The 1970s was a decade that defined pop culture, with celebrities who dominated the screen, airwaves, and media. From actors to musicians, the stars of the ’70s seemed to be everywhere, appearing in commercials, films, TV shows, and music charts. But as quickly as they rose to fame, many of these celebrities seemed to vanish from the limelight, leaving behind a legacy that now sparks nostalgia and curiosity. These are the stars we couldn’t escape in the ’70s, but who, for one reason or another, disappeared from the public eye. Let’s take a look at 12 celebrities who were everywhere in the ’70s and then seemingly disappeared.
1. Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was the epitome of ’70s beauty and style, thanks to her role as Jill Munroe on Charlie’s Angels and that unforgettable poster of her in a red swimsuit. With her sunny smile, feathered hair, and athletic figure, she became an international sensation and a pop culture icon. She was everywhere—magazines, TV, and movies.
But after her time on Charlie’s Angels, which Biography reminds us was just one season, Farrah’s career took a turn. While she remained a respected actress, she stepped back from the intense public eye, and her career wasn’t as high-profile in later decades. Despite appearing in films and TV movies throughout the ’80s and ’90s, she wasn’t the household name she once was. Her legacy as a ’70s icon, however, lives on, especially in her role on Charlie’s Angels, a show that continues to capture the imagination of new generations.
2. Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel was the daredevil stuntman who captured the nation’s attention with his death-defying motorcycle jumps. Throughout the ’70s, he became a household name, performing stunts like jumping over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Knievel was often on TV, in commercials, and in the news, his stunts becoming national events.
But after a series of increasingly dangerous stunts, Knievel’s career faded in the late ’70s and early ’80s. In fact, according to History, he was giving more and more interviews from hospital beds! His physical injuries piled up, and though he remained a popular figure in some circles, his intense fame and spotlight dimmed. The modern world saw him less often, though his legacy as the ultimate thrill-seeker still resonates in pop culture today.
3. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was the teen heartthrob of the ’70s, with his shaggy hair and innocent good looks. He was all over TV shows, movies, and magazine covers, especially after starring in The Outsiders (1983) and releasing his chart-topping pop songs. Garrett’s smooth voice and charm made him a pin-up for the teenybopper crowd.
However, his career faltered in the ’80s due to personal struggles, including drug addiction, which led to a public fall from grace. According to ABC, even Garrett called himself a “monster.” Though Garrett made some attempts at a comeback in the ’90s, he never fully regained the fame and adoration he enjoyed in the ’70s. Still, for anyone who grew up with his posters on their walls, he will always be a part of ’70s pop culture.
4. Robert Blake
Robert Blake was a prominent figure in the ’70s, most notably for his role as Detective Tony Baretta on the TV series Baretta. His tough-guy image and his catchphrase “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” made him a TV staple. Blake’s career was marked by his intense performances, and his name was often in the spotlight.
But in the ’80s, his career took a major downturn due to personal problems and legal issues, most infamously the trial involving the death of his wife, which made headlines across the country. All That’s Interesting classifies the case as still unsolved as of 2023. Though Blake occasionally appeared in films and TV roles after, his fame was never quite the same. His rise and fall from fame became part of Hollywood legend, and today he is remembered more for his controversial life than his acting career.
5. Pam Grier
Pam Grier was the queen of the ’70s Blaxploitation genre, starring in films like Foxy Brown and Coffy. She became a symbol of empowerment for women, especially women of color, with her tough-as-nails characters and undeniable sex appeal. She was everywhere in the ’70s, becoming a beloved figure in pop culture.
However, Grier’s stardom waned after the ’70s, and while she continued to act in films throughout the ’80s and beyond, she didn’t retain the same level of fame she had in her heyday. It wasn’t until the ’90s, with her role in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, that she had a career resurgence. Despite the lull, Grier remains an iconic figure and one of the most influential actresses of her time. And according to CBS, she’s totally up for living up to that lofty title!
6. Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields was a child star who became a household name in the ’70s and ’80s, most notably for her roles in Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon. With her striking beauty and poise, Shields was featured in numerous magazine spreads, and she was the face of a generation.
Her career, however, seemed to cool off after her early teen and adult roles in the ’80s. While she found steady work in TV shows like Suddenly Susan in the ’90s and beyond, she never quite recaptured the global attention she received as a young star. However, Shields remains an enduring figure of the ’70s thanks to her groundbreaking roles and the cultural moment she captured.
7. Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers was one of the most famous faces on TV during the ’70s, thanks to her role as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company. Her blonde hair, big smile, and bubbly persona made her a star. Somers became a pop culture sensation, featured in commercials, TV shows, and on magazine covers.
However, despite her early fame, Somers faced struggles in the ’80s, including a highly publicized exit from Three’s Company and challenges in her career. While she reinvented herself as a wellness advocate and continued to have a presence in the media, she never quite recaptured the same level of TV fame she had in the ’70s. Nonetheless, she remains a nostalgic symbol of the era.
8. Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson was a TV personality and actor, most famously known as the host of Family Feud from 1976 to 1985. Dawson’s charming yet sarcastic personality made him an instant hit on television, and his habit of kissing female contestants made him infamous.
Though Family Feud made him a household name, Dawson’s fame faded after his hosting duties ended. He continued to work in television and movies, but by the late ’80s and ’90s, he had largely disappeared from the limelight. Dawson’s status as a beloved TV personality remains tied to his iconic role on Family Feud, which continues to be remembered by fans today.
9. Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas, with his bald head and gravelly voice, became a household name in the ’70s for his role as the tough, no-nonsense Detective Kojak on the hit series Kojak. His catchphrase, “Who loves ya, baby?” became iconic, and his role made him a cultural fixture.
Despite the success of Kojak, Savalas never quite maintained the same level of fame in the years after the show ended. While he continued to act in both TV and film, his public profile was not as dominant as it was during the height of Kojak. His legacy lives on through his memorable role as the hard-edged detective, but he is often overlooked in today’s celebrity discussions.
10. Ricardo Montalbán
Ricardo Montalbán was a versatile actor who became a TV sensation in the ’70s, especially for his role as Mr. Roarke on the cult classic show Fantasy Island. His suave, dignified presence and booming voice made him unforgettable.
Despite his continued success in television and film, Montalbán’s fame began to wane in the ’80s, and he became a beloved but somewhat obscure figure. He continued to work into the 2000s but never quite reclaimed the same level of fame he had in his prime. However, his legacy as one of television’s most charismatic figures remains strong.
11. David Cassidy
David Cassidy was a teen idol sensation, best known for his role as Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family. With his boy-next-door looks, charismatic smile, and golden voice, Cassidy became one of the most recognizable stars of the ’70s.
Cassidy’s career, which was initially meteoric, fizzled out in the ’80s as teen idol status often does. Despite some attempts to return to music and television, he never regained the massive popularity he had as a young star. However, his influence on the ’70s pop culture scene endures, and he is still remembered fondly by those who grew up with his music and TV shows.
12. Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick’s portrayal of Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch made her one of the most beloved TV characters of the 1970s. With her long blonde hair and sweet, yet sometimes sassy demeanor, Marcia epitomized the ideal teenage girl of the era.
While The Brady Bunch remained a fixture in pop culture through reruns, McCormick’s personal life and career took a different path after the show ended. She faced personal struggles in the years following The Brady Bunch, and although she appeared in a few films and TV shows, she never quite recaptured the same level of fame she had as Marcia. Still, her legacy as an iconic ’70s TV star remains, and she continues to be a nostalgic favorite.
These ’70s celebrities might have faded from the spotlight, but their influence is undeniable. Whether they were heartthrobs, TV icons, or pop culture figures, they defined a generation and left a lasting mark on the entertainment world. Revisiting their careers today is a reminder of how quickly fame can rise and fall, but also how certain stars never truly disappear from our collective memory.
