Liver disease claims young actor Christian Cousins, twin star of Knots Landing and Kindergarten Cop, dies at 43

Roles on Knots Landing

Christian and Joseph Cousins were not yet 4 when they began playing Bobby Ewing on Knots Landing in 1987. They appeared in 57 episodes through 1992. Bobby was born alongside his twin sister, Betsy, in a storyline that began with their kidnapping. Valene Ewing, played by Joan Van Ark, named Bobby after the character on Dallas portrayed by Patrick Duffy.

Knots Landing was a Dallas spinoff, and the shows sometimes crossed over. The Cousins brothers’ roles began with a November 1984 episode, according to the account of the series storyline.

A film role together

In Ivan Reitman’s 1990 film Kindergarten Cop, Christian and Joseph both played Dominic, a student taught by undercover detective John Kimble, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Penelope Ann Miller played Dominic’s mother, and the boy becomes a hostage.

The twins also appeared together in other projects. Their credits included Critters 3, an episode of Highway to Heaven, and the film Twin Sitters, in which they played brothers Bradley and Steven.

Separate paths after childhood

Christian appeared as a distinct character in episodes of Empty Nest, Wings and Dream On. Joseph later continued playing Bobby Ewing on Knots Landing without his brother, appearing in about 30 more episodes through the show’s 1993 finale.

Joseph returned to the role in the 1997 reunion movie Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac. Christian later became an executive in a furniture business and co-owned a CBD business.

Death announced by family

Cousins died Oct. 20 after living with liver disease, his half-brother Jonas Roeser announced on Instagram. Roeser remembered him as energetic and passionate, and said he had big dreams. Christian Michail Cousins and Joseph were born March 17, 1983, and grew up in Orange County, California.