Brandon Cruz
Brandon Cruz | |
|---|---|
 Brandon Cruz, circa 1969. | |
| Born | Brandon Edwin Williams May 28, 1962 Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer, editor, consultant |
| Known for | The Courtship of Eddie's Father |
| Spouse | Elizabeth "Liz" Finkelstein[1] (div. 2018)[2] |
| Children | 2, including Ruby Cruz |
Brandon Cruz (born Brandon Edwin Williams on May 28, 1962) is an American musician, actor, editor and consultant. He is best known as a child actor for his role as Eddie Corbett, son of widower Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), on the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Cruz is also a punk rock musician, having sung for bands such as Dr. Know and the reunited version of the Dead Kennedys.
Early life
[edit]Cruz was born in Bakersfield, California, U.S., to Mexican-American parents. When he was two months old, the family moved to Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard, California.[3]
Career
[edit]Acting
[edit]At age seven, he auditioned for and won his breakthrough role as Eddie Corbett in the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father, which aired from 1969 to 1972. Co-star Bill 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."[4] Cruz is the last living cast member of the series following co-star Kristina Holland’s death in 2023.
Cruz continued as a child actor for several years following the cancellation 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 reunited him on-screen with Bixby. Cruz also played the role of Joey Turner in the 1976 movie The Bad News Bears.[5]
Music
[edit]Cruz turned his attention to punk rock in the late 1970s, and in 1981 was performing with the hardcore punk band Dr. Know. The group released several records, and after a name change to KNOW, toured Europe in 2017. Cruz also was the lead vocalist with Dead Kennedys from 2001 until 2003.[6] Cruz was interviewed in the documentary 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."[4] Dr. Know still plays shows. They are writing a new album and will tour the world in 2024.
Editing
[edit]Cruz has worked behind-the-scenes in television and film, such as an assistant editor on the animated series South Park.[5][7] He later worked for the United Paramount Network, the Discovery Channel and American Chopper.[8]
Honors and awards
[edit]In 1991, Cruz was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Young Artist Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award for his role as Eddie on The Courtship of Eddie's Father.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Cruz and nurse Elizabeth "Liz" Finkelstein[7][8] were married in 1994. They divorced in 2018. They have a son, Lincoln Bixby Cruz (born 1995), and a daughter, actress Ruby Jean Cruz (born 2000).[10][11] Cruz now works as a consultant to people suffering from addictions and is a practicing Buddhist. A book on his life is in the early stages.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 80 Steps to Jonah | Little Joe | |
| 1969–1972 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father | Eddie Corbett | 73 episodes |
| 1970 | But I Don't Want to Get Married! | Bernard | Television movie |
| 1972 | Gunsmoke | Jimmy Morgan | Episode: "The Drummer" |
| 1972 | Kung Fu | Peter Gideon | Season 1, Episode 1: "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
[edit]- ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
- ^ "'The Courtship of Eddie's Father' star Brandon Cruz says Bill Bixby deserves more recognition in Hollywood". Fox News. January 28, 2019.
- ^ Gross, Ed (September 18, 2019). "'Courtship of Eddie's Father' At 50: Bill Bixby and Others Look Back". Closer Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b "Celebrity Q&A". American Profile. Publishing Group of America. December 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "Brandon Cruz biography". SitcomsOnline.com. 2005. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Brandon Cruz Biography". Flixster.com. 2010. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "Where Are They Now?". TV Guide. January 15, 2002. Archived from the original on January 15, 2002. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "Biographies/Where are they now?". SitcomsOnline.com. 2004. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "13th Annual Youth in Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
- ^ Joanne. "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker". Retrieved September 13, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Brandon Cruz at IMDb
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