Merritt Butrick
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
Merritt Butrick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Merritt R. Butrick September 3, 1959 Gainesville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 1989 (aged 29) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1981–1989 |
Merritt R. Butrick (September 3, 1959 – March 17, 1989) was an American actor who was known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk's son David Marcus in the movies Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. He also appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Symbiosis". Earlier in his career he starred as "Johnny Slash" Ulasewicz in the sitcom Square Pegs. He also appeared in the 1982 comedy Zapped!, the cult film Fright Night II (1988), and as Barbara Hershey's hillbilly son in the 1987 drama Shy People.
Early life and career
Butrick was born in Gainesville, Florida and was an only child. He graduated from Tamalpais High School, where he was known as Ritchie, in Mill Valley, California, in 1977.[1] He attended the California Institute of the Arts for acting, but was told by his college instructors that he did not have the skill or talent to make it as an actor, and was later dismissed. Determined to prove them wrong, he shortly thereafter was cast in Square Pegs, which, although it was cancelled after only one season, garnered a large following and reputation, in part due to the fact that Saturday Night Live alumni were involved. Prior to 'Square Pegs' debut, he was cast in his first Star Trek appearance. Director Nicholas Meyer has commented in interviews, saying how he felt Merritt's appearance was plausible casting as he had the blonde look of his screen mother Bibi Besch, combined with his curly hair resembling screen father William Shatner.
While Star Trek is what Butrick will be best remembered for, he had success in episodic work for television and TV movies as well as several more high profile movies appearing in films that also starred Danny DeVito, Robert Mitchum, Alec Baldwin and Judge Reinhold.
However, he also received critical acclaim from Time magazine for his final performance in the play Kingfish, in which he played a ditzy, petulant muscle-boy prostitute, which played in LATC in Los Angeles.
Death and legacy
Butrick died of AIDS related complications on March 17, 1989, at the age of 29.[2]
In 2008, Square Pegs was released on DVD, which included a featurette dedicated to Butrick, in which his co-stars, including Jami Gertz and Sarah Jessica Parker, and show creator Anne Beatts paid tributes to and recounted anecdotes about Butrick.
Butrick's Star Trek III: The Search For Spock costar Robin Curtis offered similar praise on the DVD commentary for that film. Director Nicholas Meyer, who had directed Butrick in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, included a scene in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, where Captain Kirk puts a photograph of his murdered son on his desk.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan | Dr. David Marcus | |
| Zapped! | Gary Cooter | ||
| 1984 | Star Trek III: The Search for Spock | Dr. David Marcus | |
| 1985 | Head Office | John Hudson | |
| 1986 | Wired to Kill | Reegus | Alternative title: Booby Trap |
| 1987 | Shy People | Mike | |
| 1988 | Death Spa | David Avery | Alternative title: Witch Bitch |
| Fright Night II | Richie | ||
| 1991 | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country | Dr. David Marcus (Picture only) | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Hill Street Blues | Rapist | 2 episodes |
| Splendor in the Grass | Glenn | Television movie | |
| CHiPs | Kevin Whalen | 1 episode | |
| 1982–1983 | Square Pegs | Johnny Slash | 20 episodes |
| 1983 | When Your Lover Leaves | Aaron Scott | Television movie |
| 1984 | Fame | Billy Christiansen | 1 episode |
| Sweet Revenge | Captain Paul Dennison | Television movie | |
| 1985 | Promises to Keep | Reg | Television movie |
| 1986 | Blood & Orchids | Duane York | Television movie |
| Stagecoach | Lieutenant Blanchard | Television movie | |
| When the Bough Breaks | Tim Kruger | Television movie | |
| 1987 | Vietnam War Story | Siska | 1 episode |
| Beauty and the Beast | Shake | 1 episode | |
| The Law & Harry McGraw | 1 episode | ||
| 1988 | Why on Earth? | Oscar | Television movie |
| Jake and the Fatman | Taylor Fleming | 1 episode | |
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | T'Jon | 1 episode | |
| Hooperman | 1 episode | ||
| 1989 | From the Dead of Night | Rick | Television movie |
References
- ^ Tamalpais High School Alumni Directory 2002. Purchase, New York: Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company. 2002.
- ^ Donnelley, Paul (2005-11-01). Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries (3 ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 225. ISBN 1-844-49430-6.
