 |
Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton in "Family Ties". Source: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095176/ (May be subject to copyright) |
That boy was played by Brian Bonsall, who would go on to play another memorable character on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” for a completely different reason.
It was Brian Bonsall’s birthday a few days ago, and I could not help but think about “Family Ties”, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and what became of the child actor since then.
Baby bonus
When “Family Ties” debuted, much was made of Stephen and Elyse Keaton, the parents played by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter, being liberal and old hippies, clashing with their young Republican conservative son Alex, played by Michael J. Fox. The Keatons also had two daughter, Mallory, played by Justine Bateman, who was into clothes, music and boys; and Jennifer, played by Tina Yothers, who was a tomboy.
When “Family Ties” debuted, much was made of Stephen and Elyse Keaton, the parents played by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter, being liberal and old hippies, clashing with their young Republican conservative son Alex, played by Michael J. Fox. The Keatons also had two daughter, Mallory, played by Justine Bateman, who was into clothes, music and boys; and Jennifer, played by Tina Yothers, who was a tomboy.
And that was the structure of the family for the first two seasons of the show. Then Elyse got pregnant in the third season, I believe because Meredith Baxter actually got pregnant and the writers wrote that into the show. Ultimately, she had a baby they named Andrew in the fourth season.
However, when the fifth season started, Andrew was no longer a baby but a little boy, and he would remain with the show right to end, through seasons six and seven.
Andrew was played by Brian Bonsall. It was his first ever acting role, which he played from 1986 to 1989.
Unfortunately, by the time he joined the cast, my high school life got busier and I watched less and less TV. Plus, “Family Ties” moved from Thursday nights to Sunday nights, a time I did other things too. So, I really do not have a lot of memories of Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton.
 |
Brian Bonsall as Alexander Rozhenko in "Star Trek: The Next Generation". Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/mediaviewer/rm2444824320/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Bonsall continued to act in fikm, and a few guest spots in TV movies and shows such as “The Young Riders” and “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”.
Then in 1992, lightning struck twice for Brian Bonsall. He landed the role of Alexander Rozhenko, the young son of Klingon Starfleet officer Worf.
It was another role of the son of a very interesting family.
Bonsall did a very good job as Alexander, playing a boy caught between two worlds – human and Klingon. Initially he lives among humans on Earth, with the same Russian couple who took care of Worf when he was orphaned. Then he goes to live with Worf on the Starship Enterprise. Worf tries to teach his son the ways of the Klingon warrior, but Alexander bristles at that, driving his father crazy when he whines, “I don’t want to be a warrior.”
Quite frankly, I did not even initially make the connection that Brian Bonsall was playing Alexander. After all he was older and under some pretty heavy Klingon make up.
It was quite the departure from playing the youngest Keaton.
Brian Bonsall played Alexander Rozhenko for seven episodes, from 1992 to 1994. Somehow it always seemed like a lot more, but that may have been because he just seemed like part of the family.
I guess he had strong family ties with Worf.
The years after
Brian Bonsall acted until 1994, but stopped there, at the age of 13. It is hard to believe, but Wikipedia reveals he graduated high school in 2000. He became a musician, something he does to this day. He also had some run-ins with the law, charged with assaulting his girlfriend, and battled substance use. He got married in 2017, and had a son in 2019.
Brian Bonsall acted until 1994, but stopped there, at the age of 13. It is hard to believe, but Wikipedia reveals he graduated high school in 2000. He became a musician, something he does to this day. He also had some run-ins with the law, charged with assaulting his girlfriend, and battled substance use. He got married in 2017, and had a son in 2019.
Parting thoughts
It is hard to believe Brian Bonsall is just 42 years old. It seems so long ago that he played Andrew Keaton. That image of him as a little boy is frozen in time. Yet at the same time, because he was so young, he hasn’t aged to the extent Michael J. Fox and the others have. That’s why it is had to believe he is just 42.
It is hard to believe Brian Bonsall is just 42 years old. It seems so long ago that he played Andrew Keaton. That image of him as a little boy is frozen in time. Yet at the same time, because he was so young, he hasn’t aged to the extent Michael J. Fox and the others have. That’s why it is had to believe he is just 42.
Still, whenever I think of him, the first thought that comes to mind is how his character went from baby to five years of age in the blink of an eye.
Talk about rapid aging.
No comments:
Post a Comment