During the Hollywood Renaissance, otherwise known as the 1970s, the industry was dominated by iconic names such as Al Pacino, Robert Redford, and Faye Dunaway.
However, amongst the host of global household names, there was a plethora of stars who enjoyed only a moment in the glittering sun before fading into the forgotten pages of entertainment's history books.
The pillars of a bygone era, monikers such as Karen Black and Michael York, may not ring any bells, but without their stellar performances, the industry's past would look very different.
Let's meet the faces of Tinsel Town's past, who you may have forgotten ever existed…
© Getty ImagesMichael Sarrazin
Famous for his era-defining face, Michael Sarrazin's features epitomised 1970s cinema. His poignant blue eyes allowed him to bring depth and vulnerability to his roles in the likes of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?.
Garnering a reputation for his intense portrayals, Michael was a cornerstone of Hollywood for a time; however, he decided to move away from Hollywood and back to his hometown of Montreal, Canada, to be closer to his family.
He died aged 70 after a brief battle with cancer and was survived by two daughters, Catherine and Michelle.
© Getty ImagesKaren Black
One of the true scream queens of her generation, Karen Black was a cult figure in horror, particularly for her iconic role in the 1975 Trilogy of Terror.
She is widely believed to have redefined Hollywood’s female archetype with her portrayals in legendary counterculture films such as Five Easy Pieces, Easy Rider, The Great Gatsby, and Nashville.
Karen died in 2013, aged 74, after enjoying a career that spanned into the 80s and included playwriting and small roles on TV shows.
© WireImageMichael York
Claiming the title of the British '70s heartthrob, Michael York won over audiences after his performances as Logan in Logan’s Run and d’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers.
Outside of screen acting, Michael, now 84, made notable contributions to the theatre and revealed he was battling a rare disease called amyloidosis in 2013.
He moved from Los Angeles to Minnesota to be close to the Mayo Clinic for his treatment and continues to manage the disease today.
© Getty ImagesRobert Loggia
Robert Loggia was an American actor and director known for his portrayals of mobsters in Scarface, Prizzi's Honor and The Sopranos, as well as his iconic performance as Mr MacMillan in Big.
His career spanned over five decades, after it started on the New York stage and moved into television in the 1950s. Robert also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a private detective in Jagged Edge.
He passed away, aged 85, on 4 December 2015 at his Los Angeles home due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
© Getty ImagesSusan Anspach
Finding fame after starring in New Hollywood films like Five Easy Pieces, Play It Again, Sam, and Blume in Love, Susan Anspach was an American actress raised in Queens, New York.
She emerged onto the scene after her role in the original production of Hair, on the stage and went on to act alongside many famous faces, including Woody Allen and Jack Nicholson.
Susan died of coronary failure at 75 years old on 2 April 2018, in Los Angeles. During her lifetime, she welcomed one son, Caleb, with her co-star Jack, and a daughter, Catherine, with fellow Hair cast member Steve Curry.
© Getty ImagesRobert Conrad
At the height of his fame, Robert Conrad was a staple of 1970s television. Best known for starring in The Wild Wild West and later Baa Baa Black Sheep, he embodied the tough-guy persona that audiences fell in love with during that era.
His action-heavy roles made him one of television’s biggest stars; however, over time, due to injuries as a result of doing his own stunts and a desire for a more private life, his name slipped out of mainstream Hollywood conversations.
Robert died on 8 February 2020, at the age of 84 years in Malibu, California.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesSusan Dey
Susan Dey was one of the decade’s breakout stars thanks to her roles in The Partridge Family and LA Law.
With her signature California-cool look, she quickly became one of the most recognisable young actresses on television in America.
Despite her success, she left Hollywood to pursue a private life and a quieter existence away from the fast-paced entertainment industry.
After a 30-year acting career, she retired in 2004 to focus on family with her husband, producer Bernard Sofronski and philanthropy.
© Bettmann ArchiveBurt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest box office draws of the late 70s, thanks to films like Smokey and the Bandit and Deliverance.
Even though he enjoyed initial success, the star suffered setbacks after he declined major roles, including parts in Star Wars and Pretty Woman and slowly faded into the background of Hollywood.
Reports from the time also suggested he could be difficult to work with and that he battled severe health issues alongside financial struggles, which resulted in bankruptcy in 1996.
He died on 6 September 2018 at the age of 82 due to a heart attack in Jupiter, Florida.
