Jonathan Brandis RIP

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Jonathan Brandis, who gained popularity as the young adult star of "seaQuest DSV" and "Ladybugs," died last week at the age of 27.
The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirms to Zap2it.com that Jonathan Gregory Brandis died on Wednesday, Nov. 12. It was reported as a possible suicide and while an autopsy has been completed, official information has been deferred pending results of tests ordered at the time of examination.

Brandis was born in Danbury, Connecticut in 1976. He made appearances on "L.A. Law," "Full House" and "Who's the Boss" before getting his big breaks with "The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter" and the telefilm "Stephen King's It."

"He was the kind of actor that I love to work with, a smart actor," recalls "seaQuest" creator Rockne S. O'Bannon. "He was someone you could talk to. I remember sitting with him and examining scenes. He understood the scenes from a structural point of view. He wasn't coming at it just from an actor's point of view, just a really bright guy."
As Lucas Wolenczek on "seaQuest," Brandis developed a large fan base and was a prominent figure in teen magazines. That acclaim has spread onto the Internet, where word of the actor's death has prompted a torrent of tributes from fans, even as the mainstream media has failed to cover it. The Coroner's office has faced extensive public interest in the case.

"I'm shocked," O'Bannon adds. "It's a shame."

One of the actor's last projects was the independent film "The Year that Trembled," co-starring Fred Willard, Martin Mull and Henry Gibson. The film's producers, Novel City Pictures, issued a statement regarding Brandis' death.

"We recently learned of the untimely death of Jonathan Brandis," the statement reads. "We at Novel City Pictures are deeply saddened and stunned by this, and like many people, we grieve for his loss. Jonathan was a great actor, and our friend. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends, and his fans. We all miss him very much."

Other recent credits for Brandis included "Ride with the Devil" and "Hart's War."

That's really sad. I had a huge crush on him when I was about twelve. RIP.

I want the people close to me to totally rip on all my bad qualities when I die. Doesn't matter how good or bad you were at things in life, right? You always get praised. Fuck that shit.

He was a good actor.

I don't see why his acting ability or lack thereof matters. It's sad that he died so young.

I couldn't agree more.

And so cute.

Wow. Totally serious: I think Jonathan Brandis played a part in making me realize I was bi when I was 13.

My best friend used to be completely in love with him.

He had a very straight-up, likeable adorability, and that's why I'm sad to see him go. The Gyllenhalls on the other hand, I can't WAIT for them to die. Don't ask why.

Like Kirsten, I was totally in love with J. Brandis from ages 11-13.. I even sat through "the neverending story part 2" just to see his angelic face. In my heart he will be forever remembered as portraying Martha in "Ladybugs"... RIP JONATHAN!

Aw, my sister is going to be crushed by this. :-(

that's sad, and not to distract from the respectful mourning, but is this not the best name ever: Rockne S. O'Bannon

Sorry to be a spoilsport on such a sad occasion, but I just needed to pop in and say that Neverending Story Pt. II might be the worst movie I've ever seen. Still, this is weird and sad. Much like Neverending Story Pt. II.

Sad news. A good friend had a big Jonathan Brandis crush for a while when we were at school, I remember watching Ladybugs with her and looking at her Bop and Tiger Beat mags that were tatty from having all the JB pix cut out.