10 Intriguing Facts About Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis
Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis has had quite a life. From his humble beginnings as a child actor through his career singing for one of the most game changing bands in rock music, the singer has seen and done it all. He's battled drug addiction, popularized tribal tattoos, dated a string of gorgeous models and actresses, loved the L.A. Lakers and helped define alt rock and all in just 50-plus years of age.
We've rounded up 10 intriguing facts about Anthony Kiedis, who was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1962. Some of these details may be familiar to you, while others may be new information. But each fact comes together to help form the picture that is the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman.
- 1
He once dated actress Ione Skye.
Kiedis dated Ione Skye, aka the object of John Cusack's affections in 'Say Anything.' She had a predilection for musicians, marrying Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz and Aussie indie rocker Ben Lee, but Kiedis dated her first. A naked picture of the pair appears in his book 'Scar Tissue'; it was taken when she was 18.
Dan Callister, Getty ImagesDan Callister, Getty Images - 2
His godfather was the late Sonny Bono.
Kiedis' father Blackie Dammett was an actor who was friends with Sonny Bono and his former (and famous) wife, Cher. It's reported that Cher babysat Kiedis, since she and Sonny were close with Blackie.
Douglas Miller, Hulton Archive, Getty ImagesDouglas Miller, Hulton Archive, Getty Images - 3
His once went by the name Cole Dammett.
As a child actor, Kiedis used the stage name Cole Dammett. Like father, like son, right? It sounds a bit like a soap opera character in the way the moniker rolls off the tongue.
- 4
He played Sylvester Stallone's son in a film.
Kiedis played Sylvester Stallone's son in the film 'F.I.S.T.,' which released in 1978. The flick is loosely based on the Teamsters union and Jimmy Hoffa. His character's name was Kevin Kovak and he was credited by his stage name of Cole Dammett.
- 5
He skipped Chili Peppers bandmate Hillel Slovak's funeral.
Despite his deep love for his bandmate, Kiedis skipped the 1988 funeral of guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose. He instead spent time fishing in a Mexican village, trying to deal with the pain of the loss.
- 6
He appeared in 'Point Break.'
Kiedis played Tone, a surfer, in the heist flick 'Point Break,' starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. It was a brief but memorable role.
- 7
His son was named after his favorite group.
The singer's son Everly Bear, born in 2007, was named after his favorite band The Everly Brothers. Mom is his ex, Heather Christie. Former Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante is his godfather.
- 8
He was developing a TV show about his relationship with his father.
Given his crazy, unconventional and unorthodox upbringing, Kieids was developing a TV program inspired by his life and his relationship with his father for HBO. It was to be called 'Spider and Son.' HBO lost interest. FX stepped in and it appeared the series would focus on both Anthony's and Blackie's autobiographies. The long-gestating project has yet to get off the ground.
Carlos Alvarez, Getty ImagesCarlos Alvarez, Getty Images - 10
He appeared in a 1978 After School Special.
Kiedis starred in 'It's a Mile From Here to Glory.' He played Jimmy Plummer. He was also billed by his Cole Dammett stage name in the credits.
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