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Brandon Cruz

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

(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 Edwin Cruz (born 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

Cruz was born in Bakersfield, California, U.S., but 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

Acting

At age five, 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 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

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

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

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

Cruz and nurse Elizabeth "Liz" Cruz Finkelstein[8][7] 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

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

  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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