1. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was everywhere in the late ’70s, from Tiger Beat covers to guest spots on TV shows. His boyish charm and pop-rock hits like “I Was Made for Dancin’” made him a teen heartthrob practically overnight. Fans couldn’t get enough of his sun-bleached hair, tight jeans, and carefree California persona. But behind the scenes, fame arrived too quickly and left him struggling to keep control.
By the time the ’80s rolled around, Garrett’s music career had cooled, and his acting gigs slowed down. Unfortunately, personal troubles, including struggles with substance abuse, became a big part of his story. While he’s popped up for nostalgic interviews and even reality TV, he never recaptured that superstar momentum. To this day, his name still brings a wave of memories for those who once taped his posters on their bedroom walls.
2. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy was television’s golden boy thanks to The Hardy Boys Mysteries and a string of bubblegum pop hits. Songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron” turned him into an instant idol, and his feathered hair was practically a trademark of the decade. For a few years, his concerts were filled with screaming teenagers, and his face was on every teen magazine rack.
But as quickly as his career took off, it began to fade when his youthful image no longer matched the maturing audience. Cassidy eventually stepped back from the spotlight and reinvented himself as a writer and producer. While he never had another pop hit, his behind-the-scenes work in television gave him a second career. Even so, for many fans, he’s still frozen in time as the fresh-faced teen idol they adored in the ’70s.
3. Rex Smith
Rex Smith wasn’t just a singer, he was a sensation thanks to his song “You Take My Breath Away” in 1979. That single catapulted him to teen-idol status, and suddenly he was being cast in TV movies and Broadway productions. His soulful eyes and soft-rock ballads made him a crush-worthy figure during those years.
But his momentum as a pop star was brief. The early ’80s saw him transition into acting full-time, with occasional singing gigs sprinkled in. While he worked steadily, he never reached the same heights of fame again. Today, he’s remembered more for that one unforgettable ballad than for the career that followed.
4. Andy Gibb
The youngest Gibb brother had the looks and the charm, and when he released “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” it shot straight to number one. His partnership with his famous brothers, the Bee Gees, also helped launch him into superstardom. Teen magazines loved him, and his fans swooned over his soulful voice.
But behind the glamour, Andy struggled with personal issues and pressures that came with sudden fame. His career slowed down after a few short years, and by the mid-’80s, he had faded from the music charts. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1988 at just 30 years old. Though his career was brief, Andy Gibb remains one of the most remembered teen idols of the ’70s.
5. Tony DeFranco
Tony DeFranco and his family band, The DeFranco Family, scored a massive hit with “Heartbeat, It’s a Lovebeat.” It was pure ’70s bubblegum pop and had fans rushing to the record store. Tony, the youngest of the siblings, became the instant star with his sweet looks and charismatic smile.
The group had a short run, though, as music trends shifted away from their sound. By the mid-’70s, their moment had passed, and Tony faded from the spotlight. He eventually left the music business altogether and found a quieter career in real estate. Still, for those who grew up during the craze, that one song remains stuck in memory.
6. Bay City Rollers
The Bay City Rollers were marketed as the “next Beatles,” and for a brief time, it seemed possible. Their tartan outfits, catchy tunes like “Saturday Night,” and their youthful image made them a teen sensation. Screaming fans followed them everywhere, and their popularity stretched from Scotland to the U.S.
But like many teen idols, the hype was short-lived. Internal conflicts and changing music tastes saw their career fade by the end of the ’70s. A few members tried solo projects, but none matched their earlier fame. They remain a nostalgic symbol of the era, a band that burned bright and then vanished just as quickly.
7. John Travolta (as a pop star)
Before Grease and Saturday Night Fever turned him into a movie star, John Travolta was marketed as a teen pop singer. His single “Let Her In” in 1976 was a surprise hit, and fans quickly latched onto his sensitive, soft image. He was a poster boy on TV’s Welcome Back, Kotter, which only fueled his teen-idol status.
But Travolta didn’t stick with singing for long. Once his acting career skyrocketed, he left his music behind. While he dabbled in it here and there, he never again pursued being a chart-topping star. His teen idol music days faded into history, overshadowed by his legendary acting career.
8. Parker Stevenson
Known mainly for his role on The Hardy Boys Mysteries, Parker Stevenson quickly became a heartthrob. His charming looks and on-screen chemistry with Shaun Cassidy made fans swoon. Posters of Stevenson were a staple in bedrooms, and he briefly dabbled in music to capitalize on his popularity.
But Stevenson wasn’t really cut out for the pop-star life. As the show ended and new faces captured the spotlight, his teen-idol glow faded. He continued acting in television and movies but without the screaming fan base. Today, he’s remembered most for that teenage moment in the ’70s when he was every girl’s crush.
9. Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond was practically pop royalty in the ’70s, thanks to his family group and solo hits. Songs like “Puppy Love” cemented him as a squeaky-clean heartthrob. He and his sister Marie had their own variety show, which made them household names across America.
But fame can be fickle, and Donny’s career cooled as the ’80s began. The teen idol label stuck to him, making it hard to transition into adult stardom. He eventually reinvented himself through stage work and later as a TV personality, but those chart-topping years were firmly in the past. His story shows how tricky it was to outgrow the teen-idol image.
10. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman’s music and TV appearances made him one of the biggest teen idols of the early ’70s. Songs like “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” had fans swooning, and his bright smile made him a constant fixture in magazines. He seemed destined for lasting fame.
But Sherman chose a different path. After the peak of his stardom, he stepped away from entertainment and eventually became a paramedic and police officer. Fans were surprised by his career shift, but it gave him a meaningful life outside of showbiz. He’s remembered fondly as a star who walked away at the height of his popularity.
11. Michael Gray
Michael Gray became a teen idol almost overnight thanks to his role as Billy Batson on Shazam! in 1974. His boyish good looks and heroic TV persona made him a favorite with fans. He even guest-starred on The Brady Bunch Hour, further cementing his teen heartthrob status.
But as quickly as fame came, it disappeared. When Shazam! ended, Gray found it difficult to land similar roles. By the late ’70s, he was largely out of the spotlight. While he’s appeared occasionally at conventions and interviews, his teen idol moment was very much tied to that one iconic role.
12. Willie Aames
Willie Aames was a familiar face on TV shows like Eight Is Enough, where he played the charming Tommy Bradford. His feathered hair and cheeky smile made him a teen idol instantly. He even went on to star in the short-lived series Swiss Family Robinson.
But while his teen idol status was strong, it didn’t last. By the early ’80s, his career had shifted, and he later struggled with personal challenges. Though he had later roles, like in Charles in Charge, the frenzy of the ’70s was gone. He’s another example of how fame at a young age can come and go so quickly.
13. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol was one of the few female teen idols of the ’70s, rising to fame on Family. She was talented, approachable, and had a tomboy charm that set her apart. Teen magazines couldn’t get enough of her, and she even branched into music and movies.
But the pressures of fame hit hard, and McNichol eventually stepped back from Hollywood. By the late ’80s, she had mostly disappeared from the spotlight. Fans still remember her warmly as a genuine and talented young star. Her story is a reminder of how fleeting teen idol fame could be.
14. Jan-Michael Vincent
Jan-Michael Vincent’s career had him pegged as both an actor and a heartthrob. His roles in movies and TV projects like The World’s Greatest Athlete made him a favorite among young fans. With his rugged good looks, he seemed destined for a long career at the top.
But his career took a downward turn as the years went on. Personal struggles and the challenges of typecasting made it hard for him to hold on to stardom. By the ’80s, his teen idol status had all but disappeared. He’s remembered for that golden period in the ’70s when his star power seemed unstoppable.
15. Susan Dey
Susan Dey shot to stardom as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family. Her beauty and girl-next-door charm made her a huge teen idol. Fans adored her character and quickly elevated her to pin-up status.
But as the series ended, Dey’s teen idol shine dimmed. She found success later in adult roles, particularly on L.A. Law, but the squealing teenage fans were gone. While she stayed in acting for years, that early wave of fame was never repeated. To many, she’ll always be remembered first as the Partridge daughter who ruled teen magazines.
16. Robby Benson
Robby Benson was a teen idol who also had serious acting chops. Films like Ode to Billy Joe and Ice Castles made him a household name in the ’70s. His soulful eyes and sensitive characters made fans swoon, and magazines hailed him as the perfect crush.
But his career never quite reached the heights people expected. By the mid-’80s, the buzz around him faded, though he continued to act and later direct. While he found steady work behind the camera, his teen idol years were very much a moment in time. Still, for those who grew up watching him, he’s unforgettable.
