5 Forgotten Teen Idols – Inside the Lives of Celebrities Now Far from the Spotlight

Celebrities like John Walmsley, Leif Garrett, Bo Derek, and more gave up their Hollywood lives for more normal ones. Some of these stars relocated to quieter places while others took on selfless medical work.

John Walmsley’s Life after “The Waltons”

Jon Walmsley was famously known for playing the role of John-Boy’s younger brother, Jason Walton, on the television series “The Waltons,” which premiered in 1972 and ran for nine seasons until 1981.

Since October 2019, Walmsley has been living away from the spotlight in Cornwall, Britain, after relocating from California, Living an anonymous life with her wife, Marion, the pair doesn’t have any children.

Walmsley’s parents were originally from Lancashire, Britain. They relocated to California when he was two, and he fell in love with Cornwall during a visit. Speaking about his anonymity in the quiet town, the voice of Christopher Robin for Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” said:

“I don’t really get recognized as I changed my look a few years ago and now look quite different than on ‘The Waltons.'”

Walmsley said he and his wife loved the coastal path, the woods, the sea, the sheep, the farms, the wild ponies, the cows, and the “good food” where they now live. He explained how they’d gone there for vacations for years and that it started feeling like home.

Some of the items Walmsley took with him to England included two parakeets he inherited from his mother, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. The actor and Marion started a new life, bought a car, opened a bank account, and registered with the National Health Service.

The couple has since been enjoying the moors, coastal paths, historic churches, and pubs in Cornwall. According to IMDb, Walmsley retired from acting and seemed to be thriving out of the spotlight. In a 2018 Thanksgiving post on Facebook, Marion was photographed kissing her husband on the cheek, with him confessing how “thankful” he was for his wife.

A drastic change in his appearance was also evident—he was gaunter, and his full red hair was replaced by shorter grays. He was also sporting a gray beard and mustache. This was a far cry from his images in February and June 2015, when he looked more like what his fans were used to. Being out of the limelight has been good for Jon Walmsley, who celebrated a big milestone in 2023 – turning 67!

Leif Garrett- The former Teen Heartthrob

Leif Garrett, along with David and Shaun Cassidy and the Bay City Rollers, was one of the names people thought of when it came to ’70s teenage idols. The “I Was Made for Dancin'” singer earned worldwide fans for his boyish looks and pop songs.

In the mid-’80s, his career was pretty much done, although Garrett went back to acting in movies that didn’t gain much traction. Sadly, he was also struggling with substance abuse and the guilt over his involvement in one of his friends, Roland Winkler, becoming paralyzed from a car accident.

Over two decades ago, Garrett was drunk and high when he drove off the Hollywood Freeway, leaving Winkler, who died in 2017, paralyzed.

On March 30, 2023, author and actress Ginger Coyote shared a Facebook photo of Garrett and revealed it was what he looked like the last time she saw him. In the image, he looked different while wearing a bandana on his head, a scarf, and a jacket.

One fan responded to the post with a sad word for his appearance, “Aww.” Another person noted how they’d had “such a crush” on the singer for the longest time but that his story tugged at their heartstrings, while someone else could only say:

“OMG.”

The singer once confessed what led to his addiction and downfall, with the details, possibly shocking his fans. During his 2020 interview, Garrett revealed that when he was a teenage idol, his managers lied and said he was sick from exhaustion when they were pushing for his shows to be sold out.

The musician had to feign sickness and was “living this lie.” The goal was for him to come off as having a perfect image of what they wanted from him, but he knew it was wrong. As a young man, he also had a chance to have a musical career, but instead of starting immediately with training, his voice was processed until it barely sounded like him.

A background singer, Jim Haas, was brought in, and the person’s voice was quite prominent, and sometimes Garrett felt like they were making that person’s record and not his. The star felt like they were taking advantage of him for his looks when all he wanted to do was act.

He had to sing with plenty of technical help and lip-synced at concerts, which was a “horrible” experience for him. Garrett felt the experience was unfair to his fans who bought tickets to see his live shows.

However, things have since changed for him, with Leif Garrett saying now he felt good and played music because he loved it. Although, he wasn’t in a rush to do more than that unless it was right and as real as possible.

Bo Derek Lives a Quiet and Private Life with Her Second Husband

Born Mary Cathleen Collins in 1959, Bo Derek admits she just came up with the nickname “Bo” while she was dating director John Derek. The actress was only 16 when the director cast her in his movie, “Fantasies,” which ultimately led to an affair. He was 30 years older than and married to actress Linda Evans at the time.

When the “Sunstorm” star turned 18, they moved back to California and remained married from 1976 until he died in 1998. The “Bolero” actor was 71 when he passed away from heart failure at the Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, California.

After the success of Bo’s earlier movies, especially “10,” which launched her as an icon, her husband had her appear in several films that did not garner her any significant recognition or success. Five years after the death of her husband, the star met a man who made her fall right back in love: John Corbett.

However, John made an exception while talking to his friend Jerry O’Connell on “The Talk,” where he flashed his wedding ring and said they got married in an intimate celebration. For many years now, they’ve enjoyed a quiet life on their ranch, as both Bo and John are animal lovers.

They have several horses and a vast property they can ride on. The first thing Bo usually does in the morning is ride her horse before embarking on the many chores that come with maintaining a huge ranch. Many of the things inside their home were items from her first husband’s ex-wives, particularly Ursula Andress and Linda Evans.

Aside from their main home, they also have a property in Ventura, a little house by the harbor. The “5 Weddings” actress couldn’t help but gush about how fortunate she is to have beautiful homes, horses, and boats, too.

Bo Derek turned 66 in June 2023 and looked as fresh and youthful as she was at the peak of her career. She remains a sex symbol for many people, a term that the actress has gotten used to through the years.

From a Teenage Singing Sensation to a Life Saver, Bobby Sherman’s Journey through Hollywood

Bobby Sherman holds numerous titles: a singer, an actor, and an occasional songwriter. He enjoyed fame as a teen idol in the 1960s and ’70s after releasing a series of successful singles, including 1969’s “Little Woman,” which sold millions.

“It was so hectic for three years that I didn’t know what home was.”

The concerts and shows were great, but he was so disoriented from working so much that he decided to take a break. He built a studio in his garage and, over the years, recorded scores for television shows. and movies.

However, he chose to live close to his sons, Christopher and Tyler, to see them often after the divorce. During his sons’ childhood, the “Mr. Success” singer discovered that his now ex-wife was squeamish about blood. The star often nursed his children’s bruised knees and bloody noses and after taking an introductory first aid CPR class, he realized he had a knack for it, recalling:

“Eventually, if I’d be driving down the street and there was an accident, and there was no medical help on hand, I’d get out and, since I usually had some stuff with me, I’d help.”

When the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) caught wind of what he was doing, they invited him to the force’s training academy. In 1992, he became a sworn police officer with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and the LAPD.

Despite having a different career, in 1998, after a 25-year absence, fans flocked to see him in concert as part of the “The Teen Idol Tour.” There he appeared alongside Peter Noone and former Monkees TV costars Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones. He had his final show as a solo performer in Lincoln, Rhode Island, on August 25, 2001.

Although he chose a different career path, the star remains grateful for the fans who adored him and allowed him the long-reigning title of “teen idol.” The star shared how he chose to give himself a break to do the things he wished:

“Being a teen idol afforded me so many different things in my life. God bless the fans. They made me a teen idol, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

After many years of changing his career, Sherman still receives hundreds of fan letters. The “Happiness Is” singer, who turned 80 in July 2023, enjoys a quiet life with his wife and often looks forward to visits from his two sons and six grandchildren.

Ali Macgraw Gave up Hollywood for a Quiet Life in Mexico

Ali MacGraw will always be remembered as a great actress of beautiful, intelligent, and had great style. However, it’s not just her on-screen performances that have left a lasting impression—her romantic relationships have also made waves in the entertainment industry.

Throughout her illustrious career, the talented performer married three times. Her first union was with Robin Hoen, followed by marriage to the esteemed producer Robert Evans. Finally, she said “I do” to her “The Getaway” co-star Steve McQueen.

When MacGraw married Steve McQueen, he forced her to give up her acting career because he wanted to live a “normal life” after having had a difficult childhood. The actress recalled:

“At the time, he was the biggest movie star in the world, and he didn’t want me to work, so I essentially quit making movies and took care of my child [Josh].”

After going through several failed marriages, she felt the need to focus on establishing a stable home for herself when choosing to retire at the peak of one’s career. However, she did not give much thought to this idea in the past.

According to MacGraw, she never accepted divorce settlement money because she believed it was the right thing to do. This choice, however, left her nearly penniless. She reportedly admitted:

“I had a romantic, ‘Aren’t I a good girl?’ take on divorce, but the truth is that was stupid.”

Ali MacGraw left Hollywood because she faced financial difficulties due to her past marriages. She decided to start over by moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, leading a low-key, uncomplicated life there. After her Malibu home in California was destroyed by fire in 1993, she relocated to Santa Fe in 1994.

she lives in a charming little cottage, where she enjoys reading and collecting rocks. MacGraw found that spending time alone was fulfilling, and she did not see herself as the typical woman who would submit to her partner’s every desire.

Although she may not have much money to give, MacGraw loves to use her voice when asked to support causes she cares about, such as animal welfare and the environment. She previously helped a conservation group in Vietnam called Animal Asia, whose causes centered around bear preservation in the said country.

The former actress even flew to the country to assist them in keeping the sanctuary open rather than closing it. MacGraw has stayed busy because she lives in a small town where many groups need help. She said Santa Fe is a community that cares about animals, and she volunteers and supports the group named Animal Protection New Mexico.

Determined to be healthy, she has attended yoga or Pilates classes. She also walks every day as a form of meditation and has a 45-minute session of self-reflection on gratitude. MacGraw feels incredibly fortunate to have them in her life.

In addition to meditating, she maintains contact with a small group of close friends and frequently goes on dates. MacGraw cherishes her time with her only son, Josh, who is now a thriving author, screenwriter, and filmmaker.

Josh is now a father to a son named Jackson and his famous mother is a proud parent and grandmother who has realized that being a parent is one of the “hardest of jobs” yet the most fulfilling in the world. Overall, MacGraw has found peace and contentment in her simple and quiet life in Santa Fe. She’s focused on living in the present, cherishing her time with her close friends and family.