Andrew Koenig, best known for his role as dimwitted underachiever extraordinaire Richard “Boner” Stabone on the 80s sitcom Growing Pains was reported missing in Vancouver on Valentine’s Day. Concerned that Andrew suffered from depression, the search began for the former TV star, resulting in finding him dead today in Stanley Park as the result of suicide.
Mr. Koenig’s father, also an actor, told a news conference at Stanley Park that his 41-year-old son had committed suicide,and that his body has been discovered in the park.
Walter Koenig, famous for playing Russian crew member Pavel Chekov on the original Star Trek series, urged anyone with suicidal thoughts to seek help.
Granted the son of Chekov never amounted to much of significance after his career peaked with Growing Pains, but he did make an appearance in a very popular fan made video portraying a very convincing Joker in a showdown between Batman vs Aliens vs Predators.
The short film was called Batman:Dead End. So in tribute to Andrew, here it is.
THe sad part of this thread:
There are hundreds of former child and teen actors that go on to do: well nothing. Can you imagine if society looked at you as if you peaked at age 12?
And the difficult part for all of them, is that society won’t move on. Andrew Koenig starred in a sitcom 20 years ago, and we treat him like that’s all he ever did. I’m sure he acted in many different parts, but we measure success by how much money people make or by awards they receive. We only hear about these people when they make a mistake or are in trouble with the law, becuase our media sensationalizes them.
There are hundreds of actors in communities nationwide who NEVER get on TV. Few remember that once Adam Sandler was a bit actor on the Cosby Show.
So here’s to all the “forgotten” actors that we enjoyed in days gone by:
These are just 20…Feel free to add your own.
Brice Beckham
Rob Stone
Brandon Call
Sasha Mitchell
Jake Lloyd
Blair Tefkin
Thomas Wilson Brown
Carl Steven
Jodie Sweetin
Emmanuel Lewis
Jeremy Miller
Adam Rich
Melissa Gilbert
Matthew Laborteaux
Soleil Moon Frye
Cherie Johnson
Susan Ursitti
Heather Langenkamp
Glenn Withrow
Michelle Meyrink
Godspeed, and know that you are remembered!
Melissa Gilbert might have been best known as a child actor, but she has accomplished MUCH more outside of her acting. She’s directed and produced a LOT of stuff, and even served as president of the Screen Actor’s Guild for two terms.
Most of these people dropped off the map after their child appeal wore off.
I agree that Melissa is a HUGE exception as the Pres of SAG, etc…
Prove my point, Rodney, while out of the public eye, these are still people. Hollywood doesn’t make them any better or worse than each and every one of us.
Did I say they were?
Andrew most recently starred in Walter’s (his dad) Koening’s latest film, “Inalienable”
It just recently came out on Dvd. :)
RIP bro,,,
I got what you meant bro, we lost the Boner.
Used to love that show and always got a “boner” watchin’ Kurt’s T.V. sister’s buttox.
never knew about Checov though.
shame
amen to that…nothing wrong with being boner.
I remember the flash back when he met boner at the bus stop. He asked what is name was and he said stabone! haha a the kid was like no way your name is boner hahaha plus i just loved that character…was like jersey shore accent hahahaha
Rest In Peace.
Now your stretching. If I say Rodney never amounted to much after striking out in little league. I’m not talking about your baseball career. I’m talking about you. Same as above.
If I never accomplished anything more significant than that, I couldnt argue the statement and it would still be about me.
He was a supporting cast member in one of the most popular sitcoms of the 80s and early 90s. He accomplished a lot. Just nothing that out shines that accomplishment.
But you are too worried about dwelling on what you see as my inappropriate comment than what the article was actually about. You are straying way off topic.
Right or wrong, if you originally posted this to honor the life of someone who entertained us, then maybe it isn’t best that you argue with people here.
But when I die, I’d like if people speak of my accomplishment and not on the things I failed to do. If they want to honor me anyway.
“Granted the son of Chekov never amounted to much of significance after his career peaked with Growing Pains” What a crappy thing to say about the guy. There’s a lot more to life than the movies and none of us know what he did or didn’t do with his.
I didn’t say the guy didn’t have a life, or loved ones. Just professionally he didn’t do much after Growing Pains ended.
That is all.
You people are over reacting to a simple observation.
But you didn’t say professionally, you said he “never amounted to much of significance after his career peaked.” Unnecessary, and poorly timed.
As is your criticism of the statement. I didnt have to say “professionally” as the statement was referring to his acting career when it referenced Growing Pains.
But split hairs and miss the point. Someone loved and respected by his family has fallen victim to his own depression and took his life.
Disagreed, you suggested, unintentionally or otherwise, that the pinnacle of his existence was Growing Pains and you got a reaction. If you’d just said “Someone loved and respected by his family has fallen victim to his own depression and took his life,” as you just indicated the real point was, no one would have said a word.
i think what theretrying to say is that it was uncalled for…doesnt matter if you agree cause its there opinion. As for me i think its dead on because maybe it had something to do with it. This is the entertainment business and its just the facts. Rodney is right growing pains was his pinnacle and really if your commenting on facts you should think why are you searching the internet about such things when his career is part of this ordeal. I mean are you going to get a chance for national air time to say your son is missing if he wasnt the son of chekov or boner from growing pains…no so all this is precedent
I’m actually pretty pissed. What is wrong with people today? Suicide is the absolute worst thing he could have done. Do these people give any thought to the affect this has on family and friends? Andrew was 41 years old! He had a lot to live for. He was loved by many, people who care about him! I find suicide to be utterly disgraceful. There are so many children who are born into this world with nothing! They are born sick or disabled and don’t get the chances in life that people like Andrew got. The real shame here is that he threw away a very precious gift. Life is to be cherished, not discarded. It has been said that he was suffering from depression and stopped taking his medicine more than a year ago. In that instance his family needed to intervene or if need be force the issue. Now the Koenig’s are going to have to live with this forever riddled with guilt about what they could have done to prevent this.. Tragic and pointless…
i hear ya bro….but u got to remember that when u commit suicide usually all those things dont matter, your just through with it all and 99% of the time there messed in the head it doesnt matter.
“…never amounted to much of significance…”
That’s just mean.
I agree that’s just very inconsiderate
Its not mean, its accurate.
After a long run on a very popular sitcom his resume is pretty much blank.
He had been involved with some improv groups, but he hardly has any work since the early 90s.
Sorry if you think it was mean, but it is the truth.
It is the truth, but unnecessary in my opinion.
Life is pain Highness.
RIP Andrew Koenig, condolences to Walter and the rest of his family.
Rest in Peace Andrew -salute-