Back in Time Today
The 1970s brought us unforgettable movies and actors who captured our hearts with their talent and charisma. These stars lit up the silver screen during a revolutionary time in Hollywood when filmmaking pushed boundaries and created classics we still love today. Many of these celebrities have taken surprising paths since their heyday, with some continuing to shine while others chose entirely different lives away from fame.
1. Tatum O’Neal: From Child Star to Survivor
The youngest Oscar winner in history captivated audiences as a cigarette-smoking con artist in ‘Paper Moon’ alongside her father Ryan. Her natural talent seemed limitless back in 1973. Life after childhood stardom proved challenging for Tatum. She battled substance abuse issues while attempting to maintain her acting career, appearing in projects like ‘Rescue Me’ but never recapturing her early success. In 2020, O’Neal suffered a stroke but has shown remarkable resilience. Now in her late 50s, she focuses on health and family relationships, occasionally taking on small roles that showcase her enduring talent.
2. Gene Hackman: The Legend Who Walked Away
Rugged and authentic, Hackman dominated screens with his intense performances in ‘The French Connection’ and ‘The Conversation.’ His no-nonsense approach made him perfect for tough-guy roles with hidden depth. Unlike many peers, Hackman made a clean break from Hollywood in 2004, refusing all acting offers. He reinvented himself as a novelist, writing historical fiction from his Santa Fe home while fiercely guarding his privacy. His final years were spent peacefully with his wife Betsy before his passing in February 2025 at 95. Fans remember him not just for his acting prowess but for knowing exactly when to bow out gracefully.
3. Ali MacGraw: From Heartbreaker to Spiritual Seeker
Her tearjerker performance in ‘Love Story’ made audiences sob uncontrollably while catapulting her to instant fame. Those unforgettable dark eyes and that famous line—”Love means never having to say you’re sorry”—defined early ’70s romance. MacGraw’s Hollywood journey took an unexpected turn when wildfire destroyed her Malibu home in the early ’90s. Rather than rebuilding her California life, she saw it as a sign to start fresh. Santa Fe became her sanctuary, where she embraced yoga decades before it was mainstream. Now in her 80s, she channels her energy into animal advocacy and community service, having found fulfillment far from the cameras.
4. Rick Moranis: The Comedy Star Who Chose Family First
His nervous energy and impeccable comic timing made him perfect as the lovable nerd in films that defined ’80s comedy. Though slightly past our ’70s focus, Moranis first gained attention through sketch comedy in the late 1970s. Tragedy struck in 1991 when his wife died from cancer, leaving him with two young children. Without hesitation, Moranis made the remarkable choice to step away from his booming career to be a full-time dad. For decades, he declined roles that would take him away from home. Only recently has he cautiously considered returning to acting, showing that sometimes the biggest stars make their most important decisions off-camera.
5. Linda Blair: From Possessed Child to Animal Protector
That rotating head and pea soup scene from ‘The Exorcist’ traumatized an entire generation! At just 14, Blair tackled one of cinema’s most disturbing roles, earning an Oscar nomination and instant recognition that would prove difficult to escape. Despite attempts to diversify her roles, Blair found herself typecast in horror films throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Rather than fight an uphill battle, she gradually shifted her focus toward her true passion. Animals became her calling. The Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, which she founded in the early 2000s, rescues and rehabilitates abused animals. Her compound in California houses dozens of dogs awaiting forever homes—a redemption story far more powerful than any Hollywood script.
6. Barbra Streisand: The Perfectionist Who Finally Relaxed
‘Funny Girl’ might have made her famous in the late ’60s, but Streisand truly dominated the ’70s both musically and on screen. Her perfectionism became legendary—she directed, produced, wrote, and starred in her projects, controlling every aspect of her artistry. Unlike many stars who fade, Streisand maintained relevance across six decades. She continued creating music, directing films, and occasionally acting while becoming increasingly selective about her projects. At 81, she finally announced her retirement from public performance. After years of battling stage fright despite her success, Streisand now focuses on writing her memoirs and enjoying life with husband James Brolin at their elaborate Malibu compound.
7. Sondra Locke: The Star Caught in Eastwood’s Shadow
Oscar-nominated for her very first film ‘The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,’ Locke possessed a vulnerable intensity that made her performances memorable. Her personal and professional partnership with Clint Eastwood defined her career throughout the ’70s. Their bitter breakup in 1989 led to notorious legal battles that overshadowed her talents. Determined to reinvent herself, Locke moved behind the camera, directing thoughtful films like ‘Ratboy’ and ‘Trading Favors’ that showcased her artistic vision. Breast and bone cancer plagued her later years, though she continued developing projects until her death in 2018 at 74. Her autobiography, ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly,’ revealed the steep price she paid for fame.
8. Mark Hamill: From Jedi Knight to Voice Acting Royalty
A car accident between filming the original ‘Star Wars’ and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ slightly altered his appearance and perhaps his Hollywood trajectory. Despite this, Hamill’s portrayal of Luke Skywalker made him a global icon. When live-action roles became scarce, Hamill discovered his incredible vocal talents. His Joker performance in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ revolutionized voice acting, bringing theatrical depth to animation. While he triumphantly returned as Luke in the recent ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, Hamill’s greatest legacy may be his pioneering work in gaming and animation voice acting. His Twitter presence reveals a witty, politically engaged man who embraces his place in pop culture history.
9. Peter Fonda: The Easy Rider Who Never Stopped Exploring
‘Easy Rider’ transformed American cinema and established Fonda as a counterculture icon. Captain America, his character, represented freedom and rebellion against establishment values—themes that would follow Fonda throughout his life. Unlike his famous sister Jane or father Henry, Peter maintained a lower profile while continuing to work consistently. He earned a late-career Oscar nomination for ‘Ulee’s Gold’ in 1997, proving his talent extended far beyond his youth. An avid motorcyclist until his later years, Fonda embodied the free spirit he portrayed on screen. Lung cancer claimed his life in 2019 at 79, but his influence on independent filmmaking remains immeasurable.
10. Bo Derek: The Perfect ’10’ Who Found Rural Bliss
That iconic beach running scene with cornrow braids created an instant sensation in 1979. Derek’s perfect appearance in ’10’ made her the ultimate sex symbol as the ’70s closed—a status that proved difficult to transcend. Though she continued acting in films like ‘Tarzan, the Ape Man,’ critics were rarely kind. Her marriage to director John Derek, 30 years her senior, sparked controversy but lasted until his death in 1998. Horse breeding became her passion in later years. She now lives on a California ranch with actor John Corbett, advocating for wounded veterans and animal welfare causes. At 67, she embraces aging naturally, rejecting Hollywood’s obsession with eternal youth.
11. Jack Nicholson: The Devilish Grin That Faded From View
Nobody captured mischievous rebellion better than Nicholson. His performances in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and ‘Chinatown’ defined ’70s cinema with their perfect blend of charm and menace. For decades, Nicholson remained bankable, evolving from counterculture icon to Oscar-winning elder statesman. His courtside Lakers appearances became as famous as his film roles. After 2010’s ‘How Do You Know,’ Nicholson quietly stepped away from acting. Memory issues reportedly contributed to his retirement decision. Now in his 80s, he rarely makes public appearances, preferring the privacy of his longtime Mulholland Drive home—a stark contrast to his formerly vivacious public persona.
12. Phoebe Cates: The Swimsuit Sensation Who Chose Family
Though her career peaked in the ’80s with that unforgettable red bikini scene in ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ Cates first appeared in films during the late ’70s. Her natural beauty and charm made her the crush of an entire generation. Marriage to actor Kevin Kline in 1989 shifted her priorities. After starring in ‘Princess Caraboo’ in 1994, Cates made the deliberate choice to step away from acting and focus on raising their two children in New York City. Entrepreneurship called in 2005 when she opened Blue Tree, a successful boutique on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Now in her 60s, Cates occasionally attends events with her husband but has never expressed interest in returning to Hollywood.
13. Ryan O’Neal: The Heartthrob With a Troubled Legacy
Handsome and charismatic, O’Neal skyrocketed to fame opposite Ali MacGraw in ‘Love Story,’ earning an Oscar nomination and heartthrob status. His partnership with director Peter Bogdanovich in ‘Paper Moon’ and ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ showcased his comedic talents. Personal troubles plagued his later years. Tumultuous relationships, including his famous on-again-off-again romance with Farrah Fawcett, and conflicts with his children often overshadowed his acting work. Health battles dominated his final chapter. Leukemia, diagnosed in 2001, went into remission but left him weakened. After sporadic television appearances, O’Neal passed away from heart failure in December 2023 at 82, just months after his ‘Love Story’ co-star MacGraw had visited him.
14. Dyan Cannon: The Actress Who Found Faith
Her infectious laugh and boundless energy made Cannon stand out in films like ‘Heaven Can Wait’ and ‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.’ Beyond her three Oscar nominations, she became known for her courtside presence at Lakers games long before Jack Nicholson made it cool. After her highly publicized divorce from Cary Grant, Cannon reinvented herself multiple times. She broke barriers by directing the documentary ‘Number One with a Bullet’ and writing/directing ‘The End of Innocence,’ based on her own life. A spiritual awakening in the 1970s transformed her worldview. Now in her 80s, Cannon focuses on faith-based initiatives and occasionally acts in family-friendly projects while maintaining her trademark blonde curls and vibrant personality.
15. Shelley Duvall: The Quirky Icon’s Difficult Journey
Robert Altman discovered her unique look and mannerisms, casting her in films like ‘Brewster McCloud’ and ‘3 Women.’ Her wide-eyed, unconventional beauty made her perfect for eccentric roles that required vulnerability. Stanley Kubrick’s infamous treatment of Duvall during the filming of ‘The Shining’—requiring 127 takes for a single scene—reportedly contributed to her later difficulties. After finding success producing children’s television in the 1980s, she gradually retreated from public life. Mental health struggles became apparent during a controversial 2016 television appearance. Living quietly in Texas with her partner, Duvall battled diabetes complications before passing away in July 2024 at 75, leaving behind a legacy of truly original performances.