Leif Garrett, a former teen heartthrob and American performer, rose to prominence in the 1970s for his portrayal of Mike Pusser in the movie Walking Tall. However, his struggles with substance abuse and legal troubles garnered significant public interest.
After achieving success as an actor, Leif ventured into the music world and rose to fame as a popular choice among teenagers, largely due to his pop music endeavors. Throughout the 1970s, he put out multiple albums such as Leif Garrett and Feel the Need.
Leif Garrett Profile Summary
Full name: Leif Per Nervik
Gender: Male
Date of birth: November 8, 1961
Age: 62 years old (in 2024)
Place of birth: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White
Religion: Christian
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Weight: 78 kg
Hair color: Blonde
Eye color: Blue
Marital status: Single
Parents: Rik Nervik and Carolyn Stellar
Early Life
Leif was born on November 8, 1961, in Hollywood, California. Growing up in a family involved in the entertainment industry, his mother Carolyn Stellar was a talent manager and actress, while his father Rik Nervik was also an actor. From a young age, Leif was immersed in the world of show business and started his career as an actor and model.
Career
Throughout his career, Leif Garrett has dabbled in acting, music, and television appearances. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Garrett’s career began as a young performer, starring in TV commercials and making guest appearances on well-known television programs. He initially appeared on TV shows such as Family Affair and Gunsmoke.
In addition to portraying Zack Russell on the ABC show Family, Garrett was also cast as Mike Pusser in the Walking Tall films released in 1973, 1975, and 1977.
In the mid-1970s, Leif became well-known as a teenage heartthrob and popular musician. He released various albums and tracks during his music career, including Leif Garrett (1977), Feel the Need (1978), Same Goes for You (1979), and My Movie of You (1981).
Aside from his music endeavors, Leif also made appearances in films. Notable among them were his roles in Kid Vengeance (1977), Skateboard: The Movie (1978), American Raspberry (1977), Delta Fever (1987), and The Outsiders (1983).
Leif made an effort to rejuvenate his career and confront his personal problems by appearing on various reality TV programs, such as Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Celebrity Wife Swap.
Leif Garrett’s Dating History
Throughout the years, Garrett has been involved in numerous high-profile relationships. Here are some of the people he has been rumored to have dated or had a romantic connection with:
Nicollette Sheridan
According to reports, Leif Garrett and Nicollette Sheridan began a romantic relationship in the 1980s when she was just 15 years old. They were both up-and-coming actors in the entertainment industry and their relationship lasted approximately 5 years. Nicollette is famous for her roles in popular TV shows such as Knots Landing and Desperate Housewives.
Tatum O’Neal
Speculation circulated about a potential romantic connection between Leif Garrett and actress Tatum O’Neal, as they were both well-known and rising stars in the Hollywood scene at the time.
Justine Bateman
In 1988, there were rumors of a brief romantic connection between Leif Garrett and Justine Bateman. Justine is most recognized for her portrayal of Mallory Keaton on the well-known show Family Ties.
Elaine Bilstad
In 1993, Garrett was in a romantic relationship with Elaine Bilstad, resulting in the birth of their son, Tyson Garrett.
Controversies
Throughout his life and career, Garrett has encountered controversies and personal challenges. Leif openly confessed to starting substance use at a young age, which negatively affected his professional and personal life.
His battles with substance abuse resulted in legal problems and multiple stays in rehabilitation facilities, frequently covered by the press.
Garrett encountered multiple legal problems involving drug possession, driving while intoxicated, and other violations. As a consequence, he was arrested and required to attend court, which further impacted his reputation in the public eye.
Net Worth
Leif’s net worth is believed to be around $10,000, mostly earned from his work as a singer, actor, and TV personality. He declared bankruptcy in 2001. It is reported that at the time, Leif had a mere $350 to his name and was relying on his mother’s monthly allowance of $1000 to support himself.
