The 1970s gave the world a fresh wave of famous faces, from television stars to rock singers and movie leads. Posters covered bedroom walls, and magazines sold out whenever one of these stars appeared on the cover.
Here is a look at fifteen stars who won fans across the decade and why they stood out.
1. David Cassidy – The Partridge Family (1970-1974)
Few teen idols matched the frenzy around David Cassidy. When The Partridge Family premiered in 1970, he played Keith Partridge, the charming eldest son in a family band, and viewers tuned in by the millions.
His shaggy hair and easy grin made him a fixture on magazine covers. Songs like I Think I Love You climbed the charts and turned the TV character into a real recording star.
Crowds at his concerts grew so large that some venues struggled to keep order. Fans screamed, cried, and rushed the stage, a scene that reminded many people of the Beatles years earlier.
Behind the fame, Cassidy wanted to be taken seriously as a musician. He kept performing for decades, and his early work still brings back memories for fans who grew up in that era.
2. John Travolta – Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979), Grease (1978)
Strutting down a hallway with a confident swagger, Vinnie Barbarino became a classroom legend. John Travolta played him on Welcome Back, Kotter, and the role made him a household name almost overnight.
Then came the big screen. Saturday Night Fever turned him into a dance floor icon, and Grease paired him with Olivia Newton-John as Danny Zuko, a role that still gets quoted today.
His mix of tough looks and sweet charm worked on audiences of all ages. Teen fans loved the humor, while older viewers admired his moves.
Travolta earned an Oscar nomination for his work in 1977, proving he was more than a pin-up. Few stars rose as fast or shone as brightly during those years.
3. Shaun Cassidy – The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977-1979)
Mystery, music, and a boyish grin made Shaun Cassidy a favorite in the late seventies. He played Joe Hardy on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, solving cases alongside his on-screen brother.
At the same time, his music career took off. His version of Da Doo Ron Ron reached number one in 1977, and his albums sold in huge numbers.
Shaun was the younger half-brother of David Cassidy, so teen magazines loved comparing the two. Even so, he built a fan base all his own.
Later, he moved behind the scenes and became a successful television writer and producer. Many viewers who swooned over him as teenagers now enjoy shows he helped create.
4. Leif Garrett – Teen Idol and Singer of I Was Made for Dancin’ (1978)
Blond hair, bright eyes, and a catchy dance tune: that was the recipe for Leif Garrett’s rise. His 1978 hit I Was Made for Dancin’ played on radios and in roller rinks across the country.
Garrett started as a child actor, appearing in films and television before turning to music. By his teens, he was already a familiar face.
Magazines such as Tiger Beat gave him plenty of space, and fans collected his posters and records. His concerts drew energetic young crowds.
Fame came quickly, and the following years brought many ups and downs. Still, his late seventies success keeps his name tied to the decade’s pop scene.
5. Donny Osmond – Donny & Marie (1976-1979)
Long before he hosted his own show, Donny Osmond was already a pop star. As a young member of The Osmonds, he sang on stage and television, and his solo hit Puppy Love topped the charts in the early seventies.
In 1976, he teamed up with his sister Marie for Donny & Marie, a variety show full of music, comedy, and skating numbers. The program ran for several seasons and made the pair a popular duo.
His clean-cut image and warm smile won over fans and parents alike. Purple socks became a trademark that fans still joke about.
Osmond has kept performing for decades, from stage musicals to Las Vegas residencies, which shows how lasting his appeal has been.
6. Andy Gibb – I Just Want to Be Your Everything (1977)
When I Just Want to Be Your Everything hit number one in 1977, Andy Gibb became one of the youngest stars on the charts. The song was the first of three straight number one singles for him in the United States.
He was the younger brother of the Bee Gees, and he grew up around music. His smooth voice and sunny looks made him an instant favorite with teens.
Gibb also appeared on television, including hosting duties on Solid Gold in the early eighties. Fans loved his gentle charm on screen.
His career was short, but his songs, such as Shadow Dancing, are still played on classic hits stations today.
7. Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)
Imagine a live album selling millions of copies and turning its guitarist into a household name. That is what happened in 1976 with Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the best-selling live records of the decade.
Peter Frampton’s long curls and open shirt became a look fans copied. He also used a talk box on his guitar, which made the instrument seem to speak during Show Me the Way.
Teen magazines put him on covers, and his tours filled stadiums. Rock fans admired his skill, while others simply loved his looks.
Frampton later said the sudden fame felt overwhelming. Even so, he kept making music and earned a Grammy award in 2007 for an instrumental album.
8. Bobby Sherman – Here Come the Brides (1968-1970)
Bobby Sherman proved that a sweet voice and a friendly face could light up both television and radio. He starred as Jeremy Bolt on Here Come the Brides, which aired from 1968 to 1970.
Though the show began in the late sixties, his popularity carried into the early seventies. Songs like Julie, Do Ya Love Me and Easy Come, Easy Go were big hits.
Teen magazines treated him like royalty, and fan mail arrived by the sackful. He later said the post office once struggled to keep up with the volume.
After leaving show business, Sherman trained as an emergency medical technician and helped law enforcement in California. That second chapter earned him lasting respect.
9. Robert Redford – The Way We Were (1973), The Great Gatsby (1974)
Golden hair, a quiet smile, and a steady screen presence defined Robert Redford in the seventies. Opposite Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were, he played Hubbell Gardiner, a character many viewers still remember fondly.
In 1974, he took the title role in The Great Gatsby. The film showed off elegant costumes and a romantic mood that suited his image.
Redford also starred in All the President’s Men and The Sting, which won the Oscar for Best Picture. He became one of the most bankable actors of the decade.
Away from the camera, he founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 to support independent filmmakers. His influence reaches far beyond his good looks.
10. Burt Reynolds – Deliverance (1972), Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Big laughs, a thick mustache, and a fast car: Burt Reynolds made them all part of his charm. In Smokey and the Bandit, he played Bo Darville, a smooth-talking driver who outran the law with style.
Before that, Deliverance showed his serious side. The 1972 thriller earned strong reviews and proved he could handle tough roles.
In 1972, he also posed for a famous magazine centerfold, which made headlines and added to his playful image. His humor on talk shows made him a favorite guest.
Reynolds stayed popular through the late seventies, often topping lists of the biggest box office draws. Audiences enjoyed his easy confidence and sense of fun.
11. Henry Winkler – Fonzie on Happy Days (1974-1984)
“Ayyy!” With one thumb and one word, Henry Winkler turned Fonzie into a pop culture legend. The leather-jacketed mechanic on Happy Days started as a minor character and soon became the heart of the show.
Fonzie was cool without trying. He could start a jukebox with a tap and win over a room with a wink.
Winkler earned Golden Globe awards for the role, and his jacket even found a place in the Smithsonian. Lunch boxes and toys carrying his image sold widely.
He later became a director, author, and award-winning actor, including an Emmy for Barry in 2018. Fans admire how kind and thoughtful he has remained over the years.
12. Erik Estrada – Officer Frank Poncherello on CHiPs (1977-1983)
Cruising along California highways on a police motorcycle, Erik Estrada made Officer Frank Poncherello a fan favorite. CHiPs debuted in 1977 and followed the daily adventures of two highway patrol partners.
Known as Ponch, his character had a big smile and a playful streak. Viewers enjoyed the mix of action, comedy, and friendship between him and Jon Baker, played by Larry Wilcox.
Estrada’s popularity soared, and he appeared on lunch boxes, posters, and magazine covers. Teen fans wrote him thousands of letters.
He later worked as a reserve police officer in real life, which gave his early role an interesting echo. The show still airs in reruns for new generations.
13. Richard Gere – Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Days of Heaven (1978)
Smoldering looks and a brooding style set Richard Gere apart in the late seventies. He first drew attention in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, a 1977 drama that gave him a memorable supporting role.
A year later, Days of Heaven placed him in a beautiful, dreamy story set on the Texas plains. The film is praised today for its stunning photography.
Gere had studied music and played several instruments, and he also worked on stage before film fame arrived. That background gave him a thoughtful screen presence.
His career kept growing in the eighties with An Officer and a Gentleman. Many fans trace his rise back to these moody seventies roles.
14. Christopher Reeve – Superman (1978)
Audiences believed a man could fly, thanks to Christopher Reeve. The 1978 film Superman carried the tagline “You’ll believe a man can fly,” and his performance made that promise feel real.
Reeve played two roles at once: the confident hero and the awkward reporter Clark Kent. Small changes in posture and voice made the difference clear and earned wide praise.
He was a relative newcomer when he won the part, chosen from many actors. The film became a major box office success and led to several sequels.
Later in life, Reeve became a strong advocate for spinal cord injury research after a riding accident in 1995. Fans admire both his screen heroism and his real-life courage.
15. Scott Baio – Chachi Arcola on Happy Days (Introduced in 1977)
Joining a hit show late is never easy, but Scott Baio made it look simple. In 1977, he arrived on Happy Days as Chachi Arcola, Fonzie’s young cousin, and quickly won over viewers.
Chachi had dark curls, a cheeky grin, and plenty of energy. His romance with Joanie Cunningham, played by Erin Moran, became a key storyline.
The role led to a spin-off called Joanie Loves Chachi in 1982. Baio also starred in Charles in Charge during the eighties.
Before Happy Days, he had appeared in the film Bugsy Malone in 1976 alongside Jodie Foster. Teen magazines placed him high on their favorite lists throughout the late seventies.
Share this story
