Now, decades after his tumultuous journey, recent photos of the former heartthrob with gray hair and a rugged beard have stunned social media users. Take a look at the former ’70s star’s journey and transformation over the years.

The star started as a busy child actor in the early 1970s before he was given the opportunity to record music — a decision that led him to extraordinary highs and deep personal lows.

His fame as a teen idol skyrocketed, making him one of the most recognizable faces of the era. The young star’s appeal wasn’t just about his looks; he believed his success was also due to his non-threatening persona that made his fans feel comfortable.

“So obviously part of it was because of the look, but if you can’t back it up with some talent, which is why you’d still be out in the public eye, then you can’t be there for just the way you look,” he shared.

However, fame came at a price. His rise to stardom was accompanied by jet-setting tours, numerous magazine covers, and exposure to drugs and alcohol at an early age.

His celebrity status achieved almost overnight brought instant success but also set him on a path toward addiction and personal turmoil that would follow him for years.

When asked about living up to his teen idol image, he admitted that his fan base had always been loyal, standing by him through his ups and downs. “There was a lot of bad decision-making. But at the same time, I didn’t have the parental guidance that I should have at that time,” he said.

He described his mother as trusting and explained how he spent most of his time on the road without a parent, relying instead on management that promised to look after him like a son.

Reflecting on his struggles with substance abuse, when asked what he was trying to escape by using drugs, he confessed, “Obviously, perpetuating this lie of me being this musical artist. I sang, but it wasn’t me 100 percent.”

The expectations of his record label clashed with his desire to evolve artistically, as he was often pushed to stick to a clean-cut, California surfer image that no longer fit his reality.

He admitted that, given a choice, he would have continued acting rather than being forced into a music career that confined him creatively. He had not anticipated that the decision to record an album would tie him down for years, limiting his options in acting and putting him in a box he found difficult to escape.

“That was as raw and real as it gets. I had no idea that I was going to be seeing Roland and that he would tell me that he did not hold me responsible, even though I held myself responsible big time for that and deservingly so,” he shared.

The Star’s Life Now – Embracing Truth and Finding Peace

In November 2019, the star, Leif Garrett, released his memoir, “Idol Truth,” providing an unfiltered look at his life, filled with untold stories, wild celebrity encounters, and rare personal photos. The book was his way of setting the record straight after years of maintaining a public persona that didn’t always reflect his true self.

He admitted that it took him a long time to share his story, joking that it might have been a strategic move to publish it when his career was nearly at rock bottom. Today, Garrett leads a quieter life, far removed from the dizzying heights of his fame.

Although he often joked about his love life and said he looked for love in all the wrong places, he emphasized that he was not actively seeking it through dating sites or single bars, preferring to let things happen naturally.