In the late 1990s, Brandon Call was one of the biggest teen heartthrobs on television, starring as J.T. Lambert on the hit ABC sitcom Step By Step. With his boyish good looks and charming personality, Call quickly became a fan favorite during the show’s six season run from 1991 to 1997.
However, after Step By Step ended, Call seemed to disappear from the public eye. Now, over 20 years later, Steps By Step fans may be wondering – whatever happened to Brandon Call?
Background Information
Brandon Spencer Lee Call, born on November 17, 1976, in Torrance, California, to Richard and Elyse Call, spent his childhood immersed in Southern California’s culture of basketball and boogie boarding. However, it was his early and evident passion for acting that hinted at his future in the entertainment world.
Early Acting Career
Brandon Call’s acting career took off in the mid-1980s with roles in "Simon and Simon," “Magnum P.I.” and “St. Elsewhere.”. From 1985 to 1987, he played Christopher Capwell in “Santa Barbara.” His career continued to flourish with roles in TV movies like “The Gifted One” and series such as “Webster” and “Hotel.” Before landing the role of J.T. Lambert in “Step by Step” in 1991, Call notably played Hobie Buchannon in “Baywatch” from 1989 to 1990. Call did not stick around in that role very long however, as he was replaced by Jeremy Jackson ahead of the second season.
Step By Step
Brandon Call is best known for playing J.T. Lambert on the popular 1990s sitcom Step By Step. Call was one of the original cast members when the show premiered in 1991 and remained on the series for its entire 7-season run until 1998.
The show was a staple of the ’90s, with a cast that included Staci Keanan, Angela Watson, Patrika Darbo, Christopher Castile, Josh Byrne, Peggy Rea, Sasha Mitchell, Emily Mae Young, Jason Marsden, and Bronson Pinchot, among others.
Shooting Incident
In the midst of his tenure on “Step by Step,” Brandon Call experienced a harrowing incident in 1996 that nearly cost him his life. After a day of filming in Burbank, Call was driving home when another car began following him. Despite his attempts to lose the pursuer, the situation escalated when the occupants of the other car opened fire, injuring Call in both arms and damaging his Honda. The shooter was convicted in 1997, with some reports suggesting a traffic dispute as the catalyst for the attack.
Remarkably, Call made a full recovery and continued his role as J.T. Lambert until the end of the series. His co-star, Christine Lakin, who played Alicia “Al” Lambert, reflected on this traumatic event during an interview on the Pod Meets World podcast. She highlighted Call’s fortune in surviving such a life-threatening ordeal and suggested that this incident profoundly influenced his decision to retreat from public life. Lakin observed that a traumatic event of this magnitude can fundamentally change a person, leading Call to prefer a life away from the spotlight.
What is Brandon Call doing now?
Since retiring from acting after the conclusion of “Step by Step,” Brandon Call has maintained a life far removed from the public eye, embracing a level of privacy that has left little information available about his current endeavors. This retreat from the spotlight, potentially influenced by the life-altering incident he experienced in 1996, has resulted in a scarcity of recent news, interviews, or public updates about him.
Call is not active on social media, further adding to the mystery surrounding his post-acting life. There are unconfirmed reports suggesting he may be involved with the operation of a gas station in Southern California, though it’s unclear whether he manages it or works there in a different capacity.
On a personal front, Brandon Call’s life has seen happier developments. He is married to Kelly Koerber, with their union dating back to 2015. Together, they have a daughter named Brooke.
This family aspect of his life, away from the glare of Hollywood, seems to be a significant part of his current chapter, one that he chooses to keep private and away from the public domain.
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