These Gorgeous Women From 1970s Still Look Beautiful

It has been over four decades since the beginning of the 1970s and the actresses who lit up the screen with beauty back then are still as radiant these days. They have survived up until this point in Hollywood and there is definitely no slowing down for them! Here is a flashback to what these amazing icons used to look like compared to now! How many can you recognize? There were some who were so obvious but others we had to do a double take to make sure it was who we thought it was. Some have managed to maintain a career through to today, while there are those who disappeared from the limelight and finding out what they are up to was a mission of its own.

Goldie Hawn

Morgan Fairchild

Morgan Fairchild, born Patsy Ann McClenny, gained national fame after she played Jennifer Pace on the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow,” from 1973-1977. Her performance landed her guest roles on “Happy Days,” “Kojak,” “and “Dallas.” However, her career really took off after she appeared in “Flamingo Road” and “Falcon Crest,” in the 80s. She continues to act until today, with her most recent role in 2016’s “A Christmas in Vermont,” alongside Chevy Chase.

Meryl Streep

Streep spent most of the 1970s performing on Broadway. In 1977, she had her film debut in the TV movie, “Deadliest Season,” and had a small role in “Julia” that same year. She continued on the silver screen and finished the decade strong with her performance as Joanna Kramer in the film “Kramer v Kramer.” She received both Golden Globe & Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this performance. Streep continues to have success in film. Streep has more nominations for an Academy Award than any other actor or actress. She is also heavily involved with charity work for women’s equal rights.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton started her career singing country tunes in the 1970s and four decades later, people still can’t get enough of her. Her music career has never faulted and her transition from country singer to film actress seemed effortless. In the 80s she starred in Steel Magnolias and was simply brilliant.

Barbara Streisand

Barbara Streisand, although still young in the 60s. This is the decade where her career really took off. After having a successful music career, in the 1960s, Streisand decided to make the transition to movies. In 1968, she had her breakthrough role in “Funny Girl,” for which she won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Barbara only continues to show off her talents to the world with platinum albums and amazing acting performances. She will soon combine both when she appears in the movie adaptation of “Gypsy,” which is set to begin filming in 2017.

Cher

Cher doesn't need a last name now, and frankly, she never needed one to begin with. Cher was the other half of the Sonny and Cher Show. She was a music, fashion, and acting icon so early on in her career, that it was tough to do anything else. Cher proved she was only getting better with age when she won an Oscar for Moonstruck in the late 80s, and continued to go on to star in Silkwood, Mask and Mermaids.

Billie Jean King

King is best known for winning the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match verse male tennis champion, Bobby Riggs, in 1973. In 1981, she became the first prominent female athlete to come out as gay. King continued to have success inside and out of the tennis world. In 1987, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and in 2009 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2014, she launched the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address inclusion and diversity issues in the workplace.

Lynda Carter

Lynda is best known for starring in the TV series “Wonder Woman” from 1975 – 1979. However, in 1978 she also released a pop album “Portrait.” Two of the songs, from this album, were featured in “Wonder Woman” episodes. After “Wonder Woman” wrapped, she continued to act in various TV shows and movies. She recently appeared in the new CW series “Supergirl,” and currently credited as being a cast member in the upcoming movie “Super Troopers 2.”

Diane Keaton

Keaton’s first major film role was Kay Adams-Corleone in “The Godfather.” However, it was her films with wordy Allen that really rose her fame: “Play it Again Sam,” “Sleeper,” “Love and Death,” and “Annie Hall.” Her performance as the title role in Annie Hall won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Diane continues to land roles in movies such as “Somethings Gotta Give” and “First Wives Club.” She most recently appeared in the TV series “The Young Pope” as Sister Mary.

Jane Seymour

Jane gained International fame in her role as Bond Girl, Solitaire, in the 1973 film, Live and Let Die. Jane continued the 70s with landing roles on TV series and movies, like Battlestar Galactica and The Four Feathers. In the 1980s, Seymour began writing self-help and inspirational books, including Jane Seymour’s Guide to Romantic Living (1986), Remarkable Changes (2003), and Among Angels (2010). In 2008, she teamed up with Kay Jewelers to create the “Open Heart Collection.” She also continues to act including in movies set to be released in 2017.

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia is best known for her playing Sandy in the film adaptation of Grease. After her role as Sandy, Olivia returned to her roots as a singer and released her second studio album, Totally Hot. In 2015, Olivia released a song co-featuring her daughter, Chloe, titled You Have to Believe. The track was the first mother-daughter song to reach number-one single on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart. Today, you can still find her touring internationally with her music.

Jane Fonda

Jane began the 70s strong with winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress, in 1971, for her performance as a prostitute in Klute. However, after this film, her work in the business declined until 1977. Through her production company, IPC Films, she produced the 1977 comedy film Fun With Dick and Jane, which is generally considered her “comeback” picture. Although taking an acting hiatus in the 1990s, Jane returned to film in 2005 as Viola Fields, in Monster-In-Law. She currently co-stars alongside Lily Tomlin, in the Netflix series, Grace and Frankie.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews became a musical sensation, in the mid-1960s, from starring in the title role of Mary Poppins and, as Maria in “The Sound of Music.” However, her success continued into the 1970s, landing roles in “Darling Lili,” and “10.” Between 1973 and 1975, she headlined five variety specials on ABC. Andrews continues have a very strong career in TV and film, as well as, in voice acting for films like “Shrek” and “Despicable Me.” She is currently filming “Julie’s Greenroom,” an educational pre-school series set to premiere on Netflix in 2017.

Linda Ronstadt

Linda originally began her music in the folk-rock and country-rock scene, playing at the Troubadour. However, after a few changes to her music, she was soon named the “Queen of Rock” and “First Lady of Rock,” by the media. She made 31 gold and platinum records and won 10 Grammys. Unfortunately, in 2013, Linda announced she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and can no longer sing. However, she remains strong and even released her memoir, that same year, titled “Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir.”

Christie Brinkley

Back in the in the 70s, Brinkley was on three Sports Illustrated issues in a row. She was the only model at the time to ever be able to accomplish that. Today, Christie was married to Billy Joel, had a daughter, and continued to model nonstop, eventually appearing on more than 500 magazine covers globally.

Sally Field

The 70s were Sally’s time to shine. She won an Academy Award for her role in Norma Rae, one role after her first one in Smokey and the Bandit. The rest is history. Since her breakout role, Field has made a name for herself as a well-respected and acclaimed actress in both film and television. She has played roles in films such as Legally Blond 2, Lincoln and television roles in shows like ER and Brothers and Sisters.

Pam Grier

Pam became a staple of early 1970s blaxploitation movies, playing big, bold, assertive women, beginning with Jack Hill’s Coffy (1973) and continuing with movies like Foxy Brown and Sheba, Baby. Since then, Grier has appeared in the films Jackie Brown and The Man with the Iron Fists, and starred on the series The L World. She’s currently set to star in a dark comedy feature film about four grandmothers who accidentally kill a con man.  

Linda Gray

After performing as Mrs. Robinson’a body double in “The Graduate,” Linda Gray thought it was her time to shine. Grays breakthrough role came as the beautiful Sue Ellen in “Dallas.” She reprised her role of Sue Ellen in the “Dallas” remake from 2012 to 2014. However, she also appeared in various movies including “The Entertainers,” “Expecting Mary, and “Hidden Moon.” Most recently, in 2016, she appeared in the TV series “Hollyoaks,” as Tabby Maxwell-Brown.  

Kim Basinger

First finding success in modeling, Kim made her acting debut on the TV series “Gemini Man.” Throughout the 70s, she landed various roles on TV movies and series including the remake of “From Here to Eternity.” Beginning in the 1980s she began to land roles in feature films. Her most prominent performance was as Lynn Bracken in “L.A. Confidential,” for which she won the Oscar Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She most recently appeared alongside Russell Crowe in 2016’s “The Nice Guys,” and she will appear in 2017’s “Fifty Shades Darker.”

Ann-Margret

Ann-Margret gained national attention after she played Kim Mcafee in the movie adaptation, of the musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” Her talents led her to have a super successful career, during the 1970s. She received an Academy Award nominations for her work in “Carnal Knowledge” and “Tommy.” She also appeared in many other movies as well as variety TV shows. Her most recent role was in 2014, on the Showtime series “Ray Donovan.” However, she is currently credited with two roles in movies that have still not been released.  

Allison Arngrim

Alison Arngrin is most known for playing Nellie Oleson in “Little House on the Prairie,” from 1974-1982. Since her days as nasty little Nellie, she has continued to act in various TV movies and TV films as well as write. In 2010, she released “Confessions of A Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.” The book is a comedic memoir growing up as one of TV’s most memorable characters. Today she is also heavily involved in charity to raise awareness for aids as well as child abuse.  

Maureen McCormick

McCormick is best known for her portrayal as the eldest daughter Marcia on the TV series The Brady Bunch. After The Brady Bunch ended in early 1974, she continued to make cameos on various shows like Happy Days and Love Boat. In 2015, McCormick appeared in the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. She lasted 42 days and was the last evictee before the season finale. In 2016, McCormick returned to reality TV and placed 8th on Dancing with the Stars.  

Teri Garr

Teri landed her first significant motion picture role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, in 1974. However, her big break came when she landed the role as Igna in Young Frankenstein. Her fame continued to grow with roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Black Stallion. In 2002, Garr publicly announced she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Soon after, she became a National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and National Chair for the Society’s Women Against MS program.  

Cicely Tyson

Model turned actress, Cicely received her first Academy Award nomination in 1972, for her performance as Rebecca Morgan in Sounder. In 1974, she went on to win two Emmy Awards for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman. She also appeared in other critically acclaimed television shows like Roots and King. Cicely continued her acting career in film, TV and Broadway. She appeared in the Best Picture nominated movie The Help and recently performed in the hit TV show How to Get Away with Murder.  

Charlene Tilton

Charlene Tilton is best known for her roles as Lucy Ewing on “Dallas.” She received the nickname poisonous dwarf due to her character’s wild personality at her short stature – Charlene was on 4’11”. After “Dallas,” Charlene began a pop career in the 1980s. She also posed topless for “Playboy.” However, more recently she spends her time doing foster work for foster children. She also currently in credited with having a role in the film “Road Less Traveled,” that is currently in pre-production and set to be released in 2017.  

Paula Prentiss

Paula became known as a comedic actress in the 1960s with roles in Where the Boys are, The Honeymoon Machine and Bachelor in Paradise. However, she proved her acting diversity when she appeared as Bobbie Markowe in the cult horror film The Stepford Wives. Except for small roles, Paula had not appeared in a movie for over 30 years, until 2016’s horror film I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in this House.  

Loretta Swit

Many will remember Loretta as Major Frank Burn’s love interest, Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the TV series M*A*S*H. She was 1 of only 4 cast members to stay for the duration of all 11 seasons of the show. She received two Emmy Awards for her performance. Loretta last appeared on the silver screen in 1998. However, in 2015, she narrated the documentary Never the Same: The Prisoner of War Experience. The documentary is about prisoners of war who used ingenuity, creativity and humor to survive.

Debbie Harry

Born Angela Tremble, the singer-songwriter is best known as the lead singer of the band “Blondie.” After Blondie’s debut album in 1976, their success skyrocketed. In June 1979, Blondie was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. In 2011, Harry Told Britain’s The Sun that Elton John inspired her to get involved in more charity work. She has helped organizations like the Endometriosis Foundation of America and Amnesty International Human Rights. In 2014, the band released its tenth studio album, Ghosts of Download.

Cheryl Ladd

Cheryl Ladd is most notable for playing Kris Munroe in the hit series “Charlie’s Angels,” from 1977-1981. In 1978, she released her first single “Think It Over,” which peaked at #34 on the Top 100 Billboard chart. She released 3 more albums after that. In 1980, she even sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl. Since the 70s, her most notable performances were in “Millennium” in 1989, and “Poison Ivy,” in 1992. Her most recent role in 2016, was in the hit TV mini-series “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway began her career, in the 60s lighting up the stage on Broadway. However, her screen debut was in 1967 in “The Happening.” Her big break came later that year with her role as the notorious Bonnie Parker in the “Bonnie and Clyde.” She received an Academy Award for the performance. Other performances in the 60s include roles in “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “The Arrangement.” Faye’s career has only continued to flourish. She is still acting today and currently is credited with 2 roles for movies set to be released in 2017.

Sissy Spacek

Spacek began her career in the early 1970s. She received worldwide attention, in 1973, when she starred in Badlands. She continued to gain recognition when she landed the iconic title role of the 1976 horror film, Carrie. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Carrie. In 2012, Spacek published a memoir, My Extraordinary Ordinary Life. Spacek became the first person to act in an Academy Award-nominated film in each of the 4 most recent decades: Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980), Missing (1982), JFK (1991), In the Bedroom (2001) and The Help (2011).  

Katharine Ross

Katharine Ross came to fame after playing Mrs. Robinson’s daughter in “The Graduate,” in 1967. She landed roles, in the 70s, that fortified her legend in Hollywood. She had the lead role of Joanna Ingalls Eberhart in “The Stepford Wives,” in 1975. She rounded out the 70s, with roles in movies such as “Voyage of the Damned,” “The Betsy,” and “The Swarm.” She still continues to act and is credited with roles, in 2 movies, that have yet to be released. She has also co-authored numerous children books.

Beverly Johnson

In August 1974, Beverly Johnson was the first African-American model to appear on the cover of American Vogue. In 1975, she became the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of the French edition of Elle. She eventually made the jump from modeling to acting. In 2014, Johnson wrote an article for Vanity Fair, which she accused Bill Cosby of drugging her in the 1980s. In 2015, she released her memoir, The Face That Changed It All, which also discusses the incident.

Lorraine Gary

Gary is best known for her portrayal of Ellen Brody in the Jaws films. She retired from acting after her appearance in Spielberg’s 1941. However, she came out of retirement for a reprisal of Ellen Brady in Jaws: The Revenge in 1987. Since her reprisal of the 1987 Jaws sequel, Gary has removed herself from the spotlight. She is married to entertainment industry executive Sidney Sheinberg, with whom she has two sons. She is a member of the Humans Rights Watch Africa Advisory Committee and the Human Rights Watch Women’s Rights Advisory Committee.  

Ellen Burstyn

In 1971, Burstyn received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Last Picture Show. She continued the decade with a Best Actress nomination for playing Chris MacNeil in the cult classic The Exorcist. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, in 1975, for playing Alice Hyatt in the Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Recently, Burstyn appeared in the two box office hits, Interstellar and The Age of Adaline. Burstyn is still acting today with a few movies currently in post-production.

Kate Jackson

Born Lucy Kate Jackson, Jackson is best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan in the hit 1970s TV series Charlie’s Angels. She left the show in 1979, at the end of the third season. After fighting crime in Charlie’s Angels, Jackson moved onto TV series like Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Baby Boom. She is currently writing a memoir, titled The Smart One, that is set to be released in 2020.

Marilu Henner

Marilu began the 70s playing the part of Marty with a national touring company, of the Broadway musical Grease. Her first film appearance was in Between the Lines in 1977. However, she became a household name when she landed the part of Elaine Nardo in the comedy sitcom Taxi. As one of only twelve people documented with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, Marilu was the subject of a two-part special on 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes Australia. She has also written many books including her most recent, Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Defeat Cancer.  

Carol Kane

Carol Kane truly rose to fame in the 1970s. She played Gitl in “Hester Street,” for which she was a Golden Globe nomination and landed a role in the Woody Allen Film “Annie Hall.” In the early 80s, she received the role of Simka Dahblitz-Gravas on the popular TV series “Taxi.” Kane continued to land roles in movies such as “The Princess Bride” and “Adams Family Values.” From 2005-2014, she played the evil headmistress Madame Morrible in the Broadway musical “Wicked,” with various productions. Beginning in 2015, she landed the reoccurring role of Lillian Kaushtupper in Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Talia Shire

Talia is best known for her roles as Connie Corleone in The Godfather films, and Adrian Pennino in the Rocky series. For these performances, she was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress, respectively. Talia continued her career appearing in various films and TV movies. She most recently appeared in her son, Robert Schwartzman’s movie, Dreamland, which also co-starred another one of her sons, Jason Schwartzman.

Cybill Shepherd

Cybill’s first appeared in movies was in The Last Picture Show (1971). It was a box office hit and received several Academy Awards and nominations. Cybill then went on to play Kelly in The Heartbreak Kid (1972), and Betsy in Taxi Driver (1976). In 2012, Cybill received positive reviews for her Broadway debut in the revival of The Best Man, alongside James Earl Jones and John Stamos. In 2015, she appeared as a mother grieving the loss of her daughter, in the Christian-themed film, Do You Believe?.  

Agnetha Faltskog

Agnetha Faltskog is one of A’s from the famous Swedish pop group ABBA. ABBA brought us hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me.” Unfortunately, ABBA disbanded in the early 80’s and Agnetha took a shot at a solo career. Her first solo album was “Wrap Your Arms Around Me,” which achieved moderate success. In 2016, a biography titled “Agnetha Fältskog: The Girl with the Golden Hair,” was released in the UK.  

Raquel Welch

Ending the 1960s with her iconic bikini wearing role in One Million Years BC, Raquel continued to rise to fame in 1970s. She won a Golden Globe award for her performance in The Three Musketeers in 1973 and appeared in the thriller The Last of Shelia. Raquel expanded her influence in pop culture with releasing a Total Beauty and Fitness Program book and videos, as well as, a signature line of wigs called “HAIRuWEAR.” Raquel also recently appeared in the TV movies, House of Versace and The Ultimate Legacy.

Susan Dey

Susan Dey, also known as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family, hit it big beginning with the show’s air in 1970 to 1974. One big break after another, Dey eventually landed a part of the show L.A. Law and even earned a Golden Globe for her performance.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Before she was Catwoman, Michelle Pfeiffer was just another young actress trying to make it in Hollywood. It was at the end of the 70s and throughout the 80s that she started to make her mark. First with the film Scarface and then onto The Fabulous Baker Brothers and Dangerous Liaisons. She is known to the younger generation for her roles in Dangerous Minds, I Am Sam, Hairspray and What Lies Beneath.  

Karen Lynn Gorney

From 1970 to 1974, Gorney played Tara Martin on the soap opera All My Children. In 1977, she landed her biggest role to date, as Stephanie Mangano in Saturday Night Fever, alongside John Travolta. Although Gorney took an acting hiatus in the 1980s, she returned in the 1990s. She had roles in TV shows like Law & Order and The Sopranos. She most recently appeared in a short film titled Behind the Wall.

Jodie Foster

Jodi Foster was a child star and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as a 13-year-old prostitute in Taxi Driver. She worked her way into bigger roles finally nabbing an Oscar for The Accused and then again for Silence of the Lambs.

Rene Russo

Rene Russo started her career as a model and thank goodness turned her eyes to acting. She ended up being a fantastic actress in The Thomas Crown Affair, Outbreak, Ransom and her most recent stand-out performance was in the 2014 film, Nightcrawler.

Susan Sarandon

“Janet, Braaad, Rocky, JANET”. Susan Sarandon was the star of indie cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. The film was not very successful at the time and only became popular years after its initial release. However, it still introduced the world to Susan and the world did not forget. She starred in Hollywood classics such as Thelma and Louise, Dead Man Walking and who could forget Stepmom….*tissues*. She is still owning the box office with her latest hit, The Meddler.  

Jaclyn Smith

An original Charlie's Angel, Jaclyn Smith has continued her career as an actress, even reprising her Charlie’s Angels' role for a cameo in the 2003 movie remake of the show.  

Irene Papas

She was discovered by Broadway director Elia Kazan at a young age, and it didn’t take long for her to achieve widespread fame in Greece. She jumped onto the international stage in 1961 with an appearance in The Guns of Navarone, and she went on to appear in a number of critically acclaimed Hollywood films like Zorba the Greek and Z. Irene has also dabbled in a singing career, releasing albums in 1969, 1979, and 1986.  

Margit Carstensen

Born and raised in Germany, Margit Carstensen began studying acting right out of high school. She quickly began to make a name for herself in the world of German theater, and in 1969 she met renowned German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The two first worked together in a televised play called The Coffee ShopThe Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Martha, and Satan’s Brew.  

Isabelle Huppert

A French actress with more than 100 productions under her belt, Isabelle Huppert is known for her talent in both film and television. She’s been nominated for 15 César Awards over the course of her career – more than any other actress in history! She got her start in French cinema, appearing in films like Aloise, The Piano Teacher, and Story of Women.  

Jacqueline Bisset

Born in England in 1944, Jacqueline Bisset became an international movie star in the 1960s because of her undeniably stunning beauty. Her first roles were intended to show off her good looks rather than her acting talent, but she’s become well-respected for her acting abilities over in time. In fact, she was the recipient of the highest French honor L’gion d’honneur in 2010. Her first Golden Globe nomination came in 1968 for her performance in The Sweetest Ride.  

Melinda Dillon

Although best known for her comedic talent, Melinda Dillon proved herself to be an extremely versatile actress over the course of her four and a half decade long acting career. She got her start in improv comedy and stage acting and is perhaps best known for being nominated for a Tony Award for her debut in the original 1962 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Broadway.  

Catherine Bach

In the late 1970s and 1980s, long-legged pin-up girl Catherine Bach stole hearts all over the world as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard. Her legs were insured for a million dollars while she was on the show, but now she’s hung up the cut-off denim shorts. They helped propel her to fame and were even named after her, but she doesn’t seem to need them; her acting career is still going strong. You might know her as Anita from The Young and the Restless!    

Victoria Principal

Victoria Principal decided to pursue an acting career after being seriously injured by a drunk driver, and she got her first role only nine months after she moved to Hollywood. She landed the role of Pamela Ewing on Dallas several years later, and she played the character for 10 years. On the show, Pamela is often defined solely by her love for Bobby, but in real life, the actress has a line of natural skincare, owns a production company, and is a best-selling author!  

Catherine Deneuve

Known for her talent as an actress, singer, model, and producer, Catherine Deneuve has kept herself busy throughout a career spanning almost 50 years! The French actress has long been a familiar face in French cinema, and she’s been nominated for a total of 14 César Awards over the course of her career. She’s won the prestigious French award twice, for the films The Last Metro and Indochine.

Barbi Benton

Barbi Benton is an American model, actress, and singer. She was a Playboy model and cover girl and once was Hugh Hefner's celebrated longtime girlfriend.

Monica Vitti

An award winning Italian actress, Monica Vitti became one of the most famous actresses of the 20th century in Italy thanks to her role in the award-winning 1960 film L’avventura. Monica never really crossed over into English-language films, but her Italian roles won her numerous awards including 7 Italian Golden Globes and the Venice Film Festival Career Golden Lion Award.