The 1970s were a tumultuous decade for Hollywood and beyond, filled with groundbreaking art, social change—and no shortage of jaw-dropping scandals. Long before social media and 24-hour news cycles, these stories still managed to dominate headlines, capturing the public’s imagination and sometimes tarnishing careers. From shocking crimes to personal betrayals, these celebrity scandals rocked the world. Let’s take a look back at 12 unforgettable controversies from the ’70s.
1. Roman Polanski’s Arrest and Exile (1977)
In 1977, acclaimed filmmaker Roman Polanski was arrested and charged with attacking a 13-year-old girl. The director of Rosemary’s Baby and Chinatown pleaded guilty to a serious felony as part of a plea deal, but before sentencing, he fled the United States. He has lived in exile ever since.
The scandal stunned Hollywood, dividing fans and peers alike. While Polanski continued to make celebrated films abroad, the case remains one of the most infamous legal battles involving a celebrity. His legacy is forever intertwined with the controversy.
2. The Death of Bruce Lee (1973)
Martial arts icon Bruce Lee’s sudden and mysterious death in 1973 at just 32 years old shocked the world. Officially, his passing was attributed to cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), but speculation about the true cause has fueled conspiracy theories for decades. Some believe it was the result of foul play, a curse, or even a secret assassination.
At the time, Lee was on the cusp of global superstardom, having just completed Enter the Dragon. His untimely death added an air of mystery to his already legendary status, leaving fans grieving and the world asking, “What if?”
3. The Patty Hearst Kidnapping (1974)
In 1974, Patty Hearst, the heiress to the Hearst publishing fortune, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a left-wing extremist group. The story took a shocking turn when Hearst appeared in propaganda videos declaring allegiance to the group and even participated in a bank robbery.
Her eventual arrest and trial captivated the nation, raising questions about brainwashing and personal responsibility. Hearst was convicted but later pardoned, and her case remains one of the most bizarre celebrity scandals of the decade.
4. Richard Pryor’s Freebase Explosion (1980)
In 1980, comedian Richard Pryor suffered severe burns after a freebasing cocaine incident went horribly wrong. Reports at the time suggested that he set himself on fire while under the influence, running down the street in a panic before being rescued. Though the event didn’t occur until 1980, the repercussions cast a shadow over his career, which had peaked in the late ’70s.
Pryor later addressed the incident in his stand-up, using humor to process his trauma. The event highlighted the darker side of fame and addiction, shocking fans and colleagues alike.
5. The Woody Allen and Mia Farrow Triangle (Late 70s)
Before their infamous scandals of the ’90s, Woody Allen and Mia Farrow’s relationship caused waves in the late ’70s. Allen was known for his unconventional approach to relationships both on and off the screen, and his personal life was often under scrutiny. Though their later controversies overshadowed this era, whispers about the complexities of their romance were enough to keep tabloids buzzing.
The early years of their relationship set the stage for a scandalous legacy that continues to provoke debate and division.
6. Marvin Gaye’s Divorce Drama (1977)
Legendary Motown singer Marvin Gaye made headlines in 1977 for a divorce battle with his first wife, Anna Gordy Gaye, that spilled over into his professional life. As part of their settlement, Gaye agreed to give her the royalties from his next album, which inspired his deeply personal and raw record Here, My Dear.
While the music world praised the album for its honesty, the bitter feud captivated the public. It was a rare glimpse into the private struggles of a music legend, showing how messy the intersection of love and fame can be.
7. The Led Zeppelin “Shark Incident” (1969, Exposed in the 70s)
One of the most infamous stories from rock history, the “shark incident” involving Led Zeppelin, allegedly took place in 1969 but gained notoriety in the ’70s. The tale, which claims that members of the band or their entourage used a shark (or fish) in a lewd act at a Seattle hotel, became a symbol of rock-and-roll excess.
Though details remain murky and likely exaggerated, the story added to Zeppelin’s wild, rebellious reputation, shocking even their most devoted fans. It also served as a cautionary tale about the darker side of fame.
8. Natalie Wood’s Mysterious Death (1981)
Though Natalie Wood’s death occurred in 1981, the questions surrounding it dominated discussions in the late ’70s. The beloved actress drowned near Catalina Island after falling from her yacht during a trip with her husband, Robert Wagner, and co-star Christopher Walken. Rumors of foul play and conflicting testimonies made the case one of Hollywood’s greatest mysteries.
Even decades later, new investigations continue to capture public interest, but in the ’70s, Wood’s tragic death shattered the image of glitz and glamor that Hollywood loved to portray.
9. Elvis Presley’s Decline and Death (1977)
The King of Rock and Roll’s final years were marked by a dramatic decline in health and personal struggles. By the mid-’70s, Elvis Presley’s reliance on prescription drugs and erratic behavior had become tabloid fodder. His untimely death at Graceland in 1977 at just 42 years old stunned the world.
Fans mourned the loss of a cultural icon, but the revelations about his troubled final years painted a tragic picture of fame and excess. The King’s legacy lives on, but his decline remains one of the most heartbreaking scandals of the decade.
10. John Lennon’s Deportation Battle (1973-1975)
During the early ’70s, John Lennon found himself embroiled in a bitter deportation battle with the U.S. government. The Nixon administration targeted Lennon due to his outspoken political activism and anti-Vietnam War stance, using a prior drug conviction as grounds for deportation.
The case drew international attention, with fans rallying behind Lennon. He eventually won the fight, but the ordeal highlighted the lengths to which powerful figures would go to silence dissenting voices, making Lennon’s struggle a defining scandal of the era.
11. Billie Jean King’s Outing (1971)
In 1971, tennis legend Billie Jean King became one of the first female athletes to publicly acknowledge a same-sex relationship when her affair with her secretary was revealed. The revelation, which came during a lawsuit, shocked the sports world and led to the loss of lucrative endorsements.
While King faced significant backlash at the time, her courage in addressing the scandal helped pave the way for greater LGBTQ+ acceptance in sports and beyond. In hindsight, her honesty is seen as groundbreaking, but in the ’70s, it was scandalous.
12. The Sid and Nancy Tragedy (1978)
The punk rock scene’s most infamous couple, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols and Nancy Spungen, made headlines for their chaotic and destructive relationship. In 1978, Spungen was found dead in their New York City hotel room from a stab wound, and Vicious was charged with her murder. Before he could stand trial, Vicious died of a heroin overdose, leaving the case unresolved.
The story of Sid and Nancy became emblematic of the darker side of the punk movement, shocking fans and critics alike with its tragic end.
The scandals of the 1970s showed that fame often came with a price, exposing the flaws and vulnerabilities of even the biggest stars. Whether these moments were tragic, outrageous, or simply bizarre, they left a lasting impact on popular culture and remain unforgettable chapters in celebrity history.
