29 Stars That Were Well Known in the ’70s

The 1970s introduced a generation of stars who dominated movies, television, music, and pop culture. While some remain household names today, others have faded from the spotlight despite being among the biggest celebrities of their era. Here are 29 stars that were well known in the ’70s.

Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett became one of the defining celebrities of the decade after starring in Charlie’s Angels in 1976. Her famous red swimsuit poster sold more than 12 million copies, making it one of the best-selling posters ever produced.

---

Burt Reynolds

Few actors dominated the box office like Burt Reynolds. Hits including Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance, and The Longest Yard made him one of Hollywood’s biggest stars throughout the late 1970s.

---

Cher

Cher reinvented herself several times during the decade, scoring chart-topping hits while starring on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and later launching a hugely successful solo television career.

---

John Travolta

Saturday Night Fever and Grease turned Travolta into one of the world’s biggest movie stars almost overnight, while his disco dance moves became a defining image of the era.

---

Diana Ross

Already famous with The Supremes, Diana Ross became an even bigger solo star during the 1970s with hits like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and starred in the Oscar-nominated film Lady Sings the Blues.

---

Robert Redford

Redford starred in classic films including The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Three Days of the Condor, becoming one of the decade’s most respected leading men.

---

Olivia Newton-John

Grease made Olivia Newton-John an international superstar, while songs like You’re the One That I Want and Hopelessly Devoted to You became enduring classics.

---

David Bowie

Bowie constantly reinvented himself throughout the decade, creating iconic personas like Ziggy Stardust while releasing influential albums including Heroes and Low.

---

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda won two Academy Awards during the decade and became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about celebrities through both her films and political activism.

---

Richard Pryor

---

Steve McQueen

---

Elton John

Elton John released a remarkable string of hit albums during the 1970s, becoming just as famous for his extravagant costumes as for songs like Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer.

---

Barbra Streisand

Streisand dominated both music and film, winning an Academy Award for Funny Girl and starring in hits including The Way We Were and A Star Is Born.

---

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky turned Stallone from an unknown actor into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars almost instantly after its release in 1976.

---

Donna Summer

Known as the “Queen of Disco,” Donna Summer defined dance music with massive hits including Hot Stuff, Last Dance, and Bad Girls.

---

Jack Nicholson

Nicholson delivered acclaimed performances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Chinatown, and The Last Detail, becoming one of cinema’s biggest stars.

---

Bruce Lee

Although his career was tragically short, Enter the Dragon made Bruce Lee a worldwide icon and permanently changed martial arts films.

---

Debbie Harry

As the lead singer of Blondie, Debbie Harry became one of punk and new wave’s biggest stars before crossing into mainstream pop.

---

Gene Wilder

Wilder became unforgettable through Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.

---

Linda Ronstadt

Ronstadt was one of the decade’s best-selling female artists, effortlessly moving between rock, country, and pop music.

---

Richard Roundtree

Roundtree became the face of the blaxploitation era after starring as private detective John Shaft.

---

Bette Midler

Bette Midler built a huge following through her flamboyant stage performances before becoming an award-winning actress.

---

Bee Gees

The Bee Gees became the soundtrack of the disco era with Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, and How Deep Is Your Love.

---

Liza Minnelli

Minnelli won the Academy Award for Cabaret and became one of the decade’s biggest musical performers.

---

Al Pacino

The Godfather, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, and …And Justice for All established Pacino as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

---

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn became one of Hollywood’s favorite comedic actresses with films including Shampoo and Private Benjamin.

---

Paul Newman

Already a star by the late 1960s, Newman remained hugely popular thanks to films like The Sting and Slap Shot.

---

Kris Kristofferson

Kristofferson successfully balanced a hit country music career with acclaimed acting roles throughout the decade.

---

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch remained one of Hollywood’s biggest international beauty queens while starring in films throughout the 1970s.

---