Jonathan Brandis's Real Name: Jonathan Brandis

Quick answer: The actor known as Jonathan Brandis is documented under that professional name in contemporary obituaries. Variety says he was born in Danbury, Connecticut. He died on November 12, 2003, in Los Angeles, at age 27 (Variety; CBS News/AP).

Real name and early life

He was known professionally as Jonathan Brandis. Fuller given names sometimes listed on fan and database sites are not used in the Variety or CBS News/Associated Press accounts and are not repeated in the title here. Variety says he was born in Danbury, Connecticut, began modeling at age two, was performing in television commercials by age five, and at six landed a recurring role on One Life to Live. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was nine, Variety records, after which he appeared as a guest on L.A. Law, Who's the Boss, Full House, and Blossom.

Career highlights

His first starring film role, Variety says, was in The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter; CBS News, relaying an Associated Press report, likewise lists that 1991 film among his early credits. Variety says he went on to star in Ladybugs (1992) and Sidekicks. Both sources highlight his role as the young computer specialist Lucas Wolenczak on NBC's seaQuest DSV, which Variety dates to 1993–95 and CBS News describes as two seasons of the Steven Spielberg-produced series. Variety adds later credits including The Year That Trembled, 111 Gramercy Park, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, and Hart's War, and says that at the peak of his popularity Tiger Beat voted him its top dreamboat. It records that he was survived by his parents.

Death

Variety reported that he died on November 12 at his home in Los Angeles, at age 27, and that the cause was under investigation; the Los Angeles County coroner's office, Variety said, had reported the case as a possible suicide. CBS News, citing the coroner's office in an AP account, likewise dates the death to November 12, 2003, and says police had reported it as a possible suicide, with the official cause still under investigation at the time of those reports.

Name notes for searchers

Jonathan Brandis is the documented professional name used by Variety and by CBS News/AP. Searchers looking for Lucas Wolenczak on seaQuest DSV or for the star of The NeverEnding Story II are usually aiming at the same person.