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.
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 |
Early life
editCruz 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
editActing
editAt 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
editCruz 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
editCruz 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
editIn 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
editCruz 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