Jonathan Brandis, the teen heartthrob known for his role in Steven Spielberg's seaQuest DSV, died by suicide on November 11, 2003, at the age of 27. His death came after a period of career decline and personal struggles.
Rise to Fame
Brandis's star power was spotted at age two, leading to child modelling contracts. By six, he won a role in One Life To Live. His family relocated to Los Angeles to further his career, and he appeared in shows like The Wonder Years, Full House, and Who's The Boss.
In 1990, he played Bastian Bux in the sequel to The Neverending Story and a young Bill Denbrough in Stephen King's It. Roles in Sidekicks and Ladybugs followed, but his biggest break came when he was cast as Lucas Wolenczak in seaQuest DSV.
Career Decline
At the peak of his fame, Brandis received 4,000 fan letters a week and was voted number one on Seventeen magazine's top 10 sexiest guys. He expressed hopes of transitioning into writing and directing.
However, seaQuest DSV was cancelled in 1994, and Brandis struggled to find roles. He was cast in Hart's War in 2002, but many of his scenes were cut. He also reportedly auditioned for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars but was considered too old.
Final Days and Legacy
His final film was Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, where co-star Harvey Keitel praised him, saying, "This kid is good." Producer Robert Katz recalled, "When we were in the editing room looking at him, we all said, 'This guy's going to have a big career.'"
On November 11, 2003, a friend found Brandis dead in his Hollywood apartment. He was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center but could not be saved. His death was ruled a suicide, with no note left.
His mother, Mary, later said, "He wanted to be with us. We knew something was wrong. We knew something was weighing on him, but we didn't know what it was or how bad it was." His father, Gregory, spoke about mental illness, saying, "In a sad way, he was probably bipolar. I look back now, and in his 20s, he showed signs of manic depression."
In 2021, Soleil Moon Frye's documentary Kid90 featured voicemails from Brandis, highlighting his friendship. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 in the UK. Call Samaritans free on 116 123.
