This ’70s Teen Heartthrob, Who Left His Career at the Peak of Fame, Stunned Fans with His Transformation at 66 — What Happened to Him?

fA previous teenage hottie felt the pressure of stardom after being chased by devoted followers nonstop. The celebrity’s ageless appearance still astounds people decades later. View his amazing life story and metamorphosis throughout the years.

A former child star who gained popularity for his part in an ABC adventure series won over fans’ hearts for his singing and acting abilities in the past. But when he was at the top of his career, he made the decision to step back from the spotlight, and many fans have been astounded by his transformation since then.

The singer pictured on January 1, 1970, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

This is the narrative of the ’70s heartthrob who left stardom at its peak, from a happy childhood in a prosperous household to experiencing personal struggles, establishing a profession in film, and discovering happiness in family life.

The singer photographed on January 1, 1970 | Source: Getty Images

The famous person spent part of his early years in New York City and Los Angeles. He signed a record deal with Warner Brothers Records while still a high school student, which led to three multi-platinum albums, many top ten songs, and a string of sold-out performances around the country.

The teen idol singing on stage on January 1, 1978 | Source: Getty Images

As he sang his hit songs, such as “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll,” he would frequently be surrounded by admirers after the show. During the 1977 World Series, they even pursued him out of Dodger Stadium after climbing onto his car and grabbing his hair.

ATLANTA – JUNE 1: Teen idol Shaun Cassidy greets a mob of his fans outside WQXI radio studio before an on-the-air appearance on June 1, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage)

Simultaneously, the hitmaker enthralled viewers on “The Hardy Boys Mysteries,” solidifying his place in the entertainment sector even more.

The actor, Pamela Sue Martin, and Parker Stevenson on the set of “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries,” 1977 | Source: Getty Images

The well-known persona attributes his ability to stay grounded to his family for helping him avoid the usual traps of teenage celebrity. “By the time I became successful at 18, three other people in my family had already been wildly successful,” he said.

The child star poses for a portrait session on January 1, 1978, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

“My father was a matinee idol on Broadway, my mother was an Academy Award winner at 24, and (his half-brother) David was a very big pop star, “the veteran star added. He went on to say that while he had seen greatness in his family, he didn’t associate his identity with the success or length of the recognition that came to him.

The singer and his mother at the 44th Academy Awards on April 10, 1972, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

In an interview, the singer reflected on those times and stated, “My career is strange. After my highly explosive debut act, I went into hiding when I was 21. I’m not sure what motivated me to do that, but I don’t think it was a desire to pursue a career in performing.”

The singer photographed on January 1, 1979, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

The Hollywood celebrity announced to a crowd of around 55,000 people in the now-closed Houston Astrodome in 1980 that he would “see them soon” before removing his satin pants and microphone and leaving the spotlight behind.

Shaun Cassidy during the 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 26, 1980, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Years later, when he thought back on that choice, he said he was often curious as to how his younger self had survived to reach that degree of notoriety. “I’m still trying to figure it out,” he said. However, I believe that stepping away from it helped me.”

Shaun Cassidy’s half-sibling David Cassidy’s life story, on the other hand, took a completely opposite route, as his life stood in stark contrast to his own experiences as a teenage idol.

Shaun and David Cassidy at David’s wedding wedding on January 1, 1970, in Las Vegas | Source: Getty Images

David, who gained popularity for his part in the sitcom “The Partridge Family” in the 1970s, battled alcoholism his entire life. As an actor and musician, his problems with substance misuse became a key part of his life.

David Cassidy on the set of “The Partridge Family,” 1971 | Source: Getty Images

David publicly admitted his battle with alcoholism in 2008, and he later struggled with drug misuse, which required him to check into a recovery facility in 2014. His younger brother Shaun thought about how hard it was to watch David go through these things.

David Cassidy performs at the “The Ultimate Idols” concert on September 13, 2008, in Staten Island, New York. | Source: Getty Images

He noted that it is a terrible experience that many families go through and that it was really difficult to watch his brother’s drinking. He acknowledged that handling this kind of scenario is difficult and that there is no set way to address it.

Shaun Cassidy and David Cassidy during St. Clare’s Hospital Benefit Luncheon on October 6, 1993, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

David tragically lost his life in 2017 at the age of 67 due to liver and renal failure, following years of battle with addiction. He was Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward’s only child. Jack later wed Shirley Jones, the actress from “Oklahoma,” and the two of them had three sons: Ryan, Shaun, and Patrick.

His drunkenness had caused his family problems in the past, but they rallied around him in his last days. Shaun also mentioned how his brother’s upbringing was very dissimilar from his own.

David’s profession and life experiences put him on a different route than Shaun’s because he has a different mother and a different relationship with their father. “I loved and adored him and he was as funny a guy as you’ll ever meet,” said Shaun. He also commented on their year-long cooperation in the Broadway production “Blood Brothers.”

David and Shaun Cassidy on the set of “Blood Brothers,” 1993 | Source: Getty Images

The celebrity found the experience to be both pleasurable and healing because it allowed them to rekindle their relationship with their father, who had away tragically in an apartment fire in 1976.

David Shaun Cassidy pictured on January 1, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Despite the hurdles brought on by family conflicts and dealing with sorrow, Shaun managed to discover his own way to happiness by eventually settling down. He has three marriages under his belt. His first marriage was to Ann Pennington, a former Playboy model, with whom he produced John Cassidy and Caitlin.

Ann Pennington and Shaun Cassidy during Opening Night Performance of “She Loves You” on July 2, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Later on, the TV personality wed Susan Diol, an actress who had roles in “Star Trek” and “Quantum Leap”. Juliet Cassidy, the couple’s daughter, was welcomed.

Susan Doil and Shaun Cassidy attend the 39th Annual Drama Desk Awards on June 5, 1994 | Source: Getty Images

Shaun is currently happily married to TV producer Tracey Lynne Turner, his third wife, having wed her in August 2004. They have four kids together. In total, Shaun is a father of eight, having welcomed his children with his three spouses.

The “Hey Deanie” singer recently joked that his career didn’t follow the normal “Behind the Music” path of financial collapse and rehab, looking back on his days as a teenage idol. Understanding how short-lived teenage celebrity is, he made the smart decision to change directions and launch a lucrative career as a writer and producer.

He has contributed to several TV series throughout the years, including “American Gothic,” “Roar,” “Cold Case,” and “Emerald City.” On the five-season NBC medical drama “New Amsterdam,” he was also the show’s writer and executive producer.

Fans still adore Shaun at the age of 66, and they frequently share their opinions in the comments section of his Instagram profile. One fan said, “You look so handsome,” and another said, “Looking amazing.” Similar thoughts were expressed by a third user.

Shaun Cassidy’s transformation from teenage sensation to prosperous writer and producer demonstrates his capacity to adjust and flourish out of the spotlight. Even now, his persistent charm and brilliance continue to attract people, illustrating that certain stars only shine brighter with time.