If they’re lucky, child actors graduate to teen heartthrob status, then to more grown-up projects as they get older. Leif Garrett was halfway lucky: as a child, he appeared in movies like Walking Tall and television shows like The Dating Game, and by the time he reached adolescence Leif was offered a recording contract. Michael Lloyd, the man responsible for other teen idols, like Shaun Cassidy and the Osmonds, groomed him for his new superstar career. Garrett’s self-titled album came out in 1977. Comprised mostly of covers of older pop hits like “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and “Surfin’ USA”, the album charmed the teenyboppers. Well, maybe Leif’s perfectly blow-dried hair and sweet young face also went a long way in the charming department.

Garrett’s breakthrough single “I Was Made for Dancin’” increased his popularity; the disco-flavored tune became a favorite at parties and roller rinks worldwide. Suddenly, Leif Garrett was everywhere: on the pop charts and appearing on hallmark 70s TV series like CHiPs and Wonder Woman. The time was ripe for a nice, long tour where he performed in sold-out venues complete with fainting teenage girls every few feet.

The higher they are…you know the rest. Instant fame at such a young age can be awfully corrupting—to put it mildly. In 1979, a 19-year old Garrett wrapped his car around a tree while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He survived but his passenger, best friend Roland Winkler, was left a paraplegic. A horrified Garrett vowed to clean up his act and take care of his friend (let’s face it, Leif, it was your fault) but failed to come through. After drawn out legal wrangling between the two friends, Garrett and Winkler became estranged and didn’t talk until brought together again during a very special episode of VH1’s Behind the Music in 1999.

A high point for Garrett in the 80s was his role in 1983’s The Outsiders, where he worked beside a whole gaggle of teen idols and up and coming young stars. In the 90s, he returned to the music scene with his own band Godspeed and as guest vocalist for underground sensation, the Melvins. Drug problems continued to plague him though and he was arrested a few times over the next decade. His latest run-in with the law was in 2006, unfortunately reinforcing the cliché of the fallen idol.