Idol Truth

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.

Leif Garrett burst onto the scene in 1966 at the early age of five. Garrett began a career in acting with his debut in the quintessential period film, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. He 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.

Chris Epting is an award-winning journalist and the author of over thirty books including Change of Seasons, a memoir (with John Oates) from St. Martin’s Press, Adrenalized (a memoir with Def Leppard’s Phil Collen) from Simon & Schuster and James Dean Died Here from Santa Monica Press.