kids encyclopedia robot

Jerry O'Connell facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Jerry O'Connell
Jerry O'Connell by Gage Skidmore.jpg
O'Connell at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1974-02-17) February 17, 1974 (age 50)
Nationality
  • American
  • British
Alma mater New York University
Occupation Actor, television host
Years active 1983–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 2007)
Children 2
Relatives Charles Witkowski (grandfather)
Charlie O'Connell (brother)

Jerry O'Connell (born February 17, 1974) is an American actor and television host. He is known for his roles as Quinn Mallory in the television series Sliders, Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity, Vern Tessio in the film Stand by Me (1986), Joe in Joe's Apartment (1996), Frank Cushman in Jerry Maguire (1996), Derek in Scream 2 (1997), Michael in Tomcats (2001), Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack (2003), and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan. He starred as Pete Kaczmarek in the single 2010–2011 season of The Defenders. He also had a starring role in the comedy horror film Piranha 3D (2010). Currently, he voices Commander Jack Ransom on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, is co-host of The Talk, and hosts a version of Pictionary syndicated on Fox stations.

Early life

O'Connell was born in Manhattan, the eldest son of Linda, an art teacher, and Michael O'Connell, an advertising agency art director originally from the United Kingdom. He is of half Irish, one quarter Italian, and one quarter Polish ancestry. O'Connell's paternal grandfather was from County Cork, Ireland while his maternal grandmother was from Belfast, Northern Ireland. His maternal grandfather was Charles S. Witkowski, the 34th mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. O'Connell was raised in Manhattan with his younger brother, actor Charlie O'Connell. As a teenager, he attended Manhattan's Professional Children's School. He attended New York University from 1991 to 1994, majoring in film. While there, he studied screen writing and competed on the fencing team, serving a stint as captain of the sabre squad. He graduated in 1995.

Career

O'Connell began his acting career at a young age. As a child, he did commercial work for Duncan Hines cookies. Shortly after turning eleven, he landed his first feature film role as the character Vern Tessio in Rob Reiner's Stand by Me. In 1987, O'Connell appeared in a commercial for Frosted Flakes. He starred in the Canadian science-fiction sitcom My Secret Identity from 1988 to 1991 as the teen hero who develops superhuman traits. During a summer break from NYU, Jerry starred in the feature film Calendar Girl alongside Jason Priestley and Gabriel Olds. He also appeared in the short-lived ABC sitcom Camp Wilder, with Jay Mohr and Hilary Swank, in 1992. During his junior year, O'Connell auditioned for the television pilot Sliders (also filmed in Canada). He was offered the role of Quinn Mallory in the series, which ran for three seasons on Fox and two seasons on the Syfy Channel. He served as producer during his fourth season, and is credited with writing and directing several episodes.

JerryO'ConnellHWOFJune2013
O'Connell in June 2013

O'Connell has since gone on to star in such films as Jerry Maguire, Body Shots, Mission to Mars, Tomcats, Scream 2, and Kangaroo Jack. O'Connell also guest-hosted in the late 90s on the late night talk show Later. O'Connell has also tried his hand at screenwriting and sold his first screenplay, for First Daughter, to New Regency in 1999. The film was released in 2004 by 20th Century Fox-based Davis Entertainment. O'Connell served as executive producer and received a "story by" credit on the film, which starred Katie Holmes and Michael Keaton.

O'Connell starred as Detective Woody Hoyt on the NBC crime drama Crossing Jordan (2001) until its cancelation in May 2007, and was engaged to actress Rebecca Romijn. He starred opposite her in the Ugly Betty episode "Derailed". He played Hoyt in several episodes of Las Vegas. In 2004, he wore a diaper on Last Call with Carson Daly, during a mock commercial skit for the GoodNites bedwetting product. The National Enquirer caught him filming the skit and printed a photo of him in his diaper.

In 2005, O'Connell guest-starred in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Clash", voicing Captain Marvel. He reprised the role in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies short film Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam alongside George Newbern, who reprised the role of Superman, having done the voice for the animated series. Jerry's younger brother, Charlie has appeared in several productions in which his brother starred, such as in Sliders and Crossing Jordan. In 2007–2008 O'Connell starred in ABC's Carpoolers, which ran from October 2, 2007, to March 4, 2008. In early 2008, O'Connell participated in a widely circulated Internet video parody of the leaked Tom Cruise video on Scientology. Cruise was O'Connell's co-star in Jerry Maguire.

O'Connell co-wrote and appeared in a video parody called "Young Hillary Clinton", satirizing Hillary Clinton's 2008 primary campaign. On February 2, 2008, O'Connell hosted VH1's Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash, which aired the night before Super Bowl XLII and featured musical guests Maroon 5 and Mary J. Blige. On April 28, 2008, he appeared as a guest star on ABC's Samantha Who?. In late 2008 O'Connell starred in Fox's Do Not Disturb, co-starring Niecy Nash, but Fox cancelled the show after only three episodes.

O'Connell appeared in the 2009 thriller film Obsessed as "Ben", the best friend and co-worker of the film's protagonist Derek Charles (Idris Elba). He appeared in Eastwick on ABC, on which his wife Romijn starred in the series. He portrayed Derrick Jones in Alexandre Aja's Piranha 3D, which also stars Adam Scott and Elisabeth Shue.

O'Connell co-starred with David Tennant in the pilot for legal drama Rex Is Not Your Lawyer, which was not picked up for production. In 2010, O'Connell starred with Jim Belushi in the CBS comedy drama The Defenders, which was cancelled on May 15, 2011, after one season.

O'Connell appeared on Broadway at the Golden Theatre in Seminar, written by Theresa Rebeck. The play, directed by Sam Gold, opened on November 20, 2011, starring Alan Rickman, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater and Hettienne Park. On June 4, 2012, it was announced that O'Connell would play Herman Munster in a reboot of The Munsters, titled Mockingbird Lane; the remake series was never picked up for production; however, the pilot would air as a Halloween special on October 26. On May 15, 2013, it was announced that O'Connell would play Stuart Strickland on We Are Men, alongside Tony Shalhoub.

In April 2015, O'Connell returned to Broadway in the comedy Living on Love, with Renee Fleming, Anna Chlumsky and Douglas Sills. It closed after 37 performances.

In 2017, O'Connell was the main love interest in a Hallmark film, co-starring his real-life wife Rebecca Romijn as his former "true love" who walks back into his life in Paris. The film Love Locks has O'Connell owning a hotel that Romijn stays in with her 18-year-old daughter who has come to Paris to study for a semester in an art program.

He also starred in a Canadian police Comedy-drama series called 'Carter'. ..... He would grow up to become an actor on a police show called "Call Carter" playing the title character, known as Charlie Carter. After finding his wife in bed with a costar, he confronted the man on the red carpet of an awards show and left Hollywood, returning to his home town and trying to sort out his life. He reconnects with his two friends, one of whom has become a decorated police officer, Samantha 'Sam' Shaw, and the other -David Lee- became a local barista after a rough period and some run ins with the law.

Events transpire to draw Harley into a new life in his home town, as his professional world and personal life collide and he ends up aiding Sam solve a murder within a few days of returning home. He finds the change of pace refreshing and when offered the chance by the mayor, accepts and becomes a consultant to the department, against the wishes of the chief of police and with Sam's only grudging acceptance until he, using his experience from multiple seasons of his show and the odd episodes and coincidences that parallel the crimes they investigate, proves to her that he is serious and can hold his own.

If was filmed in 2017 in North Bay Ontario, Canada and aired for two seasons. There was good reception for the series, but it was likely another victim of the world wide epidemic that interrupted and ended many entertainment projects.

In January 2020, O'Connell appeared in the Roundabout's American Airlines Theatre's Broadway revival of A Soldier's Play as Captain Taylor in an ensemble cast headed by David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood.

In 2020, he began starring in commercials for Bob Evans grocery items alongside Alfonso Ribeiro.

In July 2021, CBS announced that O'Connell would be joining The Talk as a permanent co-host, replacing Sharon Osbourne. That same month, he hosted a test-run of a new syndicated version of Pictionary on Fox stations, which was successful enough to launch with a full season in fall 2022. He and wife Romijn will host The Real Love Boat on CBS, premiering October 5, 2022.

Personal life

On July 14, 2007, O'Connell married actress and former model Rebecca Romijn. Their twin girls were born in 2008.

O'Connell enrolled in Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles in August 2009, but dropped out to return to acting full-time.

O'Connell has dual American and British citizenship.

O'Connell is a regular guest on the Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take, where he discusses his passion for fantasy football.

O'Connell was once roommates with actor and comedian TJ Miller.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1986 Stand by Me Vernon "Vern" Tessio
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Kid at Beach Uncredited
1993 Calendar Girl Scott Foreman
1995 Blue River Lawrence Sellars
1996 Joe's Apartment Joe
1996 Jerry Maguire Frank "Cush" Cushman
1997 Scream 2 Derek Feldman
1998 Can't Hardly Wait Trip McNeely Uncredited
1999 Beast of Today, TheThe Beast of Today Fabian
1999 Body Shots Michael Penorisi
2000 Clayton
2000 Mission to Mars Phil Ohlmyer
2001 Tomcats Michael Delaney
2002 New Guy, TheThe New Guy Highland Party Twin
2002 Buying the Cow David Collins
2003 Kangaroo Jack Charlie Carbone
2004 Fat Slags Sean Cooley
2004 First Daughter N/A Producer, screenwriter
2005 Yours, Mine & Ours Max Algrant
2006 Alibi, TheThe Alibi Businessman
2006 Man About Town David Lilly
2006 Room 6 Lucas Dylan
2008 Parody Video Tom Cruise Wants You to See, TheThe Parody Video Tom Cruise Wants You to See Tom Cruise Short film
2009 Baby on Board Curtis
2009 Obsessed Ben
2010 Piranha 3-D Derrick Jones
2010 Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam Captain Marvel Voice, short film
2013 Scary Movie 5 Christian Grey
2014 Veronica Mars Sheriff Dan Lamb
2014 Space Station 76 Steve
2014 Lookalike, TheThe Lookalike Joe Mulligan
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2016 Justice League vs. Teen Titans Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2016 Trolland Hayden Voice
2017 Justice League Dark Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2017 A Mermaid's Tale Matt
2017 Wish Upon Alex Uncredited
2018 Death of Superman, TheThe Death of Superman Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2018 Deep Murder Doug Dangler
2019 Reign of the Supermen Clark Kent / Superman, Cyborg Superman Voice
2019 Satanic Panic Samuel Ross
2019 Batman: Hush Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2020 Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Clark Kent / Superman Voice
2020 The F**k It List Jeffrey
2020 Secret: Dare to Dream, TheThe Secret: Dare to Dream Tucker
2020 Ballbuster Rich
2021 Endangered Species Mitch Hanover
2021 Pups Alone Charlie Voice
2022 Play Dead Coroner
2023 The Donor Party Tim
TBA Summer Gold Rick Brackett Pre-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Room Upstairs, TheThe Room Upstairs Carl Television film
1988 Equalizer, TheThe Equalizer Bobby Episode: "The Child Broker"
1988 Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss Ralph Parker Television film
1988–1991 My Secret Identity Andrew Clements Main role
1989 Charles in Charge David Landon Episode: "The Organization Man"
1992–1993 Camp Wilder Brody Wilder Main role
1995 Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky, TheThe Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky Mac Television film
1995 Blue River Lawrence Sellars
1995–1999 Sliders Quinn Mallory Main role
Producer (1998–1999)
Director: "Stoker", "Slidecage", "Lipschitz Live," "Data World", "Roads Taken"
Writer: "Way out West"
1997 Later Himself (guest host)
1997 What the Deaf Man Heard Reverend Perry Ray Pruitt Hallmark Hall of Fame television film
1999 '60s, TheThe '60s Brian Herlihy Television film
2001 Night Visions Andy Episode: "Rest Stop"
2002 Going to California Pete Rossock Episode: "Searching for Eddie Van Halen"
2002 Rome Fire Ryan Wheeler Television film
2002–2007 Crossing Jordan Detective Woody Hoyt 88 episodes
Main role
2003, 2008 MADtv Ted Levin, John Edwards 2 episodes
2004 Without a Trace Joe Gibson Episode: "Hawks and Handsaws"
2004 Screaming Cocktail Hour, TheThe Screaming Cocktail Hour Singer
2004 Las Vegas Detective Woody Hoyt 5 episodes
2005 Justice League Unlimited Captain Marvel Voice, episode: "Clash"
2007 On the Lot Jerry 'The Move' Episode: "6 Cut to 5 & 5 Directors Compete"
2007 Ugly Betty Joel Episode: "Derailed"
2007 Batman, TheThe Batman Nightwing Voice, 2 episodes
2007–2008 Carpoolers Laird Main role
2008 Samantha Who? Craig Episode: "The Gallery Show"
2008 Do Not Disturb Neal 6 episodes
2009 Midnight Bayou Declan Fitzpatrick Television film
2009 Eastwick Colin Friesen Episode: "Magic Snow and Creepy Gene"
2010–2011 Defenders, TheThe Defenders Pete Kaczmarek 18 episodes
Main role
2011 G.I. Joe: Renegades Barbecue Episode: "Fire Fight"
2011 Fish Hooks Sterling Hamsterton Voice, episode: "Pamela Hamster Returns"
2011 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Mental Man Episode: "Up Periscope, Down With San Diego"
2013–2015 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Pip the Pirate Genie Voice, 7 episodes
2013 Burning Love Henry Season 2 cast member
2013 King & Maxwell Jerry Walkeiwicz Episode: "Stealing Secrets"
2013 Satisfaction David Episode: "... Face Cat Funeral"
2013 We Are Men Stuart Strickland Main role
2014–2019 ... History Thomas Jefferson, Grigori Rasputin, Ken McElroy 4 episodes
2014 League, TheThe League Father Muldoon Episode: "The Heavenly Fouler"
2015 Librarians, TheThe Librarians Young Lancelot Episode: "And the Loom of Fate"
2015 Workaholics Teddy Episode: "Gayborhood"
2015 Marry Me Daniel Episode: "Friend Me"
2015 Significant Mother Bob Babcock Episode: "Home Is Where the Lamp Is"
2015 Fresh Beat Band of Spies Arizona Jones Voice, episode: "Mummy Mayhem"
2016 Mysteries of Laura, TheThe Mysteries of Laura Jon Dunham 2 episodes
2016–19, 2022 Billions Steven Birch 10 episodes
2016 Young & Hungry Nick Diamond Episode: "Young & Parents"
2016 Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul Himself Episode: "Featuring Rebecca Romijn"
2016 Mistresses Robert 4 episodes
2016 Scream Queens Dr. Mike 2 episodes
2017 Love Locks Jack Burrow Television film
2017 Justice League Action Ray Palmer / Atom Voice, 5 episodes
2017 Andi Mack Director Episode: "Dad Influence"
2017 Curb Your Enthusiasm TV Detective #2 Episode: "The Shucker"
2018–2019 Big Bang Theory, TheThe Big Bang Theory George Cooper Jr. 3 episodes
2018–2019 Wendy Williams Show, TheThe Wendy Williams Show Himself (guest host) 7 episodes
2018–2019 Carter Harley Carter Main role
2019 Jerry O' Himself (host)
2019 Where's Waldo? Jerry Voice, episode: "Hit or Miss In Greece"
2020–present Star Trek: Lower Decks Commander Jack Ransom Voice, main role
2021–present Tab Time Coach Goodgame Episode: "Winning & Losing"
2021–present The Talk Himself (co-host)
2022 The Lake Gil the Thrill Episode: "Mommy Queerest"
2022–present The Real Love Boat Himself (Host) Main role
2022–present Pictionary Himself (Host) Main role
2023 The Neighborhood Himself Episode: "Welcome to the Milestone"
2023 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Commander Jack Ransom Voice, episode: "Those Old Scientists"
2023 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Himself Episode: "Sutton-ly Suspicious"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Infinite Crisis Shazam

Music videos

Podcast appearances

  • Pardon My Take – August 6, 2018; August 23, 2019; July 24, 2020; September 1, 2021; February 9, 2022; September 2, 2022; December 2, 2022; September 1, 2023
  • Comments by Celebs – September 24, 2018
  • The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz feat. Baron Davis – August 5, 2020
  • The Kinda Funny Podcast – April 8, 2021

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Work
1987 Young Artist Awards (shared with River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman) Won Stand by Me
1989 Best Young Actor in a Family Syndicated Show Nominated My Secret Identity
1990 Best Young Actor in an Off-Primetime Family Nominated
2004 Kid's Choice Awards Favorite Fart in a Movie Won Kangaroo Jack
2022 PMT Hall of Fame First Ballot Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jerry O'Connell para niños

kids search engine
Jerry O'Connell Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.