Jonathan Gregory Brandis (April 13, 1976 – November 12, 2003) was an American film and television actor, the only child of Greg and Mary Brandis of Danbury, Connecticut.
He received his first starring role in Michael Ende's The NeverEnding Story II, and went on to appear primarily in television roles. Of these, he is most famous for his portrayal of scientific prodigy Lucas Wolenczak in Steven Spielberg's futuristic science fiction series seaQuest DSV.
During his lifetime he was romantically linked to Tatyana Ali, Heather McComb, Vinessa Shaw, Monica Keena. He accompanied actress Brittany Murphy to their high school prom.
He expressed an interest in moving his career towards more directing work rather than acting, although he had auditioned for the role of Anakin Skywalker in George Lucas' Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Jonathan Brandis died on November 12, 2003, by suicide. He was 27 years old. The Los Angeles Police Department released a statement regarding his death, as follows:
On November 11, 2003, at about 11:40 p.m., a friend of Jonathan Brandis called police to report that the actor had attempted suicide at his apartment, located in the 600 block of Detroit Avenue. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported Brandis to Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he eventually died from his injuries. Brandis was pronounced dead by hospital staff on November 12, 2003, at about 2:45 p.m." (LAPD press release) He apparently hanged himself.
Filmography
111 Gramercy Park (2003) (TV) .... Will Karnegian
Puerto Vallarta Squeeze (2003) .... Agent Neil Weatherford
The Year That Trembled (2002) .... Casey Pedersen
Hart's War (2002) .... Pvt. Lewis P. Wakely
A Fate Totally Worse Than Death (2000) .... Drew
Ride with the Devil (1999/I) .... Cave Wyatt
Outside Providence (1999) .... Mousy
Two Came Back (1997) (TV) .... Jason
Fall Into Darkness (1996) (TV) .... Chad
Born Free: A New Adventure (1996) (TV) .... Randal 'Rand' Everett Thompson
Her Last Chance (1996) (TV) .... Preston
Good King Wenceslas (1994) (TV) .... Prince Wenceslas
SeaQuest DSV (1993) TV Series .... Lucas Wolenczak
Aladdin (1993/I) TV Series (voice) .... Mozenrath
Sidekicks (1992) .... Barry Gabrewski
Ladybugs (movie) (1992) .... Matthew/Martha
Our Shining Moment (1991) (TV) .... Michael 'Scooter' McGuire
Stephen King's It (1990) (TV) .... William 'Stuttering Bill' Denbrough (age 12)
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) .... Bastian Bux
Ghost Dad (1990) (voice) .... Additional Voices
Stepfather II (1989) .... Todd Grayland
Oliver & Company (1988) (voice) .... Additional Voice
The Wrong Guys (1988) .... Kid Tim
Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987) (TV) .... Lance as Age 11
Fatal Attraction (1987) .... Party Guest
Mystery Magical Special (1986) (TV) .... Jonathan
One Life to Live (1986) TV Series .... Young Kevin Riley Buchanan (1982)