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As children, we often look to popular culture to provide a sense of what it means to be masculine. For many of us, this leads to strange perspectives on the best ways to fight crime and cultivate body hair.

But let's not hold that against our boyhood idols of the 70s and 80s. After all, a lot of these entertainers have had the burden of carrying a signature persona with them, despite the passage of decades. (Now who's being pitied, Mr. T?)

So in an effort to reconnect with our mentors, we give you a look back and an update on some of our favorite boyhood idols. May you still carry a little bit of their magic with you, just hopefully not too much.


Boyhood Idols - Where Are They Now?

    John Travolta Then: As Vinnie Barbarino, he offered advice on how to stick a rubber hose up your nose.

    ABC / Retna

    Now: Watching "Battlefield Earth" on a loop in one of his private planes.

    Jean Baptiste Lacroix, WireImage.com

    Richard Roundtree Then: As Shaft, he excelled at being a bad mother and at making Shaft both his name and his game

    Turner Entertainment Co.

    Now: Still being a bad mutha in everything from "Seven" to, uh, "Desperate Housewives."

    Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images

    Mr. T Then: Pitied fools, drank milk, drove vans through walls.

    Everett Collection

    Now: Continuing endless pity quest via Snickers and World of Warcraft ads

    Scott Gries, Getty Images

    David Carradine Then: "Kung Fu" tough guy and master of Zen wisdom.

    Everett Collection

    Now: Still a master in"Kill Bill" and telephone book commercials.

    Andrew Cooper, Miramax

    Henry Winkler Then: As the Fonz, he possessed the ability to turn on Arnold's jukebox with a single tap, "jumped the shark" when he literally jumped over a shark.

    Paramount / Everett Collection

    Now: Possesses ability to crack us up on "Arrested Development," a show that never jumped the shark.

    Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage.com