Jonathan Brandis, who was born in Danbury, Connecticut, was a child actor who had an extensive list of television and movie roles to his credit. In 1991, he was nominated for the Best Male Television Star award. His mother was his manager and he appeared in films such as Aladdin, SeaQuest DSV, and the film Ride with the Devil. After his death, a flood of emotion ensued as fans turned to new media to express their grief. There are now more than 1,800 online resources related to his death, including videos and photos.
Although he was a child actor, Jonathan Brandis began his career as a model. He was discovered by a photographer when he was just two years old and was soon on the move to California. While working as a model, he landed roles in several television shows and commercials. During his teen years, he appeared in several teen magazines. One magazine rated him as the number-one dreamboat.
The teen heartthrob was a popular character in the ’90s. His death by suicide in 1998 left fans in tears. Many of his fans were captivated by how he lived during that time and became fascinated by his story. With his death, the Internet was flooded with grief, and the influx of fan letters and images of his life created a flood of nostalgia. Today, he is remembered by his fans as a true Renaissance man.