I saw a movie last night called God's Gun. It starred Jack Palance and Lee Van Cleef, and this real beautiful young boy who I originally thought was a girl until he took his shirt off. The kid jogged some memory at the back of my mind. I knew I'd seen him before somewhere, but there was no cast at the end, so I looked the movie up on IMDB and found that it was Leif Garrett. I think he was also a singer.

Does anyone know what became of Leif Garrett?

Yes Leif became a small pop idol and recently has had, if I remember correct, some serious mental and/or drug problems.

Sadly I fear another example of not creating child stars.

The boy in Death In Venice is another example.

Bonnie Langford, fortunately, seems to be the exception that proves the rule - becoming a very well balanced lady, judging from recent interviews I've heard.

Matthew Garber (Mary Poppins), John Charlesworth (East in the 1951 Tom Brown's Schooldays) and Bobby Driscoll (Treasure Island) are examples of former child stars who's lives ended early in sad circumstances. However, there are also the likes of Elijah Wood and Dickie Moore (made over a 100 movies starting at age 18 months)who went on to lead very successful and happy lives.

A lot depends on the people around them.

Drew Barrymore had a rough time in her teens, but with the help of friends managed to get her life back on track.

I remember Leif Garrett. I heard he'd recently got back into music, and I found his website.

http://www.leifgarrett.net

Leif Garrat had a big hit single in 1979 (I think) called 'I was made for dancing' but sadly dissappeared soon after. He appeared on the bbc series 'I love 1970's'. He became traumatised after a road accident when he was driving and his best friend ended up in a wheelchair after the accident, to see him now he looks a shadow of the teen idol he once was.

Also Jack Wild from 'Oliver' who gave up drugs and booze after years of abuse only to succumb to mouth cancer a couple of years ago. I think Mark Lester himself had a wild time during the 70's when his star was at its height - like most male child stars, they become less appealing to producers when they start shaving and their lack of adult acting talent becomes apparent!

My prediction for another who will prove the exception - Haley Joel Osman from The Sixth Sense who was brilliant in that fantastic fillum (as was Bruce Willis - his best performance ever). I have a sneaking suspicion he is a great actor and future Oscar winner.

Oh and Christian Bale who was stunning in that Spielberg Chinese Movie (Empire of the Sun) and has matured into a great actor (American Thingy where he played a psychopath)...

Just remembered that Rick Schroder hasn't done badly either.

Bj

Foz wrote:
I think Mark Lester himself had a wild time during the 70's when his star was at its height - like most male child stars, they become less appealing to producers when they start shaving and their lack of adult acting talent becomes apparent!

I saw Maek Lester being interviewed fairly recently - he's turned his back on acting - or did it turn its back on him? - and now lives a fairly normal life doing something like chiropody !

He turns up on the occasional "top 50 movies / songs / comedies etc looking very rough, a bandana covering his head and talking very frankly about a wrecked career due to drink and drugs.

Leif Garrett currently released a new album with the title "3 sides of..."

You'll find is current webspace here: www.myspace.com/leifgarrett

I met him about 6 months ago, he's very charming, he actually has a nice voice (much better than what I remember from his teen idol time) but he seems to like to party too much... He also has some sores in his face and some white spots he tries to cover up with a beard & a bandana.

Elke

Astonishing quantity of views for this thread - wonder why?

Leif was my favourite actor and singer.

robbiex wrote:
Leif Garrat had a big hit single in 1979 (I think) called 'I was made for dancing' but sadly dissappeared soon after. He appeared on the bbc series 'I love 1970's'. He became traumatised after a road accident when he was driving and his best friend ended up in a wheelchair after the accident, to see him now he looks a shadow of the teen idol he once was.

That's when I met him at the Embassy Club. Very tall. Seemed like a nice lad.