Brandyn Cross(I)

Brandyn Cross' life nearly ended in a serious industrial accident. After five years of rehabilitation and recovery, he was left a wheelchair-bound amputee with severe systemic nerve, tissue, and blood damage. He was already high-functioning autistic, and to many, he was seen as someone from whom no further productivity was expected. But Brandyn had other ideas. He believed that even if his physical potential was diminished, his creative potential had yet to be realized. Determined to prove that severe obstacles could be overcome, he began developing his innate creative abilities, studying and honing his craft until he turned his ambition into professional reality. Today, he continues this mission. Brandyn Cross is now a multi-media artist, accomplished as a writer, recording artist, songwriter, filmmaker, and actor. Among his written works is the feature film *The Legacy*, and the Gary Coleman biography *As if I Never Existed*, co-written with Gary's widow Shannon Price. This is the only work to detail Gary Coleman behind closed doors during the last five years of his life, the time during which he and Shannon were together. Brandyn has optioned and produced multiple feature screenplays and written over 100 episodes for various TV series and specials. He is the writer and co-producer of the major live event *Jackie Evancho & Friends: We Are Hope*, which was also filmed for television broadcast as multiple concert specials. Brandyn is currently releasing the first volumes in an epic book series, *The Legacy*, based on real events and drawn from the writings and correspondences of a terminally ill young boy enduring physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. As a singer and songwriter, Brandyn scored the international top 10 hits "Dear Mr. Jesus" and "If Money Talks (It Ain't on Speakin' Terms With Me)," and the top 10 music video "I Will Always Love You." As an actor and filmmaker, he has worked on projects such as *Unicorn City*, *The Wayshower*, *Alienate*, and *Being Charlie* with Rob Reiner. He is currently in post-production on his feature directorial debut, the dark emo drama *The Legacy*. Brandyn is a recording artist on StarPointe Records and recently won "Best Song" at the prestigious Utah Film Festival & Awards for his composition and recording of "Love Again," as featured in the television series *Proper Manors*.