Slammin’ 70’s
There was no DVR or Netflix back in the ’70s and during those days, watching television was a family tradition. Every household had a favorite, regardless of Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, What’s Happening, or Good Times. In these famous shows, you indeed recognize the child actors, too. Continue reading to see who some of these actresses and actors are and what makes them occupied these days.
Slammin’ 70’s
David Cassidy – Then
David had been given Keith Partridge’s part in the widely known The Partridge Family series. The family band’s lead singer was Keith, and it was evident that his good looks earned David the role. The producers were not even interested in whether or not David could sing.
David Cassidy – Then
David Cassidy – Now
David and The Partridge Family launched ten albums, each selling one million or more copies. It was after David reassured the producers that he was talented in singing. David eventually shot to stardom, but it was unfortunate that he died of liver failure on November 21, 2017.
David Cassidy – Now
Helen Hunt – Then
When she was less than eight years old, Helen was already acting. She started to enjoy a fantastic career through her teens in television and movies. She has performed in numerous shows, including Amy Prentiss (1974-75), Swiss Family Robinson (1975-76), and The Fitzpatrick’s (1977-78). Helen Hunt also performed in Rollercoaster and other films in 1977.
Helen Hunt – Then
Helen Hunt – Now
Helen has still been doing well with her frequent television and film performances. The actress won an Oscar for her scenes in As Good As It Gets. The 2014 comedy Ride, in which she wrote, directed, and starred, was just one of her best-known films. It was a fact that Helen saw the attacks on 9/11 from her New York apartment, and shortly afterward, she ended up taking her whole staff, and all flew for safety to Connecticut.
Helen Hunt – Now
The Jacksons – Then
Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael formed the popular group “Jackson Five.” Their first four solo albums titled “I’ll Be There,” “The Love You Save,” “ABC,” and “I Want You Back” were placed in the Billboard chart number one. It was a record in the history of the music industry back in 1970. In nine months, the singles were released, and “I’ll Be There” was number one for five weeks straight.
The Jacksons – Then
The Jacksons – Now
The Jacksons reunited in 2011, after a long break of seventeen years, to commemorate their brother’s solo career, the late Michael Jackson. They also performed as part of the group’s Unity Tour. A while ago, their brother Randy retired, but the rest of the Jacksons were active, performing at different events and concerts and traveling worldwide.
The Jacksons – Now
Janet – Then
Janet was the Jacksons’ youngest member. Sometimes she performed on variety shows with her older brothers, but Janet preferred to act rather than sing. One of her major roles was at the Good Times sitcom, where she performed the scared and battered child named Penny. Penny was living in the same area as the Evans family. Fame and Diff’rent Strokes were also a hit where Janet emerged. She also succeeded in her singing career.
Janet – Then
Janet – Now
Only her brother Michael is more successful than Janet, and she was still one of the best-known musicians in the recording sector. Janet Jackson sold millions of records, had multi-platinum albums, sold-out performances, and starred in hit movies. She married Wissam Al Mana, a billionaire, and her desire to start a family was why her latest tour was canceled.
Janet – Now
Kim Richards – Then
Kim was one of the best-known child actresses, and she performed in numerous television shows and movies in the 1970s. From shows such as James at Sixteen and Nanny and the Professor to premiering films such as Escape to Witch Mountain and the sequential Return from Witch Mountain, Kim appeared everywhere.
Kim Richards – Then
Kim Richards – Now
Kim returned to the limelight when she joined the hit reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As Kim began to emerge in the series, allegations of possible alcohol and medication problems began to spread. Kim was rehabilitated several times and claimed sobriety but was arrested for public intoxication, trespassing, battery, and resisting an officer. The series let her go but returned as a guest star now and then.
Kim Richards – Now
Mindy Cohn – Then
Many recognized that between 1979 and 1988, Mindy Cohn played the irresistible student Natalie on the Facts of Life television show. Genuine but snarky, Natalie’s character was an integral component of the show’s success. In a way, Cohn’s role was a curse because she was stereotyped as a “nice girl.” Afterward, it was difficult for her to make substantial television roles.
Mindy Cohn – Then
Mindy Cohn – Now
Cohn worked as an actor when she received a degree in cultural anthropology. Later on, she helped set up the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. Mindy was a TV guest star, but her skills led her to do more voice-over work. She has spoken “Velma” in the animated Scooby-Doo series for many years, and she even was nominated for an Emmy.
Mindy Cohn – Now
Johnny Whitaker – Then
In many television shows, Johnny popped up, including Family Affair, General Hospital, and was Jodie Foster’s first on-screen peck on the lips when they premiered in the film Tom Sawyer. When his friend Anissa Jones died, Johnny fought hard, and he stopped acting for a long time. On Family Affair, she played his sister.
Johnny Whitaker – Then
Johnny Whitaker – Now
Johnny experienced a long and challenging period of drug abuse, and his family decided to intervene to force the actor to get help. It was a 12-step program that helped him overcome his substance abuse problems, and he has been clean for 12 years now. It was confirmed that Johnny was fluent in various languages, such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and American Sign Language.
Johnny Whitaker – Now
Mike Lookinland – Then
Mike played Bobby Brady in The Brady Bunch. The character was full of energy and pleasant, but Lookinland was emotional in some episodes. It was confirmed that Mike’s hair was curly and sandy brown, and to depict Bobby Brady, the actor had to straighten and dye his hair to align with the other male characters of the show. It occasionally caused problems because the dye dripped on his face if the lights became too hot.
Mike Lookinland – Then
Mike Lookinland – Now
Mike emerged in several shows like Little House on The Prairie, various Brady Bunch specials, and movies like The Towering Inferno before he ultimately left show business. He lives a comfortable life with his wife and two children running his own concrete decorative business in Utah. Mike was confirmed to be a Deadhead.
Mike Lookinland – Now
Erin Murphy – Then
The American actress Erin Margaret Murphy was famous for performing in the hit series Bewitched from 1964 to 1972. She shared the limelight during the first season with her twin sister Diane playing the young Tabitha Stephens. When the girls grew older, they looked less similar, so Erin played her character. She became one of the world’s most prominent young actresses thanks to her role.
Erin Murphy – Then
Erin Murphy – Now
After Bewitched concluded, Murphy transferred to Orange County and had a chance to begin sixth grade as a “normal kid.” She got married at 21 and gave birth to her first child while living in Arizona. Ten years ago, Erin Murphy returned to Los Angeles and started to work in advertising, as a celebrity judge, and in television realities. Murphy owned two companies, one of which sells vodka martini ice pops.
Erin Murphy – Now
Robbie Rist – Then
In the last six episodes of the show, Robbie joined The Brady Bunch, and he was established to be an alternative to the other Brady children who were getting older. It was because they saw competition from other shows such as Sanford & Son. Robbie Rist played Oliver’s eight-year-old cousin even though the child actor was nine years old.
Robbie Rist – Then
Robbie Rist – Now
Robbie was the voice actor in the animated film titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman: The Animated Series. Robbi was a skillful person who gained much attention in movie soundtracks in Sharknado and Sharknado 2. He was a talented actor, but he was also the lead singer, drummer, bassist, and guitarist for various Los Angeles bands. We could tell that Robbie was a talented man that got many skills.
Robbie Rist – Now
Tina Majorino- Then
Tina was a child actress in the movie Waterworld. In the film, Tina was acting as a character named Enola. Tina did not stop there and continued her acting career in Hollywood. The actress started to get roles in various films that included Corrina and Alice in Wonderland. In the movie Alice in Wonderland, Tina played the main character named Alice. However, her career did not stop there.
Tina Majorino- Then
Tina Majorino- Now
We might recognize Tina because of her performance in Napoleon Dynamite playing as Deb. Tina was also featured in shows like Grey’s Anatomy, in which she played a role for 22 episodes. Previously, Tina acted 12 episodes in Scorpion as Florence. We were glad that Tina was continuing to act up to this day. We thought that Tina would not stop in her career in Hollywood.
Tina Majorino- Now
Valerie Bertinelli – Then
Valerie was born in 1960. The actress was only 15 years old when she played a role in One Day at a Time. The show had 209 episodes, and in 208 of those episodes, the actress had been featured. In 1984, the series was finished. However, in 2005, the cast of One Day at a Time had a reunion. At the age of 21, Valerie had earned a Golden Globe in 1981. Valerie’s success in her career did not end there.
Valerie Bertinelli – Then
Valerie Bertinelli – Now
Bertinelli became successful in her career at a young age. However, Valerie continued to act and played a role in the 1990s sitcom titled Café American and Sydney. Later in 2001, the actress became a cast in Touched by an Angel. However, the show only lasts for two seasons. The actress was having a problem with her weight for several years, but she later overcame it. In 2010, Valerie played a role in the series Hot in Cleveland.
Valerie Bertinelli – Now
Robby Benson – Then
Robby became famous because of his outstanding performance in acting. The actor was featured in shows titled Search for Tomorrow and many more. Robby also played in the movies titled Jory, Jeremy, and the well-known Ode to Billy Joe. Robby acted in Ice Castles, which the actor needed to learn to skate. However, it was one of the successful movies that he was featured in.
Robby Benson – Then
Robby Benson – Now
Currently, Robby was famous after he became the voice actor of the “Beast” in the Disney movie called Beauty and The Beast. Robby was enjoying his life with his couple. It was 1982 when Robby was married and had a job as a professor in the university in Utah, South Carolina, New York, and Indiana. However, Robby had a heart problem that he had experienced four heart surgeries that he did not tell the directors.
Robby Benson – Now
Ron Howard – Then
In the sixties, Ron entered the entertainment industry as a child actor. One of the unforgettable roles he got back those years was The Andy Griffith Show. However, the part that the actor became famous for was when he was featured in Happy Days. Ron got the lead role named Richie Cunningham in the show. His character was a teenager and was residing in Milwaukee together with his friends.
Ron Howard – Then
Ron Howard – Now
If we watched the Welcome Back Kotter, then we might recognize Arnold Horshack. The character was the class clown of the Sweathogs and the kids in high school. The one who got the role was Ron Paolillo. The actor had had a fantastic performance when he played the part. Viewers were in awe when Ron had mastered the laugh of the hyena for his character.
Ron Howard – Now
Ron Paolillo – Then
If we watched the Welcome Back Kotter, then we might recognize Arnold Horshack. The character was the class clown of the Sweathogs and the kids in high school. The one who got the role was Ron Paolillo. The actor had had a fantastic performance when he played the part. Viewers were in awe when Ron had mastered the laugh of the hyena for his character.
Ron Paolillo – Then
Ron Paolillo – Now
During his adult life, Ron was in demand as well. He played a wide variety of television shows and movies like Friday The Thirteenth, Laverne and Shirley in The Army, and many others. He was also a fashion designer, directed several Broadway musicals and plays, and even wrote some children’s books. On August 14, 2012, Ron Paolillo died at home from a heart attack.
Ron Paolillo – Now
Scott Baio – Then
Scott was a previous heartthrob when he played a role in the sitcom titled Happy Days. Scott played the character Chachi. Before Scott was featured in the sitcom, the actor got the lead in the musical film called Bugsy Malone. The movie was about 1920’s gangsters similar to the era of Bugs Moran and Al Capone. There were child actors, including Jodie Foster, who became the future Oscar winner. There were two thousand who tried to get the role of Scott in the film.
Scott Baio – Then
Scott Baio – Now
Scott was registered as a Republican and became famous when he was featured in the sitcom Joanie Loves Chachi. Scott also worked in some movies, including Skatetown USA, Zapped, and Foxes. His previous project was his reality show. Scott also released a couple of shows for Nick at Nite. However, in 2016, there were reports that Scott was involved in an argument with a barista. The barista did not have to say Trump’s name.
Scott Baio – Now
Susan Dey – Then
Susan played a role as Laurie Partridge in the famous series called The Partridge Family. The actress became a part of the show together with David Cassidy and Shirley Jones. Before Susan became an actress and featured in the famous play, she worked as a fashion model. At the age of seventeen, Susan did not have any experience in acting.
Susan Dey – Then
Susan Dey – Now
Susan had played a role in a couple of films like Skyjacked, Disappearance, and Little Women. Susan was not only featured in movies but also in television series like LA Law. However, Susan did not go to the reunion of the well-known show The Partridge Family. After the show was finished, David and Susan dated for some time, but it did not end well. At the current day, the two have not talked to each other since then.
Susan Dey – Now
Karen Carpenter – Then
Karen was known as an American singer and drummer. Karen was admired by people who played drums. However, Karen became famous because of the contralto vocal range. The singer was performing together with her brother Richard. The two had released their 1970 album called “Close to You.” Not only the album but also two famous singles like “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “(They Long To Be) Close to You.”
Karen Carpenter – Then
Karen Carpenter’s Passing In 1983
Karen died at the age of 32 in 1983. Karen collapsed when she was at her parent’s house, and they took her to Downey Community Hospital. The distance to the hospital was a 25-minute ride. The actress had an anorexia nervosa. Cardiac arrest was the reason why Karen died. Karen’s disorder was why The Carpenter could not perform for Queen Elizabeth in 1975 and some of the tour in Europe and the Orient.
Karen Carpenter’s Passing In 1983
Barry Williams – Then
At the young age of 14, Barry played a role in The Brady Bunch as Greg Brady. Because of his role, Barry was adored by the viewers of the show. Many female viewers throughout the United States were in love with Barry. Barry was skilled in acting, but the actor also released an album with his TV siblings. It was the reason why Barry’s fame rose, especially to the female viewers.
Barry Williams – Then
Barry Williams – Now
Barry had earned the Young Artist Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award from the Young Artist Association in 1989. In 1992, Barry had published an autobiography named “Growing Up Brady… I Was A Teenage Greg,” and was included in the best-sellers list for three months. Barry got some guest roles in a couple of Brady Bunch specials, Three’s Company, and That 70s Show. Barry also acted in West Side Story, Grease, and The Sound Of Music.
Barry Williams – Now
Maureen McCormick – Then
We might talk about some of the men in the sitcom titled The Brady Bunch. However, this woman named Maureen was also part of the famous sitcom. From 1969 to 1974, Maureen acted as Marcia Brady. Her character was beautiful, intelligent, and positive in her life. The actress was not only concerned about her looks but also in politics. The actress was only 12 years old when she played her famous role.
Maureen McCormick – Then
Maureen McCormick – Now
Maureen McCormick was married to Michael Cummings in 1985. The couple had a daughter named Natalie, who was born in 1989. After Maureen’s TV show was finished, the actress was suffering from drug addiction. However, after some time, Maureen recuperated in her habit. The actress became a well-known contestant in Celebrity Fit Club and became the winner of the show.
Maureen McCormick – Now
Danny Bonaduce – Then
Danny was a well-known child actor in the 70s when many people in The Partridge Family watched him. In the show, Danny was playing Danny Partridge. His character had red-colored hair and a witty child. Danny played the bass guitar in the fictional family band. One of the well-known co-star in the show was David Cassidy, and because of the show, The two had become best friends.
Danny Bonaduce – Then
Danny Bonaduce – Now
After Danny’s TV show was finished, the actor started to wear various hats. After the show was ended, Danny became famous as a radio/TV personality, comedian, and professional wrestler. The actor played a role in some TV series like in 2005 Breaking Bonaduce. In Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Danny hosted a couple of radio shows. In November 2011 in Seattle, Danny became the host of the morning talks and music show in KZOK-FM.
Danny Bonaduce – Now
Tatum O’Neal – Then
Tatum got an outstanding performance back in 1974. The actress earned the Academy Award years ago in the years. At the age of 10, Tatum played a role in Paper Moon as Addie Loggins. The actress also featured in The Bad News Bears and Nickelodeon. Tatum was famous at a young age back in the years, and it was not common to see a young child become a star in Hollywood.
Tatum O’Neal – Then
Tatum O’Neal – Now
Tatum O’Neal tied a vow to John McEnroe in 1986. The couple had three kids, but they ended up being divorced in 1994. After the actress became successful in the industry during the 70s, Tatum was featured in five movies after 15 years. Tatum returned to the industry in the 2000s, and she had featured in Sex and the City, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, Criminal Intent, Rescue Me, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and many more.
Tatum O’Neal – Now
Linda Blair – Then
Linda was born in 1956, and the actress was only 14 years old when she played a part in The Exorcist as the possessed girl. People knew her because of the head-spinning and vomiting pea soup performance. Linda reacted to the role in the 1977 sequel titled The Exorcist II: The Heretic. The actress earned the Academy Award nomination and bagged the Golden Globe. At the young age of six, Linda became a model, and from 1968 to 1969, Linda played a role in Hidden Fences.
Linda Blair – Then
Linda Blair – Now
In the 1980s, Linda played a role in some low-budget horror and exploitation movies. These included Hell Night, Savage Streets, Scream, and Chained Heat. Linda also played in a 1990 comedy film titled Repossessed and was featured in a stage and BBC TV show titled LA 7. Linda was also a host in the Fox Family show called Scariest Places on Earth from 2000 to 2006. The actress also played a role in Supernatural.
Linda Blair – Now
Melissa Gilbert – Then
Melissa Ellen Gilbert started entering the entertainment industry in the 60s and had been a child actress until the 70s where she was featured in a couple of commercials. The young actress also became a guest in some TV shows. However, Melissa became popular after playing a Little House role on the Prairie as Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was a famous show on NBC in that era. From 1974 to 1984, Melissa was also featured in some TV series and movies.
Melissa Gilbert – Then
Melissa Gilbert – Now
Gilbert was still active in her acting career when she grew up. However, Melissa was usually featured on some TV shows. Melissa became the voice actress in the animated show titled Batman: The Animated Series. The actress was also featured in Little House, Musical tour on the Prairie as Carolina “Ma” Ingalls. Many people who adored her were glad when they saw the actress in the NBC reality series titled Dancing With the Stars in 2012.
Melissa Gilbert – Now
Jodie Foster – Then
Jodie was born in 1962. The actress entered the entertainment industry in 1965. After two years, Jodie became a member of the show Mayberry R.F.D. The young actress was always seen in primetime TV in the 60s, and Jodie played a role in some children’s films. However, her famous film started when she was in her teens. These films were Taxi Driver, Disney’s Freaky Friday, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane, and Candleshoe.
Jodie Foster – Then
Jodie Foster – Now
Jodie Foster might have a successful career in Hollywood, but the actress went to Yale. At that place, Jodie played a role in a controversial movie titled The Accused. Jodie’s skill in acting was superb than gained her a Golden Globe and Academy Award. After three years, the actress earned her second Oscar because of her performance in The Silence of the Lambs. More than five decades working in Hollywood, Foster always got a lead role in films.
Jodie Foster – Now