Former Child Star Brian Bonsall: From Family Ties to Music and Indie Films

Brian Bonsall’s acting career began at the young age of 5 when he landed the role of Andy Keaton on the hit sitcom Family Ties. He spent the final three seasons of the show portraying the youngest member of the Keaton family.

Reflecting on his time on Family Ties, Bonsall fondly recalls the cast as a second family to him. He shared, “Good memories for sure. They were a second family to me, growing up doing that … Michael J. Fox used to come pick me up in his Ferrari, taught me to dive into a pool. It was so comfortable hanging out.”

After his time on Family Ties, Bonsall continued to pursue acting, appearing in 1990s shows such as Father Hood and Blank Check before ultimately retiring from acting in 1995. He then shifted his focus to his passion for music, playing with several bands.

However, Bonsall faced legal troubles when he was arrested in Boulder, Colo., for second-degree assault and false imprisonment of his then-girlfriend.

In 2018, Bonsall made a comeback to acting, joining the cast of Slaughsages. He also took on a role in the 2022 indie film You’re Melting!, showcasing his versatility as an actor.