Made movie debut in the 1969 comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
Played Endy Karras on the 1975 CBS series Three for the Road; the role gave his career a major boost
Released debut album, Leif Garrett, in 1977, which spurred his fame as a teen idol
Involved in a notorious 1979 car accident that left a close friend paralyzed
The incident was central to a memorable episode of Behind the Music, which featured a reunion with the friend, who also sued Garrett for his role in the crash
In subsequent years, battled substance-abuse issues, including drug addiction, which he discussed publicly, noting, "I know I can beat it; I have to
" Continued with a recording career over the years, including release of the song "Help You, Make You" in 2012