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Brandon Cruz

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Brandon Cruz
Brandon Cruz, circa 1969.
Born
Brandon Edwin Williams

(1962-05-28) May 28, 1962 (age 62)
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, editor, consultant
Known forThe Courtship of Eddie's Father
SpouseElizabeth "Liz" Finkelstein[1] (div. 2018)[2]
Children2, 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

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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]

Cruz (center) with The Courtship of Eddie's Father co-stars Bill Bixby and Miyoshi Umeki

Career

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Acting

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
  2. ^ "'The Courtship of Eddie's Father' star Brandon Cruz says Bill Bixby deserves more recognition in Hollywood". Fox News. January 28, 2019.
  3. ^ Gross, Ed (September 18, 2019). "'Courtship of Eddie's Father' At 50: Bill Bixby and Others Look Back". Closer Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Celebrity Q&A". American Profile. Publishing Group of America. December 27, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Brandon Cruz biography". SitcomsOnline.com. 2005. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  6. ^ "Brandon Cruz Biography". Flixster.com. 2010. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Where Are They Now?". TV Guide. January 15, 2002. Archived from the original on January 15, 2002. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Biographies/Where are they now?". SitcomsOnline.com. 2004. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "13th Annual Youth in Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  10. ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
  11. ^ Joanne. "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker". Retrieved September 13, 2023.
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