The Curious Case of Brandon Call: Unraveling the Journey of the Step By Step Actor in 2023

Summary

Brandon Call was a child star in the 1990s sitcom Step By Step, but he left show business after the series ended.

J.T., Call's character, played a significant role in the show's storylines, addressing obstacles such as dyslexia. Prior to Step By Step, Call had a thriving acting career which encompassed various TV shows and movies. However, he has not pursued any work in the entertainment industry following the conclusion of the series.

Brandon Call, a renowned child actor, gained fame through his role in the 1990s sitcom Step By Step. However, he chose to leave the entertainment industry after the show ended. Step By Step, which debuted in 1991, revolves around the intertwined lives of the turbulent Lambert and Foster families following the unexpected marriage of a single father named Frank (played by Patrick Duffy) and a single mother named Carol (played by Suzanne Somers). This popular sitcom of the 1990s adhered to all the classic conventions and was a quintessential component of ABC's TGIF lineup throughout the decade.

As J.T., Frank's eldest son, Brandon Call consistently displayed his star potential throughout all seven seasons, becoming the driving force behind many of the show's compelling storylines. Step By Step's lasting success, compared to other classic TGIF sitcoms, was largely attributed to its extensive ensemble cast residing in the household of eight. Call, in particular, was provided with ample material to showcase his talent, allowing viewers to witness J.T.'s growth into a young adult and witness him confront challenges such as his dyslexia diagnosis. Although the show enjoyed a respectable run, Brandon Call did not continue his ascent as a young star.

Brandon Call's Acting Career

Brandon Call had already established himself as a talented actor before his significant role in Step By Step. He initially had a few small television roles in 1984, but made his mark in the film industry when he voiced Fairfolk in the underrated Disney animated movie, The Black Cauldron. Following this, he made sporadic appearances in various TV shows before gaining recognition for his role as Brandon Capwell in the soap opera Santa Barbara, which lasted for 70 episodes.

In the late 1980s, Brandon Call returned to the big screen with a few films, including a brief appearance in the horror film Warlock, and as Billy in the memorable movie Blind Fury alongside Rutger Hauer. His popularity continued to rise with over 20 episodes on Baywatch, where he played the character Hobie Buchanan. Concurrently, he also portrayed Zack in the short-lived Hulk Hogan series Thunder in Paradise. However, Step By Step marked the pinnacle of his career, as he did not pursue any further endeavors in the entertainment industry after the show's conclusion in 1998.

Brandon Is Now Married & Operates A Gas Station

Call's departure from the public eye has never been explicitly explained, but his Step By Step co-star Christine Lakin suggested that it could be related to a life-altering incident that occurred off-camera. In September 1996, Call was the victim of a drive-by road rage shooting, enduring six gunshot wounds that nearly claimed his life. While he ultimately survived, Lakin hypothesized that this traumatic event may have tainted his time in Hollywood. Presently, Brandon Call resides outside of the public's attention and, as reported by Gazette Review, works at his family's gas station in San Diego, where he happily resides with his spouse.