The 1970s gave us a dazzling array of cultural icons, and among them, feathered hair was a highlight. And the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of that combo is the list of all the heartthrobs of the ’70s.
These men ruled movie screens and magazine covers, and they also captured hearts and influenced generations. But behind the glitz, glam, and poster-worthy faces are stories that many fans never got to hear. Here are 15 surprising tales about ’70s heartthrobs that reveal a whole new side to these figures.
Harrison Ford Improvised Indiana Jones’ Iconic Scene While Sick
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That famous moment in Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indy shoots the swordsman wasn’t in the script. Ford was wiped out from dysentery and just couldn’t stomach a long, choreographed fight. So, instead of swordplay, he suggested Indy just shoot the guy. Spielberg loved it. Boom—cinematic gold, all thanks to food poisoning.
Sylvester Stallone Sold—and Bought Back—His Best Friend
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Before Rocky made him a star, Sylvester Stallone was so broke he sold his beloved dog Butkus for $40 just to afford food. After Rocky sold, Stallone tracked down the new owner and paid $15,000 to bring Butkus home. The reunion was definitely a tearjerker.
Clint Eastwood Ran for Mayor to Legalize Ice Cream
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In 1986, Clint Eastwood had had enough of Carmel, California’s “no ice cream cones on sidewalks” rule. So, naturally, he ran for mayor and he won. The first order of business was to legalize cones. Dirty Harry never backed down from injustice, even dessert-based ones.
Mark Hamill Brought Luke Skywalker to Life for a Dying Fan
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Though Mark Hamill became a household name as Luke Skywalker, one of his most heroic acts happened off-screen. When a terminally ill young fan wished to meet Luke—not the actor, but the actual character—Hamill didn’t hesitate. He stayed in character for hours, answering repeated questions with patience and compassion, giving the boy and his family a memory they’d never forget.
Lee Majors Accidentally Played Matchmaker for His Own Wife
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Lee Majors introduced his then-wife, Farrah Fawcett, to old friend Ryan O’Neal, even suggesting he take her to dinner while Majors was away filming. One thing led to another, and soon O’Neal and Fawcett were inseparable. Though the love triangle ended in heartbreak, O’Neal and Fawcett remained partners for decades.
Kurt Russell: The Man No One Can Hate
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When producers needed someone tough and universally likeable for Stargate, they did a worldwide survey. No joke. Kurt Russell came back with zero “unlikeability.” They doubled his salary and gave him the part.
Robby Benson Kept a Big Secret Behind That Dreamy Smile
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Robby Benson, teen heartthrob of Ice Castles fame, secretly battled a serious heart defect for years. Despite dizzy spells and exhaustion, he kept acting, directing, and even voiced the Beast in Beauty and the Beast—all while undergoing four open-heart surgeries along the way.
Darth Vader Helped Superman Get Ripped
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Christopher Reeve needed to bulk up fast to fill out Superman’s tights. That’s when David Prowse, the man behind Darth Vader’s mask, entered the scene. Prowse put him through a brutal training routine, and Reeve packed on 40 pounds of muscle. With his help, Clark Kent truly became the Man of Steel.
John Travolta Could Have Played Forrest Gump
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It’s hard to imagine Forrest Gump without Tom Hanks, but John Travolta was originally offered the role and turned it down. Instead, he chose Pulp Fiction, a decision that helped reignite his career. While Hanks won the Oscar, Travolta gained cult status as Vincent Vega.
Roger Moore Walked Away From James Bond Over Morality
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By A View to a Kill, Moore was pushing 60, and his Bond girls were barely out of college. Feeling weirded out (rightfully) that the leading ladies were getting far too young, he bowed out of the role. Sometimes, walking away is cooler than the tux and gadgets combined.
Calvin Lockhart Forced Biggie to Change His Name
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Calvin Lockhart’s role as Biggie Smalls in Let’s Do It Again inspired rapper Christopher Wallace to take on the same name. But Lockhart wasn’t amused by the tribute and filed a lawsuit, prompting the rapper to switch to The Notorious B.I.G., which became a well-known name in hip-hop history.
Robert Redford Was Too Cool to Play a Loser
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Redford wanted the lead in The Graduate, but director Mike Nichols had doubts. When asked if he’d ever struck out with a woman, Redford was honestly confused. Nichols passed, saying he needed someone who could believably flounder. The role was then given to Dustin Hoffman.
Reynolds’ DIY Stunt Nearly Killed Him
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Burt Reynolds was all in on doing his own stunts until Deliverance. He insisted on doing a river plunge himself. He blacked out, floated away, and woke up in the ER without clothes. The worst part was that the footage looked fake, just like the dummy he refused to use.
Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte Shared Theater Tickets—and Dreams
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Before their fame, Poitier and Belafonte had one theater ticket between them. One watched the first half, handed off the stub, and the other watched the second. It’s not exactly legal, but hey, dreams don’t wait for full admission.
Rick Springfield Wrote a Song About Being Mistaken for Bruce Springsteen
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Being confused with someone else isn’t always flattering, unless that someone is The Boss. Rick Springfield, tired of being mistaken for Bruce Springsteen, wrote the tongue-in-cheek song “Bruce” about the mix-ups. It struck a chord with fans and highlighted his sense of humor.
