There's no doubt about it; the '70s was a decade full of vibrant women that stamped their mark on pop culture. To this day, these '70s icons are still trailblazing their way through history and show no signs of slowing down.
Jane Seymour
Born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg, many know this leading lady by her stage name: Jane Seymour. Widely known as Solitaire, a Bond girl in 1973's Live and Let Die, Seymour became a lifelong icon after that.
Since the '70s, Seymore starred in films, TV shows and even got into fashion! Kay Jewelers' "Open Heart Collection?" Designed by Jane! In 2021, the 2-time Golden Globe winner turned 70. And, according to IMDb, has 5 productions, including Sold and Ruby's Choice, in the works. Per her ongoing efforts, this icon's still got it!
Barbara Eden
Recognize this beauty? Back in the '70s, she crossed her arms, blinked, and poof! Barbara Eden, the I Dream of Jeannie star, streamed across the TV screens of many. Eden stole hearts as NBC's starlet for more than 100 episodes. Among her many accomplishments, Barbara played herself in nearly 200 titles throughout the years.
In recent years, Eden wrote Jeannie Out of the Bottle, a memoir released in 2011. It debuted at number 14 on The New York Times Best Seller List and dove into her personal life and Hollywood career of 50+ years. In 2019, the talented icon starred in the film My Adventures with Santa and the stage production Love Letters.
Delta Burke
In her 1972 high school yearbook, Delta Burke was dubbed "Most Likely to Succeed." After entering the world of pageants, she won Miss Florida in 1974, but soon decided to change paths. After many auditions, Burke landed her debut role on CBS's Designing Women. The rest was history, as Delta then began to appear in many shows.
After earning 2 Emmy nominations for Designing Women, Burke became a staple in the entertainment world. Since then, she has acted in over 60 titles, including Dolly Parton's Heartstrings in 2019, according to IMDb. She served as the Delta Burke Design clothing company's designer and manager based in NYC in her downtime.
Candice Bergen
Candice Bergen rose to fame after starring in the hit '90s TV show Murphy Brown. But this was actually the second time she skyrocketed up the charts. Back in 1966, Candice started out as a successful model and actress. She appeared in The Sand Pebbles and Carnival Knowledge. But, little did she know, that was just her beginning.
Throughout her career so far, Bergen has received countless nominations, 2 Golden Globes, 5 Primetime Emmy's, 3 People's Choice Awards, and several others. Recently, the Miss Congeniality and Bride Wars actress has been preparing for the 2021 debut of The Conners TV series, in which she plays a character familiarly named "Barb."
Jane Fonda
Longtime actress, activist, and author Jane Fonda, has never been a stranger to ensuring her voice was heard. In fact, back in 1971, her stage presence in the film Klute was so captivating that it won her the first of 2 Oscar Academy Awards of her career. Since, she has added nearly 60 wins to her scoreboard, according to IMDb.
Arguably one of her funniest roles has been Grace Hanson on the TV series Grace and Frankie. The show has undoubtedly kept the masses laughing as it aired from 2015-2021. Not only does Jane play a relatable character, but many believe that her charming and charismatic personality often shines through in the role.
Carrie Fisher
The ever-so-missed Carrie Fisher gained immense fame when she starred as the space-bunned beauty Princess Leia in Star Wars. When she wasn't acting on set, she worked on other writers' screenplays as a script doctor. Titles such as Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, and many of the Star Wars films were among those she helped with.
Perhaps her most notable award of all was the foundation she received from her famous parents, singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds. Unfortunately, Fisher passed away in 2016 at the age of 60 but certainly left her mark. She continued to win awards, including a Grammy, People's Choice Award, and more posthumously.
Katharine Ross
After her film debut in 1965's Shenandoah, Ross received significant critical acclaim for her role in 1967's The Graduate. It was this title that won her a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year! She soon tapped into Hollywood's darker scenes when she starred in The Stepford Wives and won herself a Saturn Award for Best Actress.
Since then, Ross's career has amplified. She became a published children's author and landed several more gigs. She wrote and starred in 1991's Conagher and A Climate for Killing and 1997's Home Before Dark. Katharine might have a knack for the eerie side of the big screen, but when it comes to gripping an audience, she's a pro.
Michelle Pfeiffer
You might remember hearing this icon's name from Bruno Mars' lyrics, "Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold," but she's accomplished plenty more than being named in a hit song (although that is a pretty cool feat!). Pfeiffer entered the Hollywood scene in the late '70s, but it wasn't until her Grease 2 feature that more people learned her name.
A year later, Michelle landed a lead role in Scarface. And, in no time, she ventured into opposite genres and appeared in 2007's Hairspray. After her 2020 role in French Exit, IMDb announced that the actress has 2 titles coming out this year! We can expect to see her in the TV series, The First Lady and the film, Turn of Mind.
Raquel Welch
With her mere 3 lines in 1966's One Million Years B.C., Raquel Welch might not be widely known as an actress. But, the film's iconic shot of her wearing a bathing suit instantly turned her into a best-selling poster. Soon after, Playboy Magazine named her the "Most Desired Woman" of the 1970s, skyrocketing her to idol-status.
She won a Golden Globe for starring in The Three Musketeers, but many believed her unique personality set her icon-status in stone. After publishing a book on beauty and fitness, Welch released HAIRuWEAR, then became the face of MAC Cosmetics' Beauty Icon series. Sadly, she passed away this February. But her legacy will live on forever!
Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore began her career acting in Hotpoint appliance TV commercials. She was then cast as Dick's wife on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Before she knew it, she began her own sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, with her husband, Grant Tinker. Before it went off the air in 1977, Moore won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
This was just one of the many awards Mary earned throughout her career. After retiring from the scene in 2015, she received the Screen Actors Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. She then spent the remainder of her life as a proud activist before, unfortunately, passing away in 2017.
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn was only 24-years-old when she won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1969's Cactus! From then on, it was clear to the Hollywood world that she was destined to be a star. The following 3 decades of her career were full of achievements, but one, in particular, could have been her all-time biggest.
She became a mother! And not to any child, but to the now-widely known, Kate Hudson. Since her climb up the ladder of fame in the '70s, '80s, and '90s, she continued to show the world just how much talent she held. Most recently, she starred as Mrs. Claus in The Christmas Chronicles in 2019, and the film's part 2 in 2020.
Barbara Hershey
The '70s served as an entry point to Hollywood fame for Barbara Hershey. She played a role in Martin Scorsese's first Hollywood movie, Boxcar Bertha, which gave her a notable start. She later became a critically acclaimed actress in the '80s and since worked her way to being dubbed as "One of America's finest actresses," by the Chicago Tribune.
Widely known for her character portrayal in 2010's Black Swan, Hershey performed many different roles in the past few years. There's no denying that she continued her upward projection in TV series such as The X-Files and Paradise Lost. More recently, Barbara landed a spot in 2021's The Manor, where she nabbed the lead role.
Kim Basinger
Kim Basinger's career first started as a model in New York City. But, when she moved to Los Angeles, she evolved into an actress. Her first feature film was none other than 1981's Hard Country, but her big win came 16 years later. After starring in L.A. Confidential, Basinger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
You may have seen her roles throughout the 2000s in I Dreamed of Africa, 8 Mile, The Door in the Floor, or more recently, as Elena Lincoln in Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. But, not many know that in 2020, Basinger tapped back into her modeling-days glory when she starred in Miu Miu: Icons, a musical short.
Cher
Ah, Cher, the woman many believe has never aged! This actress and singer has many tricks up her sleeve, including a killer skincare routine! Known by many as the Goddess of Pop, her unique voice and style have wowed fans from one generation to the next. The world first learned her name with the birth of the pop group Sonny & Cher.
In the '70s, she starred on the shows Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and Cher. Since then, she's been seen in a variety of productions across all areas of fame. Her decades-long track record of producing number 1 hits aside, Cher has a face for the screen. In 2020 alone, she performed in 4 titles, including The High Note and Drinnen.
Maureen McCormick
You probably recognize these shining blue eyes as Marcia Brady, the eldest sibling from The Brady Bunch. As her career skyrocketed, McCormick went on to become a singer, TV personality, and writer. In later years, she even added becoming a professional dancer to her long-winded resume when she appeared on Dancing With The Stars!
Featuring in many TV series and movies throughout the years since she was part of the bunch, McCormick's latest features include 2017's The Guest Book and Rock, Paper, Scissors, as well as 2018's movie short, Aileron. In fact, Maureen won the Outstanding Cast Performance Action on Film Award for her role in the 2018 flick.
Diane Keaton
If you have a favorite movie, there's a good chance Diane Keaton is in it. According to IMDb, the Hollywood star acted in nearly 70 titles, undoubtedly building up her icon-status. Widely known for her roles in Annie Hall, Something's Gotta Give, and The Family Stone, there's no denying that Keaton is a well-rounded actress.
Most recently, Keaton has starred in 2020s Father of the Bride Part 3 and Love, Weddings, & Other Disasters. Among her many roles, one thing is for sure: Diane has made a great impact as a comic actress. Keaton has won 1 Oscar so far for 1977's Annie Hall, but we have a feeling that with her efforts, more could be on the way!
Kate Jackson
We have Kate Jackson to thank for giving Charlie's Angels its name. Allegedly, the series was initially called Alley Cats, but because Jackson wasn't a fan, it didn't stick. After 3 years, she moved on to another series, Scarecrow and Mrs. King. This production taught Kate that she loved being behind the camera too.
In fact, Kate co-produced several of the Scarecrow and Mrs. King episodes until she had a health scare in 1987. After learning about and treating a small tumor, she underwent a medical procedure. This led her to become an advocate for heart health. With a determined spirit, she has pushed on to stay strong to this day!
Lynda Carter
Wonder Woman...we mean Lynda Carter, could very well be one of the most iconic women of the '70s. After being crowned Miss World United States in 1972, she thought she accomplished her biggest goals. That was until 3 years later when she was cast as Wonder Woman. This role instantly made her a cultural icon for life.
Since hanging up her Wonder Suit, Carter continued acting and even began working in theater and voice-overs. But, in 2020, she couldn't stay away from her Lasso of Truth! Lynda teamed up with the infamous Gal Gadot for a special cameo role in Wonder Woman 1984, 2017's Wonder Woman sequel. And the results? Nothing short of super!
Pam Grier
Actress Pam Grier presented herself as a vital force when she starred in her first films, 1971's The Big Doll House and 1972's The Big Bird Cage. According to IMDb, Her acting skills, "Put her into a 5-year contract with Samuel Z. Arkoff...and she became a leading lady in action films," such as Coffy and Foxy Brown.
From 2018-2019, Grier starred as the Grandmother in the TV series This Is Us, followed by another 2-year stint in Bless This Mess from 2019-2020. For the past few decades, Grier has lived off the grid in the countryside. And, in recent years, she resided on a ranch in rural Colorado.
Susan Dey
With no previous acting experience, 17-year-old Susan Dey landed herself the part of Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family in 1970. Throughout the following 4 years, Dey formed Laurie into a character of her own. But, once she was off the show, she was out. No reunions, no looking back. But, why?
Well, she had moved on to bigger roles! She starred in the hit show L.A. Law for 6 continuous years and even won herself a Golden Globe! Her most recent acting gigs were in 2002 when she starred in L.A. Law: The Movie as D.A. Grace Van Owen, and 2004 when she featured in Third Watch. Today, she remains out of the spotlight.
Faye Dunaway
Don't mess with Faye, people! With her breakout role as bank-robber Bonnie in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, this massively talented icon proved off the bat that she was a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Dunaway later went on to win an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in 1976's Network.
Dunaway took on a plethora of roles throughout the 2000s but paused between 2010 and 2017. After the release of The Bye Bye Man, The Case for Christ, and Inconceivable, she took yet another break. But, it seems that the acting bug bit her again. Because in 2021, Faye starred in a thriller, The American Connection!
Olivia Newton-John
Singer-turned-actress Olivia Newton-John was the "one that [John Travolta] wanted" way back when they took over the set of Grease together in 1978. Before she danced across the stage, Newton-John was already an accomplished and well-known vocalist. The big screen simply amplified her name as she went on to rack up 4 Grammy Awards.
Known to many as one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time, her career was still as active as it was back in her heyday - before her recent passing. She appeared as a guest judge on Dancing With the Stars and RuPaul's Drag Race. Like many of her fans from across all generations, we will always be hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia!
Rene Russo
In the '70s, red-headed Rene Russo spanned the covers of well-known magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Throughout the following decade, she transitioned into acting and made her film debut in 1989's Major League. In subsequent years she expanded to titles such as Outbreak, Lethal Weapons 3 and 4, and Nightcrawler.
Some of you might remember Russo as the busy mom in 2005's Yours, Mine, & Ours. But, if you don't recall seeing her in anything after that, don't worry. After filming the heartfelt family flick, she took a break from acting until returning with force in 2011's Thor. More recently, Rene played Frigga in 2019's Avengers: Endgame.
Jacklyn Zeman
Before Jacklyn "Jackie" Zeman rose to fame via her breakout role as Barbara "Bobbie" Spencer on General Hospital, she had a job outside of acting. In 1972, Jackie was a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Club. She also studied dance at NYU, which could have helped keep her on her feet as she ran around GH's set.
Zeman's medical character, "Bobbie," became a real part of her as she held the role for over 3 decades! General Hospital soon became the second longest-running drama TV show, and Jackie was there to see it all play out! In 2013 and again in 2021, she returned to the show for a few episodes, sending fans and the rating sky high.
Susan Sarandon
Whether you recognize her from 1970's Joe or 1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show, there's no denying that Sarandon has talent. Not long after, she became Louise on Thelma and Louise and received an Oscar nomination. But, this excitement was almost overshadowed when she won her first Academy Award Award for Dead Man Walking!
Susan's past decade has been full of appearances on shows ranging from Friends to Malcolm in the Middle. She's also acted in the movies Enchanted, Tammy, and a voice in the Rick and Morty series! More recently, Sarandon has starred in the series Search Party. And we're left wondering: What can't this talented actress do?
Farrah Fawcett
The talented Farrah Fawcett rose to fame thanks to her role as Jill Munroe in Charlie's Angels. From then on, she became a pop icon of the '70s. She was famous for being an Angel, but there was one thing that came even close to outshining that feat: her "Farrah-flip" signature hairstyle.
There's no denying that Fawcett took over the screen with glamorous style in the 60+ credits she appeared in during her life. Unfortunately, Farrah was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 but took the opportunity to document her battle. After her passing in 2009, she posthumously earned an Emmy nomination for the moving documentary.
Barbi Benton
Barbi Benton took over the spotlight at the ripe age of 18 when she appeared in Playboy magazine. She began her career as a model, but before she landed several spreads in the lusted-over magazine, she was known as Barbara Klien. But, when she started dating the Hugh Hefner, he convinced her to swap Barbara for Barbi.
Benton soon progressed to film, TV, and music. She became widely known for her roles in X-Ray and The Love Boat, but that's not all. She also sang and recorded several country albums! In the 1990s, Barbi returned to work at the Playboy mansion and even starred in E!'s documentary about Hefner's many romantic partners.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep has such talent that she received a Tony Award just one year after her stage debut in 1975! The '70s were full of prosperous years for the starlet. Streep won an Emmy in 1978 and her first of 3 Academy Awards in 1979. She's been in so many titles that there's a good chance she plays a role in your favorite movie.
Described by many publications as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, Vanity Fair once said, "It's hard to imagine a time before Meryl Streep was the greatest-living actress." With Streep's versatility, ability to speak in many accents, and age gracefully on-screen, it's no wonder she has become a Hollywood staple.
Barbra Streisand
Known to many as the Queen of the Divas, Barbra Streisand is one of the best-selling artists of all time. By the end of the '70s, she was ranked the most successful female singer in the U.S.! She racked up Oscars, 10 Grammy's, 9 Golden Globes, 5 Emmys throughout her fame-filled career, and believe it or not, that's not all!
In 2015, former President Obama even awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Streisand has acted for the past 60 years and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon! Despite her 90+ credits, she is still adding to her list. In fact, in 2020, she performed The Way We Were in the documentary, Yesteryear.
BernNadette Stanis
When BernNadette Stanis was just 21-years-old, she was cast onto the sitcom Good Times and immediately became part of history. The show featured the first African American, 2-parent family sitcom on TV. She played the role of Thelma Ann Evans-Anderson for the show's entire time on air from 1974-1979.
Stanis later appeared in TV shows and movies throughout the years, such as N-Secure and Land of the Free?. More recently, the Hollywood history-maker filmed Chaaw, which released in 2023. There's no denying: These '70s icons have surely left their mark in the industry, and we can't wait to see where Hollywood takes them next!