Brian Bonsall
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2009) |
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| Born | Brian Eric Bonsall December 3, 1981 Torrance, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–1994 |
Brian Eric Bonsall (born December 3, 1981) is an American former child actor. He is best known for playing Andrew "Andy" Keaton, the youngest child on the NBC sitcom Family Ties from 1986 through 1989. He also had the recurring role of Alexander Rozhenko, the 3/4 Klingon - 1/4 human son of Worf, on Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1992-1994.
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Early life and acting career [edit]
Bonsall was born in Torrance, California. At the age of five, he won the role of Andy Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties. Bonsall won three Young Artist Awards for his performance on the series. He was also nominated for a Young Artist Award for his starring role in the made-for-TV movie Do You Know the Muffin Man? in 1990. He made his feature film debut in the horror film Mikey, playing the title role, a demonic young boy who terrorizes his adoptive parents.
In science fiction circles, he is predominantly known for the part of Alexander Rozhenko, son of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Klingon security officer, Mr. Worf—a recurring role he played for 7 episodes across several seasons.
He played Patrick Swayze's son in the 1993 film Father Hood. In 1994, he starred in the Disney comedy Blank Check and co-starred with Bob Saget in the TV movie comedy Father and Scout. In the same year, he played the main role in the thriller Mikey. This caused controversy in the UK owing to its depiction of a child killer at a time when the murder of Jamie Bulger had caused sensitivity about violent behaviour by children. As of August 2011, the film is one of the few banned in the UK. His other acting credits include the TV movie Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme and guest appearances on television series such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and The Young Riders.
Life after acting [edit]
In 1995, Bonsall retired from acting and moved with his mother and stepfather to Boulder, Colorado. He attended Boulder High School, graduating in 2000.[1] He also became a musician, forming a rock band with his friends called "Late Bloomers" in 1998. He has also been in the Boulder-based punk bands "Thruster" as well as "The Light on Adam's Stereo". He was in the Los Angeles-based punk band This Life of Mine, but is also working on solo projects.
In a 2005 interview, he stated that he has no interest in returning to acting.
Legal and substance abuse troubles [edit]
Since he left acting, Bonsall has had a number of run-ins with the law. In 2001, he was convicted of driving under the influence, and in 2004, he was arrested under suspicion of drunk driving.[2] On March 28, 2007, Bonsall was arrested for charges of second degree assault and false imprisonment after an altercation with his girlfriend. In a plea bargain, Bonsall pleaded guilty to third degree assault and the other charges were dropped. He was then sentenced to 24 months' probation on August 31.[3]
In June 2008, Bonsall was accused of violating the conditions of his probation by failing to pay for domestic violence classes, missing daily Breathalyzer tests, failing one Breathalyzer test, and walking out on a urine test.[4][5] He was due to appear in a court hearing scheduled for July 16, 2008, to answer for these alleged probation violations. Bonsall failed to show at the hearing, however, and an arrest warrant was issued, coupled with a $2,500 bail bond. After more than a year on the lam, on December 5, 2009, Bonsall was arrested by the Boulder Police Department on the Failure to Appear warrant after being picked up for assaulting his best friend with a bar stool.[1] In the police report for the assault incident Bonsall stated that he has bipolar disorder.[1] Bonsall also admitted to drinking heavily and being a heavy drug user to the degree that they make him "forget things".[1]
On December 11, 2009, Bonsall was charged in Colorado with second-degree assault after police say he repeatedly hit a friend in the head with a broken wooden stool in a bar brawl on December 5.[6]
On February 19, 2010, Bonsall was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana in violation of his probation.[7]
On April 9, 2010, Bonsall pleaded guilty to menacing and third degree assault in connection with the bar brawl in Colorado and was sentenced to two years' probation.[8]
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 to 1989 | Family Ties | Andrew "Andy" Keaton | 78 episodes |
| 1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday | Andy Keaton | Television special |
| 1988 | Go Toward the Light | Zack | Television movie |
| 1988 | Day by Day | Andrew "Andy" Keaton | Episode: "Trading Places" |
| 1989 | Do You Know the Muffin Man? | Teddy Dollison | Television movie |
| 1989 | Booker | Billy | Episode: "Deals and Wheels: Part 1" |
| 1989 | On the Television | Googie Chowder | Episode: "Stupid People's Court" |
| 1990 | Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme | Michael | Television movie |
| 1990 | Angel of Death | Josh | Television movie |
| 1990 | Married People | Brian | Episode: "To Live and Drive in LA" |
| 1991 | The Young Riders | Episode: "Old Scores" | |
| 1991 | Shades of L.A. | Andy Makowski | 2 episodes: |
| 1991 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Andrew Keaton | Episode: "Civil Wars" |
| 1991 | False Arrest | Jason Lukezic | Television movie |
| 1992 to 1994 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Alexander Rozhenko | 7 episodes |
| 1992 | Mikey | Mikey Holt | |
| 1993 | Distant Cousins | Alex Sullivan | |
| 1993 | Father Hood | Eddie Charles | |
| 1994 | Blank Check | Preston Waters | |
| 1994 | Father and Scout | Michael | Television movie |
| 1994 | Lily in Winter | Michael Towler | Television movie |
Awards and nominations [edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Title of work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actor Under Ten Years of Age in Television or Motion Pictures | Family Ties | Won |
| 1989 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actor Under Nine Years of Age | Family Ties | Won |
| 1990 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actor Starring in a TV Movie, Pilot or Special | Do You Know the Muffin Man? | Nominated |
| 1990 | Young Artist Award | Outstanding Performance by an Actor Under Nine Years of Age | Family Ties | Won |
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d Miller, Vanessa (2009-12-07). "Former 'Family Ties' star Brian Bonsall arrested again in Boulder". Colorado Daily.
- ^ Ryan, Joel (2004-06-02). ""Family Ties" Tyke Busted for DUI". E! Online. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02.
- ^ Reid, Christine (2007-08-31). "Child star gets probation for assault". Daily Camera.[dead link]
- ^ Bane, Vickie (2008-07-15). "Former Family Ties Star Violates Probation". People Magazine.
- ^ Miller, Vanessa (2008-07-15). "'Family Ties' star Brian Bonsall accused of violating probation". Daily Camera. Archived from the original on 2008-08-05.
- ^ "Ex-child star Bonsall accused of assault". UPI.com. 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ "'Family Ties' actor Bonsall arrested again | Story | Wonderwall". Wonderwall.msn.com. 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ The Associated Press (2010-04-09). "'Family Ties' child star Brian Bonsall sentenced to two-years probation on assault charge". Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
External links [edit]
- Brian Bonsall at the Internet Movie Database
- Brian Bonsall at AllRovi
- Brian Bonsall at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
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