From Blazing Saddles to Apocalypse Now, the 70s had great movies that ran the gamut from political to comedy, sci-fi to horror and so many other genres and subjects. And every film buff can name some movie from the 70s that has a special place in their heart. We compiled a list of SOME of the greatest actors and actresses from the 70s.

Clint Eastwood
Easily my favorite actor of all time, Clint Eastwood is a legend who still churns out amazing films as a director and actor. In the 70s he became one of the first tough cop genres with Dirty Harry (1971). The 70s was filled with tough action characters and Clint played many of them in movies like Magnum Force (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and The
Gauntlet (1977).
Jack Nicholson
From the Shining to Batman, what hasn’t Jack Nicholson not done? He has one 3 Academy Awards and nominated for 12. During the 1970s he acted in 16 movies with probably the most notable being One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and China Town (1974).
Al Pacino
HOOWAH! Al Pacino has always been an icon of “coolness” and a hard working actor. Al had so many great movies during the 70’s including Godfather (1972), Godfather 2 (1975) and Serpico (1974).
Gene Wilder
THE one and only true Willy Wonka. Gene Wilder (especially combined with Mel Brooks) created comedy that borders on genius. As I previously mentioned one of which is Willy Wonka and the Chocolates Factory (1971) which is iconic forever. But he made so many that will always be in my favorites including Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974).
Marlon Brando
While Marlon Brando’s filmography goes back beyond 1970, there are a few of his films in 1970 that are pure 70’s film beauty. One of which is Apocalypse Now (1979) which has Marlon Brando starring as a renegade Special forces colonel that now considers himself a god. Of course he was in The Godfather (1971) also. Come on, do your best Godfather impression right now!
Robert De Niro
For me when I think of greatest serious dramatic actors, Robert De Niro has always been on the top of my list. His intensity has always been prominently on display in all of his films. In 1976, De Niro played a disgruntled veteran who through a serious of violent events becomes an accidental vigilante in Taxi Driver (1976). Warning, this movie is SERIOUSLY intense and violent, so prepare yourself.
Faye Dunaway
She was notably in Chinatown (1974) and won the Academy Award for Best Actress in Network (1976)
Diane Keaton
Her first major role was The Godfather (1972) but her following films: Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975) established her as a comedic actress. She would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Annie Hall (1977).
Jodie Foster
For me Jodie Foster will always be the counter point to Hannibal Lector as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs (1991), but she has a long and wonderful film career before that. A very young Jodi Foster starred along with Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver (1976) and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Carrie Fisher
Princess Leia! I know she stared in so many other movies, but for me she will always be Princess Leia in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977). And with that film she become a sci-fi legend. She did, but didn’t have to cement her in the hearts of so many young nerds for generations.
Madeline Kahn
She is not on many top 70s actress lists and to me, that’s a crime! She is just as much a comedic mastermind as Gene Wilder. Madeline’s timing and beauty made her both a sex symbol and hilarious at the same time. She was a red-hot firecracker in both Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974).
James Earl Jones
“Luke I am your father!”Gives me chills every time! James Earl Jones is one of the most dynamic and inspiring actors of our generation. He has played the voice of Darth Vader, Thulsa Doom from Conan (my favorite movie), the father of Eddie Murphy in Coming to America, and Mufasa in the Lion King, just to name a few of his amazing roles. James was nominated for an Academy Award in 1970 for his role in Great White Hope. His voice would grace the world as Darth Vader in Star Wars a New Hope in 1977.
Pam Grier
Viewers might know Pam Grier best from her movie Jackie Brown directed by Quentin Tarantino. However, true film buffs know Pam as one of the strongest action stars of the 70s. The 70s had many blaxploitation films and Pam was at the heart of that interest with her powerful leads in s Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). Quentin Tarantino is quoted as calling Pam the real first female action star.