Some stars shine so brightly that it seems impossible they could ever be forgotten. In the ’60s and ’70s, certain celebrities were everywhere—their faces on magazine covers, their voices on radios, and their performances lighting up movie screens and TV sets. But time moves fast, and while these names were once household staples, younger generations today might not even recognize them. Let’s take a nostalgic look at 14 once-massive celebrities from the ’60s and ’70s that younger generations don’t know.
1. Tab Hunter
In the late ’50s and early ’60s, Tab Hunter was the teen heartthrob, starring in films like Damn Yankees and scoring a No. 1 hit with “Young Love.” With his clean-cut good looks and all-American charm, he was a major box office draw. But as Hollywood changed, his star power faded, and by the ’70s, he had moved into campy cult films like Polyester. While he remains a legend for classic film fans, younger audiences would probably need an introduction.
2. Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret was a force of nature in the ’60s, from her breakout role in Bye Bye Birdie (1963) to starring alongside Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas (1964). She seamlessly transitioned into the ’70s with acclaimed performances in Carnal Knowledge and Tommy, proving she had serious acting chops beyond her pin-up status. While she still appears in films occasionally, her once-unstoppable star power has faded with younger generations. Today, she’s more of a legend to those who remember Hollywood’s golden era.
3. Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin was one of the biggest entertainers of the ’60s, best known for hits like Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea. He had a career that spanned pop, jazz, and even folk music, as well as a successful run in movies, earning an Oscar nomination for Captain Newman, M.D. (1963). However, his untimely death in 1973 at just 37 meant that later generations never saw him evolve with the times. While he still has a loyal fanbase, younger audiences likely don’t realize how big he once was.
4. George Lazenby
For a brief moment, George Lazenby was one of the biggest stars in the world when he took over as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). Despite delivering a solid performance, he turned down a multi-film contract, believing the franchise was outdated—an infamous career move that cost him lasting stardom. While Bond fans still debate whether he was underrated, his name doesn’t carry the weight of Sean Connery or Roger Moore. Most younger Bond fans would struggle to recognize him.
5. Karen Valentine
Karen Valentine was a huge TV star in the late ’60s and early ’70s, best known for playing Alice Johnson on Room 222, a role that won her an Emmy. She was a familiar face on game shows, variety specials, and guest appearances on countless sitcoms. But as TV evolved, her career slowed down, and she never quite transitioned into lasting stardom. Today, even die-hard TV fans might not remember her name.
6. Elliott Gould
Elliott Gould was one of the defining actors of the ’70s, starring in MASH (1970), The Long Goodbye (1973), and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969). His offbeat charm and ability to play unconventional leading men made him a counterculture favorite. While he’s still working today—most notably as Ross and Monica’s dad on Friends—younger generations don’t realize just how big he once was. In the ’70s, he was the guy, but now, he’s more of a character actor with a cult following.
7. Linda Blair
Linda Blair became an overnight sensation in 1973 when she played Regan in The Exorcist, one of the most terrifying performances in horror history. She was nominated for an Oscar, and it seemed like she had a bright future ahead. However, a series of B-movies and typecasting issues kept her from maintaining A-list status. Today, horror fans still recognize her, but younger moviegoers may not realize how famous she was in the ’70s.
8. Robert Blake
Robert Blake was a child star in the ’40s and ’50s, but he became a massive TV icon in the ’70s as the tough, no-nonsense detective in Baretta. The show made him a household name, and his catchphrase—”Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”—became legendary. However, his later life was overshadowed by a highly publicized murder trial, which tarnished his legacy. Younger audiences today barely know his work, only his legal troubles.
9. Joey Heatherton
In the ’60s and ’70s, Joey Heatherton was everywhere—singing, dancing, and acting on variety shows, USO tours, and TV specials. With her sultry voice and playful on-screen presence, she was a favorite among TV audiences and entertainers like Bob Hope. However, as the variety show era faded, so did her career, and she gradually disappeared from the spotlight. Today, her name barely registers with younger generations, despite once being a major star.
10. Tony Orlando
With his group Dawn, Tony Orlando was one of the biggest music stars of the early ’70s, thanks to hits like Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree and Knock Three Times. He was also a popular TV personality, hosting The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show, a variety program that made him a household name. But as musical tastes changed and variety shows disappeared, so did his mainstream fame. While his songs remain classics, his name is no longer widely recognized.
11. Mac Davis
Mac Davis was a singer-songwriter who found success in both country and pop music, penning hits like Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me. He even wrote songs for Elvis Presley, including In the Ghetto. In the ’70s, he was also a successful actor and TV personality, hosting The Mac Davis Show. While his contributions to music were significant, his name is largely forgotten by younger generations today.
12. Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs was the supermodel of the 1970s, gracing the covers of Sports Illustrated and TIME and setting beauty standards for an entire generation. Her famous pink bikini photo became one of the most iconic images of the decade. While models today still reference her influence, most young people wouldn’t be able to pick her out of a lineup. In the ’70s, she was everywhere—but her name doesn’t carry the same weight anymore.
13. Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson was a star on Hogan’s Heroes and later became the most beloved (and sometimes controversial) host of Family Feud. His habit of kissing female contestants became a running joke, but at the time, he was the face of game shows. After leaving Family Feud in the ’80s, his fame slowly faded. Younger audiences might recognize him from the dystopian The Running Man (1987), but they wouldn’t know just how big he once was.
14. Lee Majors
Lee Majors was the ultimate action star in the ’70s, best known as The Six Million Dollar Man. He later starred in The Fall Guy, playing a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter, further cementing his status as a TV tough guy. But despite his massive TV fame, he never had a movie career to match, and younger audiences today barely recognize him. In the ’70s, he was as big as they came, but time has pushed him into nostalgia territory.
These stars once dominated pop culture, but time has a way of making even the biggest names fade. While they may not be household names for younger generations, their contributions to entertainment are unforgettable for those who lived through their prime. Maybe it’s time for a new generation to rediscover their greatness.
