Some aged with grace while others faced their own personal struggles. Either way, these celebrities from your favorite ’70s and ’80s shows look nothing like they used to…
Mike Lookinland
You might recognize this adorable face as Bobby Brady, the youngest brother in The Brady Bunch…
Mike Lookinland Now
Aside from a few small reunions, Lookinland has left showbusiness for good. He now operates his own business that makes decorative concrete in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lookinland is also a self-proclaimed Deadhead, having attended over 100 Grateful Dead shows.
Janet Jackson
The ninth and youngest child of the Jackson family began her career on The Jacksons in 1976 and rose to fame throughout the ’70s and ’80s on shows like Good Times and Diff’rent Strokes.
Janet Jackson Now
Jackson went on to achieve tremendous success as a musician and is often noted for her elaborate stage shows. Her most recent album is “Unbreakable”, which came out in 2016.
David Cassidy
David Cassidy was best known for playing Keith Partridge, son of Shirley Partridge, on the musical sitcom The Partridge Family. Cassidy achieved teen idol pop superstar status in the 1970s.
David Cassidy Now
Unfortunately, after battling a lifelong addiction to alcohol, Cassidy passed away due to liver failure in 2017. He was 67 years old.
Robby Benson
Robby Benson rose to fame as a teen idol in the late 1970s for his roles in One on One and Ice Castles. He also appeared on Happy Days and Ode to Billy Joel.
Robby Benson Now
Benson later voiced Beast in Beauty and the Beast and had a six-episode run on Friends. His heart murmur has resulted in four open-heart surgeries; Benson also wrote and starred in an off-Broadway play called Open Heart.
Mindy Cohn
Mindy Cohn was known for her role as Natalie Green on The Facts of Life. Cohn also appeared in The Boy Who Could Fly (1986) and famous sitcom Diff’rent Strokes.
Mindy Cohn Now
These days, Cohn resides in Beverly Hills and is still active in the industry. She has appeared on shows like Bones, Long Island Medium, The Middle, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Cohn also voiced Velma in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 2002–2015.
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 sung the soundtrack of the 1970s. From hit singles like “I Want You Back” to “I’ll Be There”, the Jacksons certainly earned their place in the Hall of Fame.
The Jackson 5 Now
17 years after disbanding, the ground had their first and only reunion, reuniting to honor their deceased brother, Michael Jackson. Supposedly, new music is on the way…
Johnny Whitaker
Johnny Whitaker rose to fame as loveable redhead Jody Davis on Family Affair from 1966–1971. He also played Scotty Baldwin on General Hospital and starred as the lead in the musical drama adaptation of Tom Sawyer.
Johnny Whitaker Now
Whitaker struggled with substance abuse issues for many years. It took an intervention from his family for the actor to get clean. Aside from a few small cameos, Whitaker has otherwise left the industry. He has been sober for 21 years.
Kim Richards
Prudence Everett stole our hearts in Nanny and the Professor. Richards also performed in a number of Disney films during her youth, including Escape to Witch Mountain and its sequel, Return from Witch Mountain.
Kim Richards Now
In 2010, Richards became a TV personality on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She was let go after five seasons, but guest-starred in seasons 6, 7, and 9. Richards was arrested in 2015 for shoplifting from Target.
Robbie Rist
Before he appeared in cult classic Revenge of the Nerds, Robbie Rist was known for playing cousin Oliver on The Brady Bunch, Martin on Grady, and David on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Robbie Rist Today
Nowadays, Rist has become more involved with the behind-the-scenes aspects of showbusiness. He has been recognized for voicing an assortment of characters in TV, games, and movies, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Balto. He is credited with providing music for the Sharknado franchise.
Helen HuntHelen Hunt’s early days included appearances on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Swiss Family Robinson, It Takes Two, and more…
Helen Hunt Now
Hunt rose to fame as Jamie Buchman on the ’90s sitcom Mad About You, for which she won a number of Emmys and Golden Globes. She even took home an Academy Award for Best Actress for starring as Carol Connelly in As Good as It Gets (1997).
Jodie Foster
One of the most successful child stars of the ’70s and ’80s, Jodie Foster’s breakthrough role was in Maritn Scorsese’s psychological thriller Taxi Driver. She also starred in other movies, such as the original 1976 Freaky Friday.
Jodie Foster Now
Foster struggled to transition into adult roles after attending Yale, but she eventually made waves in The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs. Foster has gone on to direct episodes of House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, and Black Mirror.
Barry Williams
Greg Brady from The Brady Bunch was one of the hottest teen heartthrobs on the ’70s and ’80s. After The Brady Bunch was canceled, Williams became involved with musical theater.
Barry Williams Now
Barry Williams is now the oldest surviving cast member from The Brady Bunch. Williams toured with stage productions of Grease, The Sound of Music, and West Side Story.
Scott Baio
Scott Baio was primarily known for his role as Chachi Arcola on Happy Days and its subsequent spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi. Baio also starred as the titular hero in Bugsy Malone.
Scott Baio Now
Baio went on to guest-star on a variety of TV programs and appeared in a number of indie movies. He also starred on Nickelodeon sitcom See Dad Run. Baio has now been the subject of several sexual misconduct allegations.
Ron Howard
Young Ron Howard first fell into the spotlight for playing Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. He also appeared in the 1962 musical film The Music Man.
Ron Howard Now
Howard’s success carried him to the present day, where he has now directed Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, and other critical and commercial hits. Howard has four children, one of whom is famous actress Bryce Dallas Howard.
Susan Dey
Susan Dey was introduced to audiences as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family and later starred on the drama series L.A. Law. Dey also modeled for a period of time.
Susan Dey Now
Now, Dey has officially retired from show business. She refuses to participate in any of the show’s reunions, possibly due to her former romance with the late David Cassidy.
Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal became the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award in 1974 at the age of ten for her performance as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon. One of her first public boyfriends was Michael Jackson.
Tatum O’Neal Now
O’Neal has only appeared in 5 movies since 1984. After battling addiction and a subsequent arrest, she has since become an author and TV star. O’Neal was briefly involved in a volatile marriage with celebrity tennis player John McEnroe.
Erin Murphy
Murphy is best known for her role as Tabitha Stephens on Bewitched. For the first season of the show, Murphy and her twin sister Diane shared the role, but as they grew older and looked less alike, Erin took over full time.
Erin Murphy Now
After the end of Bewitched, Erin left show business in hopes of leading a normal life. She eventually had children and taught for a period of time. Eventually, Erin returned to the industry to become a TV host and reality star.
Linda Blair
Linda Blair broke into the industry for her role as Regan in The Exorcist (1973) for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe. In the ’70s and ’80s, Blair starred in a number of controversial dramatic TV films.
Linda Blair Now
In recent years, Blair had a guest role on Supernatural. She is also a vegan and a public supporter of animal rights. In 2004, she founded the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, an organization that rehabilitates and adopts rescue animals.
Danielle Spencer
Spencer was known for her role as Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, which ran from 1976 to 1979. Later, Spencer reprised the role on the series’ sequel, What’s Happening Now!!
Danielle Spencer Now
Spencer considers herself to be in semi-retirement from show business, only acting when she really wants to. Otherwise, Danielle became a veterinarian in 1996.
Ron Paolillo
Ron Paolillo was best known for his role as Arnold Horshack on Welcome Back Kotter, a lovable, dimwitted “sweathog” whose antics made him a standout character on the series.
Ron Paolillo Now
Sadly, Ron passed away at age 63 due to a heart attack. He went on to direct a number of plays and musicals as well as teach drama at G-Star School of the Arts. He is survived by his partner of 41 years, Joseph Gramm.
Kristy McNichol
McNichol rose to fame for starring in shows like Starsky & Hutch, The Bionic Woman, American Style, and The Love Boat. McNichol also won two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence in Family.
Kristy McNichol Now
After 24 years, McNichol retired from acting. She released a statement that read: “My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part – myself.” McNichol taught acting at a private LA school and presently works with a number of charities.
Mackenzie Phillips
When Mackenzie Phillips starred in American Graffiti, she was only 12 years old. However, she officially rose to stardom in the ’70s when she played Julie Cooper on long-running One Day at a Time.
Mackenzie Phillips Now
Phillips was fired from One Day at a Time after her addiction got the best of her. She was in and out of rehab for several years. Since then, Phillips has appeared on Orange Is the New Black and Hot in Cleveland.
Karen Carpenter
Karen and her brother Richard formed the Carpenters, a musical duo that achieved critical success in the 1970s. Carpenter was the band’s drummer, but she eventually took over as frontwoman.
Karen Carpenter Now
Karen Carpenter passed away in 1983 at only 32 years old after a long and painful battle with anorexia. Carpenter’s cause of death was cardiac arrest. She performed up until her death.
Melissa Gilbert
Gilbert starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie and later played Anne Frank in the movie adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Melissa Gilbert Now
During the 2016 election, Gilbert ran for Michigan’s eighth congressional district, but she dropped out of the race due to undisclosed health issues. She was a presumptive Democratic nominee.
Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick was only 12 when she signed on for the role of Marcia Brady, the eldest and usually wisest Brady sibling on The Brady Bunch.
Maureen McCormick Now
After struggling with drug addiction for a number of years, Maureen managed to maintain sobriety. She even participated in Dancing with the Stars in 2016.
Valerie Bertinelli
Valerie Bertinelli starred on One Day at a Time for nearly a decade. She appeared in 208 of the 209 episodes of the show.
Valerie Bertinelli Now
Bertinelli went on to play Gloria on the religious drama series Touched by an Angel and later Melanie Moretti on Hot in Cleveland. Bertinelli has since hosted several cooking shows on the Food Network: Valerie’s Home Cooking, Family Food Showdown, and Kids Baking Championship.
Tanya Tucker
Tanya had her first hit country single at only age 13 when she released “Delta Dawn.” Tucker was one of the few child performers whose audience stuck with her as she matured.
Tanya Tucker Now
Tucker has had a number of successful albums and top-10 and top-40 hits. Tucker’s hair has been dyed pink to support her friend who is battling cancer for the third time, and she says it will remain that way until it goes into submission.
Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce played a character of the same name on The Partridge Family. Danny Partridge was known as the comic relief character who played the bass in the fake family band.
Danny Bonaduce Now
Since 2011, Bonaduce was a radio show host in Philadelphia and LA. He also starred in a brief reality show about his own life on VH1 called Breaking Bonaduce in 2005.
Adam Rich
Adam riched starred as Nicholas Bradford in every single episode of Eight is Enough. His haircut proved to be the inspiration for a generation of pageboy chops.
Adam Rich Now
After his role on the show came to an end, Rich dropped out of high school and battled drug addiction for several years before he was arrested on drug-related charges. Since then, Rich has been in and out of rehab.
Erin Moran
Erin starred as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days, earning her own spinoff in which she reprised the role for Joanie Loves Chachi alongside Scott Baio. She also acted in The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote.
Erin Moran Now
Up until her death, Moran appeared in a number of small roles. She also participated in a lawsuit against CBS in which she and her costars claimed they had not been compensated for the use of their likeness. Moran passed away in 2017.