How could someone go from being on top of the world to being an absolute zero? How could someone go from being adored by all to being forgotten by all? How could someone go from being successful, happy, and full of dreams to being rejected, miserable, and hopeless? Jonathan Brandis was one of the most successful and prolific child prodigies to ever dazzle the entertainment industry. But as soon as he turned 20, Hollywood discarded him. For the next 7 years, he was virtually a ghost, and his talent never got the recognition it deserved again. He was found hanging in a public hallway at the age of 27. "The Tragedy of Jonathan Brandis" (first published in early 2019) is an essay which seeks to analyze his tragedy, and honor his memory. There are (still) no biographies, nor any documentaries about him, that exist.