Brandon Cruz
| Brandon Cruz | |
|---|---|
|
Brandon Cruz, circa 1969. | |
| Born |
Brandon Edwin Cruz May 28, 1962 Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, musician, recovery specialist |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Known for | The Courtship of Eddie's Father |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth ( née Finkelstein) (1994-present) |
Brandon Edwin Cruz (born May 28, 1962) is an American actor best known for his role as Eddie Corbett, son of widower Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby) on the comedy-drama The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Cruz is also a punk rock musician, and works in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a recovery specialist.
Early life and career
Cruz was born in Bakersfield, California, and moved to Silver Strand Beach in Ventura County, California, with his family at the age of 2 months. At age five he auditioned for, and won, his breakthrough role as Eddie Corbett in the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father, which aired on ABC from 1969 to 1972. Bixby and Cruz spent considerable time together, especially when the show was on hiatus, prompting Cruz to tell American Profile magazine, "Bill Bixby was like my second father." [1]
Cruz continued as a child actor for several years following the demise of The Courtship of Eddie's Father with a number of guest appearances in television shows like Kung Fu, Gunsmoke, and The Incredible Hulk—which once again reunited him on-screen with Bixby. Cruz also played the role of Joey Turner, the Yankees pitcher, in the 1976 movie The Bad News Bears.[2]
Cruz turned his attention to music in the 1980s, performing with a hardcore punk band Dr. Know. The group released several records before dissolving in 2012. Cruz also served as lead vocalist with Dead Kennedys from 2001 until 2003.[3] Cruz was interviewed in the documentary film American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock, 1980–1986. Reflecting on life after being a child star, which has brought tragedy to so many others, Cruz told American Profile, "Surfing and punk rock probably saved my life."[1]
In 1991, Cruz was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for his role as "Eddie" on The Courtship of Eddie's Father,[4] and has subsequently returned to occasional acting roles. He has also worked behind-the-scenes in television as an assistant editor on the animated series South Park, among other shows.[2]
In the 1990s, Cruz was said to have been active in A Minor Consideration, a support group for child actors and former child actors founded by Paul Petersen.[5][6][7] As of April, 2013, Cruz is working in the drug and alcohol field in Southern California.[8][9]
Personal life
Cruz has been married since June 1994 to actress Liz Cruz.[10] They are the parents of a son and daughter. His son's middle name, Bixby, is in honor of Cruz's co-star and friend.[2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 80 Steps to Jonah | Little Joe | |
| 1985 | Mixed Blood | Jose | Alternative title: Cocaïne |
| 1970 | But I Don't Want to Get Married! | Bernard | Television movie |
| 1969 to 1972 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father | Eddie Corbett | 73 episodes |
| 1972 | Gunsmoke | Jimmy Morgan | Episode: "The Drummer" |
| 1972 | Kung Fu | Peter Gideon | Episode: "King of the Mountain" |
| 1973 | Medical Center | Mooch | Episode: "Night Cry" |
| 1973 | The Going Up of David Lev | David | Television movie |
| 1973 | Love, American Style | Ernie | Segment "Love and the Unsteady Steady" |
| 1974 | Family Theatre: Married Is Better | Television movie | |
| 1974 | Police Story | Victor Rollins | Episode: "Cop in the Middle" |
| 1974 | Doc Elliot | Robert Wells | Episode: "A Time to Grow" |
| 1976 | The Bad News Bears | Joey Turner | |
| 1976 | Jeremiah of Jacob's Neck | Clay Rankin | Television movie |
| 1976 | ABC Afterschool Special | Benny Singleton | Episode: "Mighty Moose and the Quarterback Kid" |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Sherman | |
| 1978 | The Incredible Hulk | Kevin | Episode: "747" |
| 1995 | Safe | Steve | |
| 1997 | Jesus Rides Shotgun | Chintz | |
| 1998 | Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | Episode: "The Card Game" | |
| 2004 | Eddie's Father | Slice | |
| 2012 | The Lords of Salem | Ted Delta |
References
- 1 2 American Profile magazine. Celebrity Q&A, December 27, 2011. Publishing Group of America.
- 1 2 3 "Brandon Cruz biography". Sitcoms Online.com. 2005. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
- ↑ "Brandon Cruz Biography". Flixster.com. 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
- ↑ "13th Annual Youth in Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
- ↑ "Ask The Globe - What ever became of Brandon Cruz?". The Boston Globe. March 23, 1995.
- ↑ Ralph Blumenthal (September 6, 1997). "A Minor Consideration - Former Child Stars Join Together". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ↑ "Dead Kennedys Official Webpage - Brandon Cruz". DeadKennedys.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- ↑ Steve Rothaus (October 23, 2011). "Brandon Cruz keeps alive memory of "Eddie's Father," Bill Bixby". The Miami Herald.
- ↑ Mark Voger (October 27, 2011). "Brandon Cruz interview: 'Courtship of Eddie's Father' star". The Star-Ledger.
- ↑ "Weddings of the Year". People. 42 (4). July 25, 1994.