It’s fascinating to look back at Hollywoo in the 1960s to see how culture was changing at a molecular level. As glitz and glamor gave way to gritty realism, many stars who were all over the place at the beginning of the decade disappeared completely, or were pushed off into the world of B-Movies. Keep scrolling and see if you remember any of these 60s stars.
Troy Donahue was a heartthrob in the early ’60s, starring in films like A Summer Place and Parrish. His blonde hair and boyish good looks made him a symbol of the era’s romantic dramas, but as Hollywood shifted away from those types of films, Donahue’s career waned. To make things worse, Donahue had a slew of legal issues to deal with. He moved out of A-pictures completely, but continued acting in movies like Shock ‘Em Dead and Double Trouble until the 90s.
Ann-Margret was a fiery redhead who made a name for herself in films like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, where she starred opposite Elvis Presley. Known for her sultry dance moves and playful on-screen presence, she was a major star in the ’60s, though her fame began to decline in the 1970s. However, she made a brief comeback in the 90s and the world was better for it.
Sandra Dee was the quintessential ’60s “good girl,” starring in films like Gidget and Tammy Tell Me True. Her wholesome image was beloved by audiences, but as tastes changed, Dee tried to change with them. Sadly, she was dropped from her Universal contract and she rarely acted after 1967.
A rising star in the early ’60s, George Maharis gained fame for his role in the hit TV show Route 66. His rugged good looks and intense performances made him a fan favorite, but illness and disagreements with the show’s producers led to his departure, and his career never fully recovered. Maharis continued working on TV throughout the 70s and 80s, but his career took an interesting turn around that time when he pivoted to working as a painter until he passed away in 2023 at the age of 94.
Carol Lynley made waves with her role in Blue Denim and later starred in The Poseidon Adventure. A beauty with a girl-next-door appeal, Lynley was a fixture in 1960s Hollywood, but she peaked in 1965 and never maintained her fame. That being said, she continued to work on TV and in small roles in all kinds of films until the early 2000s. That’s not a bad way to fade out.
Tab Hunter was a popular actor and singer in the 1950s and 60s, starring in films like Damn Yankees and The Burning Hills. His clean-cut, all-American persona endeared him to fans, but as counterculture movements took hold in the late ’60s, his “straight” style fell out of favor with Hollywood. This turned out to be incredibly ironic because Hunter was a closeted gay man until the 2000s. Even though Hunter neve returned to mainstream Hollywood, in the 1980s and 90s he often appeared as a version of himself or as a “Tab Hunter type” in films like Polyester.
Known for her role in The Time Machine, Yvette Mimieux was one of the most sought-after actresses in the early ’60s. She often portrayed sensitive, intelligent women and appeared in a number of successful films, but her career slowed down significantly as she moved into the 1970s.
An Australian actor who made a big impact in Hollywood, Rod Taylor starred in iconic films like The Birds and The Time Machine. He was a leading man throughout the 1960s, but as newer stars emerged in the ’70s, his popularity began to wane, and he shifted to supporting roles.
Pamela Tiffin burst onto the scene in the early 1960s with films like State Fair and One, Two, Three. Known for her beauty and comedic timing, Tiffin was a frequent presence in Hollywood’s romantic comedies, but as the genre faded, so did her career in American cinema.
George Hamilton was a suave, tan leading man known for films like Where the Boys Are and Light in the Piazza. With his charm and debonair style, he was a major star in the 1960s, though his focus shifted more toward television and comedy roles as his film career slowed. And frankly, everyone knows who George Hamilton is. Today, he’s a legitimate legend even if he never regained the starring roles he had early in his career.