From Teen Idol to 'Proud' Grandpa: Transformation of Rex Smith in 30+ Photos

From his meteoric rise in the 1970s to the emotional reunion with the son he never knew he had and becoming a grandfather, Rex Smith's life has been a rollercoaster of fame, family, and passion.

He stole hearts across America with one smoldering stare and a voice that melted radios. Now, the boyish heartthrob of the late '70s is a seasoned showman and grandfather of five.

In over four decades, Rex Smith has lived a life worthy of any Hollywood script — and we have the photos to prove it.

1978

In the late 1970s, Rex was a young talent chasing big-city dreams. After moving to New York as a teenager, he fronted a rock band that bore his name. Then came his big break — the lead role in the television movie "Sooner or Later," which catapulted him into the national spotlight.

But Rex didn't just act — he sang four songs on the film's soundtrack, including the ballad "You Take My Breath Away," which made him an overnight sensation.

With the spotlight blazing, he leapt to the stage, dazzling Broadway audiences as Danny Zuko in the original production of "Grease." His signature magnetism now gripped live crowds, cementing his status as more than just a one-hit wonder.

Then came "The Pirates of Penzance." Rex's turn as Frederick stunned critics and fans alike, earning him the prestigious Theater World Award and sealing his fate as a rising star.

1980

1984

1991

1997

Then, after a performance of "Sunset Boulevard" in 1997, Rex was drawn to a teenage boy whose gaze seemed to linger all evening. In the lobby, they finally met. His name was Brandon, and the actor recalled:

"I looked up, and I knew I was looking into the eyes of my firstborn son. I almost fainted."

As it would turn out, Brandon had been born in 1979 after a one-night encounter between Rex and Brandon's mother, Karen Lakey. She had never told Rex about the pregnancy.

But years later, while battling cancer, she revealed the truth to Brandon. Initially skeptical, he changed his mind after seeing a photo of Rex. "I went on an adventure to go find him," he said.

At the time, Rex was a divorced father of two daughters. He broke the news to them over what he described as "a big turkey dinner," introducing them to the brother they never knew they had.

2001

2005

2014

By 2014, Rex no longer carried the boyish look that first made him a teen idol. Instead, he reflected someone who had grown through experience — both as an artist and as a father.

With a more rugged charm and confident air, he embodied the transition from heartthrob to seasoned performer. However, while the youthful gloss may have faded, in its place was the unmistakable presence of a man who had lived, learned, and lasted.

2015

2018

2019

2020

2021

2023

2024

2025

Now 70, Rex is the father of five and a proclaimed "proud grandfather" of two. He still records music from home — not for charts or glory, but purely for the love of the craft. Reflecting on his life, he said:

"I had a journey that was a mixture of Errol Flynn, a little bit of Sinatra, and a superhero. [I was a] hard rocker, teen idol, superhero, prime time, daytime, Broadway movie star — it's been a pretty good run. I'm not driving a Ferrari, but I have five grown kids and two grandkids; I'm proud of that."

Still fit, still stylish, and flashing that same electric smile, the entertainer has continued to turn heads in recent years — and fans can't get enough. "You're incandescent Rex!" one admirer gushed.

"You look fabulous!!! Wowzers! You've done something very right. Cheers!" another declared while a third wrote, "Still hot as ever!"

From the spotlights of Broadway to quiet nights recording music at home, Rex's transformation is more than a tale of fame and aging — it's a testament to his journey filled with surprise fatherhood, becoming a grandfather, and handling each chapter with grace.