During the height of his fame, this ’70s teen idol was adored for his good looks and carefree charm, gracing magazine covers and making fans swoon. But behind the glossy image was a struggling young star, which eventually led to a downward spiral of addiction.
The ’70s teen heartthrob, circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images
Now, decades after his tumultuous journey, recent photos of the former heartthrob with gray hair and a rugged beard have stunned social media users. Take a look at former ’70s star Leif Garrett’s journey and transformation over the years.
Leif Garrett, circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images
Leif Garrett’s Rise and Fall from Fame
Leif Garrett started as a busy child actor in the early 1970s before he was given the opportunity to record music — a decision that led him to extraordinary highs and deep personal lows.
Leif Garrett, circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images
His fame as a teen idol skyrocketed, making him one of the most recognizable faces of the era. Garrett’s appeal wasn’t just about his looks; he believed his success was also due to his non-threatening persona that made young fans feel comfortable.
Leif Garrett, circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images
He acknowledged that his acting career set the stage for his music fame, selling countless teen magazines like Tiger Beat and gaining a massive fan base.
“So obviously part of it was because of the look, but if you can’t back it up with some talent, which is why you’d still be out in the public eye, then you can’t be there for just the way you look,” Garrett shared.
Leif Garrett in Los Angeles, California, circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images
However, fame came at a price. Garrett’s rise to stardom was accompanied by jet-setting tours, numerous magazine covers, and exposure to drugs and alcohol at an early age.
His celebrity status, achieved almost overnight, brought instant success but also set him on a path toward addiction and personal turmoil that would follow him for years.
Leif Garrett in Los Angeles, California, circa 1976. | Source: Getty Images
When asked about living up to his teen idol image, Garrett admitted that his fan base had always been loyal, standing by him through his ups and downs. “There was a lot of bad decision-making. But at the same time, I didn’t have the parental guidance that I should have at that time,” he said.
He described his mother as trusting and explained how he spent most of his time on the road without a parent, relying instead on management that promised to look after him like a son.
Leif Garrett in Los Angeles, California, circa 1976. | Source: Getty Images
His troubles came to a head with legal issues, including his 2010 arrest for drug possession. The years of drug use were a blur, but he vividly recalled his worst experience: spending 90 days in county jail, which served as a stark wake-up call.
Leif Garrett photographed with Austrian actress Barbara May in Los Angeles, California, in 1978. | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on his struggles with substance abuse, when asked what he was trying to escape by using drugs, Garrett confessed, “Obviously, perpetuating this lie of me being this musical artist. I sang, but it wasn’t me 100 percent.”
Leif Garrett and Justine Bateman, circa 1980s. | Source: Getty Images
“I didn’t feel like I was being heard. No one wanted to hear what I had to say,” he continued. For Garrett, the expectations of his record label clashed with his desire to evolve artistically, as he was often pushed to stick to a clean-cut, California surfer image that no longer fit his reality.
Leif Garrett during a photo shoot in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Garrett admitted that, given a choice, he would have continued acting rather than being forced into a music career that confined him creatively. He had not anticipated that the decision to record an album would tie him down for years, limiting his options in acting and putting him in a box he found difficult to escape.
Leif Garrett during the “Hollywood Stars Night” event on August 5, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
One of the most defining moments of Garrett’s life was the tragic 1979 car accident that left his friend, Roland Winkler, paralyzed. Decades later, on a 1999 episode of “Behind the Music,” Garrett was unexpectedly reunited with Winkler, who absolved him of responsibility for the crash.
Leif Garrett photographed at the BB King’s Blues Club in New York on March 5, 2002. | Source: Getty Images
“That was as raw and real as it gets. I had no idea that I was going to be seeing Roland and that he would tell me that he did not hold me responsible, even though I held myself responsible big time for that and deservingly so,” Garrett shared.
Leif Garrett at The Oxygen Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament to Benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation event on April 3, 2003. | Source: Getty Images
Though Garrett described the experience as enlightening, it remained emotionally challenging for him to fully let go of the guilt. He acknowledged that Winkler’s understanding was a significant step toward his own healing.
Leif Garrett at the premiere of “Take Me Home Tonight” on March 2, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Leif Garrett’s Life Now – Embracing Truth and Finding Peace
In November 2019, Garrett released his memoir, “Idol Truth,” providing an unfiltered look at his life, filled with untold stories, wild celebrity encounters, and rare personal photos. The book was his way of setting the record straight after years of maintaining a public persona that didn’t always reflect his true self.
Garrett explained that he had held onto painful memories and uncomfortable truths for over four decades, partly due to the influence of his management, the Scotti Brothers.
He admitted that it took him a long time to share his story, joking that it might have been a strategic move to publish it when his career was nearly at rock bottom. Today, Garrett leads a quieter life, far removed from the dizzying heights of his fame.
“I look back at my life and there are many things I got to experience that other people never get to do. And I’m grateful for that. I just wish it could have been a better situation. I wish I had made better decisions,” he reflected. Garrett also had to navigate his father’s passing, which deeply affected him.
