Biography Brandon Cruz

Brandon Cruz is an American former child actor and a punk rock musician, best known for being the first singer for Oxnard California's Dr. Know, and the second Dead Kennedys singer, from 2001 to 2003. In the early 1970s, Cruz came to prominence by playing Bill Bixby's son, Eddie Corbett, in the comedy-drama The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Cruz and Kristina Holland are the only remaining survivors of the series. After his role on Courtship, Cruz also played the role of Joey Turner, the Yankees' pitcher, in the 1976 movie The Bad News Bears. He also played a 'guest star' of The Incredible Hulk as the young man who helped Bixby/The Hulk land a 747. The airplane footage was used from Airport 1975.

Since 1981, Cruz fronted hardcore punk band Dr. Know from Oxnard, California, which released several records. Cruz quit in 1983 and played with Flipper, Harmful If Swallowed, Twister Naked, SVDB, The Ugly Truth, MDCN+MN, and as a solo artist. Dr. Know reformed in 1998 with Cruz and original bass player and founding member, Ismael Hernandez. In 2001, Cruz joined Dead Kennedys as lead vocalist, replacing Jello Biafra. He quit singing for the Dead Kennedys in 2003. Jeff Penalty took his place, and Cruz continued with Dr. Know, which retired in 2010, after releasing a new CD, Killing For God (Unrest Records). Dr. Know now plays with founding member Kyle Toucher as the only original member, playing mostly the metal tinged punk of the mid period Dr. Knows legendary output. Cruz now works in the treatment field, helping drug addicts and alcoholics rehab through surfing and other experiential therapies.

Cruz was interviewed in the documentary film American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock, 1980-1986.

Cruz has been a surfer his entire life, growing up on the challenging beach break of Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard, California. He has traveled the world several times. His travels have included Africa, Indonesia, Australia, The Mentawai Islands, Tasmania, New Zealand, Europe, Japan, South America, Central America, Hawaii, India, China, Russia, and Cuba. At 50, he still surfs whenever and wherever possible. Cruz is also a member of the Jaks, a skateboarding brotherhood, known worldwide as punk rock skateboarders who love fireworks, beer, Absolute Music, and fun, but not always in that order.

Creative Commons By-SA License