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Brian Bonsall
Brian Bonsall
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Brian Eric Bonsall (born December 3, 1981) is an American rock musician, singer, guitarist and former child actor. Bonsall is the guitarist for punk rock band The Ataris. 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.

Key Information

Early life and acting career

[edit]

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 The film was initially passed uncut by the British Board of Film Classification, but its certificate was withdrawn by James Ferman in the wake of the Bulger killing.[1]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

[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.[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 became a member and 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] Together, they have a son. [7]

[edit]

On March 28, 2007, Bonsall was arrested on charges of assaulting his partner. He was sentenced to two years of probation on August 31, 2007.[8]

On December 7, 2009, Bonsall was arrested for third degree assault and failure to appear in connection with the 2007 assault on his girlfriend.[9]

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.[10]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986–1989 Family Ties Andrew "Andy" Keaton 78 episodes
1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday 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
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
2018 Slaughsages Bonz Short film
2022 You're Melting! Dr. Love

Discography

[edit]

The Ataris

  • Silver Turn to Rust (2017)

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 Best Young Actor Under Nine Years of Age
1990 Best Young Actor Starring in a TV Movie, Pilot or Special Do You Know the Muffin Man? Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Actor Under Nine Years of Age Family Ties Won

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Brian Eric Bonsall (born December 3, 1981) is an American former child actor and musician best known for his roles as Andrew "Andy" Keaton, the youngest child in the Keaton family on the Family Ties from 1986 to 1989, and as Alexander Rozhenko, the son of , on Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1992 to 1994. Born in , Bonsall began his at age five and appeared in over two dozen television and film projects during the late and early 1990s, including the horror film Mikey (1992), where he portrayed a sociopathic child, and the Do You Know the Muffin Man (1989). His performances earned him three Young Artist Awards between 1988 and 1990 for Family Ties, as well as a nomination in 1990 for Do You Know the Muffin Man. After retiring from in 1995 at age 14, Bonsall shifted his focus to music, emerging as a and singer in the scene. He founded and performed with several bands, including Late Bloomers, Thruster, and This Life of Mine, releasing independent albums and touring in the underground music circuit; as of 2025, he serves as the for the band . In his later years, Bonsall has resided in , married Courtney Tuck in 2017, and become a to a son, while maintaining sobriety and a low public profile, though he has occasionally reflected on his child stardom in interviews. Bonsall's post-acting life has included personal challenges, notably legal troubles in the late stemming from alcohol-related incidents. In 2007, he was arrested in , for second-degree assault after an altercation with his then-girlfriend, leading to charges of felony menacing and third-degree assault; he pleaded guilty in 2010 and received a two-year sentence. In 2009, he faced additional arrest for assaulting a friend following a period of evading authorities. More recently, in 2025, Bonsall publicly addressed the bizarre case of a , Nathan Loebe, who impersonated him—using details from their 2004 jail encounter—to lure and assault multiple women, resulting in Loebe's 274-year prison sentence; Bonsall expressed guilt over the indirect connection in Investigation Discovery's series Hollywood Demons.

Early life

Birth and family background

Brian Eric Bonsall was born on December 3, 1981, in . He is the son of Garth Bonsall and Kathleen Larkin, both of whom played roles in his early life. His mother, a small-time actress in Hollywood, actively supported his budding interest in performance by taking him to auditions from a young age. Bonsall's parents separated during his childhood, after which his mother remarried, eventually moving the family to in 1995 with her new husband. Bonsall spent his early years in , where family dynamics centered around his mother's encouragement of creative pursuits, fostering an environment that nurtured his early exposure to the entertainment industry before any professional commitments. No siblings are documented in available records, with the family's focus remaining on providing stability amid the parents' separation and relocation.

Entry into acting

Bonsall entered the acting world at around age four, after his mother, a small-time actress named Kathleen Larkin, recognized his performative talent and sent photographs of him to talent agents in Hollywood. This led to his first professional opportunity when, at approximately 3½ years old, he auditioned for the role of the Keaton family's youngest child on the sitcom . He secured the part, marking his debut in 1986 as Andrew "Andy" Keaton, which provided his initial breakthrough in the industry. Initially managed by his mother, who handled early representations and logistics, Bonsall's entry relied heavily on familial encouragement during auditions and transitions. The shift from everyday childhood activities to the rigors of professional child acting presented significant hurdles, including grueling schedules of eight hours daily for six days a week that disrupted normal play and development. Frequent school absences due to filming commitments resulted in expulsions from multiple institutions, exacerbating his desire for a conventional educational routine amid the high-pressure environment of Hollywood sets. His mother expressed ongoing concerns about the physical and mental toll, as the production treated him more like an adult performer than a young child.

Acting career

Television roles

Brian Bonsall gained prominence as a through his role as Andrew "Andy" Keaton, the youngest child in the Keaton family, on the Family Ties from 1986 to 1989. Introduced in season 5 as a aged up from infancy, Bonsall appeared in 75 episodes across seasons 5 through 7, portraying Andy's growth from a precocious preschooler to a mischievous young boy who often provided comic relief and mirrored the intellectual traits of his older brother . His emphasized the evolving family dynamics, injecting youthful energy and into the show's exploration of generational clashes, particularly as Andy navigated school challenges and family traditions like serving as milk monitor at Harper Preschool. Bonsall later took on the recurring role of Rozhenko, the half- son of , in seven episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1992 to 1994, spanning seasons 5 through 7. 's storyline centered on his internal conflict with his Klingon heritage, inherited from his late mother K'Ehleyr, as he grappled with cultural expectations under 's stern guidance; key episodes like "New Ground" depicted 's decision to enroll him in a Klingon training academy to foster warrior instincts, while "" explored a future vision urging toward embracing his Klingon identity more fully. These appearances highlighted themes of identity and father-son bonding in the series' sci-fi narrative, with Bonsall's performance under heavy prosthetic makeup underscoring the character's outsider status aboard the Enterprise. Beyond these lead roles, Bonsall built his reputation as a versatile child performer through guest spots on various television series, such as appearing as a runaway boy in the live-action segment "Little Marios" of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! in 1989 and appearing as Billy in Booker that same year. These diverse parts, including a stint as Andrew Keaton in a crossover episode of Parker Lewis Can't Lose in 1992, showcased his range from animated whimsy to dramatic intensity, helping solidify his presence in 1980s and early 1990s TV landscapes. On set, Bonsall formed memorable connections with co-stars, recalling rides in Michael J. Fox's Ferrari during production, which added a fun, off-script layer to the family-oriented show. For Star Trek: The Next Generation, he described the intensive makeup process—taking hours daily—as a transformative experience, and noted interactions with , who played Commander Riker, that brought levity to the rigorous filming schedule unique to episodic sci-fi television. Bonsall's performances on earned him three Young Artist Awards.

Film roles

Bonsall's transition to feature films in the early 1990s was facilitated by his established visibility from television, particularly his role on , which opened doors to lead and supporting parts in family-oriented and thriller genres. His film debut came in the 1992 psychological Mikey, where he portrayed the , a seemingly innocent nine-year-old boy adopted by a new family after his previous adoptive parents were mysteriously killed. In the story, Mikey's charming facade masks his psychopathic tendencies, leading to a series of murders and manipulations, including a obsessive infatuation with the teenage , as he terrorizes his new neighborhood with weapons like a and . The film received mixed to negative critical reception and currently holds no Tomatometer score on (0% from 4 reviews as of 2025), with contemporary reviews praising Bonsall's dual performance of innocence and menace but criticizing the plot's far-fetched elements and lack of depth. It holds an average user score of 5.7 out of 10 on , reflecting its cult status among horror enthusiasts for its unconventional child antagonist. In 1993, Bonsall appeared in the adventure comedy-drama , directed by and co-starring as a small-time criminal named . Bonsall played Eddie Charles, the rebellious youngest son in Jack's estranged family, who gets kidnapped by his father during a chaotic cross-country flight from the law, forcing the group to confront their fractured relationships amid comedic mishaps and heartfelt bonding moments. The film explores themes of redemption and family reconciliation through its road-trip narrative, with Bonsall's character embodying youthful defiance that evolves into reluctant affection for his flawed parent. Critics largely panned it, with a 10% score highlighting weak scripting and uneven tone, though noted its "genial" chase elements despite the simplicity. The movie's rating stands at 5.0 out of 10, underscoring its modest performance as a mid-tier family drama. Bonsall took on a prominent supporting role in the 1994 Disney family adventure-comedy Blank Check, directed by Rupert Wainwright, where he played Preston Waters, an 11-year-old boy whose bicycle is accidentally destroyed by a fleeing criminal. In the plot, Preston forges a blank check from the crook, cashes it for a million dollars, and embarks on a whirlwind of extravagant spending on luxury items and adventures, all while evading the authorities and romancing an older woman, blending slapstick humor with light-hearted heist tropes. The film has faced recent criticism for its plot elements involving an underage protagonist, with Bonsall addressing the concerns in 2024 interviews, defending it as a product of its time. His performance as the clever, opportunistic kid added charm to the film's kid-centric escapades, though it earned a 9% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes for its predictable storyline and dated production values. After a long hiatus from , Bonsall made a brief return in with a cameo in the indie horror-comedy You're Melting!, directed by James Balsamo, where he portrayed Dr. Love, a quirky character in a tale of a deranged plastic surgeon who shifts from cosmetic enhancements to deadly "death implants" while donning a witch mask. The low-budget film's satirical take on beauty standards and body horror features Bonsall in a limited capacity, contributing to its ensemble of eccentric roles amid melting victims and vengeful antics, as noted in indie reviews for its over-the-top cameos. It garnered a 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb from a small audience sample, appreciated by niche horror fans for its absurd humor despite production constraints.

Music career

Transition from acting

At the age of 13, Brian Bonsall retired from acting in 1995 following his final role in the Lily in Winter, seeking a more ordinary teenage life and an opportunity to explore his growing interest in music. This decision coincided with his family's relocation from to , where he aimed to escape the pressures of Hollywood and focus on personal development away from the public eye. The move to , marked a significant shift toward privacy, as Bonsall enrolled in Boulder High School and distanced himself from the entertainment industry that had defined his early years. However, the abrupt transition from child stardom brought early personal challenges, including emotional difficulties adjusting to life without fame's structure, which contributed to personal challenges, including the onset of in his early 20s as a coping mechanism. During high school in the late , Bonsall began experimenting with music as an outlet, forming the funk-rock band Late Bloomers with friends and performing live shows locally in . He also participated in other early punk bands, such as Thruster and The Light on Adam’s Stereo, laying the groundwork for his subsequent musical endeavors before pursuing more structured projects.

Work with The Ataris

Bonsall joined the band as second guitarist in 2016, marking a significant step in his music career. He contributed to the band's activities during this period, including performances that aligned with their high-energy punk style. In 2017, released the compilation album Silver Turns to Rust, a collection of tracks from prior releases and demos recorded using analog tape on a 1978 Neve 8078 console with vintage equipment to capture an authentic rock sound. While frontman Kris Roe handled primary songwriting duties, Bonsall's role as guitarist supported the band's live promotion of the album. Following the album's release, Bonsall participated in extensive live performances and tours with , including their appearance on the Vans Warped Tour in 2017, where they played fan favorites like "The Boys of Summer" across multiple dates. The band maintained a touring schedule in subsequent years, with Bonsall involved until 2018 before briefly stepping away. Bonsall rejoined The Ataris in 2023 as lead guitarist, contributing to their ongoing activities. This return culminated in the release of the single "Car Song" on May 2, 2025—the band's first new material in eight years—showcasing their continued evolution. Through his time with The Ataris, Bonsall's musical style remained rooted in punk influences, but he expanded into side projects like Bootjack & Bonz, a outfit where he plays guitar and vocals on tracks emphasizing acoustic and narrative-driven songs.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Bonsall married Courtney Tuck on October 21, 2017, marking the anniversary of when they began dating several years earlier. The couple welcomed their son, Oliver, in 2019. The family resides in , where Bonsall has lived since moving there after retiring from acting in his youth. Courtney owns and operates a , allowing Bonsall to serve as a while pursuing his music career. Oliver, who shares his father's interest in music with an eclectic taste including artists like and , often influences the family's daily life. Bonsall integrates his role as a musician—performing with bands such as —into family routines by scheduling shows around Oliver's needs, ensuring tours or gigs remain manageable. In interviews, Bonsall has emphasized prioritizing fatherhood and family stability over professional demands, stating that he is "just focusing on being a dad, playing music, and enjoying my life with the family I love so much." He remains open to selective acting opportunities but views his public persona from child stardom as secondary to his private family life, reflecting on past experiences with a sense of gratitude for the grounded existence he now maintains. In March 2007, Brian Bonsall was arrested in , on charges of second-degree assault and stemming from an incident in which he allegedly poured an alcoholic drink on his sleeping girlfriend's face, placed her in a , and threw her onto a bed when she attempted to leave. Bonsall claimed , alleging the girlfriend had cut him with a knife, though she denied this; he was held in Boulder County Jail following the arrest. He later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in connection with the case and was sentenced to . In December 2009, Bonsall was arrested again in on charges of third-degree assault after allegedly striking his friend Michael Trujillo in the face with a broken wooden stool during an argument at Trujillo's home; both had been drinking heavily, and Bonsall admitted to using "a lot of drugs," which he said sometimes caused memory loss. The arrest also included a failure-to-appear warrant related to a missed date from his 2007 case. He was released on $7,500 bond. In February 2010, Bonsall was arrested in for violating the terms from his 2007 case after testing positive for marijuana during a court-ordered drug screening. In April 2010, he pleaded guilty to menacing and third-degree related to the 2009 incident, as well as the violation; his attorney highlighted Bonsall's long-standing issues and requested entry into an integrated treatment court program. He was sentenced to two years of , 40 hours of , five days in a work-release program at County Jail, and required to write an apology letter to his 2009 victim, with the charge deferred if he complied with conditions. Bonsall has since reflected on these events as tied to his struggles with alcohol and addiction, which began after moving to in the mid-1990s and escalated during a toxic relationship marked by excessive substance use. He described the 2007 assault as "one of the worst things you can do" and credited attending rehab—where he achieved six months of before a —with helping him toward long-term recovery; as of 2025, he reported being sober, married, and a father.

Recent personal challenges

In 2022, Bonsall made a brief return to with a role in the indie You're Melting!, marking a tentative step back into the industry after a long hiatus amid his personal struggles with . This appearance followed his earlier Slaughsages in 2018 and came as part of his broader efforts to rebuild his life following years of challenges. A significant personal ordeal emerged in 2025 when Bonsall publicly disclosed that Nathan Loebe, a man he briefly encountered in jail in 2004, had stolen his identity to impersonate him and perpetrate serial rapes against multiple women. Loebe copied Bonsall's tattoos and used his name to lure victims, leading to his conviction and a 274-year sentence. Bonsall expressed profound guilt over the incident, noting the difficulty in convincing authorities to take his warnings seriously despite providing evidence like matching tattoos. These revelations were detailed in Investigation Discovery's docuseries Hollywood Demons: Child Stars Gone Violent, which aired on March 31, 2025. During the same 2025 interviews, Bonsall reflected on disturbing fan interactions from his Family Ties era, including creepy letters and explicit pictures sent by adult admirers, one of whom was a 30-year-old man writing from . These experiences, which he described as unsettling for a , resurfaced as part of broader discussions on the dark side of early fame. On a positive note, Bonsall has shown signs of ongoing recovery from past , appearing at events like the Santa Fe Comic Con from October 24–26, 2025, where he engaged with fans. Following his earlier legal history tied to substance issues, this participation highlights his progress toward stability.

Professional works

Filmography

Brian Bonsall's acting credits span television series, TV movies, specials, and films, primarily from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, with sporadic appearances thereafter. The following is a chronological list of his roles, categorized by medium for clarity.

Television

Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
1986–1989Andrew "Andy" KeatonRecurring role, 114 episodes
1988Day by DayRoss1 episode: "Weekend at the Oswalds"
1988Andy KeatonTV special
1990Mark Oskowski1 episode: "The Substitute Sister Mystery"
1990The New LassieBrian1 episode: "The Agreement"
1990Matthew1 episode: "Hard Times"
1992The TorkelsonsSteve1 episode: "The Long Goodbye"
1992–1994Star Trek: The Next GenerationAlexander RozhenkoRecurring role, 4 episodes
2025Hollywood DemonsSelf1 episode: "Child Stars Gone Violent"

Television Movies

YearTitleRoleNotes
1988Go Toward the LightZack
1989Do You Know the Muffin Man?Sandy Dollison
1990Mother Goose Rock 'n' RhymeGordon GooseTV special
1990Angel of DeathJosh
1991False ArrestTravis
1994Lily in WinterMichael Towler
1994Father and ScoutSpencer

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1991Crooked HeartsTom
1992MikeyMikey
1993Distant CousinsNorman
1993Father HoodEddie
1994Blank CheckPreston Waters
1994The Little RascalsWaldo
2007Hard LuckKyle
2022You're Melting!Dr. Love
Bonsall took a long hiatus from between 1995 and 2006, followed by limited returns. No significant uncredited appearances are noted in major credits.

Discography

Brian Bonsall joined as lead guitarist in 2016 and contributed to their 2017 Silver Turns to Rust, which features new tracks, demos, covers, and previously unreleased material recorded between 2009 and 2017.

The Ataris

Silver Turns to Rust (2017)

Bonsall is credited as lead guitarist on this release. The full digital track listing is as follows:
No.TitleDuration
1All Souls' Day3:44
2Fast Times at Dropout High5:32
312.15.105:20
44:18
52:16
6They Live, We Sleep3:12
7Trash Panda2:48
8Peel Sessions3:05
9Beauty, Eh?2:35
10Silver Turns to Rust3:22
11Some Notes on Bach and Haydn (Demo)2:28
12You and Your Perfect Li(f)e (Demo)3:15
13Oh, Kansas City2:45
14In a City of Forgotten Words3:10
15Soul and Fire3:30
163:01
The vinyl edition omits tracks 13–16. No additional albums, EPs, or singles with credit Bonsall after Silver Turns to Rust, as he departed in 2018.

Solo and Other Projects

Bonsall has released music under various band names and solo efforts, often handling guitar, vocals, and songwriting. Pre-Ataris recordings include the 2007 EP Colorado Skies with The Light on Adam's Stereo, featuring tracks such as "Restart," "Just Calling to Say Goodbye," and "Never Drinkin' Again." Post-2016 releases include:

Lowjob – We Share EP (2016)

Bonsall served as frontman, guitarist, and vocalist. Track listing:
  1. Twisted Ways
  2. Anger's Ugly Cousin
  3. ICFBT
  4. We Share the Same
  5. Vultures

Sunset Silhouette – Detour EP (2018)

Bonsall is credited as guitarist and vocalist. Track listing:
  1. What in the World (3:36)
  2. Grasping at Straws (4:10)
  3. (3:34)

Sunset Silhouette – Far Beyond Suburbia EP (2019)

Bonsall contributed guitar and vocals. Track listing:
  1. Oxford Road (3:02)
  2. It Had to Be (2:57)
  3. Far Beyond Suburbia (2:38)
  4. Memory Lane (2:45)
Earlier documented projects include the 2015 acoustic EP Vultures with Bootjack & Bonz, where Bonsall played guitar and sang; tracks include "End Result," "Make It Good," "Dead Awake," "Vultures," "Trevor," "By All Means," and "."

Lights in the Sky (2025)

Bonsall contributed to singles with Lights in the Sky. Releases include:
  • "Bad Dream" (October 3, 2025)
  • "Finally Something" (October 10, 2025)
No solo singles or full-length albums by Bonsall are documented beyond these band-affiliated EPs.

Awards and nominations

Brian Bonsall garnered significant early recognition through the Young Artist Awards for his role as Andy Keaton on the NBC sitcom Family Ties. In 1987, he won the award for Best Young Actor Under Ten in a Television Series. The following year, in 1988, Bonsall received the Best Young Actor Under the Age of Ten in a TV Show. He secured a third win in 1989 for Best Young Actor Under Nine Years of Age in a TV Series. Beyond these victories, Bonsall earned a in 1990 for Best Young Actor Starring in a TV Movie, Pilot or Special for his performance in the Do You Know the Muffin Man?. The Young Artist Awards, founded in 1978 by the Youth in Film Association, serve as the entertainment industry's foremost honor for performers under 21, providing a dedicated platform akin to major awards ceremonies but focused exclusively on young talent. These accolades highlighted Bonsall's prominence among child actors during the late . In contrast, Bonsall's later music endeavors, including his tenure as a with the band , have not yielded any formal awards or nominations.

References

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