1. Leif Garrett
In the late ’70s, you couldn’t open a teen magazine without spotting Leif Garrett’s face. With his blonde hair, boyish charm, and pop songs like “I Was Made for Dancin’,” Garrett seemed destined to stay in the spotlight forever. He also took on acting roles, showing up on TV and in films, and quickly earned a reputation as one of the biggest teen idols of the decade. Fans screamed at his concerts, and his posters lined bedroom walls across the country.
But fame hit hard, and as the teen idol craze faded, so did Garrett’s career. Legal troubles and struggles with addiction pulled him further away from the entertainment industry. While he made appearances in reality TV shows and nostalgic specials later on, he never reclaimed the superstardom of his youth. For many, his story is a reminder of how quickly fame can shift, especially when you’re still just a kid figuring out who you are.
2. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy followed in the footsteps of his half-brother David Cassidy and carved out his own spot in the hearts of teenagers everywhere. He had a string of hit songs, including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” and starred in The Hardy Boys Mysteries, which cemented his idol status. Cassidy’s wholesome looks and catchy tunes made him one of the ultimate teen crushes of the late ’70s.
But Shaun wasn’t interested in being just a pop star forever. He eventually stepped away from the stage and found success behind the scenes as a writer and producer for television. Though he traded the spotlight for a quieter role in Hollywood, those who remember his heyday still think of him as one of the most charming teen idols of the era.
3. Robby Benson
Robby Benson’s soft-spoken voice and gentle good looks made him a teen heartthrob during the ’70s. He starred in movies like Ice Castles and Ode to Billy Joe, which made fans swoon and showcased his serious acting chops. He was one of those actors who seemed to have both the looks and the talent to last for decades.
Yet Benson chose a different path. By the ’80s, he shifted into directing and voice acting, most famously voicing the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. While he found fulfillment in other corners of the industry, his days as a teen magazine cover star faded. He remains remembered fondly by those who grew up on his films.
4. Willie Aames
Willie Aames first caught attention as a teen actor on shows like Eight Is Enough. With his boyish smile and comedic timing, he quickly became a name that young viewers adored. He also had success in music with his band, showing he was more than just a one-note teen star.
But fame came with its challenges. After the ’70s and early ’80s, Aames’ career slowed down, and personal struggles with addiction took center stage. He later reinvented himself, even becoming a cruise ship director for a time. Though he found peace and stability, his teen idol glow remains a memory of a different era.
5. Susan Dey
Susan Dey captured hearts as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family. She was smart, stylish, and relatable, which made her one of the most popular female teen idols of the ’70s. Young fans looked up to her, and her presence on the hit show cemented her as a household name during the decade.
After The Partridge Family ended, Dey continued acting, even winning a Golden Globe for her role on L.A. Law in the late ’80s. But eventually, she stepped away from the industry altogether, choosing to live a more private life. For fans who remember her in her prime, she’ll always be the cool, level-headed Partridge sibling who balanced out all the chaos.
6. Jan-Michael Vincent
Jan-Michael Vincent was a teen favorite thanks to his rugged good looks and roles in films like Big Wednesday. He had a charisma that drew in fans, and in the ’70s, he was regularly hailed as one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars. His surf-brooding appeal made him stand out among other teen idols of the time.
Unfortunately, his career was marked by turbulence. Substance abuse and legal issues derailed his trajectory, and though he later starred in Airwolf in the ’80s, he never fully recovered the shine of his early days. Fans who remember his teen idol years often reflect on what might have been if his career hadn’t been cut short by personal struggles.
7. Parker Stevenson
Parker Stevenson was one half of the dreamy duo in The Hardy Boys Mysteries alongside Shaun Cassidy. His preppy looks and laid-back demeanor made him a fan favorite, and together, the two became household names for young viewers. Stevenson had that perfect mix of confidence and boyish appeal that made him stand out.
But after The Hardy Boys, Stevenson struggled to find roles that matched that early fame. He continued acting here and there, but he never achieved the same level of idol status again. Instead, he found other passions, including photography. Fans still remember him best as one of the handsome Hardy brothers who solved mysteries every week on TV.
8. John Travolta
It might surprise some people to see John Travolta on this list, since he made a major comeback later in his career. But in the ’70s, he was a bona fide teen idol thanks to Welcome Back, Kotter, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease. He had the moves, the smile, and the charisma that kept fans glued to the screen.
Then the ’80s arrived, and Travolta’s career hit a slump. For nearly a decade, he seemed to vanish from the heights of superstardom, with films that flopped at the box office. It wasn’t until Pulp Fiction in the ’90s that he roared back into the spotlight. His teen idol years, though, remain a nostalgic highlight for those who adored him in his early days.
9. Rex Smith
Rex Smith became a heartthrob thanks to his role in the TV movie Sooner or Later and his hit song “You Take My Breath Away.” His long hair and sensitive charm made him a favorite among young fans who swooned at both his acting and music. For a while, it seemed like he was destined for lasting fame.
But as the ’80s came, his star dimmed. He continued performing, even taking on Broadway roles, but the mainstream audience moved on. Smith kept a devoted following in theater circles, yet his teen idol status became more of a fond memory than an ongoing career. Still, fans from the ’70s haven’t forgotten that magical moment when he seemed to be everywhere.
10. Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond was everywhere in the ’70s, from his time in The Osmonds to his hit variety show Donny & Marie. With his sweet smile and clean-cut image, he became the epitome of the all-American teen idol. Teenage girls screamed at his concerts and tuned in weekly to watch him sing and joke with his sister Marie.
But like many teen stars, Osmond faced backlash as he grew older. He struggled with being typecast and spent years trying to shake off the “goody two-shoes” label. Though he eventually made comebacks in music and on stage, there was a time when his teen idol fame seemed like it had completely disappeared. For those who remember, he was once the face of ’70s pop innocence.
11. Scott Baio
Scott Baio became a teenage crush thanks to his role as Chachi on Happy Days. With his dark hair and smirk, he quickly won over viewers and landed his own spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi. For a while, it seemed like Baio was everywhere, basking in the glow of teen idol fame.
But as the ’80s wore on, his career lost steam. He continued acting in smaller projects but never reached the same heights again. Later, he resurfaced in reality TV, but the days of him being a teen dream were firmly in the past. For fans of Happy Days, though, he’ll always be Chachi.
12. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol stood out as one of the few female teen idols of the ’70s. She starred in Family and later Little Darlings, roles that made her relatable and beloved by young audiences. Her talent and tomboyish charm set her apart from many of the more polished images of the time.
By the late ’80s, though, McNichol stepped away from the spotlight. She chose to focus on her health and personal life, later becoming a teacher instead of an actress. Fans still celebrate her work, but her decision to leave Hollywood behind was surprising to many. Today, her ’70s teen idol status feels like a treasured time capsule from a very different era.
