You’ve heard the story many times before.  A precocious child star with a bright future grows up and turns to crime. We often find it hard to believe that these cute youngsters who we invited into our living rooms every week, who made us laugh and cry, could become hardened criminals, but whether it is due to a sense of entitlement or expectations they cannot meet or some other reason, it happens. The latest victim of this phenomenon is Family Ties star Brian Bonsall.Brian Bonsall, Child Actor

Child Actor Bonsall, who appeared as Andy the youngest of the four Keaton children on the popular 80′s sitcom, appeared as sweet as could be, worshiping his older brother Alex and seemingly as easy going and agreeable as any child you would ever want.  That is a stark contrast to Brian Bonsall today.

On December 5, 2009, the now heavily tattooed, pierced and fierce looking Bonsall was arrested for smashing a friend with part of a wooden stool. When police came to his apartment, Bonsall claimed he had blacked out from drinking and didn’t know what had happened.  The final outcome of the assault is pending.

This is far from the first brush with authorities for the 28 year old Bonsall. In 2001 he was convicted of DUI, and in 2007 he pleaded to third degree assault on a girlfriend. He was sentenced to probation, which he repeatedly violated by failing to take daily breathalyzer tests or required domestic violence courses. A warrant was issued for his arrest in 2008, and Bonsall had eluded the law until the assault incident, which came just two days after his 28th birthday.

About Brian Bonsall

Bonsall’s troubles may have started when his acting career ended. From ages four to seven, Bonsall enjoyed the role of Andy Keaton, and when the series ended, he continued to find work, mostly in T.V. movies and some features, and even as a recurring character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, as the son of Klingon Warrior Worf.

At the age of 13, he gave up acting, never to return. He went to high school in Colorado and formed a rock band, and continues to pursue a career in music.