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Brian Bonsall

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Brian Bonsall
Bonsall in 2009
Born
Brian Eric Bonsall

(1981-12-03) December 3, 1981 (age 42)
Torrance, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
Years active
  • 1986–1994, 2022–present (actor)
  • 1998–present (musician)
Spouse
Courtney Tuck
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1

Brian Eric Bonsall (born December 3, 1981) is an American rock musician, singer, guitarist and former child actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Andrew "Andy" Keaton, the youngest child on the NBC sitcom Family Ties from 1986 until 1989, and Alexander Rozhenko, the son of Worf and K'ehleyr, on Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1992 to 1994.

Early life and acting career

Bonsall was born in Torrance, California, to Garth Bonsall and his wife Kathleen Coleman. In 1986, he began playing the role of Andy Keaton in 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 1992 in the horror film Mikey, playing the title role, a demonic young boy who murders his parents and terrorizes his adoptive parents. This caused controversy in the UK owing to its depiction of a child killer at a time when the murder of James Bulger had raised sensitivity about violent behavior by children. The film was initially passed uncut by the British Board of Film Classification, but its certificate was withdrawn by James Ferman in the wake of the Bulger killing.[1]

Bonsall is known for playing Alexander Rozhenko, son of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Klingon security officer, Worf—a recurring role he played for seven 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. 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.

Post-acting

In 1995, Bonsall retired from acting and moved with his mother and stepfather to Boulder, Colorado. He attended Boulder High School, graduating in 2000.[2]

He became a musician, forming the rock band Late Bloomers with his friends in 1998. He has been in the Boulder-based punk bands Thruster and The Light on Adam's Stereo.[3]

In 2016, Bonsall toured with rock band The Ataris.[4] That same year, he claimed to have been clean and sober since his 2010 arrest: "My drunken run-ins with the law are about 10 years behind me, so I’m pretty happy about that. I’m not proud of my past mistakes but you live and you learn".[5]

In October 2017, Bonsall married Courtney Tuck.[6] Their son, Oliver, was born in August of 2019.[7] Bonsall is currently a member of the band Sunset Silhouette.

On March 28, 2007, Bonsall was arrested on charges of assaulting his girlfriend. He was sentenced to two years of probation on August 31, 2007.[citation needed]

On December 7, 2009, Bonsall was arrested for third-degree assault and failure-to-appear in connection with the 2007 assault on his girlfriend.[8]

In February, 2010, Bonsall was arrested on charges of using marijuana in violation of the terms of his release. He was sentenced in April 2010 to two years of probation.[9]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1986-1989 Family Ties Andrew "Andy" Keaton 78 episodes
1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday Andy Keaton Television special
Go Toward the Light Zack Television movie
Day by Day Andrew "Andy" Keaton Episode: "Trading Places"
1989 Do You Know the Muffin Man? Teddy Dollison Television movie
Booker Billy Episode: "Deals and Wheels: Part 1"
On the Television Googie Chowder Episode: "Stupid People's Court"
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Brian Episode: "Koopa Klaus"
1990 Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme Michael Television movie
Angel of Death Josh Television movie
Married People Brian Episode: "To Live and Drive in LA"
1991 The Young Riders Episode: "Old Scores"
Shades of L.A. Andy Makowski 2 episodes:
Parker Lewis Can't Lose Andrew Keaton Episode: "Civil Wars"
False Arrest Jason Lukezic Television movie
1992-1994 Star Trek: The Next Generation Alexander Rozhenko 7 episodes
1992 Mikey Mikey Holt
1993 Distant Cousins Alex Sullivan
Father Hood Eddie Charles
1994 Blank Check Preston Waters
Father and Scout Michael Television movie
Lily in Winter Michael Towler Television movie
2018 Slaughsages Bonz Short film
2022 You're Melting! Dr. Love

Awards and nominations

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
Young Artist Award Outstanding Performance by an Actor Under Nine Years of Age Family Ties Won

References

  1. ^ Banned: The most controversial films The Independent. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  2. ^ Miller, Vanessa (2009-12-07). "Former 'Family Ties' star Brian Bonsall arrested again in Boulder". Colorado Daily. Archived from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  3. ^ "Brian Bonsall - The Light on Adam's Stereo (Eight songs by Brian Bonsall: "Restart", "Just Calling to Say Goodbye", "Never Drinkin' Again", "Picture Perfect", "My Condolences", "Destiny", "Another Chapter", "On Our Way"; 26:09 free audio)". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  4. ^ Childers, Oakland L. (2015-10-27). "Lowjob Heading Into the Blasting Room With Jason Livermore". Westword. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  5. ^ "Brian Bonsall: Then and Now | Film Industry Digest". Archived from the original on 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  6. ^ "Marriage Licenses in Greeley, Weld County area for Oct. 24". 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  7. ^ "Michael J. Fox's On-Screen Son On 'Family Ties' Brian Bonsall Is All Grown Up And Now A Proud Father And Husband Himself". Fabiosa.com. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Former 'Family Ties' star Brian Bonsall arrested again in Boulder". Archived from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
  9. ^ "'Family Ties' child star Brian Bonsall sentenced to two-years probation". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
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