1. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was everywhere in the late ’70s, plastered on teen magazine covers and beloved for his feathered hair and pop songs. His hit “I Was Made for Dancin’” turned him into a teen idol almost overnight, and his boyish charm kept fans swooning. But with all that fame at such a young age, Garrett found himself in the fast lane, living the kind of life that could overwhelm anyone. He became a regular on shows like Family and Wonder Woman, cementing his teen idol status.
Unfortunately, his career stalled when he struggled with substance issues, and Hollywood quickly moved on to the next heartthrob. Garrett did continue acting and singing here and there, but never regained the same kind of success. These days, he’s been open about the challenges he faced and how fame shaped his life. Looking back, it’s easy to see why fans remember him so fondly, even if he walked away from the spotlight.
2. Shaun Cassidy
Shaun Cassidy seemed destined for stardom, with half-brother David Cassidy already a household name. By the time Shaun joined The Hardy Boys Mysteries, he was a bona fide teen heartthrob. His cover of “Da Doo Ron Ron” made him a pop sensation, and he spent much of the late ’70s onstage, touring to screaming crowds of teens. His innocent charm and boy-next-door look made him irresistible.
But unlike others, Cassidy didn’t cling to the teen idol spotlight. He stepped back from performing and reinvented himself behind the scenes as a television writer and producer. He worked on hit shows like American Gothic and Cold Case, showing he had a knack for storytelling in a different way. Today, fans remember his singing days fondly, but his second act in TV proved he didn’t need to stay in the teen idol lane forever.
3. Robby Benson
Robby Benson was a staple in coming-of-age films during the ’70s, capturing hearts in Ode to Billy Joe and Ice Castles. His soulful eyes and sensitive roles made him the kind of teen idol who stood apart from the pop singers of the day. Girls adored him for his romantic on-screen characters, and Hollywood saw him as a rising young leading man. For a while, it looked like he would dominate the decade.
But Benson had other passions beyond being a heartthrob. He moved toward directing and later became the voice of the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Health issues also led him to step away from constant acting work. Even so, he remains remembered as one of the quintessential ’70s teen idols, who chose to walk away while still loved by many.
4. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol rose to fame on Family, and soon after became one of the decade’s most recognizable young stars. With her bright smile and tomboy energy, she was relatable to teens everywhere. She also starred in films like Little Darlings, cementing her reputation as someone who connected with audiences in a genuine way. McNichol became one of those rare teen idols who appealed to both kids and adults.
However, the pressures of fame took their toll. She was open later about her struggles with mental health, and in the early ’90s she retired from acting. Instead of chasing fame, she chose a quieter life, teaching acting and focusing on her well-being. Fans still remember her fondly, especially those who grew up watching her in the ’70s, but she was one idol who stepped away on her own terms.
5. Willie Aames
Willie Aames had his breakout as Tommy on Eight Is Enough, making him a household name with a devoted fan base. His boyish good looks and charisma quickly made him a teen idol, and he even landed a role alongside Scott Baio in Charles in Charge. In the late ’70s, his face was a fixture in teen magazines, and he seemed poised for a long career in Hollywood.
But fame can be fleeting. Aames struggled with financial and personal challenges after his career slowed down, and he eventually left acting behind. In time, he found purpose working outside of show business and even became a cruise director. His story is one of those classic examples of a teen idol who shined bright and then deliberately walked away from the spotlight.
6. Linda Blair
Linda Blair became a sensation after her unforgettable role in The Exorcist, which made her a household name almost instantly. Although she was just a young teen at the time, her fame skyrocketed, and she was quickly cast in other projects. During the ’70s, her wide-eyed innocence combined with her edgy roles made her a favorite of fans and magazines alike.
Yet Blair wasn’t entirely comfortable with the pressures of her fame. Typecasting became a problem, and she struggled to break free from her association with horror films. While she continued acting for years, she never sought the same kind of spotlight she had as a teen idol. Instead, she found fulfillment in animal rights activism, leaving behind the idol life for something she cared about deeply.
7. Parker Stevenson
Parker Stevenson gained teen idol fame through The Hardy Boys Mysteries, where his pairing with Shaun Cassidy made the show a hit. His clean-cut good looks and easygoing charm made him a fan favorite, and he quickly found himself appearing in magazines aimed at swooning teens. For a while, Stevenson was everywhere, especially in the late ’70s.
But unlike some of his peers, Stevenson didn’t cling to idol status for long. He kept acting, including a run on Baywatch, but avoided the spotlight that once followed him everywhere. He later pursued photography and a quieter life outside of Hollywood. Fans still remember him as part of the teen idol wave, even though he stepped back to live life more on his own terms.
8. Mackenzie Phillips
Mackenzie Phillips was already known as the daughter of John Phillips from The Mamas & The Papas, but she made her own mark on One Day at a Time. Teens loved her free-spirited personality, and she became one of the most recognized young actresses of the ’70s. For a while, she was the poster girl for a cool, laid-back kind of fame.
Unfortunately, her personal struggles became front-page news. Phillips faced substance issues that ultimately derailed her career, leading her to leave the spotlight for long stretches. She did come back for appearances and advocacy, but her days as a teen idol ended quickly. Still, for fans who grew up with her, she remains an unforgettable face of the ’70s.
9. Jimmy Baio
Jimmy Baio, cousin of Scott Baio, shot to fame with his role on Soap. His boyish looks and natural comedic timing made him a favorite with young viewers, and he quickly became a regular fixture in teen magazines. For a moment in the late ’70s, it looked like he might follow in his cousin’s footsteps and become a long-term teen star.
But Baio’s career slowed as he got older, and he ultimately stepped out of Hollywood’s glare. Unlike others, he didn’t reinvent himself as a singer or producer, he simply chose a quieter life away from the industry. Fans who remember him from his Soap days still recall how big he was at the time. He’s one of those classic examples of a teen idol who walked away before fame could fully consume him.
10. Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal made history as the youngest person to win an Academy Award, thanks to her role in Paper Moon. After that, she was in high demand, with her youthful charm and acting talent making her a teen idol throughout the ’70s. Fans loved her mix of innocence and maturity, and Hollywood saw her as a child star destined for bigger things.
But growing up in the spotlight isn’t easy. O’Neal faced personal struggles that often overshadowed her career, and she stepped back from acting at various points. While she returned to the screen later, she never chased the same level of fame she had as a teen idol. Instead, she focused on her family and her writing, leaving behind the image of the ever-present ’70s star.
11. Susan Dey
Susan Dey skyrocketed to fame as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family. With her long hair, bright smile, and wholesome image, she quickly became a teen idol in the early ’70s. She wasn’t just part of the show’s appeal, she was often the reason teens tuned in. Dey was the kind of idol who seemed both glamorous and approachable at the same time.
After the show ended, though, she moved away from teen idol fame. She continued acting, eventually winning praise for her role on L.A. Law, but she deliberately avoided public appearances and the nostalgic spotlight. Dey eventually retired from acting altogether and has kept a very low profile. Fans still think of her fondly, but she was one idol who preferred to walk away completely.
12. Jan Smithers
Jan Smithers became a teen idol thanks to her role as Bailey Quarters on WKRP in Cincinnati. Her girl-next-door looks and relatable personality made her a favorite among young fans. She was never the flashy type, but that only added to her appeal, making her stand out in the teen idol landscape of the ’70s.
Yet Smithers wasn’t interested in chasing Hollywood fame forever. She left acting in the ’80s and dedicated herself to humanitarian work and raising her daughter. While she occasionally pops up at nostalgic events, she’s largely stepped away from the spotlight. Fans remember her warmly as the down-to-earth idol who chose a very different path.
13. Scott Jacoby
Scott Jacoby earned his teen idol stripes with his Emmy-winning performance in That Certain Summer and roles on shows like Family. He was one of those familiar faces who always seemed to pop up on TV in the ’70s. His mix of boy-next-door charm and talent made him a popular figure among teens.
But Jacoby’s interests shifted as he grew older. He continued acting for a while, but eventually turned his focus to directing and writing. He didn’t chase the same kind of fame that made him an idol, choosing instead to work more quietly behind the camera. Still, his work in the ’70s made him one of those stars that fans still recall fondly.
14. Eve Plumb
Eve Plumb will always be remembered as Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch. Her role as the middle child made her one of the most recognizable teen stars of the ’70s. Fans loved her awkward, relatable character, and Plumb became a household name almost overnight. She was the kind of star that kids saw themselves in, which only boosted her idol status.
But Plumb decided to carve out a quieter life after the show ended. She continued acting occasionally, but also pursued painting and lived a life far away from constant Hollywood attention. While she’s reunited with the Brady cast for special projects, she never chased the spotlight the way some of her peers did. Fans still hold a soft spot for her, especially those who grew up watching her every week.
15. Mark Lester
Mark Lester captured hearts with his role as Oliver in the 1968 musical Oliver!, which carried his fame into the early ’70s. His sweet, angelic face and talent made him a teen idol across the globe, especially in Britain. For a while, he was one of the most recognizable young actors around.
But Lester didn’t stick with the entertainment world. He retired from acting as he grew older and instead pursued a career in osteopathy, building a life far away from Hollywood. Though his time as a teen idol was relatively brief, it left a lasting impression on fans. He’s a classic example of someone who chose a completely different path after early fame.
16. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman was one of the biggest teen idols of the late ’60s and ’70s, thanks to his music and his role on Here Come the Brides. His catchy songs and boyish charm made him a favorite with teens everywhere. He was constantly on magazine covers and was one of the most recognized pop stars of his time.
Yet Sherman surprised everyone when he stepped away from the entertainment world. He became a paramedic and later a police officer, dedicating his life to helping others. Fans still adore him for the music he gave them, but they also admire how he walked away for something entirely different. His story is one of the most unique among teen idols who chose another path.
