Back in Time Today
Remember those magical evenings spent in front of the TV during the 1970s? The actors who graced our screens back then weren’t just entertainers—they became part of our extended families. Their characters shaped our understanding of humor, bravery, and human connection in ways that continue to resonate today. Whether they portrayed leather-jacketed rebels, crime-fighting detectives, or lovable goofballs, these performers captured our hearts with performances that have stood the test of time.
1. Henry Winkler: The Coolest Cat on Television
Leather jacket, slicked-back hair, and two thumbs up—Henry Winkler’s portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days became the definition of cool for an entire generation. His signature “Ayyy!” catchphrase entered the cultural lexicon, while kids everywhere attempted to start jukeboxes with a simple pound of their fist.
Beyond the Fonz, Winkler has revealed himself as a man of tremendous talent and heart. His Emmy-winning role as acting coach Gene Cousineau on HBO’s Barry showcases his dramatic depth, while his children’s books about dyslexic hero Hank Zipzer reflect his own struggles with learning differences.
2. John Travolta: Saturday Night Icon
From swaggering Vinnie Barbarino in Welcome Back, Kotter to disco king Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, John Travolta embodied the pulse of 70s youth culture. Those hip-swiveling dance moves and that infectious smile launched him into the stratosphere of superstardom, especially after his turn as Danny Zuko in Grease cemented his heartthrob status.
Travolta’s career has seen remarkable highs and challenging lows—a Hollywood journey marked by spectacular comebacks. His Pulp Fiction renaissance reminded audiences of his remarkable range, while his personal resilience through family tragedies has revealed the depth of character behind the dazzling smile that first captured our hearts decades ago.
3. Farrah Fawcett: The Golden-Haired Angel
That iconic red swimsuit poster adorned millions of bedroom walls, but Farrah Fawcett was so much more than just a beautiful image. As private investigator Jill Munroe on Charlie’s Angels, she kicked down doors for female action heroes while maintaining an approachable charm that made audiences feel they knew her personally.
Farrah’s feathered blonde hairstyle launched a national trend—women everywhere brought her picture to salons demanding “The Farrah.” Her later career revealed surprising depth, particularly in the heart-wrenching telefilm The Burning Bed, which highlighted domestic abuse issues when few would discuss them openly.
Though she left us in 2009, her luminous smile and pioneering spirit continue to influence popular culture in countless ways.
4. Burt Reynolds: Mustached Maverick
With that legendary mustache and mischievous laugh, Burt Reynolds embodied a distinctly American brand of masculinity. Behind the wheel of a Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit or navigating treacherous waters in Deliverance, Reynolds projected an effortless charisma that made him the top box office draw for five consecutive years.
Football player turned stuntman turned superstar, Reynolds brought a physical authenticity to his roles that audiences couldn’t resist. His good ol’ boy charm masked surprising depth—he turned down serious roles in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Star Wars, choices he later regretted.
Reynolds’ later career renaissance in Boogie Nights reminded us all what made him special: that rare combination of swagger, vulnerability, and winking self-awareness.
5. Lynda Carter: Superhero Pioneer
Those iconic spin transformations and bullet-deflecting bracelets made Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman an unforgettable symbol of female empowerment. Standing tall at 5’11” with a presence that commanded attention, Carter brought dignity and strength to a character that could have easily been reduced to mere eye candy in less capable hands.
A former beauty queen (Miss World USA 1972), Carter silenced critics with her nuanced portrayal of both Wonder Woman and her alter-ego Diana Prince. Her athletic prowess was no act—she performed many of her own stunts and brought authentic physical capability to the role.
Beyond the star-spangled costume, Carter’s warmth and intelligence created a superhero girls could genuinely aspire to become, decades before the current era of female-led action films.
6. Richard Roundtree: The Original Shaft
“Who’s the black private dick that’s a sex machine to all the chicks?” The answer was Richard Roundtree, whose portrayal of detective John Shaft revolutionized Black representation in Hollywood. With his leather coat, turtleneck sweater, and take-no-prisoners attitude, Roundtree created a hero who was unapologetically Black and undeniably cool.
Beyond the iconic theme song and stylish exterior, Roundtree brought remarkable nuance to what could have been a one-dimensional character. His Shaft was intelligent, resourceful, and complex—a professional who navigated both criminal underworlds and institutional racism with equal determination.
Roundtree kicked open doors for generations of Black actors while creating an enduring cultural touchstone that continues to influence film, fashion, and music today.
7. Carol Burnett: Queen of Comedy
That famous ear tug at the end of each episode wasn’t just a signature move—it was Carol Burnett’s secret hello to her grandmother. Such personal touches defined The Carol Burnett Show, where weekly sketches showcased her remarkable range from subtle character work to outrageous physical comedy.
The curtain rod dress in her Gone With the Wind parody remains one of television’s most hilarious moments. Yet Burnett’s genius lay in her willingness to be vulnerable alongside the laughs, creating characters both ridiculous and deeply human.
A trailblazer in the male-dominated comedy landscape, Burnett assembled a dream team of performers like Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, creating a collaborative atmosphere where breaking character into genuine laughter became part of the show’s irresistible charm.
8. James Garner: The Reluctant Hero
Living in a dilapidated trailer and constantly dodging bill collectors, James Garner’s Jim Rockford was the antithesis of slick TV detectives. His worn-out Pontiac Firebird and world-weary sigh when answering his iconic answering machine created a character real people could relate to—a working-class hero just trying to make rent.
Garner brought authenticity to everything he touched. A genuine war hero (Korean War Purple Heart recipient), he performed many of his own driving stunts in The Rockford Files, including the famous “J-turn” that became the show’s signature move.
Unlike many macho TV leads, Garner’s Rockford wasn’t afraid to show fear or run from danger when outmatched. This refreshing honesty made him not just likable but genuinely trustworthy.
9. Pam Grier: Action Heroine Trailblazer
Long before female action stars became commonplace, Pam Grier was kicking down doors and taking names. Her fierce portrayals in films like Coffy and Foxy Brown created a new archetype: the action heroine who could outfight, outshoot, and outsmart any man foolish enough to cross her path.
Grier’s performances transcended the exploitation film genre through sheer force of personality and commitment. Her characters fought against drug dealers, corrupt officials, and systemic racism with a righteous fury that resonated with audiences tired of seeing Black communities victimized on screen.
With her magnificent Afro and take-no-prisoners attitude, Grier embodied a powerful Black femininity rarely seen in mainstream cinema, influencing everyone from Quentin Tarantino to Beyoncé.
10. Jack Klugman: Everyman Extraordinaire
Rumpled, raspy-voiced, and remarkably real—Jack Klugman brought working-class authenticity to every role he played. As sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, his exasperated chemistry with Tony Randall created television magic, their friendship extending far beyond the screen into real life.
Klugman’s second iconic 70s role came as medical examiner Quincy, where he transformed what could have been dry procedural drama into compelling television through sheer force of personality. His passionate monologues about social issues made medicine and science accessible to mainstream audiences.
A throat cancer survivor who lost a vocal cord, Klugman continued acting despite his increasingly raspy voice—a testament to his remarkable determination and the genuine connection audiences felt with this uniquely authentic performer.
11. Sally Field: From Flying Nun to Oscar Winner
“You like me, you really like me!” That famous Oscar speech revealed the vulnerability behind Sally Field’s remarkable strength. Her 1970s journey from lightweight TV roles to heavyweight dramatic performances represents one of Hollywood’s most impressive evolutions.
After playing the perky Flying Nun, Field shattered her good-girl image with gritty performances in films like Smokey and the Bandit. Her breakthrough came with Norma Rae, portraying a factory worker turned union organizer with such authentic determination that she earned her first Academy Award.
What makes Field special is her emotional transparency—the sense that we’re witnessing genuine feelings rather than performance. This authenticity allowed her to transcend typecasting and build one of Hollywood’s most respected careers.
12. Alan Alda: The Thinking Person’s Star
Hawkeye Pierce wasn’t your typical war hero—he fought with humor, compassion, and moral outrage rather than weapons. Alan Alda’s 11-year portrayal on M*A*S*H created television’s perfect blend of comedy and tragedy, showing how laughter could be both a coping mechanism and a form of protest against war’s absurdity.
Unlike many stars, Alda wasn’t content to simply recite lines. He wrote and directed numerous M*A*S*H episodes, infusing the show with his passionate humanism and feminist values that were remarkably progressive for the era.
A genuine Renaissance man, Alda hosted Scientific American Frontiers for 13 years, founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, and continues acting into his 80s—recently earning an Oscar nomination for Marriage Story.
13. Cheryl Ladd: The Angel Who Soared
Replacing a cultural phenomenon like Farrah Fawcett seemed impossible, yet Cheryl Ladd managed it with grace and determination. Joining Charlie’s Angels as Kris Munroe (the younger sister of Fawcett’s character), Ladd brought her own distinctive charm to the series—a combination of California sunshine and surprising toughness.
Standing just 5’4″, Ladd performed many of her own stunts, bringing athletic credibility to action sequences. Her musical background (she was originally a singer) added dimension to special episodes where her character went undercover in musical environments.
Unlike many television stars trapped by iconic roles, Ladd successfully transitioned to diverse projects after Angels ended, including dramatic films, Broadway performances, and even golf championships, proving her versatility extended far beyond crime-fighting in 1970s fashion.
14. Robert Blake: The Detective with a Cockatoo
“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”—Robert Blake’s Detective Tony Baretta delivered this catchphrase with streetwise authenticity that resonated with 1970s audiences hungry for grittier television. His unconventional approach to police work and his pet cockatoo Fred created a detective unlike any seen before.
Blake brought remarkable intensity to the role, drawing on his own tough childhood and decades of acting experience that stretched back to his days as a child star in the Our Gang comedies. His Baretta was a chameleon-like undercover specialist who could blend into any environment while maintaining a strong moral compass.
The show’s unflinching look at urban crime reflected the decade’s fascination with more realistic portrayals of law enforcement, moving beyond the sanitized police dramas of earlier eras.
15. Telly Savalas: The Lollipop-Loving Lieutenant
Bald head gleaming under streetlights, lollipop in mouth, and that signature catchphrase—”Who loves ya, baby?”—Telly Savalas created one of television’s most recognizable detectives in Kojak. His Lieutenant Theo Kojak brought Mediterranean intensity to the New York City streets, solving crimes with a combination of psychological insight and no-nonsense toughness.
The lollipops weren’t initially in the script—Savalas used them as a substitute while quitting smoking. This personal touch became an iconic character trait, showing how the actor’s own personality shaped the role.
Greek-American Savalas brought authentic diversity to prime time when ethnic leads were rare. His portrayal of a compassionate but uncompromising cop who genuinely cared about his city created a new template for television detectives.