The 1970s was a decade that saw a cultural change, the acceptance of disco, the height of the variety show, and the beginning of the blockbuster. It was a period of superstardom to some, but a golden age to others before they decided, or had to decide, to leave. But why then icons disappear, and yet others live? On this deep-dive, we discuss 10 legends that topped the Billboard charts and movie screens only to have an ugly career switch or retire into a secret and personal life.
1. Bobby Sherman: Pop Prince to Public Service.
Bobby Sherman was the greatest teen idol in the early seventies. He caused a so-called “Sherman-mania” with his boyish charm and hits such as “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” But, when his fame was at its best, Sherman took a voluntary retirement which surprised the industry. He sold his microphone and took up a new career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Sherman joined the ranks of technical primary care provider and a reserve deputy sheriff and all this is to show that to some people, service in the police force is a better thing than gold records.
2. The King of Stunt Spectacles: Evel Knievel.
Evel Knievel made jump riding on motorcycles a scheduled television show. He wore his usual star-spangled jumpsuits, and made death-threatening jumps that mesmerized millions. Towards the beginning of the 80s, though, the days of sightseeing circuses on television disappeared. Crippled by injuries and legal problems, the mainstream star of Knievel faded, but he will always be a part of the history of American folk-heroes.
3. Farrah Fawcett: The Blazing Ascent of an Angel.
In 1976 when Charlie, Angels, was launched, Farrah Fawcett soared to her heights like no other. Her hairstyle that consisted of feathers became a worldwide trend and her poster of the red swimsuit was the highest selling poster in history. She had aspirations of becoming a serious film star, and she only spent one season in the show. She was successful in stage and theater, but never again achieved the lightning-in- a-bottle success she had had as an Angel.
4. Mac Davis: The Crossover King Turned Nostalgia Act.
Mac Davis was a three threat: a songwriter of Elvis, a country-pop star and a host of a variety show. During the 80s as the musical preferences switched to synth-pop, the smooth sound of Davis lost its popularity. He later became an adorable nostalgic performer, appreciated because of his input to the sound of the 1970s but not very much present on modern radios.
5. Susan Anton: the Triple Threat that Hollywood predicts.
Six feet tall and with a thunder voice, Susan Anton was being positioned as the next A-list superstar. Although she starred in high profile roles in Goldengirl, her massive superstardom that was anticipated did not exactly happen. The career of Anton is a warning story of how unstable Hollywood buzz can be, but she was able to get a decent second act in Las Vegas shows.
6. Alison MacCallum: the Soulful Mystery of Australia.
Alison MacCallum introduced pure rock energy of the early seventies, making her be compared to the most famous soul singers of the world. With the shift of the industry, MacCallum preferred to lead a silent life, rather than the mainstream music life. Her retirement left fans with a legacy of what could have been, her strong voice was a treasure to the fans of rock purists.
7. Robert Blake: The Gritty Face of Baretta..
Robert Blake was a household name as a street-wise Tony Baretta. Baretta had become a cultural icon, thanks to his Emmy-winning skills and the punch line, Do not do the crime if you cannot do the time. Once the series had completed, Blake could not follow up with another hit, and the rest of his life was filled with high-profile lawsuits instead of acting awards.
8. Leif Garrett: A Warning Story about Child Stardom.
Leif Garrett was the one whom all teen magazines in the 1970s used to cover. Sadly enough, his life was turned into a warning example of the perils of premature fame. Drug abuse and personal conflicts ruined his music career at the start of the 80s and caused him to spend the following decades in the spotlight instead of in the number one position.
9. Peter Ostrum: One-and-Only Actor.
It is the dream of many to land the lead in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. To Peter Ostrum it was sufficient. A one-and-done film actor of the most renowned Hollywood scene, Ostrum turned down a three-film contract to become a veterinian. He is now a respected veterinarian with dairy cattle and has led a life far away outside the Chocolate Factory.
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10. Jan-Michael Vincent: The Fallen Action Hero.
Jan-Michael Vincent was an ideal action star of the seventies, who performed in the successes such as Big Wednesday. The tragic downfall came due to health issues and personal vices by the mid- 80s. His decline as a bankable lead to a desperate former star is one of the saddest stories in Hollywood of wasted talent.
Conclusion:
These 10 celebrities remind us of the fact that fame is a visitor more often than a permanent guest. Their contribution to the 1970s is unquestionable, whether it was a career shift to benefit others, or they were victims of the industry pressure.
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