Brian Bonsall
A former child star who traded the sitcom living room for the punk rock stage, navigating the tricky path from TV kid to touring musician.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American actor, musician·Birthday: December 3·Millennials
Biography
Brian Bonsall grew up on America's television screens, first as the adorable, later-adopted toddler Andy Keaton on 'Family Ties,' and then as the Klingon-human hybrid Alexander on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.' His early career was a classic child actor's journey, complete with guest spots on major shows and a Young Artist Award. But as adolescence hit, Bonsall stepped away from acting. He channeled his energy into music, picking up the guitar and diving into the punk scene. By the early 2000s, he had found a new home as the guitarist for the pop-punk band The Ataris, best known for their hit cover of 'The Boys of Summer.' His life off-screen has had its share of turbulence, including legal troubles, but his story remains one of reinvention—from precocious TV son to a working musician who traded scripted lines for power chords.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brian was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Brian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played Andrew 'Andy' Keaton on the final three seasons of the hit NBC sitcom 'Family Ties.'
- Portrayed Alexander Rozhenko, son of Worf, on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' a role that remains notable in the franchise.
- Served as the guitarist for the rock band The Ataris during a period that included the release of their album 'So Long, Astoria.'
- Won a Young Artist Award in 1990 for his role in the film 'Parenthood.'
Did You Know?
He was only five years old when he joined the cast of 'Family Ties,' replacing another set of twins who played Andy.
His character Alexander on 'Star Trek: TNG' was the first canonical child of a major character born on the series.
He was in a band called 'Late Bloomers' with fellow former child actor Mikey Weinstein.
He left The Ataris in 2004 to focus on other projects and his family life.
“I was the kid on TV, and then I wasn't.”
