Brad Elterman // Getty Images The 1970s brought typical family comedies, detective stories, game shows, and the like to television audiences–but the nuances and variables that came with them made all the difference. Audiences began to see racial barriers previously never crossed suddenly disintegrate. During that time, Americans witnessed the first Black-centered family comedy with “The Jeffersons,” along with the in-your-face comedy of “All in the Family,” where the storyline often forced Carroll O’Connor’s curmudgeonly patriarch to confront his overt racism in uncomfortable conversations. The ’70s became a byproduct of the counterculture revolution that firmly rooted itself in the American lexicon during the ’60s. The sexual revolution, the feminist movement, and anti-war sentiments all managed to make their way into the foundational structures of shows that were groundbreaking for the time. These included shows with female-led casts to powerful miniseries events such as “Roots” taking over the airwaves. We forget that many of the casts of these shows–especially some everlasting family-centered dramas in television’s history–had child stars put into a completely unfamiliar spotlight. No one could prepare these young performers for this level of fame, as television in and of itself was such a new and uncharted art form. These child stars began their careers as young as infancy, and a number of them have achieved success over the years. Some have won Oscars; some have chosen to leave Hollywood; some left us far too soon. In whatever category they may fall, these child stars made their way into millions of people’s lives every week and have left their legacy in the entertainment world. Stacker compiled a list of 25 of the most iconic child stars of the ’70s using multiple sources for television and film history, including IMDb and Time. These actors left an indelible mark on the small or large screen, some of whom have carried on to wildly successful careers as adult actors. Scroll through to see if some of your childhood favorites made the list. Jodie Foster Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images Gary Coleman charmed audiences on the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” as Arnold Jackson, a young orphan adopted alongside his older brother by the wealthy single father who had employed the boys’ mother before her death. Coleman’s mischievous character and catchphrase–“Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”–was a massive hit throughout the series’ eight seasons on TV. However, during and long after the end of “Diff’rent Strokes,” Coleman struggled off-screen. The child actor faced career and financial challenges and trouble with the law. Coleman died at 42 in 2010 after an accidental fall caused a fatal brain hemorrhage. Story editing by Chris Compendio. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
Iconic child stars of the ’70s
