The 1970s were a golden era for teen idols—young heartthrobs who graced the covers of Tiger Beat, had legions of devoted fans, and made teenage hearts race. Whether they were pop singers, TV stars, or both, these idols seemed destined for long-lasting fame. But just as quickly as they rose to stardom, they vanished from the spotlight, leaving many to wonder: Where did they go? Some struggled to transition into adult careers, while others simply walked away from fame altogether. Here are 12 ’70s teen idols who burned brightly but disappeared faster than anyone expected.
1. Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman was the teen idol of the late ’60s and early ’70s, with hit songs like Little Woman and Julie, Do Ya Love Me setting teenage hearts on fire. He was a regular on shows like Here Come the Brides and made countless TV appearances, always flashing that perfect, all-American smile. But by the mid-’70s, Sherman’s career cooled off, and he stepped away from music and acting. Instead of chasing fading fame, he found a completely different calling: emergency medicine. A Breath of Fresh Air praises Sherman for going from actor to a real hero.
Sherman became a paramedic and later a deputy sheriff, dedicating himself to saving lives rather than entertaining audiences. While many teen idols struggled to find purpose after their careers faded, he embraced his new path wholeheartedly. He still occasionally performed for nostalgic fans, but for the most part, he left Hollywood behind. In a way, Sherman didn’t disappear—he just found a new way to make a difference.
2. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett had it all: boyish good looks, a singing career, and roles in TV shows like Three for the Road and Family. He was a staple of teen magazines, and his pop hits like I Was Made for Dancin’ only fueled his fame. But behind the scenes, Garrett’s life spiraled out of control, with struggles involving drugs and alcohol taking a toll on his career. By the early ’80s, his teen idol days were over, and his personal troubles overshadowed his once-promising career. MeTV simultaneously praises him as an icon, but admits he’s quite forgotten these days.
Despite several attempts at comebacks, Garrett never managed to regain his former glory. His music career fizzled, and his acting opportunities dwindled, leaving him largely remembered as a cautionary tale of teen fame gone wrong. In later years, he became more open about his struggles, appearing in interviews and reality shows to discuss the pitfalls of early stardom. While he may still have devoted fans, his rapid fall from fame remains one of the most infamous of the era.
3. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol was one of the biggest young stars of the ’70s, thanks to her role as Buddy Lawrence on Family and her success in movies like Little Darlings. She had the rare ability to transition from child star to teen idol, and her tomboyish charm made her relatable to young girls everywhere. But despite her massive success, McNichol shocked fans when she abruptly stepped away from Hollywood in the 1990s. She later revealed that the pressures of fame and her struggles with bipolar disorder led her to leave acting for the sake of her mental health. Still, whenever she made appearances, fans were excited to see her, as indicated by Remind.
Unlike many teen idols who chased comebacks, McNichol was content to leave the spotlight behind. She later became a teacher and dedicated her time to working with charities, rarely making public appearances. While she occasionally pops up in nostalgic discussions, she has remained largely private. For McNichol, walking away from fame was a personal choice—one that has kept her happy and fulfilled.
4. Shaun Cassidy
As the younger brother of David Cassidy, Shaun Cassidy had big shoes to fill—but he managed to carve out his own stardom with hits like Da Doo Ron Ron and his role on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. He was a teen magazine staple, with his feathered blond hair and wide smile making him the dream guy for many teenage girls. But as the ’70s ended, so did his music career, and acting roles became harder to come by. Instead of trying to cling to teen idol status, Cassidy did something surprising—he went behind the scenes. To this day, though, Shaun is a great source of reflective analysis, as shown by Remind with his conversation about his fame and brother.
Rather than chasing the spotlight, Cassidy became a successful television producer and writer, working on hit shows like American Gothic and Invasion. While his teen idol days were short-lived, his career in television has been anything but. Unlike some of his peers who struggled to find post-fame careers, Cassidy successfully reinvented himself in Hollywood—just in a way most fans didn’t see coming.
5. Jan-Michael Vincent
Jan-Michael Vincent was the epitome of cool in the 1970s, with his chiseled looks and effortless charisma making him a natural teen heartthrob. He starred in films like Big Wednesday and The Mechanic and quickly became a go-to actor for roles that required a mix of toughness and charm. By the early ’80s, he seemed poised for long-term stardom with his starring role in Airwolf, but his career was derailed by personal struggles. His battles with substance abuse, legal troubles, and declining health took a toll on both his reputation and his ability to land roles.
Instead of transitioning into a respected leading man, Vincent became more known for his off-screen issues than his acting talent. His once-promising career faded, and by the late ’90s, he had all but disappeared from Hollywood. In his later years, he faced serious health complications, living far from the public eye. His story remains one of the most tragic examples of a teen idol who lost everything just as quickly as he rose to fame.
6. Susan Dey
Susan Dey became a household name as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family, where she played the responsible, talented older sister. With her girl-next-door beauty and natural charm, she was a fan favorite and graced countless magazine covers throughout the 1970s. After the show ended, she managed to avoid the typical pitfalls of child stars by transitioning into more serious roles. However, despite her success in the 1980s with L.A. Law, Dey ultimately chose to leave acting behind.
Part of her departure from Hollywood stemmed from her dislike of the limelight—she was known for avoiding the media even at the height of her fame. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she never leaned into nostalgia or made high-profile returns to TV. Over the years, she gradually stepped away from acting, choosing a quieter life away from the entertainment industry. While she remains beloved by fans, she is one of the few teen idols who truly disappeared on her own terms.
7. Parker Stevenson
As one-half of The Hardy Boys, Parker Stevenson became a major teen idol alongside Shaun Cassidy. With his all-American good looks and confident screen presence, he seemed like he was destined for a long career in Hollywood. While The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries was a hit, Stevenson struggled to maintain his leading-man status once the show ended. He found steady work in television throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but never quite regained his heartthrob status.
While he never completely disappeared from acting, his days as a teen idol were short-lived. Instead of clinging to his fame, Stevenson pivoted to other interests, including photography. Though he still takes on occasional roles, he has largely remained out of the spotlight. Unlike some of his fellow teen idols, Stevenson didn’t crash and burn—he just quietly moved on.
8. Willie Aames
Willie Aames first gained attention on shows like Eight Is Enough and quickly became a teen magazine favorite. His blond, shaggy hair and fun-loving personality made him a fan favorite, and he even transitioned into music for a short time. However, by the mid-’80s, his career took an unexpected turn when he starred in Charles in Charge alongside Scott Baio. Though he remained in the public eye, his personal struggles soon overshadowed his work.
Aames battled addiction and financial troubles, at one point becoming homeless despite his earlier fame. Eventually, he turned his life around, finding a new path as a Christian speaker and working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. He even returned to acting in small roles, but his teen idol days were long behind him. His story is one of redemption, proving that while fame may fade, second chances are always possible.
9. Robbie Benson
Robbie Benson was the sensitive, soulful teen idol of the ’70s, starring in films like Ice Castles and Ode to Billy Joe. His boyish good looks and heartfelt performances made him a favorite among teenage girls, and he seemed poised for a long-lasting career. However, as he aged out of teen roles, he struggled to find his place in Hollywood. Rather than chasing dwindling acting gigs, Benson transitioned into voice acting and directing.
He found a second career behind the microphone, most notably voicing the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He also directed episodes of popular TV shows, proving his talent extended far beyond acting. While he never reclaimed the heartthrob status he once had, Benson remained a respected industry figure. Though he largely disappeared from the public eye, his impact on entertainment is still felt today.
10. Lisa Whelchel
Lisa Whelchel became a teen idol thanks to her role as Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, playing the privileged yet lovable rich girl. Throughout the early ’80s, she was a TV fixture, with fans following her every move. However, when The Facts of Life ended in 1988, Whelchel didn’t pursue an extensive acting career. Instead, she shifted her focus to her faith and became a well-known Christian speaker and author.
Unlike many former teen idols, Whelchel never had a dramatic fall from fame—she simply chose a different path. While she occasionally returns to television, including a stint on Survivor, she has largely stayed out of the Hollywood spotlight. She embraced a quieter life centered around her faith and family, showing that some stars don’t fade—they just move on.
11. Andy Gibb
As the younger brother of the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb had fame practically built into his DNA. His solo hits like Shadow Dancing and I Just Want to Be Your Everything made him one of the biggest teen idols of the late ’70s. With his smooth voice, boyish charm, and disco-pop appeal, he seemed destined for long-term success. However, personal struggles, particularly with substance abuse, derailed his promising career.
By the early ’80s, Gibb’s music career had stalled, and his battle with addiction made it difficult for him to maintain work. Tragically, his health deteriorated, and he passed away in 1988 at just 30 years old. His death was a heartbreaking loss, as he had the talent and potential to continue making music for decades. Andy Gibb’s story remains one of the saddest examples of a teen idol who couldn’t outrun the pressures of fame.
12. Vincent Van Patten
Vincent Van Patten had all the makings of a lasting star—he was handsome, athletic, and had the right Hollywood connections as the son of actor Dick Van Patten. He appeared in popular TV shows like Apple’s Way and Three for the Road, and even had a brief music career. However, as the ’70s came to a close, his acting opportunities dwindled. Rather than fading into obscurity, Van Patten reinvented himself in an entirely different field—professional poker.
He became a successful poker player and commentator, finding a second career in the world of high-stakes gambling. While his days as a teen heartthrob were short-lived, he remained in the public eye in a completely unexpected way. His ability to pivot from Hollywood to poker is proof that sometimes, life takes you in unexpected directions.
These stars were once the biggest names in teen entertainment, plastered on bedroom walls and adored by millions. But whether due to personal struggles, industry shifts, or simply the fleeting nature of fame, they faded from the spotlight far faster than anyone expected. While some found new careers behind the scenes, others stepped away from Hollywood entirely. One thing is for sure—while their time in the limelight was short, they left a lasting impression on a generation of fans who still remember their glory days.
