1. Leif Garrett
In the late ’70s, Leif Garrett seemed to be everywhere—on TV, on the radio, and plastered across teen magazines. With his blond hair and surfer-boy charm, he was marketed as the ultimate heartthrob. His hit “I Was Made for Dancin’” gave him brief chart success, and his acting career included roles in films and TV shows. Fans couldn’t get enough, and for a while, it looked like Garrett was destined to be a major star.
But fame proved difficult to sustain, and as the teen idol craze cooled, so did his career. He struggled with substance abuse, and while he popped up on reality shows later in life, his career never fully bounced back. For many, he remains frozen in time as that golden-haired teen with a promising future. His story is often remembered as both the high of ’70s pop stardom and the pitfalls that came with it.
2. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy was the younger half-brother of David Cassidy, and he seemed destined for stardom himself. With his boyish grin and pop hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron,” Shaun became a fixture of the teen idol scene. He even starred in The Hardy Boys Mysteries, making him a crossover success. For a while, he was one of the biggest names of the decade.
But by the early ’80s, his music career had faded, and his time as a heartthrob ended. Instead of chasing the spotlight, Cassidy shifted gears into writing and producing television shows. While he’s had great success behind the scenes, especially in TV writing, fans who adored him in the ’70s sometimes forget how completely he stepped out of the spotlight. His teen idol years remain a very specific, nostalgic moment in time.
3. Willie Aames
Willie Aames was another familiar face to ’70s audiences, especially from his role on Eight Is Enough. With his curly hair and youthful energy, he became a teen magazine staple. He also tried music with his band, Willie Aames & Paradise, adding to his teen idol appeal. For a while, it seemed like his career could only go up.
But by the mid-’80s, things started to stall. Aames later became known for playing Buddy Lembeck on Charles in Charge but faded from the public eye soon after. He faced financial struggles and personal setbacks, which made his absence from Hollywood even more noticeable. His story is one of a teen idol who once had it all but later lived a much quieter life away from the spotlight.
4. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol was one of the few female teen idols of the ’70s, and she quickly won fans with her role on Family. With her short hair and tomboyish charm, she stood out from the usual glamour girls of the era. She was also praised for her acting talent, winning two Emmys before she was even out of her teens. For young audiences, she was both relatable and aspirational.
But the pressure of fame caught up with her. By the early ’90s, McNichol retired from acting after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She has since lived a quiet life out of the spotlight, focusing on her health and personal happiness. For those who grew up watching her, her retreat from Hollywood was bittersweet, as she had been one of the most beloved young stars of her time.
5. Parker Stevenson
Parker Stevenson gained heartthrob status thanks to his role as Frank Hardy on The Hardy Boys Mysteries. His good looks and charm made him a favorite among young viewers, and his face was often found in teen magazines alongside co-star Shaun Cassidy. The show gave him a level of recognition that was hard to miss in the late ’70s.
But unlike Cassidy, Stevenson never truly transitioned into music or other areas of pop stardom. While he continued acting, his career was more low-key, with smaller roles rather than leading-man fame. He eventually became better known for his personal life, including his marriage to actress Kirstie Alley, than for his acting. For fans of ’70s TV, though, he’ll always be remembered as one-half of the Hardy Boys duo.
6. Susan Dey
Susan Dey captured hearts as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family. She was the cool, level-headed older sister, and her mix of beauty and poise made her a teen idol almost overnight. Teen magazines loved her, and so did audiences who tuned in every week to watch the singing family. For many girls, she was a role model, and for many boys, she was a crush.
But when the show ended, Dey had trouble breaking free from her teen idol image. Although she eventually found success on L.A. Law in the ’80s, she never quite recaptured the frenzy of her Partridge Family days. She later retreated from Hollywood altogether. Fans from the ’70s still remember her fondly as Laurie, even though she left show business decades ago.
7. Rex Smith
Rex Smith shot to teen idol fame in the late ’70s thanks to his starring role in Sooner or Later, a TV movie that had girls swooning. He played a dreamy guitar-playing heartthrob, and the film’s song “You Take My Breath Away” became a hit single. With his feathered hair and soulful singing voice, Smith quickly became a staple of teen magazines and talk shows. For a moment, he seemed like he was on track to become a major crossover star in both music and acting.
But like many teen idols, his popularity proved to be fleeting. While he went on to star on Broadway and had steady work in theater, he never quite recaptured the mainstream fame he enjoyed in the ’70s. Fans who remember that moment in time still think of him as the charming young singer who made hearts flutter on television. For the rest of the world, though, Rex Smith quietly slipped out of the spotlight as the teen idol era moved on.
8. Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb had the talent and looks to rival his older brothers, the Bee Gees. With hits like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” he became one of the biggest teen idols of the ’70s. His feathered hair, soulful voice, and charm made him a heartthrob. It seemed like his star would shine just as long as his brothers’.
But Andy’s career was tragically short-lived. He struggled with substance abuse, and by the early ’80s, his career had already collapsed. He died in 1988 at just 30 years old, leaving fans shocked and heartbroken. His time as a teen idol was bright but brief, a reminder of how fleeting fame can be.
9. Robby Benson
Robby Benson was everywhere in the late ’70s, starring in films like Ice Castles and One on One. With his sensitive roles and soulful blue eyes, he became a heartthrob for countless teenage girls. He had a romantic image that set him apart from some of the flashier teen idols of the time. His star power seemed undeniable for a while.
But as the ’80s rolled on, his career slowed down. Benson later transitioned into directing and voice work, most famously providing the voice of the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. While he never fully vanished from Hollywood, he left behind the teen idol spotlight. To those who loved him in the ’70s, he remains a nostalgic crush from a very specific era.
10. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman’s popularity actually started in the late ’60s, but he was still a massive teen idol as the ’70s began. With his pop songs and appearances on shows like Here Come the Brides, he was adored by fans. His wholesome image and catchy tunes made him a dreamboat for teenage girls. His fame was intense, with fans screaming at his concerts and buying up his records.
But by the mid-’70s, Sherman stepped away from show business almost entirely. He became an EMT and later a paramedic, dedicating his life to saving others rather than entertaining. His retreat from fame was unusual, but it made him beloved in a different way. For fans, Bobby Sherman will always be remembered as both a heartthrob and a real-life hero.
11. Quinn Cummings
Quinn Cummings became famous as a child star thanks to The Goodbye Girl and her role on Family. With her big brown eyes and precocious personality, she quickly became a fan favorite. For a while, she seemed like she would grow into an even bigger star. She was a staple of TV and movie screens for several years.
But instead of pursuing Hollywood long-term, Cummings stepped away from acting. She reinvented herself as a writer and entrepreneur, authoring witty books and even creating baby slings. While she’s had success in her second career, her time as a teen idol was relatively short. Fans from the ’70s often look back fondly at her early roles, even if she left Hollywood behind.
12. Lance Kerwin
Lance Kerwin was known for playing relatable, sensitive teen characters in the ’70s. His most famous role was in James at 15, which dealt with teenage life in a realistic way. He also appeared in Salem’s Lot, cementing his status as a teen star. Audiences connected with his earnest performances, making him a staple of the era.
But by the ’80s, Kerwin’s career slowed dramatically. He eventually left acting and lived a quieter life, working outside the entertainment industry. His passing in 2023 reminded fans just how much he had meant to them decades earlier. For those who remember him, Lance Kerwin remains a symbol of authentic, heartfelt teen stardom from the ’70s.
