ABOUT THE BOOK
Former teen idol Leif Garrett bares his soul for the first time ever, revealing his deepest secrets about the extraordinary highs and devastating lows he has survived over the years.
He was a hardworking child actor in the early 1970s, appearing on dozens of popular films and TV programs. Then he was offered a chance to make a record and “Leif Garrett, teen idol” was born. Millions of teenage girls all over the world covered their walls with his picture. His face adorned hundreds of international magazine covers as he became one of the biggest and most desired heartthrobs in history. There were jet-setting tours, TV specials, and hit records, along with an endless supply of beautiful women, alcohol, and ultimately, the drugs that sent this shooting star into the darkest depths of addiction. Idol Truth is a harrowing survivor’s story as well as a charmed tale filled with compelling pop culture characters—from Michael Jackson and Brooke Shields to John Belushi, Freddie Mercury, and many more. It’s the first time ever that Leif Garrett has come clean about his life, revealing all the details of his spectacular journey.
Former teen idol Leif Garrett bares his soul for the first time ever, revealing his deepest secrets about the extraordinary highs and devastating lows he has survived over the years.
He was a hardworking child actor in the early 1970s, appearing on dozens of popular films and TV programs. Then he was offered a chance to make a record and “Leif Garrett, teen idol” was born. Millions of teenage girls all over the world covered their walls with his picture. His face adorned hundreds of international magazine covers as he became one of the biggest and most desired heartthrobs in history. There were jet-setting tours, TV specials, and hit records, along with an endless supply of beautiful women, alcohol, and ultimately, the drugs that sent this shooting star into the darkest depths of addiction. Idol Truth is a harrowing survivor’s story as well as a charmed tale filled with compelling pop culture characters—from Michael Jackson and Brooke Shields to John Belushi, Freddie Mercury, and many more. It’s the first time ever that Leif Garrett has come clean about his life, revealing all the details of his spectacular journey.
ABOUT LEIF
Leif Garrett burst onto the scene in 1966 at the early age of five, debuting as an actor in the quintessential period film, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Garrett starred in over sixty hit television shows, such as being the semi-regular on the critically acclaimed hit television shows, The Waltons and Family. But it was his portrayal of a pony express rider in the television special, Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion that garnered Garrett the honor of being inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. From then on he continued to do more TV and film including Walking Tall and the hit television series, Three for the Road. This family drama was Garrett’s launching pad for the recording phenomena that was to occur.
Having achieved tremendous success as an actor, Garrett took on the music industry. He became a multi gold and platinum recording artist and one of the biggest teen idols of all time, gracing magazine covers all over the world. In 1977, Garrett released his self-titled debut album and climbed the music charts with his remakes of “Runaround Sue” (#13) and “Surfin’ USA” (#20). In 1978 he released his sophomore album entitled Feel The Need. The album quickly became a chart-topper with Leif’s biggest hit, “I Was Made For Dancin'."
After releasing three more albums, Garrett decided to turn his attention to acting once again, co-starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s film classic, The Outsiders in 1983. He continued to choose other notable roles in the eighties in movies such as Thunder Alley and Shaker Run. In 1991, Garrett appeared with fellow former teen idol, David Cassidy, in the seventies spoof, Spirit of ’76. Audiences were amazed and impressed with Garrett’s comedic ability and talent.
It was in 1998 when the music arena became reacquainted with Leif Garrett on VH1’s highly acclaimed Behind The Music series. The response from the viewing public was sensational and it has become one of the highest rated episodes of Behind The Music.
Garrett’s well-documented bouts with substance abuse generated headlines in the next two decades.
Garrett later formed a rock band and toured across the USA while still making appearances on television and doing some theater work. In 2006, Garrett appeared in the Celebrity Edition of Fear Factor. He won the grand prize of $50,000. In 2008, the producers of TruTV’s The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest… added Garrett to their cast of celebrity commentators.
Garrett’s memoir, Idol Truth, will be released on November 5, 2019 via Post Hill Press. Idol Truth promises to be a no-holds barred look at the former teen idol’s life, crammer with untold personal stories, wild celebrity anecdotes, and many rare photos from Garrett’s private collection.
About the new memoir, Garrett says, “I’m writing it now because I think I can finally make sense of what happened to me over the years. I’ve thought about it for a long time, but I just need the right amount of distance from all these events. It’s not all going to be pretty, but it’s going to be honest.”
Leif Garrett burst onto the scene in 1966 at the early age of five, debuting as an actor in the quintessential period film, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Garrett starred in over sixty hit television shows, such as being the semi-regular on the critically acclaimed hit television shows, The Waltons and Family. But it was his portrayal of a pony express rider in the television special, Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion that garnered Garrett the honor of being inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. From then on he continued to do more TV and film including Walking Tall and the hit television series, Three for the Road. This family drama was Garrett’s launching pad for the recording phenomena that was to occur.
Having achieved tremendous success as an actor, Garrett took on the music industry. He became a multi gold and platinum recording artist and one of the biggest teen idols of all time, gracing magazine covers all over the world. In 1977, Garrett released his self-titled debut album and climbed the music charts with his remakes of “Runaround Sue” (#13) and “Surfin’ USA” (#20). In 1978 he released his sophomore album entitled Feel The Need. The album quickly became a chart-topper with Leif’s biggest hit, “I Was Made For Dancin'."
After releasing three more albums, Garrett decided to turn his attention to acting once again, co-starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s film classic, The Outsiders in 1983. He continued to choose other notable roles in the eighties in movies such as Thunder Alley and Shaker Run. In 1991, Garrett appeared with fellow former teen idol, David Cassidy, in the seventies spoof, Spirit of ’76. Audiences were amazed and impressed with Garrett’s comedic ability and talent.
It was in 1998 when the music arena became reacquainted with Leif Garrett on VH1’s highly acclaimed Behind The Music series. The response from the viewing public was sensational and it has become one of the highest rated episodes of Behind The Music.
Garrett’s well-documented bouts with substance abuse generated headlines in the next two decades.
Garrett later formed a rock band and toured across the USA while still making appearances on television and doing some theater work. In 2006, Garrett appeared in the Celebrity Edition of Fear Factor. He won the grand prize of $50,000. In 2008, the producers of TruTV’s The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest… added Garrett to their cast of celebrity commentators.
Garrett’s memoir, Idol Truth, will be released on November 5, 2019 via Post Hill Press. Idol Truth promises to be a no-holds barred look at the former teen idol’s life, crammer with untold personal stories, wild celebrity anecdotes, and many rare photos from Garrett’s private collection.
About the new memoir, Garrett says, “I’m writing it now because I think I can finally make sense of what happened to me over the years. I’ve thought about it for a long time, but I just need the right amount of distance from all these events. It’s not all going to be pretty, but it’s going to be honest.”
