Andy from ‘Family Ties’ Looks Different with Numerous Tattoos - He Shows Lookalike Son after Turning His Life Around
- Brian Bonsall, a.k.a. Andrew "Andy" Keaton from "Family Ties," has a new career at 41 years after he turned his life around.
- The child star has gone through some serious challenges in life and was arrested a few times.
- Now he is a caring father, and his little son is the spitting image of him.
Brian Bonsall rose to fame as a child actor after appearing as Andrew "Andy" Keaton in the 1980s NBC sitcom "Family Ties." Fans of the show must remember him as a cute child, but Bonsall now looks quite different.
Besides being on "Family Ties," Bonsall also featured in a few episodes of "Star Trek." Known for acting as a child star, he now lives an entirely different life after going through a rough patch where he was arrested several times.
Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton in "Family Ties" | Source: Getty Images
Now, he has a lookalike son who he loves dearly. While he tries to provide his son with the best childhood, he remembers the problems he faced growing up, including a head injury.
"He's gone through a whole lot in his young life, and I don't even want to address the Hollywood part of it," said Yasmin Forouzandeh, who worked as his attorney when he faced some serious charges at 28.
Brian Bonsall with the cast of "Family Ties" | Source: Getty Images
The ex-child star went through a series of arrests, beginning in 2001 when he was caught drunk driving. Then, he was arrested again in 2007 when he assaulted his girlfriend. Reports say he had poured alcohol on her face and stopped her from leaving his apartment.
As a result, he was given a probation sentence, where he had to attend a program for domestic violence and prove that he wasn't drinking. In 2009, he violated the probation conditions, did not attend a court hearing, and ran away.
Brian Bonsall in Santa Monica, California, United States on May 10, 1994 | Source: Getty Images
The authorities found him the same year, but he returned with another accusation. He had hit his friend, Michael Trujillo, with a broken stool. As a result, he was charged with third-degree assault.
Forouzandeh took his case then and requested the judge to send him for treatment instead of jail because he was dealing with mental health issues and a drinking problem. She said:
"He really does have a powerful addiction, and he has been dealing with this a long time."
Brian Bonsall in Los Angeles, California, 19th May 1994 | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, Bonsall told the authorities he wasn't aware of his actions because he was under the influence of alcohol. Soon, Bonsall was arrested again for substance abuse, but that was his last time.
How Did the Actor Turn His Life Around?
After getting arrested multiple times and dealing with a drinking problem, Bonsall started to work towards changing his life. He did not want to live the way he was, and with determination, he changed his life for the better.
Brian Bonsall on October 23, 2015 in Parsippany, New Jersey | Source: Getty Images
"I'm not proud of my past mistakes, but you live, and you learn, I guess... hopefully. I've learned a lot about myself, that's for sure," he revealed in a 2016 interview with Star Trek. He also believed he should publish a book about his story to help people in similar situations.
After turning his life around, Bonsall pursued his passion for music. In 2011, he began taking musical projects and even performed locally. In the following years, he performed at different places and eventually formed his band, Lowjob.
In 2016, Bonsall became a part of The Ataris rock band and traveled the world with his bandmates while performing at different locations. Three years later, he launched Sunset Silhouette, where he is still focused.
Besides focusing on his career, Bonsall also paid more attention to his relationship. In 2018, he married his girlfriend, who had supported him during his difficult days.
In August 2019, Bonsall became a father to his son, Oliver, who he loves dearly. The new father posted a video of his son on Instagram to share his happiness with his fans.
The former "Family Ties" child star now looks completely different with tattoos on his body. His wife also has tattoos and even rocks a few funky piercings on her face.
What Kind of Father Is Brian Bonsall and How Does His Son Look Now?
Bonsall's Instagram profile is full of pictures of his little bundle of joy. The loving father spends a lot of time with Oliver, who is a spitting image of him.
In one of his posts, Bonsall called Oliver his "best bud." The photo showed the little boy had climbed up his father's back, resting his head on Bonsall's shoulder for the picture.
Bonsall loves taking his son to activities like hiking, watching movies, and eating out. On National Son's Day, Bonsall posted a photo of Oliver holding a red guitar and said:
"This little man is, by far, the brightest light in our lives. We just love him so damn much."
On Mother's Day, Bonsall even thanked his wife for giving birth to their dear son, "who never ceases to amaze us." In the photo, the family of three is seen smiling at the camera while sitting inside a restaurant.
"He keeps me on my toes every day, and he's just so dang smart, bubbly, caring, and wonderful," Bonsall revealed in his recent Instagram post, where he stated how proud he was to have Oliver.
In the same photo posted on Father's Day, Bonsall said he would protect his little one and observed how sensitive and intelligent Oliver was. Bonsall revealed that his son often asks him if everything is okay whenever he is occupied with deep thoughts.
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