Linda Blair’s career in show business started in the late 1960s when she was just six years old and started modeling. However, the thing that truly made her famous was the child in “The Exorcist” and its sequel during the 1970s. That role got her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win.
After her possessed glory, however, she descended into minor roles in minor productions, none of which was as big as her horror stint. She had parts in films like “Hell Night,” and “Savage Street,” and in TV shows such as “Supernatural” and “S Club 7 in LA.” While she maintains a low profile, she still maintains a decades-long acting career.
Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones turned down a role in "The Brady Bunch" to play the mother of "The Partridge Family," so she would have made her mark on the 70s one way or another. She could’ve been Carol Brady, but she said playing a housewife, and nothing more, was not her style. So she played the lead in what can only be described as an American TV rendition of "The Sound of Music."
The difference being, she was a hippie-dippy widow, managing all of the children on her own just fine. Since she was married to Jack Cassidy until 1974, she was not only a TV mom, but she also was a stepmom to David Cassidy in real life. Shirley Jones is a stage actress with a six-decade career under her belt.
Brian Forster
The youngest sibling of the Partridge Family was Chris, the cute little drummer brother. This character was played by Brian Forster, but not until 1971, a year into the show. (Back then, making changes to the cast during the show was still a thing). The former child actor was Jeremy Gelbwaks.
Brian played Chris for the remainder of the series. He’s the son of British film actor Peter Forster and step-grandson of British acting legend Alan Napier. And, are you ready for this? He’s the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. His days of stardom are long behind him as he hasn't been on any non-partridge-related roles since 1974.
Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter's immense musical talent gained her fame, the kind most people can only dream of. She hypnotized people with her fantastic voice and her mesmerizing drumming skills. She saw massive success when performing with her brother as The Carpenters. Her hit 70s singles, "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You," made it into the top two of the Hot 100 list.
Her success, however, got the best of her, and she developed an eating disorder which made the Carpenters cancel a tour and a performance in front of the Queen of England. Karen Carpenter's unfortunate end came in 1983 when she was only 32 after a long battle with an eating disorder, which ended in a cardiac arrest.
Danielle Spencer
Looking at Danielle Spencer's face will instantly make you hear little Dee Thomas saying her famous "Oooh, I’m tellin’ Mama!". Spencer's unforgettable performance as Dee in "What’s Happening!!" will forever be etched in the memory of anyone who watched TV in the 70s.
After the show ended, Spencer's life went in a different direction, and she got certified as a veterinarian. She has even played minor roles as a veterinarian in "As Good as It Gets" and "Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix." In 2014, Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she has since recovered.