The popularity of the famous American director, screenwriter and actor Jonathan Brandis was brought by the films "The Endless Story-2", "It", "Side Kicks", "Underwater Odyssey".
Jonathan was born in 1976 in Danbury to Gregory and Mary Brandis. His father was in the grocery sales and fire brigade. The mother was a personal manager and teacher.
Childhood and youth
From an early age, the father taught his son to work. It was the parent who became the main inspiration for Jonathan. As soon as the boy was six, his career began.
At the very beginning, he starred for a commercial radio program and several television commercials. This was followed by a debut role in the television series "One Life". In the film, Brandis got the role of the young Buchanan.
After the child was nine years old, the whole family moved to Los Angeles to develop his further film career. In a short time, the boy played small roles in a number of TV shows "Kate and Ellie", "Who's the boss here?" and Full House. The talented young actor also took part in the television series Los Angeles Law.
Brandis performed his first leading role in 1990. In the movie, the boy played Bastian Bucks. The hero went to the magic kingdom of Fantasy to help the inhabitants of the fairy world.
In the same year, Jonathan was offered to perform Denbrough in the film "It". The tape was an adaptation of the horror book by Stephen King.
A couple of years later, Brandis starred alongside the famous Chuck Norris in the film Side Kicks. A little later, Joe appeared in the film "Ladybugs", where comedian Rodney Dangerfield became his partner.
Recognition and glory
After the release of Steven Spielberg's science fiction series "The Odyssey Underwater", Brandis gained immense popularity and the award for Best Young Actor.
He perfectly embodied the image of Lucas Volanchek on the screen. Joe turned after filming into the idol of teenagers all over the planet.
The young actor auditioned for the film Star Wars by George Lucas. He was promised the role of Anakin Skywalker in the second episode of the saga. However, Hayden Christensen beat Brandis.
The young man tried his hand not only in the field of the performer. He realized himself as a director, wrote scripts for films. The latter was to the taste of the young talent most of all.
He was especially carried away by writing in the last years of his life. The Slainesville Boys short film was directed by Brandis shortly before his death.
During his studies, Jonathan met with Brittany Murphy, famous for her acting in the films Sin City and 8 Mile. It was she who became his companion at the prom. Brittany, along with Brandis, subsequently participated in The Underwater Odyssey.
From 1995 to 1997, the young man spent time with actress and singer Tanya Ali. Since 2000, he began an affair with his partner on the set of Bad Girls from the High Valley, Monica Keena.
Death
Brandis was taken to Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on November 12, 2003. There, doctors recorded his death. Suicide was recognized as the cause of the death of the talented performer and screenwriter.
He did not leave a note, but friends confirmed the actor's stay in the deepest depression lately. He drank regularly. All this could well have sparked the idea of leaving the world.
On November 11, Jonathan was found hanged in his own apartment in the hallway. Found him a quarter of an hour after the suicide.
Brandis was sent to the hospital while still alive. However, the doctors were unable to save him. The toxicological study showed that on the tragic day the actor did not take drugs or alcohol. Brandis did not live to see the premiere of his picture for six months.
He never saw the debut of the short film. After the untimely departure of the talented performer, many sites and communities dedicated to him appeared. According to the will of the actor himself, he was cremated, and the ashes were handed over to his family.
Possible causes of the tragedy
Jonathan Brandis passed away too early. However, he managed to leave a legacy of bright works and a whole army of fans of his work around the world. It would seem that there were no problems in his life: the only and beloved child in the family, a brilliant education, excellent prospects.
While still a teenager, Jonathan took up directing seriously. With friends in the lead roles, he shot several films on his home camera. Brandis was distinguished by the utmost tact and politeness with everyone. He was adored by the fans and paid them in return. Everything changed suddenly.
To survive in the world of show business, you need to be thick-skinned. Not everyone is able to grow such a skin. Particularly vulnerable are those who enter the sparkling world at an early age.
From a successful boy, a girl's favorite, Jonathan within a few years turned into a rather complex person. He became depressed, lost touch with reality, and became addicted to drinking.
It is not known what led to the tragedy. It is likely that the growing ambitions of the young talent were not satisfied. As a result, he wanted to punish those around him for not seeing him.
The enchanting success of the child was replaced by a difficult adult life. The young man could not withstand such a transition.
The second likely cause is unhappy love. According to some versions, Brandis was rejected by a black girl. Only Jonathan himself could confirm or deny all the rumors. And even then, only if he stayed alive.
If he had not been left alone with his thoughts, things might have turned out differently. But lately he was very afraid of becoming a mediocrity. Jonathan believed that the worst thing that can happen to a performer is participation in mediocre projects.
