15 Stars from the 1970s Who Continue to Thrive Today

      Harrison Ford makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this week, starring at the age of 82 in Captain America: Brave New World. He is among several stars from the 1970s who continue to thrive in the industry.

      **Diane Keaton**

      After rising to fame with The Godfather, Diane Keaton achieved icon status through Annie Hall (above) and has maintained it ever since. Following a series of films such as Reds, Baby Boom, the Father of the Bride series, and Something’s Gotta Give, she made a comeback in 2023 with the sequel Book Club: The Next Chapter. She also shone in Mack & Rita. In fact, she is excellent in every role.

      By the way, what happened to that guy who portrayed her husband in The Godfather series? What was his name again?

      **Al Pacino**

      Oh, that's right. Al Pacino, one of the finest actors of both the 1970s and all time, first gained attention with 1971’s The Panic of Needle Park (still chilling) before an impressive streak of hits in the '70s, which included the first two Godfather films, Dog Day Afternoon (above), and Serpico.

      In the '80s, he was selective with his roles, showcasing an iconic performance in Scarface. His remarkable run in the '90s included an Oscar-winning performance in Scent of a Woman — he has won only once despite nine nominations — followed by roles in Heat, Donnie Brasco, Devil’s Advocate, and more.

      Recent notable works include Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, and a comedic role in House of Gucci. Like several in this list, he has transitioned to television (or rather, streaming) with Amazon’s Hunters.

      At 84, Pacino also featured last year alongside Michael Keaton in Knox Goes Away, directed by Keaton, and in Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, directed by his Donnie Brasco co-star, Johnny Depp.

      He recently published a new autobiography and has an extensive filmography that includes at least five films you may not have heard of.

      **Robert De Niro**

      Pacino's frequent co-star and rival for roles, Robert De Niro, is perhaps his strongest contender for the title of the best actor of the 1970s (and maybe ever?).

      After emerging in films like The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (above) and Bang the Drum Slowly in the 1970s, he became a cinematic icon with Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II (for which he won his first Oscar), Taxi Driver, and The Deer Hunter. Next came 1980’s Raging Bull, which secured him his second Oscar.

      His extensive list of roles since then includes Goodfellas, Casino, Awakenings, Silver Linings Playbook, Heat, Jackie Brown, Midnight Run, and the Meet the Parents series. He received his latest Oscar nomination for The Irishman, reuniting him with Pacino and Martin Scorsese, marking his first collaboration with both.

      Last year, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon and will portray two gangsters in the upcoming Alto Knights.

      **Jamie Lee Curtis**

      Recipient of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Jamie Lee Curtis is likely best remembered for her portrayal of Laurie Strode in the 1978 film Halloween (above), a character she has revisited multiple times, including in the recent Halloween trilogy, before finally declaring she won't play the role again.

      Her diverse career highlights include memorable performances in films such as Trading Places, A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies, and Knives Out.

      She received acclaim for her latest film, The Last Showgirl, alongside Pamela Anderson, and was one of the first celebrities to contribute $1 million to aid recovery efforts from the L.A. fires.

      **Sylvester Stallone**

      Though he gained fame in 1974's The Lords of Flatbush, Stallone found himself dissatisfied with the roles available to him. He darkened his windows to concentrate and wrote several screenplays, one of which became Rocky. He insisted on playing the lead role and emerged as one of the 1970s’ breakout stars.

      In doing so, he paved the way for the modern blockbuster and franchises, repeating the feat with the Rambo series. Rocky led to Creed, where Stallone acted in the first two movies. This year, he returns with the fourth, and possibly final, installment of The Expendables.

      Additionally, Stallone ventured into television with Tulsa King (above), where he portrays an ex-con who moves to the West. Despite his success, he has never received an Oscar, although Rocky won Best Picture and Best Director for John G. Avildsen.

      He is also the subject of a recent Netflix documentary about his life and career