Leif Garrett is an American actor, singer, and television personality born on November 8, 1961, in Hollywood, California.
He grew up in a world of showbiz and got his first taste of acting in the blockbuster film, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) playing the son of Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon, though he was uncredited.
Garrett became famous in the late 1970s as a teen idol with hits such as I Was Made for Dancin.
Age, height and weight
Garrett is 61 years old as of February 2024.
He has a height of 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) and his weight varies between 75 kg (165 lb) and 78 kg (172 lb) depending on the source.
Ethnicity and nationality
Garrett’s ethnicity is a mix of Norwegian and English descent.
His mother, Carolyn Stellar, was an actress and costume designer, while his father, Rik Nervik, was an actor and stuntman.
Garrett’s maternal grandfather, Kenneth Ross Underwood, had English ancestry, and his maternal grandmother, Helen Bernice Harstad, had Norwegian roots.Â
He is of American nationality.
Parents and siblings
Garrett was born to Carolyn Stellar (born Carolyn Golda Underwood), an actress and costume designer and Rik Nervik, an actor and stuntman.
Garrett has a younger sister, Dawn Lyn Nervik, who is known for her role as Dodie Douglas in the sitcom, My Three Sons.
She was born on January 11, 1963, in Los Angeles, California.
Dawn Lyn remains small-of-stature due to a hormonal deficiency and, as a child, looked younger than her actual age.Â
She is the younger sister of Garrett.
Wife and children
Garrett has never been married, but he has had many relationships throughout his long career.
According to some sources, his wife could have been Elaine Bilstad, with whom he had a son named Tyson Garrett.
However, he has not felt drawn to anyone more than the deceased actress, and he remains doubtful about starting a family with anyone else.
Career
Garrett’s career began at a young age, and he gained prominence in the late 1970s as a teen idol, achieving success in music, film and television.
His journey in the entertainment industry has been characterized by both triumph and adversity.
As a child actor in the early 1970s, Garrett’s talent and potential were evident, leading to opportunities in both acting and music.Â
He pursued homeschooling to accommodate his burgeoning acting career, allowing him the flexibility to balance his studies with his professional pursuits.
Garrett’s foray into music led to the release of several successful records, propelling him to teen idol status virtually overnight.
His rise to fame was accompanied by jet-setting tours and numerous magazine covers, cementing his status as a heartthrob for a generation.
However, alongside his rapid ascent to stardom, Garrett faced personal challenges, including struggles with addiction.
Despite enduring a devastating downfall, he ultimately emerged victorious in his battle with addiction and has been sober for several years.
In his memoir Idol Truth, he candidly shared the highs and lows of his life, addressing misconceptions and revealing the truth behind the glamorous facade of teen idol status.
Throughout his career, Garrett has showcased his versatility as an artist, with his involvement in various genres such as pop rock, pop, disco, power pop and soft rock.
His contributions to the entertainment industry have left an indelible mark, and his resilience in overcoming adversity has inspired many.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Garrett’s enduring passion for his craft and his commitment to sharing his story have solidified his legacy in the world of entertainment.
His career is a testament to the complexities of fame and the human experience, serving as a reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of authenticity in the public eye.
Garrett’s journey, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, continues to resonate with audiences, making him a compelling figure in the entertainment landscape.
What happened to Leif Garret’s music and acting career?
In the late 1970s, Garrett ventured into music, signing with Atlantic Records and producing hits like I Was Made for Dancin’.
However, after his music career started winding down in the early 1980s, Leif Garrett slowly returned to full-time acting.
He continued in films and is well remembered for his small supporting role in the blockbuster film The Outsiders, but his films after that were less successful.
He also returned to music by playing in a band called Godspeed in the late 1990s, this time playing his own music.
Despite legal troubles, including a 1997 cocaine possession arrest, he made comebacks in the mid-1990s.
However, as a former child actor and teen idol, Leif Garrett’s peak era as an entertainer has long since passed.
He hasn’t been an in-demand actor since the early 1980s, which is right around the time he landed on the Billboard pop chart for the last time.
He filed for bankruptcy in October 2001.
Net worth
Garrett’s net worth is estimated to be $10 thousand dollars, according to various sources.
Despite his early success as a child actor and teen idol, Garrett’s career has been marked by personal and professional challenges, including struggles with addiction and legal issues.
Addiction and legal issues
Garrett has faced significant legal and addiction issues throughout his life and career.
His struggles with addiction, particularly to heroin, have been well-documented.
Garrett has been in and out of rehab and has faced multiple legal challenges related to drug possession.
In 2006, he entered a strict drug-diversion program for violating probation in a cocaine case and faced charges of felony possession of heroin.
Despite his efforts to overcome addiction, he has been arrested multiple times for heroin possession, and his battles with substance abuse have been a recurring theme in his life.
Garrett’s addiction issues have been linked to various factors, including the pressures of fame, the challenges of transitioning from a child star to an adult and personal trauma.Â
He has been candid about the impact of his early success on his life and the lack of proper parental guidance during his rise to fame.
Garrett has also spoken about using drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with the pressures of his career and the desire to maintain a rebellious, youthful image.
In addition to his struggles with addiction, Garrett has faced legal consequences, including jail time and financial challenges.
His legal and addiction issues have had a profound impact on his career and personal life, contributing to a period of decline in his professional success.
Despite these challenges, Garrett has been open about his experiences and has worked to overcome his addiction, ultimately becoming sober and sharing his story in his memoir Idol Truth.
He has expressed a desire to address misconceptions about his life and to provide a more complete understanding of his journey, including the complexities of fame and the enduring impact of his addiction struggles.
Where does Leif Garrett live now?
Garrett currently resides at 5860 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, California, as per the information available on Nuwber.
His personal life and dating history have been the subject of public interest, but he has not been active on social media, and reports do not indicate his current occupation or projects.
Despite his past successes and challenges, including legal issues and substance abuse, Garrett’s present whereabouts and activities have not been widely reported, adding to the mystery surrounding his current situation.
Car accident
Garrett was involved in a serious car accident five days before his 18th birthday.
The accident, which occurred in November 1979, left his friend Roland Winkler paralyzed, and a judgment of $7.1 million was eventually awarded.
Garrett’s actions following the accident were reported to have actually saved Winkler’s life.
The legal and financial repercussions of the accident, along with other challenges, contributed to Garrett’s subsequent struggles, including legal issues, financial difficulties, and battles with addiction.Â
The accident and its aftermath have been a significant part of Garrett’s life story, and he has been open about the impact of this tragic event on his life and career.
FAQ
What was Leif Garrett’s breakthrough role, and how did it launch his career?
Garrett’s breakthrough role was in the film “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” (1969), where he played the son of Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon.
Although he was uncredited, the role helped launch his career in the entertainment industry.
What was the impact of Leif Garrett’s addiction issues on his career, and how did he overcome them?
His addiction issues had a significant impact on his career, leading to legal troubles and financial difficulties.
However, he ultimately overcame his addiction and has been sober for several years.
He has also shared his story in his memoir Idol Truth.
What is Leif Garrett’s net worth, and how has it changed over the years?
As of 2023, Garrett’s net worth is estimated to be $10 thousand dollars, according to various sources.
His financial status has fluctuated over the years, impacted by legal issues and personal challenges.
What is Leif Garrett’s musical legacy, and what genres did he contribute to?
His musical legacy includes hits in various genres, including pop rock, pop, disco, power pop and soft rock.
He has contributed to the entertainment industry as a singer, actor, and television personality.
What were Leif Garrett’s most successful films and TV shows, and what roles did he play?
Garrett’s most successful films include “The Outsiders” (1983) and “Thunder Alley” (1985). He also appeared in TV shows like “Family” and “The Odd Couple,” playing various roles.
What is Leif Garrett’s personal life like, and has he ever been married or had children?
Garrett has never been married, and he does not have any children.
He has had many relationships throughout his career, but he has not been engaged or married to date.
What is the enduring impact of Leif Garrett’s career, and how has he influenced the entertainment industry?
His career has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, showcasing his versatility as an artist and his resilience in overcoming adversity.
His story serves as a reminder of the complexities of fame and the human experience.
What is Leif Garrett’s memoir “Idol Truth” about, and what does it reveal about his life and career?
Garrett’s memoir “Idol Truth” is a candid account of his life and career, addressing misconceptions and revealing the truth behind the glamorous facade of teen idol status.
It provides insight into his struggles with addiction and the impact of his early success on his life.
What is Leif Garrett’s current occupation, and what projects is he working on?
Reports do not indicate Leif Garrett’s current occupation or projects.
He has not been active on social media, and his personal life has been kept away from the eyes of the media.
What is the car accident that Leif Garrett was involved in, and how did it affect him and his friend?
Garrett was involved in a serious car accident in November 1979, which left his friend Roland Winkler paralyzed.
The legal and financial repercussions of the accident, along with other challenges, contributed to Garrett’s subsequent struggles, including legal issues, financial difficulties and battles with addiction.