Born on November 8, 1961 in Hollywood, California, Leif grew up in a world of showbiz and got his first taste of acting in the blockbuster film, _Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice , but his films after that were less successful. However, he did return to music by playing in a band called "Godspeed" in the late 1990s, this time playing his own music.
Son of Rik Nervik , an actor and stuntman, and Carolyn Stellar , an actress and costume designer.
Younger sister is actress Dawn Lyn.
He was sued by former friend for a November 1979 accident in which Garrett was driving and car left the road and plunged 80 ft. down a hillside. The friend, Roland Winkler, was paralyzed, and a judgment of $7.1 million was eventually awarded. The two were reunited 20 years later, as part of a TV program about Garretts life and career, and Garrett learned that Winkler, whom he hadnt seen since 1980, had long forgiven him - and that Garretts actions following the accident had actually saved his life.
Mother was an actress using the name Carolyn Stellar.
Ranked #13 in TV Guides list of "TVs 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue).
In an interview for the 2008 A&E "Biography" show about him, he said he did not originally aspire to a singing career. He had never been a singer and considered himself an actor, but when he achieved teen idol status, his handlers saw a chance to make big money and told him that he was now a singer. He was told what to sing without regard for his musical preferences, so he wasnt happy with his music career. Dragged around the world on concert tours at 15 by his managers without his family and spending most of his time in hotel rooms, he felt isolated and extremely lonely. To relieve his loneliness, he began tagging along to the clubs at night with his managers, and thus began his descent into alcohol and drug abuse. His return to music later in life reflected his real musical preferences and truly fueled his creative passions.
In the mid-1990s, fellow singer-actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras remade Garretts hit-single "I Was Made For Dancing" for her album "Gimme a Kiss"; subsequently, both the song and the record became huge hits in Japan.
Ex-brother-in-law of Michael Whitby.
There has long been confusion as to the correct pronunciation of Leifs name. At the beginning of the 2010 VH1 program, "Leif Garrett: Behind the Music Remastered", Leif himself says, "For the record, its layf, long a.".
Filed for bankruptcy in October 2001. According to court documents Garrett had only $350 and was living off a monthly $1,000 allowance from his mother.
His 2007 album "Three Sides Of" sold less than 300 copies.
In 1998, the corporate descendant of Garretts original recording label released a greatest hits compilation of his music, "The Leif Garrett Collection". Garrett said that the only payment he received was a few copies of the CD.
In 1996, his former girlfriend Nicollette Sheridan tried to force Garrett into rehab. He left after half an hour.
Record company executives said he could record only what they told him to, mostly covers of hit songs from the late 1950s and early 1960s. The only chance Garrett got to stretch himself musically was onstage, where he spiced up his live set with Rolling Stones and Zeppelin covers.
Of the albums recorded at the height of his career he says he only liked 1980s "Cant Explain".
He retains a large fan base in Japan and South Korea.
Graduated high school at the age of 15 after doing four academic years in two.
In 1980 he was supposed to star in a biopic of boxer "Little Red" Danny Lopez , but ended up making Longshot instead.
Plays the guitar, piano, drums and electronic keyboard.
He is of Norwegian descent.
Began dating Justine Bateman in January 1988.
Born five days after Kari Michaelsen.
By 1979 he had already been awarded 27 gold and platinum records.
He had publicly promised to look after Roland Winkler financially following the car crash, but Winklers parents sued Garrett in January 1980. The case was eventually settled in December 1984. Winkler died on 25 May 2017 at the age of 57.
Performed at the Hurricane Harvey fundraiser in Los Angeles in September 2017.
His early music was bubblegum pop, disco and power pop, while his later music focused on alternative rock, grunge and hard rock.
He did not like the songs he was made to record while under contract to the Scotti Brothers, and admitted he was glad when he completed his five-album deal.
Injured in a motorcycle accident in 2011.
In 2010 he estimated he had spent over $1 million on drugs since the age of 16.
Speaks French and some Hebrew.
If there is anything I would tell anybody in this profession, it is,never believe your own press.
It changed my life big time. Oddly enough, even after the car accident,the "teen idolism" continued for awhile, but not to the same degree.
I made a point of stepping away from it for a while, from all of the,hoopla because the glare was too bright. It was too much.
[on Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)] You should be able to poke,a certain amount of fun at yourself.
I would actually do it again. It is such a rare thing to be able to do,it. Obviously, you wish you had the information you had now.
Frank Sinatra is the only one that went from teen idol to superstar.
I believe in a higher power and I believe in good and bad, right and wrong. You sleep in the bed you make.
