Jonathan Brandis, the teen heartthrob known for seaQuest DSV and The NeverEnding Story II, died by suicide at the age of 27 in 2003. His career had faded after his television series was cancelled, despite early success and fame.
Early Stardom and Breakthrough Roles
Brandis's talent was recognized at age two, and he was discovered by scouts, leading to child modelling contracts. He appeared in TV commercials and, at six, landed the role of Kevin Buchanan in One Life To Live. His family moved to Los Angeles for more opportunities, and he went on to appear in The Wonder Years, Full House, and Who's The Boss.
In 1990, he played Bastian Bux in Neverending Story II and a young Bill Denbrough in Stephen King's It. He also starred in Sidekicks and Ladybugs before landing the role of Lucas Wolenczak in Steven Spielberg's seaQuest DSV. At the height of his fame, he received 4,000 fan letters a week and was voted number one on Seventeen magazine's top 10 sexiest guys.
Career Decline and Struggles
In a 1994 interview, Brandis expressed hopes of transitioning to writing and directing. However, after seaQuest DSV was cancelled in 1994, he struggled to find roles. He landed a part in Bad Girls from Valley High, but the project was shelved and released on DVD in 2005, after his death.
In 2002, he was cast in Hart's War with Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell, but most of his scenes were cut. He was also rumoured to have auditioned for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, but was considered too old. His final film, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, earned praise from co-star Harvey Keitel, who told producer Robert Katz that Brandis had a promising future.
Death and Aftermath
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, and he left no note. His mother, Mary, later said they knew something was wrong but not how bad it was. His father, Gregory, spoke about his son's possible manic depression and urged anyone suffering to seek help.
In 2021, Soleil Moon Frye's documentary Kid90 featured voicemails Brandis left her as a child, highlighting his inner thoughts. If you or anyone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 in the UK. Call Samaritans for free from any phone on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch.
