Brands' unusual first name comes from his family's history. In the small town in Germany, where his ancestors had lived, there were two men named Jan Brands. One of them added the middle initial "X" to distinguish himself. He became known as "X" Brands, and the name was continued with his descendants in America. The family tradition was that no one could use the initial until the previous "X" had died.
[on Jock Mahoney, with whom he co-starred in Yancy Derringer (1958)] Jocko was always there when you needed him. We were the greatest of friends. He was the greatest guy in the world. When I came on the show, he came up to me . . . he never stole scenes . . . our work together was the greatest. He loved everybody. I never heard this man put another man down. He was so beautiful.
