A teenage heartthrob of the 70s, Leif Garrett was a pop sensation whose catchy hits like “I Was Made for Dancin'” earned him legions of fans.
With his boyish looks and undeniable charm, he became one of the most popular idols of his generation. However, as the years passed, his career and personal life took unexpected turns, leading to struggles that shocked his fans.
Now 61, Garrett is unrecognizable to many and his transformation has left followers heartbroken. In an emotional revelation, Leif opens up about his roller-coaster ride to fame, his personal demons, and how he’s learning to accept life as it is today.
Teen idol Leif Garrett, known for his hit song “I Was Made for Dancin’,” broke fans’ hearts with his performance at the age of 61.
Leif opened up about his life after the peak of fame and shared the events that led to his downfall. He also revealed how he lives now, years after pretending everything is fine.
In the 1970s, Leif Garrett was as famous as David and Shaun Cassidy and the Bay City Rollers. His boyish charm and catchy pop tunes made him a favorite among young girls and their parents.
However, in 2023, fans were shocked to see what he looked like at 61. Once a thoroughbred star, his adult career was full of struggles, much like many child stars.
By the mid-1980s, Leif Garrett’s career was on the wane. While he tried acting in films, none gained popularity. He also struggled with substance abuse and was haunted by guilt over his role in the car accident that left his friend Roland Winkler paralyzed.
More than two decades ago, a drunken Garrett caused a crash on the Hollywood Freeway that paralyzed Winkler. In 2020, he revealed that Winkler had died and that they last saw each other during an emotional “Behind the Music” reunion.
On that fateful day, Winkler was supposed to be driving, but Garrett, who was passionate about racing and scared, got behind the wheel instead. The accident became a painful life lesson for him.
In 2023, fans were heartbroken to see how much Garrett had changed through social media. His once boyish charm was gone and his followers were left sad.
What does Leif look like now?
On March 30, 2023, author and actress
s Ginger Coyote posted a photo of Garrett on Facebook. He looked different in the picture, wearing a scarf, scar,f, and jacket.
Fans expressed their sadness in the comments. One fan said: “Aww,” while another mentioned he’s been “in love” with him for years and feels moved by his story. Someone else simply wrote, “OMG.”
On March 20, 2023, a fan shared an image reminiscent of an album cover from Garrett’s prime. They mentioned that they had pictures of him on the wall in 1997.
Another person expressed pity for Garrett and his friend Winkler, remembering Garrett’s struggles with addiction. Garrett once opened up about how he became an addict and faced issues that may surprise his fans.
In a 2020 interview, Garrett revealed that his managers had lied about being sick from overwork to hide his hectic schedule. He had to pretend to be unwell, which made him feel like he was “living a lie”.
His managers insisted he looked perfect, but Garrett knew that wasn’t right. Instead of proper musical training, his voice was altered to the point where it didn’t even sound like him anymore. Singer Jim Haas was used so often that Garrett sometimes felt like it was Haas’ record, not his. Garrett felt taken advantage of for his looks when all he wanted to do was play.
Garrett wrote in his book that he was forced to rely heavily on technical assistance to sing and had to lip sync during concerts. He considered the experience “terrible” and felt it was unfair to his fans who had paid for tickets.
Garrett admitted that pretending to be a real singer led him to use drugs. He felt that no one cared about what he had to say as long as his records were selling, and he longed for a career as a recognized adult artist.
Leif Garrett was eager to explore different aspects of his career, but his team wanted him to remain just a “Tiger Beat” cover boy and a California surfer icon, even though he had no interest in surf music. He struggled with these conflicting feelings because he was unable to follow his true path or be authentic.
Despite his constant struggles with drugs, Garrett acknowledged that they weren’t everything in his life. He felt “grateful” for the experiences, even though things could have been better.
In 2019, Garrett’s father passed away and he felt grief as he wished they had more time to bond. Now Garrett is taking his life one day at a time. He’s not in jail or rehab, and he’s not relying on drugs to dull his pain.
Garrett shared that he feels good and continues to make music because he enjoys it. He is in no rush to do more unless it feels right and true to who he is.
Leif Garrett’s journey from the heights of teen idol stardom to his struggles as an adult is a poignant reminder of the challenges many child stars face as they transition into adulthood. Despite his early success, Garrett’s story is marked by personal and professional turmoil, including struggles with addiction and guilt over a tragic accident that changed his life forever.
The intense pressures of fame, coupled with a lack of willpower in choosing a career, left him feeling lost and disconnected from his true passions.
The changes in Garrett’s appearance in 2023 are a clear reflection of the years of hardship he endured. Fans who once adored his youthful charm are now left with a sense of sadness, witnessing the toll time and his struggles have taken on him. Despite the pain, however, Garrett’s ability to find gratitude for his experiences shows his resilience. He has accepted his past, acknowledged both mistakes and lessons and now takes life one day at a time.
At 61 years old, Leif Garrett is no longer a fresh teen idol, but he remains determined to live authentically. His journey reflects the complexities of fame and the human ability to find peace after a lifetime of turmoil. For Garrett, making music is now about personal fulfillment and he continues to move forward and focus on what he believes is true and right. His story serves as a reminder that even in the midst of challenges, there is always room for personal growth and acceptance.