Brian Bonsall

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.

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 The film was initially passed uncut by the British Board of Film Classification, but its certificate was withdrawn by James Ferman in the wake of the Bulger killing.

Bonsall is known for playing Alexander Rozhenko, son of Star Trek: The Next Generations 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.

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.

In 2016, Bonsall became a member and toured with rock band The Ataris. 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".

In October 2017, Bonsall married Courtney Tuck. Together, they have a son.

Legal issues 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.

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

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.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1986–1989 Family TiesAndrew "Andy" Keaton 78 episodes1988 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 MichaelTelevision 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 Charles1994 Blank Check Preston Waters Father and Scout MichaelTelevision movie Lily in Winter Michael Towler 2018 Slaughsages Bonz Short film 2022 You're Melting! Dr. Love Discography The Ataris Silver Turn to Rust (2017)

Awards and nominations