Biggest Female Celebrity Crushes of the ’70s
Some faces were impossible to forget in the 1970s. These women, in particular, were full-on cultural obsessions. Their posters were pinned on bedroom walls, and shows were watched religiously; they shaped what “celebrity crush” meant for a generation. Here’s a fresh look at 15 women who turned heads, ruled the screen, and became iconic for all the right reasons.
Farrah Fawcett
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It only took one poster for Farrah to become a national fixation, and that iconic image sold millions. She starred as Jill Munroe in Charlie’s Angels, but even those who never watched the show knew her name. Though she left the series after just one season, her impact didn’t fade.
Lynda Carter
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As Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter brought superhero power to network TV, high-kicking her way through injustice in heels and a tiara. She made her debut in 1975, and the role quickly became her signature. Fans tuned in for her beauty, but stayed for the charisma.
Catherine Bach
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Catherine Bach’s breakout as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard wasn’t just about wardrobe. She turned a role meant for a Dolly Parton-type into something entirely her own. Her promotional poster flew off store shelves and earned a spot in the Smithsonian.
Jaclyn Smith
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Out of all the Charlie’s Angels, Jaclyn Smith was the only one to stay through the show’s full five-season run. Unlike her co-stars, she avoided tabloid chaos, which made her the favorite for many. Smith built a successful brand offscreen by becoming as savvy as she was admired.
Susan Dey
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The Partridge Family’s script included teen dreams, and Susan Dey’s role as Laurie Partridge made her a regular in Tiger Beat spreads. Later, her turn in L.A. Law proved she could handle more serious material, but the early fanbase never really let go.
Cheryl Ladd
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Replacing Farrah Fawcett on Charlie’s Angels could’ve gone poorly, but Cheryl Ladd easily pulled it off. She stepped into the series as Kris Munroe in 1977 and brought her own vibe. The transition worked so well that she stayed until the show’s end in 1981.
Maren Jensen
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Battlestar Galactica didn’t last long, but Maren Jensen still made an impression as Athena, daughter of Commander Adama. Though she stepped away from acting due to illness, her fan base never really faded.
Pamela Sue Martin
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Before Dynasty made her a primetime staple, Pamela Sue Martin played Nancy Drew with the kind of confidence that made detective work seem glamorous. She also became active in environmental causes and hosted a nature documentary series in the early 2000s.
Lindsay Wagner
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As Jaime Sommers in The Bionic Woman, Lindsay Wagner led one of the first successful female-led sci-fi series. Her role had toughness and emotional nuance, something rare for TV at the time. Wagner became the first person to win an Emmy for a sci-fi role.
Heather Locklear
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Though more of a late-’70s arrival, Heather Locklear made an early splash in Dynasty and continued to soar through the ’80s and beyond. Her icy blonde looks and screen presence made her a soap opera standout, and she was often cast as the character viewers loved to hate—or secretly admired.
Valerie Bertinelli
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Cast in One Day at a Time at just 15, Bertinelli became a household name by 17. Fans related to her grounded on-screen persona as Barbara Cooper, and she often received more fan mail than her co-stars. In 1981, she married rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen, and their relationship often made headlines.
Barbi Benton
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Barbi Benton had a broader career than people sometimes remember. She acted, sang, and co-hosted Hee Haw, all while managing to stay camera-ready through every outfit change. Often seen alongside Hugh Hefner, she was viewed as glamorous and playful—a combo that made her a standout crush.
Suzanne Somers
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Suzanne Somers played Chrissy Snow in Three’s Company and became one of the highest-paid actresses on TV by 1980—until a contract dispute got her written off. She then launched a successful career in fitness products, including the ThighMaster, which sold over 10 million units.
Olivia Newton-John
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Before Grease, Newton-John was already a four-time Grammy winner. Her country-pop hit Let Me Be There dominated charts in 1974. However, her role as Sandy in 1978 made her a global icon. The black leather transformation is still one of the most famous makeover moments onscreen.
Peggy Lipton
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Peggy Lipton became a breakout star as Julie Barnes in The Mod Squad before winning a Golden Globe in 1971. Off-screen, she recorded two singles. She later returned to TV in Twin Peaks and earned a new generation of fans nearly 20 years after her original fame.