Silent film actor Rudolph Valentino may be one of the earliest, documented teen idols, if we are going to be completely honest. An Italian immigrant who was dark and exotic to American audiences, he was originally typecast as the villain in his earlier films like “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
Later, he was known as the “Great Lover” in Hollywood and became the heart-throb of the 1920s after he was cast as every girl’s dream in films like “The Son of the Sheik.” Sadly, at just thirty-one with a lot of potential in his career, Valentino died from complications following an appendectomy.
Joey Lawrence
As a child, Joey Lawrence had guest roles on “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Silver Spoons," amongst other shows. But it was his role as Joey Donavan in “Gimme a Break!” that really put him on the map and helped garner him more attention from Hollywood. After this, he turned into a full-on, teen idol when he became one of the lead stars on the show, “Blossom.”
Lawrence also dabbled in music and, although he had some hit songs, it was not a lasting career choice for him. He has continued his acting career and starred in the sitcom "Melissa & Joey."
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, caught the ear of the public when she released her singles “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” in 2008. Though she was first known for her popular dance anthems, Lady Gaga has demonstrated tremendous versatility and talent across music and acting genres.
She performed a handful of songs with jazz artist, Tony Bennett, and, in 2018, she wowed fans again with her acting and singing performance in the film “A Star Is Born.” Since then, Gaga has also starred in movies such as "House of Gucci" and "Joker: Folie à Deux," starring alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando was a method actor who got his start on Broadway but broke out to stardom for his performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Brando brought virility and unmatched intensity to his performances which captivated both male and female audiences around the world.
He went on to star in Elia Kazan’s “On the Waterfront” and took on the role of Mark Antony in “Julius Caesar.” His later work included playing the iconic patriarch of the Corleone crime family, Don Vito Corleone, in “The Godfather.” With a career spanning sixty years and multiple awards, Marlon Brando will remain a legendary Hollywood star.
Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman was a busy, child star during the '80s. He took on roles in “The Goonies" and “Bad News Bears.” He gained even more acclaim for his role in the dramatic film, “Stand By Me.” As Feldman grew into his career, he was surrounded by fellow stars and droves of fans.
He struggled to endure the fame and pressure and unfortunately fell into substance abuse. These personal problems (including the loss of his friend Cory Haim) marred his career and, though he continued to act and even tried to find success as a musician, he did not find nearly as much success in his adult years.