The 1970s were the last great era of true Hollywood glamour, when star couples still maintained an air of mystery and elegance that seems almost impossible in today’s social media age. As someone who devoured every issue of Photoplay and Modern Screen back then, I can tell you these couples weren’t just famous – they defined what romance and style meant for an entire generation. Let’s look back at the pairs who made us believe in Hollywood magic.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand
- 2 2. Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw
- 3 3. Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
- 4 4. Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston
- 5 5. Ryan O’Neal and Farrah Fawcett
- 6 6. Warren Beatty and Julie Christie
- 7 7. Mick and Bianca Jagger
- 8 8. Paul and Linda McCartney
- 9 9. Sonny and Cher
- 10 10. John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- 11 11. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field
- 12 12. Roger and Luisa Moore
- 13 13. Robert and Elizabeth Taylor
- 14 14. David and Angie Bowie
- 15 15. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
1. Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand
Though they only made one film together, “The Way We Were” (1973), their on-screen chemistry was electric. Their pairing represented the perfect blend of classic Hollywood good looks and new-age talent. The contrast between Redford’s all-American charm and Streisand’s Brooklyn-born intensity created a template for opposites-attract romance that influenced films for decades.
Save for later
Want to come back to this story? Save it with your email so it is easy to find again.
2. Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw
Their romance began on the set of “The Getaway” (1972) and epitomized ’70s cool. McQueen’s rugged masculinity paired with MacGraw’s sophisticated beauty created an iconic couple that graced countless magazine covers. Their turbulent five-year marriage captured public imagination and defined the decade’s blend of glamour and rebellion.
3. Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
Their second marriage in 1972 represented Hollywood’s most glamorous reconciliation. The couple’s yacht parties and sophisticated lifestyle embodied classic Hollywood elegance. Their love story, tragic ending notwithstanding, captured the public’s imagination throughout the decade.
4. Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston
Their 17-year relationship began in 1973 and represented the artistic elite of Hollywood. They embodied the sophisticated bohemian lifestyle of the era, frequently photographed at industry events and Lakers games. Their relationship defined Hollywood’s new generation of power couples.
5. Ryan O’Neal and Farrah Fawcett
Beginning their relationship in 1979, they represented the perfect blend of old and new Hollywood. Fawcett’s iconic poster and “Charlie’s Angels” fame combined with O’Neal’s classic movie star status created a quintessential ’70s power couple. Their beach photos and red carpet appearances defined the era’s glamour.
6. Warren Beatty and Julie Christie
Their relationship during the early ’70s epitomized Hollywood’s artistic renaissance. Both at the height of their careers, they represented the perfect blend of European sophistication and American charisma. Their collaboration in “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971) showcased their professional and personal chemistry.
7. Mick and Bianca Jagger
Married in St. Tropez in 1971, they became the ultimate rock royalty couple. Bianca’s sophisticated style perfectly complemented Mick’s rock star persona, making them fixtures at Studio 54. Their jet-set lifestyle and high-fashion appearances defined ’70s celebrity culture.
8. Paul and Linda McCartney
Their marriage represented a different kind of celebrity relationship—one based on family values and artistic collaboration. Linda’s transition from photographer to musician and their creation of Wings showed how couples could successfully blend personal and professional lives. Their vegetarian lifestyle and environmental activism influenced a generation.
9. Sonny and Cher
Though their marriage ended in 1975, their successful variety show kept them in the public eye as a duo. Their witty banter and fashion choices influenced pop culture throughout the decade. They showed how couples could maintain a professional relationship even after romantic separation.
10. John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Their relationship transcended traditional celebrity coupling, blending art, activism, and music. Their “bed-ins” for peace and collaborative projects redefined what celebrity couples could achieve. Despite controversy, they remained devoted to each other and their causes throughout the decade.
11. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field
Their relationship, which began during filming of “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977), represented Hollywood’s perfect match of macho charm and girl-next-door appeal. Their on-screen chemistry in multiple films delighted audiences, while their off-screen romance captured headlines. They defined the era’s ideal of an American celebrity couple.
12. Roger and Luisa Moore
The James Bond star and Italian actress epitomized international glamour throughout the ’70s. Their jet-setting lifestyle and appearances at prestigious events represented the sophistication of European celebrity culture. Their marriage lasted throughout Moore’s Bond years, adding to his suave image.
13. Robert and Elizabeth Taylor
Although their second marriage ended in 1976, the Taylor-Warner reunion represented the last stand of old Hollywood glamour. Their lavish lifestyle and high-profile appearances kept classic Hollywood romance alive in the changing cultural landscape of the ’70s. Their relationship embodied the grandeur of cinema’s golden age.
14. David and Angie Bowie
The Bowies redefined celebrity couple style with their avant-garde fashion and gender-bending appearances. Their marriage throughout the ’70s challenged traditional notions of celebrity relationships. Their influence on fashion and culture extended far beyond their decade together.
15. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
Their second marriage (1975-76) captured public imagination just as powerfully as their first. Despite its brevity, their reunion represented the enduring appeal of their passionate relationship. Their larger-than-life romance, marked by extravagant gifts and dramatic gestures, set a standard for celebrity couples that remains unmatched.
