresistible.
But Stevenson’s career didn’t maintain that early momentum. He took parts here and there in TV and movies, but he never quite reached the same level of idol worship. While his marriage to Kirstie Alley kept him in the tabloids for a while, his teen idol flame had already burned out.
4. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol broke barriers as one of the first female teen idols of the ’70s. Known for her role on Family, she captured hearts with her mix of vulnerability and toughness. Teens related to her and wanted to be like her, and she became a media darling. She also branched into films, proving she had talent beyond television.
Unfortunately, the pressures of fame wore her down. McNichol retired from acting in the early ’90s, citing health reasons. While she has lived a private and quiet life since then, her fans still remember the girl who shined so brightly during the ’70s. Her sudden retreat left many wondering what might have been.
5. David Cassidy
David Cassidy was a megastar thanks to The Partridge Family. His character Keith Partridge made him the ultimate dreamboat, and his music career took off alongside the show. Cassidy concerts became frenzied affairs with screaming fans that rivaled Beatlemania. He seemed destined for a long-lasting career.
But the bubble burst quickly. By the end of the ’70s, Cassidy was struggling with the weight of fame and the challenge of being taken seriously as an adult performer. Though he kept performing for decades, he never reclaimed the mania of his youth. To many, he’s forever the young Keith Partridge frozen in time.
6. Willie Aames
Willie Aames had a youthful charm that made him a familiar face in the ’70s. He appeared in popular shows like Eight Is Enough, quickly becoming a teen magazine regular. His curly hair and approachable smile made him a relatable heartthrob. Fans adored his roles and followed him closely as his star rose.
But as the years went on, Aames struggled to keep his career afloat. He later took on a strange second act with the Christian superhero character Bibleman, which gained a cult following. Despite these attempts, his teen idol glory days were long behind him. He’s a reminder of how quickly fame fades.
7. Scott Baio
Scott Baio stole the hearts of teens everywhere as Chachi on Happy Days. His boy-next-door charm, mixed with a little bad-boy edge, made him irresistible. Teen magazines couldn’t get enough of him, and his spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi was proof of his popularity. He was riding high in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
But like so many others, Baio’s career cooled. While he stuck around in Hollywood with occasional TV appearances, he never matched his peak popularity. Outside of entertainment, he’s remained in the spotlight for his outspoken views, but his teen idol fame is firmly locked in the past.
8. Lance Kerwin
Lance Kerwin was one of the most promising young actors of the ’70s. He starred in TV movies and series that often tackled serious teen issues, like James at 15, which made him both relatable and admired. His sensitive portrayals stood out from the typical teen idol roles of the era, and for a time he was on the cover of every youth magazine. His soft-spoken demeanor and boyish good looks made him a natural favorite.
Yet despite his early success, Kerwin’s career didn’t carry on into adulthood the way many expected. By the ’80s, he had stepped away from the spotlight, living a quieter life and occasionally surfacing in small roles. Fans from the ’70s remember him as an actor who brought depth to teen characters, but to most people today, his fame has all but disappeared.
9. Robbie Rist
Robbie Rist, often remembered as Cousin Oliver on The Brady Bunch, was marketed as the cute new kid who could win audiences over. For a short while, he became a recognizable face, showing up in various roles across TV. He even had the floppy-haired charm that fit perfectly into the teen idol mold of the time.
But Rist couldn’t escape the “Cousin Oliver” curse. His career never truly took off in front of the camera after the ’70s, though he later found success as a voice actor. While his teen idol moment was fleeting, his work behind the scenes has kept him quietly connected to Hollywood.
10. Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond was practically royalty in the ’70s. With his family band, The Osmonds, and his later TV variety show with sister Marie, he was everywhere. His wholesome charm, clean image, and boyish good looks made him a safe crush for millions of teens. He sold records, appeared on magazine covers, and drew massive crowds.
By the ’80s, however, his fame had shifted. Though he later reinvented himself as a stage performer and TV personality, his teen idol power was long gone. Osmond has carved out a steady career since, but he’ll always be remembered for the screaming fandom he inspired in the ’70s.
11. Jay North
Jay North was a child star in the ’60s, but he transitioned into a teen idol during the early ’70s. Best known as Dennis from Dennis the Menace, he struggled to move past that role. His appearances on talk shows and in teen magazines kept his fame alive briefly. Fans remembered him fondly as the mischievous boy turned young man.
But his acting career quickly stalled. North eventually left Hollywood altogether, later working regular jobs far away from the spotlight. His fame became more of a nostalgic memory than an ongoing career. Still, for a short time, he represented the aging-up of child stars into teen idols.
12. Rick Springfield
Before Jessie’s Girl made him an ’80s superstar, Rick Springfield was already a teen idol in the ’70s. He had the looks, the guitar, and the Aussie accent that drove fans wild. His early records gave him a devoted following, especially among teenage girls. He even made appearances on teen magazine covers.
Yet his career almost ended before it began. By the late ’70s, he had fallen out of the spotlight and nearly gave up on fame. His comeback in the ’80s was massive, but his original teen idol status is often overlooked. For many, he’s the rare idol who actually got a second chance.
13. Michael Gray
Michael Gray became a sensation as Billy Batson on Shazam!. His superhero role made him a Saturday morning staple, and suddenly he was being labeled a teen idol. His shy smile and clean-cut persona were tailor-made for the fan magazines. Young viewers saw him as both relatable and heroic.
But his acting career never truly went further. After Shazam!, Gray only appeared sporadically in TV and film. While he embraced his cult following later in life, his teen idol fame was short-lived. Today, fans of the show remember him fondly, but he vanished from the mainstream quickly.
14. Quinn Cummings
Quinn Cummings stood out as a teenage star on Family alongside Kristy McNichol. She brought a sharp wit and intelligence to her roles, making her a relatable idol for teens who wanted something more than just looks. For a while, her career seemed destined for long-term success.
But Cummings chose a different path. She eventually left acting and pursued writing, becoming an author and entrepreneur. Her fame as a teen idol evaporated, replaced by a more private and thoughtful life. Still, her time in the ’70s spotlight left a lasting impression.
15. Christopher Knight
Christopher Knight was part of America’s most famous TV family as Peter Brady on The Brady Bunch. His wholesome looks and relatable personality made him a natural teen idol. Fans adored his role and followed his personal life through magazines and interviews. For a while, it seemed like he could break out beyond the show.
But once The Brady Bunch ended, so did Knight’s idol momentum. He disappeared from Hollywood until reality TV brought him back decades later. While he gained attention again in the 2000s, his true idol days were rooted firmly in the ’70s. Fans still remember him as the middle Brady who captured teen hearts.
16. Mackenzie Phillips
Mackenzie Phillips became famous as Julie Cooper on One Day at a Time. Her talent and charisma quickly made her a teen idol, and she appeared on magazine covers throughout the decade. She had a cool, edgy vibe that set her apart from the more traditional idols. Fans related to her honesty and her willingness to push boundaries.
But behind the scenes, her life was turbulent. Phillips struggled with addiction, and her acting career took hit after hit. While she found stability later in life, her teen idol era ended abruptly. She remains a powerful reminder of how fame can both elevate and overwhelm young stars.
