15 Icons from the 1970s Still Crushing it Today

Written by Mariano Montagna on November 13, 2025

A split image of an older man in a suit with gray hair on the left, and an older woman with wavy gray hair and a beaded dress on the right, both facing the camera and smiling slightly.

The 1970s gave us a golden era of Hollywood: an age of audacious storytelling, inspiring looks, and stars whose virtuosity defined a generation. Decades later, many of those icons are not only still with us but continue to captivate audiences with their resilience and timeless appeal. These 15 Hollywood figures prove that true talent never fades; it only evolves.

1. Jodie Foster

A woman with short, blonde hair wearing a dark blazer and a maroon shirt sits against a plain, light gray background, looking slightly to the side with a gentle smile. — via instagram.com

Her fearless turn in Taxi Driver (1976) made her a ’70s prodigy. In 2025, she stars in the French thriller Vie Privée, proving her brilliance still captivates.

2. Clint Eastwood

An elderly man with gray hair wearing a dark green suit, light blue shirt, and green tie, standing outdoors with a maroon structure in the background. — Lance Cpl. Melissa I. Ugalde / Wikimedia Commons

Dirty Harry (1971) cemented him as Hollywood’s tough antihero. At 95, he directed Jurado Nº2 (2024) and is already preparing another film in 2025.

3. Bruce Dern

An older man with white hair and a beard wears glasses, a black cap, a beige shirt, and a dark blazer. He is seated indoors, looking slightly upward, with a microphone clipped to his shirt. — deleted/Reddit.com

Coming Home (1978) showcased his raw intensity. In 2024, he appeared in The World’s Happiest Man, continuing his streak of complex roles. At 88, he remains one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, proving that emotional depth and authenticity never age.

4. Jessica Lange

A smiling older woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black collared top sits indoors, facing slightly to the right. — via youtube.com

Jessica burst onto the scene with King Kong (1976). In 2025, she headlines Long Day’s Journey Into Night, bringing her stage triumph to the screen.

5. Christopher Walken

An older man with gray hair and a serious expression stands in dim lighting, looking slightly downward. He is wearing a dark outfit, and the background is shadowy and indistinct. — Rustofcarcosa/Reddit.com

His Oscar-winning role in The Deer Hunter (1978) made him unforgettable. In 2025, he shines in Severance season 2 and even fronts a Saint Laurent campaign. His career is a testament to embracing uniqueness as a lifelong strength.

6. Helen Mirren

A smiling older woman with short blonde hair, wearing a bright blue blazer and holding a textured yellow-green clutch purse, stands outdoors in front of a blurred building background. — Wikimedia Commons

Already making waves in the ’70s, she became a symbol of elegance and power. In 2025, Mirren stars in The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix), Mobland (Paramount+), and continues in 1923 season 2. At 80, she remains one of the most versatile actresses alive.

7. Dustin Hoffman

A smiling older man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt and dark jacket, sits indoors with a decorative lamp and yellow walls in the background. — deleted/Reddit.com

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) showed his gift for emotional depth. In 2025, he returns with Tuner, a crime thriller marking his comeback. At 88, his presence reminds audiences of the vulnerability and humanity he brought to cinema’s golden age.

8. Martin Scorsese

An elderly man with gray hair wearing a black tuxedo, white dress shirt, and black bow tie smiles slightly while standing in front of a blurred background at a formal event. — Wikimedia Commons

With Taxi Driver (1976), he defined ’70s cinema. In 2025, he develops The Wager and teases a Sinatra biopic, proving his storytelling fire is undimmed.

9. Jeff Bridges

An older man with gray hair, a full white beard, and glasses smiles while wearing a black-and-white patterned shirt. A clear glass bottle is visible in the foreground. — Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

From The Last Picture Show (1971) to Tron (1982), Bridges built a career of eclectic roles. In 2025, he returns in Tron: Ares, reprising his role decades later, underscoring his resilience and enduring appeal.

10. Sally Field

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses smiles while wearing a light blue blazer, against a blue background with dark lines. — Wikimedia Commons

Her Oscar-winning Norma Rae (1979) embodied resilience. In 2025, Field wrapped a new Netflix film, adding to her six-decade career. She continues to inspire with her activism and honesty.

11. Robert de Niro

An older man with gray hair wearing a light gray collared shirt and a dark jacket, standing in front of a blurred, light background. He has a neutral expression. — Harald Krichel / Wikimedia Commons

From Taxi Driver (1976) and The Godfather Part II (1974), De Niro became the face of gritty realism. His method oacting and intensity defined the decade. In 2025, he stars in The Alto Knights, playing two rival mob bosses in a Barry Levinson drama, proving his mastery of the genre that made him famous.

12. Sylvester Stallone

A man with dark slicked-back hair wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, looking slightly to the side. The background is softly blurred, suggesting a formal event. — Georges Biard / Wikimedia Commons

Stallone’s Rocky (1976) made him a global icon and symbol of perseverance. In 2025, he headlines Alarum, a spy thriller, and remains active with Amazon Prime action projects, keeping his underdog spirit alive.

13. Jane Fonda

An older woman with wavy, silver-gray hair and blue eyes smiles slightly. She wears a cream-colored dress adorned with intricate, flower-like embellishments. The background is softly blurred. — Gabriel Hutchinson / Wikimedia

A 1970s activist and Oscar-winning actress (Klute in 1971), Fonda embodied the era’s mix of glamour and political engagement. In 2025, she received the SAG Life Achievement Award, honoring her decades of activism and artistry. She continues to inspire through documentaries and public speaking.

14. Harrison Ford

An older man with gray hair and glasses, smiling while wearing a black jacket and shirt, stands in front of a pink background. — Kevin Paul / Wikimedia Commons

Launching into superstardom as Han Solo in Star Wars (1977) and Indiana Jones (1981), Ford became the ultimate adventure hero of the late ’70s. In 2024–2025, Ford stars in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World as General Ross and continues his acclaimed TV role in Shrinking (Apple TV+), bridging blockbuster franchises with prestige television.

15. Al Pacino

A man with dark, wavy hair and a goatee smiles at the camera. He is wearing a white shirt, black tie, black jacket, and a gray scarf. There is a golden pillar and elegant decor in the background. — US Embassy of Argentina / Wikimedia Commons

Pacino’s intensity in Serpico (1973) and The Godfather trilogy made him unforgettable, embodying the raw energy of 1970s cinema. Now 85, Pacino headlines The Ritual (2025), a horror film, and takes on a priest-exorcist role in a supernatural thriller, showing his willingness to explore new genres even late in his career.