Brian Bonsall, born in the United States, is not only a rock singer and guitarist but also a former child actor. He initially garnered acclaim for his role as Andrew Keaton in the NBC sitcom “Family Ties.”
However, his fame skyrocketed when he embraced the character of Alexander Rozhenko in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” portraying the son of Worf and K’ehleyr.
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Brian Bonsall Profile Summary
| Full Name | Brian Eric Bonsall |
| Date of Birth | December 3, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Torrance, California, USA |
| Age | 41 years (as of 2023) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Courtney Tuck |
| Profession | Actor, Musician |
| Net Worth | $5,000 |
Biography
Brian Bonsall, an accomplished American rock musician, singer, and guitarist, rose to prominence early in his life as a child actor. Originally from Torrance, California, Brian embarked on his acting journey at the remarkable age of 4, marking his debut in the sitcom ‘Family Ties in 1986.
His portrayal of ‘Andy Keaton’ in the series not only earned him recognition but also secured three ‘Young Artist Awards,’ solidifying his reputation as an exceptionally talented young actor.
With his early achievements in acting, Brian ventured into pivotal roles in subsequent series such as ‘Day by Day,’ ‘Booker,’ and ‘On the Television.’ In 1989, he garnered widespread acclaim for his performance in the TV film ‘Do You Know the Muffin Man?’ and received a ‘Young Artist Award’ nomination in acknowledgment of his talent.
In 1992, Brian embarked on another significant role, portraying ‘Alexander Rozhenko’ in the series ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation.’ However, by 1995, he decided to step away from the world of acting as his family relocated to Colorado.
Since then, Brian has ardently pursued a career in music, actively participating in tours with various artists and bands throughout the years.
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Brian Bonsall’s Childhood Background And Early Life
Brian Bonsall entered this world on December 3, 1981, in Torrance, California, born to Garth and Kathleen Bonsall. His mother, who had a modest career as an actor in Hollywood, played an active role in supporting Brian’s early venture into the entertainment industry.
She diligently accompanied him to auditions and distributed his photos to various talent agents, ultimately leading to Brian’s debut in acting at a remarkably young age of 4.
Throughout his formative years, Brian adeptly balanced his burgeoning acting career with his pursuit of education. However, as he transitioned into his teenage years, a compelling passion for a musical career began to take root within him. Brian diligently honed his guitar-playing skills and ventured into songwriting.
By the time Brian reached his early teens, he had contemplated relinquishing his acting pursuits entirely. He gradually distanced himself from the realm of acting and redirected his focus toward playing in musical bands. A transformative moment occurred when his family relocated to Colorado, further fueling Brian’s transition from acting to a full-fledged music career.
Brian successfully completed his high school education at ‘Boulder High School’ in Boulder, Colorado. During his school years, he fully embraced his identity as a musician and actively participated in his own band, known as ‘Late Bloomers.’
Brian Bonsall’s Career
Brian’s journey in the world of entertainment began at the incredibly young age of 4 when he made his acting debut in the beloved sitcom ‘Family Ties.’ The show, one of the most successful American sitcoms of all time, featured Brian as ‘Andrew Keaton,’ the youngest member of the central Keaton family.
His portrayal earned him significant acclaim. He made his debut appearance in the fifth season of the series in 1986 and quickly became a recurring cast member. The show’s success garnered Brian three ‘Young Artist Awards,’ one for each consecutive year from 1988 to 1990. His role in the sitcom concluded in 1989.
In November 1988, Brian took on the pivotal role of ‘Andy Keaton’ in a ‘Disney’ TV special titled ‘Mickey’s 60th Birthday.’ The same year, he appeared as ‘Zack’ in the TV film ‘Go Toward the Light’ and made a cameo appearance in the TV series ‘Day by Day.’
In 1989, he secured his first major breakthrough role, starring in the TV film ‘Do You Know the Muffin Man?’ where he portrayed ‘Teddy Dollison,’ earning a ‘Young Artist Award’ nomination. During the same year, he made cameo appearances in two series, ‘On the Television’ and ‘Booker.’
The year 1990 saw Brian’s involvement in the ‘Disney’ TV film ‘Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme,’ featuring him as ‘Michael.’ He also played a supporting role in the TV film ‘Angel of Death’ and made a cameo appearance in the series ‘Married People.’
Brian commenced 1991 with an episode of the TV series ‘The Young Riders,’ titled ‘Old Scores.’ In the same year, he starred in two episodes of the crime-drama series ‘Shades of L.A.’ He also featured as part of the cast in the TV film ‘False Arrest’ and made a cameo appearance in an episode of the series ‘Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,’ titled ‘Civil Wars.’
The turning point in Brian’s career arrived in 1992 when he landed the role of ‘Alexander Rozhenko’ in seven episodes of the legendary TV series ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ spanning from 1992 to 1994. His first appearance in the series was intended to be a cameo but was transformed into a recurring role due to the character’s popularity, despite initial concerns about his age.
Around this time, after approximately a decade of acting, Brian transitioned into the world of films. In 1992, he made his film debut with the leading role of ‘Michael “Mikey” Holt’ in the horror-thriller film ‘Mikey.’ The film featured Brian as a young child adopted by a different family after the death of his first adoptive family. Although the film faced critical and commercial challenges, Brian’s performance was notable.
In 1993, Brian portrayed ‘Alex Sullivan’ in the film ‘Distant Cousins’ and played ‘Eddie Charles in the film ‘Father Hood,’ despite the latter receiving mixed reviews.
The year 1994 brought Brian the leading role of ‘Preston Waters’ in the film ‘Blank Check,’ a comedy film that faced criticism but achieved moderate box-office success. Concurrently, he played ‘Michael Paley’ in the TV film ‘Father and Scout.’ His final acting role was in the 1994 TV film ‘Lily in Winter,’ after which he made the decision to retire from acting for good.
Brian’s family’s permanent move to Colorado played a significant role in his retirement from acting, as did his growing passion for music. During his high school years, he co-founded a band called ‘Late Bloomers’ with friends, marking the beginning of his musical journey. The funk-rock band performed at live shows and various venues, igniting Brian’s deep love for music.
Over the years, he collaborated with several bands, including ‘Thruster’ and ‘The Light on Adam’s Stereo.’ In 2016, Brian joined the popular band ‘The Ataris as a guitarist, taking his musical career to new heights.
Legal Troubles
Brian Bonsall faced a series of legal issues over the years:
- On March 28, 2007, he was arrested on charges of assaulting his girlfriend and later received a two-year probation sentence on August 31, 2007.
- On December 7, 2009, Bonsall was arrested again, this time for third-degree assault and failure to appear in connection with the 2007 assault on his girlfriend.
- In February 2010, he was arrested once more, this time for charges related to the use of marijuana, which violated the terms of his release. He received a two-year probation sentence in April 2010.
Personal Life
Brian is married to Courtney Tuck, and they exchanged vows on October 21, 2017. Their family grew in August 2019 when they welcomed their first son, whom they named Oliver.
