Merritt Butrick was a renowned American actor born in Gainesville, Florida, who primarily gained recognition for his captivating portrayals in the science fiction film franchise "Star Trek". He is best remembered for his iconic roles as Dr. David Marcus in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (1982) and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984). Butrick's character was depicted as the son of the esteemed Starfleet officer James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk, played by William Shatner, and the brilliant scientist Dr. Carol Marcus, played by Bibi Besch.
Butrick's acting career began with his high school education at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, California, a city nestled within the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated in 1977 and subsequently attended the California Institute of the Arts with aspirations to become an actor. Although his instructors deemed him unsuitable for the profession, Butrick persevered and eventually found steady work as an actor throughout the 1980s.
Butrick made his television debut with a recurring role as a rapist in two episodes of the police procedural "Hill Street Blues". His breakthrough role came when he portrayed the supporting character Johnny Slash in the sitcom "Square Pegs" (1982-1983),a series praised for its realism. However, the show was canceled prematurely due to controversy surrounding drug and alcohol abuse by teenage cast members.
In addition to his "Star Trek" roles, Butrick appeared in a variety of films, including the telekinesis-themed comedy "Zapped!" (1982),the corporate corruption-themed black comedy "Head Office" (1985),the dysfunctional family-themed drama "Shy People" (1987),the vampire-themed horror film "Fright Night Part 2" (1988),and the ghost-themed horror film "Death Spa" (1989). He received acclaim for his portrayal of a ditzy male prostitute in the stage play "Kingfish" in 1988.
Tragically, Butrick's life was cut short when he passed away in March 1989 at the age of 29 due to toxoplasmosis, complicated by an AIDS infection. Two panels were dedicated to him as part of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, referencing his iconic role as David Marcus. His former co-stars have shared anecdotes about his life and career in DVD featurettes, offering a glimpse into the life of this talented yet troubled actor.
