Leif Garrett
Encyclopedia
Leif Garrett is an American
singer and actor
. He became famous in the late 1970s as a teen idol
, but received much publicity in later life for his drug abuse
and legal troubles.
of My Three Sons
worked a variety of small acting jobs. They co-starred in the horror movie Devil Times Five as juvenile mental patients who almost innocently go on a murder spree at an isolated ski resort. Dawn and Leif also guest-starred in an episode of Gunsmoke
.
(1969); the protagonist's son Mike Pusser from the Walking Tall
movies (1973, 1975, 1977) and the recurring role of Zack Russell on the ABC
TV series Family
. Leif also played the role of Leonard Unger, the son of Felix Unger
(Tony Randall
), on the ABC series The Odd Couple
, a part that previously was played by Willie Aames
.
In the fall of 1975, Garrett, at fourteen, appeared in the role of Endy Karras in a 12-week CBS
drama series Three for the Road
, with Alex Rocco
as his father, Pete Karras, and Vincent Van Patten
as his older brother, John Karras. The story line is that of a father and two sons, grief stricken over the death of their wife and mother sell their house, buy a recreational vehicle, and roam throughout the United States
.
and recorded his first album, Leif Garrett
. The album was released in 1977, and his first four singles charted modestly on the US Hot 100. His cover version
of "Runaround Sue
" reached the highest at #13. In mid-1978 he signed with Scotti Brothers Records
and recorded his second album, Feel the Need. Its first single, "I Was Made For Dancin'", reached #10 on the US Hot 100 and #4 on the British chart in early-1979. However, subsequent singles failed to crack the Top 20 in either country. Nevertheless, Garrett continued to record, releasing the albums Same Goes For You (1979), Can't Explain (1980) and My Movie of You (1981) in quick succession.
film The Outsiders
. In 1985 he starred in Shaker Run as a mechanic and in Thunder Alley
as the lead singer of a pop band that is torn apart by drugs. Other notable Leif Garrett movies from the decade include Delta Fever and the horror film
Cheerleader Camp
.
and recording vocals for their cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" on The Crybaby (2000). In 1998 he released a greatest-hits compilation, The Leif Garrett Collection
, and in 1999 formed the band Godspeed with Christopher Wade Damerst and Michael Scott
(The Distortions, Deadtime Stories). They recorded a three-song EP on Garrett's own label - Tongue and Groove Records - and debuted on The Rosie O'Donnell Show
, but broke up after only a few performances.
Garrett's stage work includes playing the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
and, in late 2000, appearing in the National Theatre of the Deaf
's production of A Child's Christmas In Wales. He also appeared in summer stock
at The Barn Theatre's production of Old Timer in 2001.
In 2003 Garrett appeared as himself in the David Spade
film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
. He also co-wrote and sang "Former Child Star" for the film's soundtrack and was one of the singers of "Child Stars on Your Television", which played over the ending credits.
edition of Fear Factor
. He won the grand prize of US$50,000.
On New Year's Eve 2006, Garrett first appeared in Las Vegas
with retro act Original Idols LIVE!, hosted by Barry Williams
. The show also featured the Bay City Rollers
, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
and The Cowsills
, with selected appearances by Merrill Osmond
, Tony DeFranco and Danny Bonaduce
.
In August 2007, CMT
cast Garrett in the short-lived Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, among nine celebrities appearing on the show. However, he quit after one show, citing soreness and lack of desire to continue.
In November 2007, Garrett released his new album, Three Sides of.... He voiced himself in the animated television series Family Guy
episode "The Thin White Line
".
In 2008 the producers of TruTV's The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...
added Garrett to their cast, which features comedic commentary from celebrities like Garrett who have had brushes with the law. Garrett frequently spoofs his past troubles and public persona, and participates in a wide variety of sketches and skits drummed up for him by the show's producers. Garrett often takes the majority of the show's good-natured abuse from the other celebrities for his past drug use and perceived lack of career success, and is often accused of being the person in the videos. In a 2010 episode, Garrett reenacted his most recent arrest with two actors portraying police officers.
Garrett toured South Korea
in May 2010, with shows in Seoul
and Busan
. This marked the 30th anniversary when Garrett performed in Korea in June 1980. Garrett was a cast member in the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew
, which documented Garrett's struggle with addiction to heroin. The season premiered December 1, 2010. His mother, Carolyn Steller, who was battling Level 4 lung cancer
, appeared in Episode 7, which was filmed during Family Day, when the recovering addicts were visited by their loved ones to discuss how their addiction affected their family relationship.
actress Nicolette Sheridan; the two split six years later. Two decades later Garrett credited Sheridan for helping him at the start of his career, and said of her "She's a special person in my life."
lawsuit against him. Garrett insisted that he did not have the money, and the suit was eventually settled out of court for $7.1 million, leaving the friends estranged until Winkler was approached by VH1
to film a 1999 episode of the television series Behind The Music
. The episode featured Garrett's reunion with an apology to Winkler.
In 1999, Los Angeles police arrested Garrett in the MacArthur Park area after he allegedly tried to buy narcotics from undercover officers.
On January 14, 2006, Garrett was arrested on a Los Angeles
, California
, subway
platform for not having a ticket, police found drugs in his possession. Because of an outstanding warrant for violating probation in a cocaine-related arrest, he was held without bail. On May 11, after failing to complete court-ordered drug rehabilitation, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years' probation.
On February 1, 2010, Garrett was arrested again for possession of narcotics. After denying having any drugs in his possession, he finally admitted to police that he had black tar heroin
in his shoe. He posted $10,000 bail and was charged with a felony count of heroin possession. On October 18, 2010, Leif Garrett pleaded no contest to heroin possession in Los Angeles and entered a court-ordered rehab program.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He became famous in the late 1970s as a teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
, but received much publicity in later life for his drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and legal troubles.
Early life
Garrett was born to Carolyn Stellar, and started his entertainment career at age five. He and his sister Dawn LynDawn Lyn
Dawn Lyn is an American actress best known for her role as Dodie Douglas during the last three seasons of the long-running CBS family comedy My Three Sons.-Career:...
of My Three Sons
My Three Sons
My Three Sons is an American situation comedy. The series ran from 1960 to 1965 on ABC, and moved to CBS until its end on August 24, 1972. My Three Sons chronicles the life of a widower and aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas , raising his three sons.The series was a cornerstone of the CBS...
worked a variety of small acting jobs. They co-starred in the horror movie Devil Times Five as juvenile mental patients who almost innocently go on a murder spree at an isolated ski resort. Dawn and Leif also guest-starred in an episode of Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
.
Acting career
Garrett's more notable performances include: the breakthrough role of Jimmy Henderson in Bob & Carol & Ted & AliceBob & Carol & Ted & Alice
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice is a 1969 comedy-drama film directed by Paul Mazursky. It stars Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon....
(1969); the protagonist's son Mike Pusser from the Walking Tall
Walking Tall
Walking Tall is a 1973 semi-biopic of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a former professional wrestler-turned-lawman in McNairy County, Tennessee. It starred Joe Don Baker as Pusser...
movies (1973, 1975, 1977) and the recurring role of Zack Russell on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
TV series Family
Family (TV series)
Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
. Leif also played the role of Leonard Unger, the son of Felix Unger
Felix Unger
Felix Unger was one of the principal characters in Neil Simon's play The Odd Couple. Felix was portrayed in the original Broadway production of the play by Art Carney, in the film by Jack Lemmon, and in the television series by Tony Randall.-Character overview:Felix is a divorced, middle-aged man...
(Tony Randall
Tony Randall
Tony Randall was a U.S. actor, comic, producer and director.-Early years:Randall was born Arthur Leonard Rosenberg to a Jewish family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Julia and Mogscha Rosenberg, an art and antiques dealer...
), on the ABC series The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple (TV series)
The Odd Couple is a television situation comedy broadcast from September 24, 1970 to July 4, 1975 on ABC. It starred Tony Randall as Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as Oscar Madison. It was based upon the play of the same name, which was written by Neil Simon.Felix and Oscar are two divorced men....
, a part that previously was played by Willie Aames
Willie Aames
Willie Aames is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. He played Tommy Bradford on the 1970s’ Eight Is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s’ Charles in Charge.-Early life:...
.
In the fall of 1975, Garrett, at fourteen, appeared in the role of Endy Karras in a 12-week CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
drama series Three for the Road
Three for the Road (TV series)
Three for the Road was a 12-episode CBS drama television series about a recently widowed father and his two sons who in an attempt to assuage their grief, sell their house, procure a recreational vehicle, called the "Zebec", and travel around the United States...
, with Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco is an American actor. His roles have ranged from comedy to playing gangsters in Mafia movies.-Early life:...
as his father, Pete Karras, and Vincent Van Patten
Vincent Van Patten
Vincent Van Patten is an American actor and former tour professional tennis player.-Personal life:Van Patten was born in Bellerose, New York. He is the youngest son of actor Dick Van Patten and his wife, Pat, née Poole, a former June Taylor dancer. He is of Dutch and Italian descent...
as his older brother, John Karras. The story line is that of a father and two sons, grief stricken over the death of their wife and mother sell their house, buy a recreational vehicle, and roam throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Music career
In autumn of 1976, Garrett signed a recording contract with Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and recorded his first album, Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett (album)
Leif Garrett is the debut studio album by American singer-actor Leif Garrett, released in 1977 by Atlantic. He recorded this album and released it at age 15.-Track listing:- Personnel :*Leif Garrett - vocals*Jay Graydon - guitars...
. The album was released in 1977, and his first four singles charted modestly on the US Hot 100. His cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Runaround Sue
Runaround Sue
"Runaround Sue" is a pop song, originally a US No. 1 hit for the singer Dion during 1961. The song ranked No. 342 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".-Original recording:...
" reached the highest at #13. In mid-1978 he signed with Scotti Brothers Records
Scotti Brothers Records
Scotti Brothers Records was a California-based record label founded by Tony and Ben Scotti in 1974. Their first success was releasing albums from teen pop star Leif Garrett. They later helped launch the careers of Felony, Survivor, and "Weird Al" Yankovic...
and recorded his second album, Feel the Need. Its first single, "I Was Made For Dancin'", reached #10 on the US Hot 100 and #4 on the British chart in early-1979. However, subsequent singles failed to crack the Top 20 in either country. Nevertheless, Garrett continued to record, releasing the albums Same Goes For You (1979), Can't Explain (1980) and My Movie of You (1981) in quick succession.
Return to acting
In the 1980s Garrett returned to acting, appearing in a small role as Bob Sheldon in the 1983 Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
film The Outsiders
The Outsiders (film)
The Outsiders is a 1983 American drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, an adaptation of the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. The film was released in March 1983...
. In 1985 he starred in Shaker Run as a mechanic and in Thunder Alley
Thunder Alley (film)
Thunder Alley is a 1967 film directed by Richard Rush and starring Annette Funicello and Fabian.-Plot:A race car driver retires after a blackout causes the death of another driver on the motorway. After the accident, he then begins working at a "Thrill Circus" as a stunt driver. There he meets the...
as the lead singer of a pop band that is torn apart by drugs. Other notable Leif Garrett movies from the decade include Delta Fever and the horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
Cheerleader Camp
Cheerleader Camp
Cheerleader Camp , is an American slasher film, released in 1988. The film stars Betsy Russell, Leif Garrett, Lucinda Dickey, George "Buck" Flower, Will Sasso, Teri Weigel, and Rebecca Ferratti.-Plot:...
.
1990-2003: Return to singing and acting and new career with theatre
After a break from 1990 to 1995, Garrett returned to acting and singing, appearing in the 1995 low-budget horror film Dominion, touring with The MelvinsThe Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
and recording vocals for their cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" on The Crybaby (2000). In 1998 he released a greatest-hits compilation, The Leif Garrett Collection
The Leif Garrett Collection
The Leif Garett Collection is an album by Leif Garrett released in 1998 and features all 10 of his US Hot 100 hit singles plus two additional cuts .-Track listing:#"Runaround Sue"...
, and in 1999 formed the band Godspeed with Christopher Wade Damerst and Michael Scott
Michael Scott (musician)
Michael Scott is an American musician most notably known for playing in Godspeed with former teen idol Leif Garrett, Deadtime Stories, and The Distortions. He has also worked with members of Marilyn Manson, David Bowie's band, and Lavender Diamond...
(The Distortions, Deadtime Stories). They recorded a three-song EP on Garrett's own label - Tongue and Groove Records - and debuted on The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Rosie O'Donnell Show is an Emmy Award-winning American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. It aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2002...
, but broke up after only a few performances.
Garrett's stage work includes playing the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly...
and, in late 2000, appearing in the National Theatre of the Deaf
National Theatre of the Deaf
The National Theatre of the Deaf is a touring theatre company in the United States. It was founded in 1967. Productions combine the use of American Sign Language with the spoken word. The theatre has won several awards, including the Tony Award for Theatrical Excellence...
's production of A Child's Christmas In Wales. He also appeared in summer stock
Summer Stock
For the article about the theatre genre, see Summer stock theatre.Summer Stock is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical made in 1950. The film was directed by Charles Walters and stars Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, and Phil Silvers...
at The Barn Theatre's production of Old Timer in 2001.
In 2003 Garrett appeared as himself in the David Spade
David Spade
David Wayne Spade is an American actor, comedian and television personality who first became famous in the 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and from 1997 until 2003 when he starred as Dennis Finch on Just Shoot Me!. He also starred as C.J...
film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Sam Weisman and starring David Spade and Mary McCormack.- Plot :...
. He also co-wrote and sang "Former Child Star" for the film's soundtrack and was one of the singers of "Child Stars on Your Television", which played over the ending credits.
2006-present
In September 2006, Garrett appeared on the celebrityCelebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
edition of Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
. He won the grand prize of US$50,000.
On New Year's Eve 2006, Garrett first appeared in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
with retro act Original Idols LIVE!, hosted by Barry Williams
Barry Williams
Barry William Blenkhorn , known professionally as Barry Williams, is an American actor best known for his role as Greg Brady in the ABC television series The Brady Bunch.-Early life and career:...
. The show also featured the Bay City Rollers
Bay City Rollers
The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop band who were most popular in the 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted that they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'Biggest Group since The Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at...
, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods are an American pop music group, known mainly for their 1970s hit singles, "Billy Don't Be A Hero" and "Who Do You Think You Are".-History:The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1965 by their leader Bo Donaldson...
and The Cowsills
The Cowsills
The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
, with selected appearances by Merrill Osmond
Merrill Osmond
Merrill Davis Osmond is the lead singer and bassist of the 1970s music group The Osmonds. He continues to perform with his brothers and also without them as a solo act...
, Tony DeFranco and Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
.
In August 2007, CMT
CMT
- Medicine :* California mastitis test* Certified Massage Therapist* Cervical motion tenderness, a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease* Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease* Chemically modified tetracyclines* Circus Movement Tachycardia...
cast Garrett in the short-lived Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, among nine celebrities appearing on the show. However, he quit after one show, citing soreness and lack of desire to continue.
In November 2007, Garrett released his new album, Three Sides of.... He voiced himself in the animated television series Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episode "The Thin White Line
The Thin White Line
"The Thin White Line" is the first episode of the third season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on July 11, 2001...
".
In 2008 the producers of TruTV's The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...
The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...
truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... is a cable television series produced by Meetinghouse Productions, Inc. and is airing on truTV...
added Garrett to their cast, which features comedic commentary from celebrities like Garrett who have had brushes with the law. Garrett frequently spoofs his past troubles and public persona, and participates in a wide variety of sketches and skits drummed up for him by the show's producers. Garrett often takes the majority of the show's good-natured abuse from the other celebrities for his past drug use and perceived lack of career success, and is often accused of being the person in the videos. In a 2010 episode, Garrett reenacted his most recent arrest with two actors portraying police officers.
Garrett toured South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
in May 2010, with shows in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
. This marked the 30th anniversary when Garrett performed in Korea in June 1980. Garrett was a cast member in the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew
Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew
Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is a reality television show airing on the cable network VH1 that chronicles a group of celebrities as they are treated for alcohol and drug addiction by Dr. Drew Pinsky and his staff at the Pasadena Recovery Center in Pasadena, California. The first season premiered...
, which documented Garrett's struggle with addiction to heroin. The season premiered December 1, 2010. His mother, Carolyn Steller, who was battling Level 4 lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
, appeared in Episode 7, which was filmed during Family Day, when the recovering addicts were visited by their loved ones to discuss how their addiction affected their family relationship.
Personal life
Beginning in 1979 Garrett dated EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actress Nicolette Sheridan; the two split six years later. Two decades later Garrett credited Sheridan for helping him at the start of his career, and said of her "She's a special person in my life."
Legal troubles
In 1979, three days before his 18th birthday, Garrett crashed his car while under the influence of Quaaludes and alcohol. The accident left his passenger and best friend Roland Winkler a paraplegic. Although Garrett publicly promised to look after Winkler, the Winkler family filed a $25 million negligenceNegligence
Negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. The area of tort law known as negligence involves harm caused by carelessness, not intentional harm.According to Jay M...
lawsuit against him. Garrett insisted that he did not have the money, and the suit was eventually settled out of court for $7.1 million, leaving the friends estranged until Winkler was approached by VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
to film a 1999 episode of the television series Behind The Music
Behind the Music
Behind the Music is a television series on VH1. It originally ran from 1997 to 2006, before it was stopped and only aired new episodes sporadically. The series places its generality on documentation of musical artists or groups who are interviewed and profiled, and discuss how their careers became...
. The episode featured Garrett's reunion with an apology to Winkler.
In 1999, Los Angeles police arrested Garrett in the MacArthur Park area after he allegedly tried to buy narcotics from undercover officers.
On January 14, 2006, Garrett was arrested on a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, subway
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
platform for not having a ticket, police found drugs in his possession. Because of an outstanding warrant for violating probation in a cocaine-related arrest, he was held without bail. On May 11, after failing to complete court-ordered drug rehabilitation, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years' probation.
On February 1, 2010, Garrett was arrested again for possession of narcotics. After denying having any drugs in his possession, he finally admitted to police that he had black tar heroin
Black tar heroin
Black tar heroin is a type of illicit opiate narcotic drug formed from the incomplete acetylation of morphine. It is also called brown.Black tar can contain a variable percentage of heroin, but despite the name, what makes Black Tar specific as a type is not actually its heroin content, but rather...
in his shoe. He posted $10,000 bail and was charged with a felony count of heroin possession. On October 18, 2010, Leif Garrett pleaded no contest to heroin possession in Los Angeles and entered a court-ordered rehab program.
Albums
- 1977 - Leif GarrettLeif Garrett (album)Leif Garrett is the debut studio album by American singer-actor Leif Garrett, released in 1977 by Atlantic. He recorded this album and released it at age 15.-Track listing:- Personnel :*Leif Garrett - vocals*Jay Graydon - guitars...
US #37 - 1978 - Feel the Need US #34
- 1979 - Same Goes for You US #129
- 1980 - Can't Explain US #185
- 1981 - My Movie of You
- 1998 - The Leif Garrett CollectionThe Leif Garrett CollectionThe Leif Garett Collection is an album by Leif Garrett released in 1998 and features all 10 of his US Hot 100 hit singles plus two additional cuts .-Track listing:#"Runaround Sue"...
- 2003 - "F8" pronounced 'Fate'
- 2007 - Three Sides of...
Chart singles
- 1977 "Surfin' USA" US #20
- 1978 "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" US #58
- 1978 "Runaround Sue" US #13
- 1978 "The Wanderer" US #49
- 1979 "I Was Made for Dancin'" US #10, UK #4
- 1979" "Feel the Need" US #57, UK #38
- 1979 "When I Think of You" US #78
- 1980 "I Was Looking for Someone to Love" US #78
- 1980 "Memorize Your Number" US #60
- 1981 "Runaway Rita" US #84
Uncharted singles
- 1976 "I Go To Pieces" US 20th Century Records20th Century Records20th Century Fox Records, also known as 20th Fox Records and 20th Century Records, was a subsidiary of film studio 20th Century Fox.-History:It began in 1958 as 20th Fox Records. In 1963, 20th Fox Records became 20th Century-Fox Records...
- 1976 "Come Back When You Grow Up" US 20th Century Records20th Century Records20th Century Fox Records, also known as 20th Fox Records and 20th Century Records, was a subsidiary of film studio 20th Century Fox.-History:It began in 1958 as 20th Fox Records. In 1963, 20th Fox Records became 20th Century-Fox Records...
Other recording appearances
Garrett has also sung on releases by The Melvins (The Crybaby), The Crush Ups ("Betty Ford For X-Mas") and Liberty n' Justice ("Sight Unseen" on Soundtrack of a Soul), among others.Filmography
- 1969 Bob & Carol & Ted & AliceBob & Carol & Ted & AliceBob & Carol & Ted & Alice is a 1969 comedy-drama film directed by Paul Mazursky. It stars Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon....
- 1973 Walking TallWalking TallWalking Tall is a 1973 semi-biopic of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a former professional wrestler-turned-lawman in McNairy County, Tennessee. It starred Joe Don Baker as Pusser...
- 1974 Devil Times Five
- 1974 Macon County LineMacon County LineMacon County Line was a very successful independently financed movie, made in 1974. It can be called a road movie and more specifically it falls in the "redneck nightmare" genre.-Plot:...
- 1975 Walking Tall Part 2Walking Tall Part 2Walking Tall Part 2 is the sequel to the crime/action film, Walking Tall. Walking Tall Part 2 was directed by Earl Bellamy, and produced by Charles A. Pratt. the film starred Bo Svenson as Pusser, who replaced Joe Don Baker who played Pusser in the first Walking Tall film...
- 1976 God's GunGod's GunGod's Gun is a 1975 Italian / Israeli Spaghetti western directed by Gianfranco Parolini and starring Lee Van Cleef...
- 1977 Paper Tigers
- 1977 Kid Vengeance
- 1977 Walking Tall: Final ChapterWalking Tall: Final ChapterWalking Tall: Final Chapter is the third installment of the Walking Tall film series. The film was directed by Jack Starrett. The film opened in the U.S. on May 31, 1977. The on-screen title of the movie is "Final Chapter Walking Tall".-Plot:...
- 1978 Skateboard
- 1978 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film)Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a 1978 American musical film. Its soundtrack, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, features new versions of songs originally written and performed by The Beatles. The film draws primarily from two of their albums, 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club...
- 1981 Longshot
- 1983 The OutsidersThe Outsiders (film)The Outsiders is a 1983 American drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, an adaptation of the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. The film was released in March 1983...
- 1985 Shaker Run
- 1985 Thunder AlleyThunder AlleyThunder Alley is an American sitcom which aired from March 9, 1994 to July 4, 1995 on ABC.-Premise:The show stars Edward Asner as retired race-car driver Gil Jones. The unaired original pilot episode featured Felicity Huffman in the role of Bobbi Turner, Gil's daughter. When ABC picked up the...
- 1987 Delta Fever
- 1987 Cheerleader CampCheerleader CampCheerleader Camp , is an American slasher film, released in 1988. The film stars Betsy Russell, Leif Garrett, Lucinda Dickey, George "Buck" Flower, Will Sasso, Teri Weigel, and Rebecca Ferratti.-Plot:...
- 1988 Party LineParty Line (film)Party Line is a 1988 independent slasher film directed by William Webb. The film focuses on a rich female operator of a party line who lures men to her home through her phone sex hotline so her disturbed brother can slit their throats with a straight razor. Richard Hatch is the detective...
- 1989 The Banker
- 1990 The Spirit of '76
- 1995 Dominion
- 1996 The Whispering
- 1998 The Next Tenant
- 1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I DiedI Woke Up Early The Day I DiedI Woke Up Early The Day I Died is a camp comedy film written by Edward D. Wood, Jr.. The film, directed by Aris Iliopulos, stars Billy Zane, Tippi Hedren, Ron Perlman, and Christina Ricci, among many others.-Production:...
- 1999 The Art of a Bullet
- 2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child StarDickie Roberts: Former Child StarDickie Roberts: Former Child Star is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Sam Weisman and starring David Spade and Mary McCormack.- Plot :...
- 2005 PopstarPopstar (film)Popstar is an American film that features teen singer Aaron Carter in his first and only lead role in a feature film. The direct-to-video film was directed by Richard Gabai and written by Timothy Barton; the film was released on November 8, 2005. The premiere was held in The Woodlands, Texas. It...
- 2009 Fish Mich
Television work
- Nanny and the ProfessorNanny and the ProfessorNanny and the Professor is a U.S. fantasy situation comedy created by AJ Carothers and Thomas L. Miller for 20th Century Fox Television. During pre-production, the proposed title was Nanny Will Do. The series first aired as a mid-season replacement on January 21, 1970, on ABC and was last telecast...
("The Human Element")(19701970 in televisionThe year 1970 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1970.For the American TV schedule, see: 1970-71 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - Black NoonBlack NoonBlack Noon is an American made-for-TV horror western feature film that debuted in 1971. It was written and produced by Andrew J. Fenady and directed by Bernard L...
(19711971 in televisionThe year 1971 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1971.For the American TV schedule, see: 1971-72 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - Strange Homecoming (19741974 in televisionThe year 1974 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1974.For the American TV schedule, see: 1974-75 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - The Last Survivors (19751975 in televisionThe year 1975 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1975.For the American TV schedule, see: 1975-76 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
) - Three for the Road (1975) (canceled after 13 episodes)
- Flood! (19761976 in televisionThe year 1976 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1976.-Global television events:*The Olympics, broadcast from Montreal, Canada, draw an estimated one billion viewers worldwide....
) - Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion (19771977 in televisionThe year 1977 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1977.For the American TV schedule, see: 1977-78 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - FamilyFamily (TV series)Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
(19781978 in televisionThe year 1978 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1978.For the American TV schedule, see: 1978-79 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - Wonder WomanWonder Woman (TV series)Wonder Woman is an American television series based on the DC Comics comic book superhero of the same name. Starring Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and Lyle Waggoner as Steve Trevor, the show originally aired from 1975 to 1979....
(19781978 in televisionThe year 1978 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1978.For the American TV schedule, see: 1978-79 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - CHiPsCHiPsCHiPs is an American television drama series produced by MGM Studios that originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to July 17, 1983. CHiPs followed the lives of two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol...
(two-part episode "Roller Disco") (19791979 in televisionThe year 1979 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1979.For the American TV schedule, see: 1979-80 American network television schedule.-Events:...
) - VH1's 8-Track Flashback (19951995 in televisionThe year 1995 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1995.For the American TV schedule, see: 1995-96 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
–19961996 in televisionThe year 1996 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1996.For the American TV schedule, see: 1996-97 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
) - American Black Beauty (20052005 in televisionThe year 2005 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2005.For the American TV schedule, see: 2005–06 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:...
) - "Celebrity Fear Factor (2005)"
- Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge (20072007 in television2007 in television may refer to:*2007 in American television*2007 in Australian television*2007 in British television*2007 in Canadian television*2007 in Japanese television...
) (canceled after 6 episodes) - The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... is a cable television series produced by Meetinghouse Productions, Inc. and is airing on truTV...
(20082008 in televisionThe following is a list of events affecting American television in 2008. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and new channel launches.-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-June:-July:-August:...
) - Celebrity Rehab with Dr. DrewCelebrity Rehab with Dr. DrewCelebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is a reality television show airing on the cable network VH1 that chronicles a group of celebrities as they are treated for alcohol and drug addiction by Dr. Drew Pinsky and his staff at the Pasadena Recovery Center in Pasadena, California. The first season premiered...
(20102010 in television2010 in television may refer to:*2010 in American television*2010 in Australian television*2010 in British television*2010 in Canadian television*2010 in Japanese television...
)
External links
- Official website
- Official page at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Official fansite
- 2005 interview, from Liberty n' Justice's website
- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101015/ap_en_ce/us_people_leif_garrett Yahoo news article