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One of the most memorable child stars from the ’80s and ’90s would have turned 50 years old this month, if he hadn’t died at only 27 years old. Here is a look back at the life, career, death, and legacy of Jonathan Brandis, an actor who truly was beloved and is still missed.
Who Was Jonathan Brandis
Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Jonathan Brandis was born in Danbury, Connecticut, on April 13, 1976, which means he would have turned 50 years old on April 13, 2026. He was signed by a child modeling agency and began appearing in TV commercials when he was a young child. Ultimately, he would become a TV and movie star who was also a teen idol. According to a People article about his passing, he was receiving 4,000 pieces of fan mail per week in 1994. It also stated that he needed “three studio security guards to steer him through the hordes of female admirers at Orlando’s Universal Studios.”
A professional actor for more than two decades, Brandis starred in a long list of projects during his Hollywood career. Most notably, he starred in the Steven Spielberg-produced series seaQuest DSV and the TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’sIt. He also headlined movies like The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, Ladybugs, and Sidekicks, among others. Between those roles and more, he became an unforgettable part of many childhoods.
People’s article went on to detail that by the early 2000s, his acting career had slowed down, and he began drinking heavily. On November 11, 2003, at 11:40 p.m., Brandis was found in a Los Angeles apartment hallway, and he died the next day as a result of suicide. For a long time, fans linked his passing to his career downturn. However, his father, Greg Brandis, told People in 2021 that the perception was wrong.
“Jonathan was very smart, and he was very polite and always easygoing. [His death] wasn’t due to the entertainment industry. I look back now, and in his 20s, he showed signs of manic depression. I hope that anyone suffering can go get help. I talk to him, and it makes me smile. I get the feeling he’s looking down at me.”
Some of Brandis’ peers have also revealed the impact he had on them, including Soleil Moon Frye, who praised him as a “real friend” in 2021. “I found so many voicemails Jonathan left me when we were kids. Some of them were 10 minutes long, his innermost thoughts. It just made me cry listening to them. He was a real friend.” Similar to his father, Frye said that she still felt Brandis in her life. “I feel him around more than ever, and I carry his memories with me.”
On April 13, 2026, Jason Marsdenpaid tribute to Brandis on what would have been the actor’s 50th birthday. “Today, you would have turned 50. Our friendship was tumultuous, but boy, did I love ya and still wonder, quite often, what sort of art you would’ve contributed to our field if you had decided to continue living. Mr. and Mrs. B, I think about you guys all the time. To Jon’s friends, fam, and fans – big hugs today.” The post was notably liked by another former child star from the ’90s, Danica McKellar.
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Based on how the people who knew Brandis talk or write about him, it seems extremely clear that his passing was a tragedy for his loved ones. There is also no doubt that he left a major mark on legions of fans who still look back at his roles with affection.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Next: Three ’90s Icons Are Teaming Up for a Massive Summer Tour
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