Jonathan Brandis was 17 years old when he was sign by SeaQuest DSV to be the star of season one. Steven Spielberg was executive producer.

The blue-eyed, frizzy-haired teenager was an instant success, and became a teen heartthrob. He is often feature on the covers of fan favorite magazines.

While many Gen-Xers or elder millennials may not be able to recall his work, they will still remember his name as well as his face.

Jonathan Brandis: Watch the panel discuss suicide and grief. Continue reading below.

SeaQuest’s initial success was halted by Brandis, who turn 20 in 1996. The TV show was cancelled halfway through its third season.

Brandis was a teenager heartthrob who grew into a young man. He struggled to find meaningful roles after allegedly battling with alcohol and drug addiction. In 2003, Brandis committed suicide.

He was only 27 years old.

Soleil Moon Frye, a 90s teen star, spoke with People Magazine about their friendship in 2021 following the release of Kid90.

Frye, 46 said that she found so many voicemails Jonathan had left her when we were children. She told People Magazine about how she went through old video and diaries to research the documentary.

“Some of them were ten minutes long, his innermost thoughts. They made me weep listening to them. He was a true friend.”

Frye, who was part of the same Hollywood young actors circle in the 1990s felt guilty for not realising Brandis’ struggles.

“How often do you really look at your partner and say, ‘How’? Listen to what another person is saying. “I realized that I wasn’t listening as well as I should.

Jonathan Brandis: Brandis began acting at the age of six with a role on a US soap opera called One Life To Live.

He was the only child Greg and Mary Brandis, who encouraged their son to pursue modeling and commercial work when he was nine years old.

After playing a variety of roles on TV shows like The Wonder Years or Who’s The Boss?, Brandis was cast as Bastian Bux in The NeverEnding Story II – The Next Chapter.

It was followed by a part in Steven King’s TV adaptation, IT. Then came two leads in the comedy films Sidekicks, with Chuck Norris, and Ladybugs, with Rodney Dangerfield.

In 1995, Brandis began dating Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali. Brandis was quoted by People Magazine 1996 as saying that he loves Tatyana Ali tremendously in an interview. After three years of being together, Brandis and Brandis split in 1998.

Brandis was reputed to have enjoy a fame that is normally reserve for rock stars at the height of his fame.

Rolling Stone Magazine says, “He became an instant hero, receiving thousands upon thousands of fan mails and causing public pandemonium that nearly resembled Beatlemania.”

According to OC Weekly, “Three security officers had to escort he through the screaming girls that staked out SeaQuest at Universal Studios in Orlando. The editor of Tiger Beat put his on the cover eight of twelve issues.”

Brandis stated, “I have never seen myself as this – a teen magazine child.” “As an actor, it is your hope to keep working.”

Brandis lost his roles. He was hopeful of a return in Hart’s War, a blockbuster starring Bruce Willis, Colin Farrell, but almost all of his scenes were cut. OC Weekly described Brandis as “depressed.”

Brandis was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment one year after Hart’s War was released. Brandis was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but died the next day.

Tatyana Ali, Tatyana’s ex-girlfriend, has not spoken out about his tragic death publicly. However she did ask during an interview if his meteoric rise and subsequent fall were to blame.

“When you have been featured on the covers of magazines for many years, what is your identity?” Ali said it, according to reports.

Greg Brandis, the actor’s father, speculated that his son, who is smart, polite and easygoing, may have been suffering from a mental illness.

“His death wasn’t cause by the entertainment industry. Now that I think back, I see that he was in his 20s when he began to show signs of manic depression. I wish that everyone suffering from manic depression can get help.”

“I feel like he’s looking down on me.”

If you believe you might be suffering from depression or other mental health problems, please consult your doctor. In Australia, you can also contact Lifeline 13 14 for support. Beyondblue is available at 1300 22 4636.

Mamamia’s Family writer is Laura Jackel. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok to get links to her articles as well as photos of her kids’ outfits.

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