Anthony Kiedis (pron-en?ki?d?s; respellKEEdiss); born November 1, 1962) is an American vocalist/lyricist and occasional actor best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis spent his youth in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his mother before moving to Hollywood (Hollywood, Los Angeles, California), California shortly before his twelfth birthday to be with his father. Shortly after high school, Kiedis embarked on a short stint at UCLA, but dropped out after losing interest because of substance abuse. After dropping out, Kiedis received an offer to be the opening act for a local band, and enlisted friends Flea (Flea (musician)), Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons to assist, a line-up which eventually became the Red Hot Chili Peppers.