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For the politician, see Jerry J. O'Connell.

Jerry O'Connell
File:JerryO'ConnellHWOFJune2013.jpg
O'Connell in June 2013
Born
Jeremiah O'Connell

(1974-02-17) February 17, 1974 (age 50)
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor, director
Years active1986–present
Spouse(s)Rebecca Romijn (m. 2007)
Children2
RelativesCharlie O'Connell (brother)

Jeremiah O'Connell[1] (born February 17, 1974)[1] is an American actor, known for his roles as Quinn Mallory in the TV 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), Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack (2003), and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan. He starred as Pete Kaczmarek in the CBS TV series The Defenders until its cancellation in 2011. He also had a starring role in the comedy horror film Piranha 3D (2010).


Early life and education[]

O'Connell was born in Manhattan, the son of Linda, an art teacher, and Michael O'Connell, an advertising agency art director.[1] His maternal grandfather, Charles S. Witkowski, was mayor of Bayonne, New Jersey.[citation needed] He is of half Irish, one quarter Italian, and one quarter Polish ancestry.[2] 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 1991–95,[3] 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.[4]

Career[]

O'Connell began his acting career at a young age. As a child, he did commercial work for Duncan Hines cookies.[5] Shortly after turning eleven, he landed his first feature film role as the character Vern Tessio in Stephen King's Stand by Me. In 1987, O'Connell appeared on a commercial for Frosted Flakes. O'Connell 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. In his Junior year, O'Connell auditioned for the TV 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 and final season, and is credited with writing and directing several episodes.

O'Connell has since gone on to star in such movies as Jerry Maguire, Body Shots, Mission to Mars, Tomcats, Scream 2, and Kangaroo Jack. 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 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 cancellation in May 2007, and was engaged to actress Rebecca Romijn. He starred opposite her in the Ugly Betty episode "Derailed". O'Connell 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.[6] The National Enquirer caught him filming the skit and printed a photo of him in his diaper.[7][8]

In 2005, O'Connell guest-starred in one episode of the animated series Justice League Unlimited. In the episode, titled "Clash", he played Captain Marvel. He reprised the role of Captain Marvel 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 2007–08 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.[9]

O'Connell co-wrote and appeared in a video parody called "Young Hillary Clinton", satirizing Hillary Clinton's 2008 primary campaign.[10] 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.[11][12] 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.[13][14]

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, Rebecca Romijn, starred in the series.[15] He portrayed Derrick Jones in Alexandre Aja's Piranha 3D,[16] which also stars Adam Scott and Elisabeth Shue.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19] 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 as a ghostwriter in the comedy Living on Love, with Renee Fleming, Anna Chlumsky and Douglas Sills. It closed after 37 performances.

Personal life[]

On July 14, 2007, O'Connell married actress and former model Rebecca Romijn.[20][21]

After weeks of officially stating that the couple were "trying" to get pregnant, a publicist for the pair confirmed that Romijn was pregnant with twin girls. When talking about having children, O'Connell said "I am excited I am having girls. I know guys are supposed to say, 'I want a boy. I want to play baseball,' but I think I'm going to be good raising girls...I can't wait. They're going to be tough chicks. They're only having sex when I'm dead. If they don't date boys at all and just want them to be infatuated with their father, that's what I'm really going for."[22] The girls, Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip O'Connell, were born on December 28, 2008.[23][24] Dolly is named for singer Dolly Parton and Charlie is named for O'Connell's brother.[25]

O'Connell enrolled in Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles in August 2009[26] but dropped out to return to acting full-time.[27]

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 Ranger, the Cook and the Hole in the Sky
1996 Joe's Apartment Joe
Jerry Maguire Frank "Cush" Cushman
1997 Scream 2 Derek Feldman
1998 Can't Hardly Wait Trip McNeely Uncredited
1999 The Beast of Today Fabian
Body Shots Michael Penorisi
2000 Clayton
Mission to Mars Phil Ohlmyer
2001 Tomcats Michael Delaney
2002 The New Guy Highland Party Twin
Buying the Cow David Collins
2003 Kangaroo Jack Charlie Carbone
2004 Fat Slags Sean Cooley
First Daughter N/A Producer
Screenplay writer
2005 Yours, Mine and Ours Max Algrant
2006 The Alibi Businessman
Man About Town David Lilly
Room 6 Lucas Dylan
2008 The Parody Video Tom Cruise Wants You to See Tom Cruise Short film
2009 Baby on Board Curtis
Obsessed Ben
2010 Piranha 3-D Derrick Jones
Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam Captain Marvel Short film
2013 Scary Movie 5 Christian Grey
2014 Veronica Mars Sheriff Dan Lamb
Space Station 76 Steve
The Lookalike Joe Mulligan
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Clark Kent / Superman (voice)
2016 Justice League vs. Teen Titans
2017 Justice League Dark
Wish Upon Alex Uncredited
2018 The Death of Superman Clark Kent / Superman Voice

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Kingdom Chums: Little David's Adventure Osborne TV Special
1987 The Room Upstairs Carl TV movie
1988 The Equalizer Bobby Episode: "The Child Broker"
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss Ralph Parker TV movie
1988-1991 My Secret Identity Andrew Clements Starring role
1989 Charles in Charge David Landon Episode: "The Organization Man"
1990 TGIF Brody Unknown episodes
1992 Camp Wilder Brody Wilder Cast member
1995 The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky Mac TV movie
Blue River Lawrence Sellars
Sliders Quinn Mallory Producer (1998-1999)
Director: "Stoker", "Slidecage", "Lipschitz Live," "Data World", "Roads Taken"
Writer: "Way out West"
1999 The '60s Brian Herlihy TV movie
2001 Night Visions Andy Episode: "Rest Stop"
2002 Going to California Pete Rossock Episode: "Searching For Eddie Van Halen"
Rome Fire Ryan Wheeler TV movie
Crossing Jordan Detective Woody Hoyt Cast member
2003, 2008 MADtv Ted Levin, John Edwards Episode: 8.12, 14.01
2004 Without a Trace Joe Gibson Episode: "Hawks and Handsaws"
The Screaming Cocktail Hour Singer TV series
Las Vegas Detective Woody Hoyt 5 episodes
2005 Justice League Unlimited Captain Marvel Episode: "Clash"
2007 On the Lot Jerry 'The Move' Episode "6 Cut to 5 & 5 Directors Compete"
Ugly Betty Joel Episode: "Derailed"
The Batman Nightwing 2 episodes: "The Metal Face of Comedy", "Artifacts"
Carpoolers Laird Cast member
2008 Samantha Who? Craig Episode: "The Gallery Show"
Do Not Disturb Neal 6 episodes
2009 Midnight Bayou Declan Fitzpatrick TV movie
2009 Eastwick Colin Friesen Episode: "Magic Snow and Creepy Gene"
2010 The Defenders Pete Kaczmarek Cast member
2011 G.I. Joe: Renegades Barbecue Episode: "Fire Fight"
Fish Hooks Sterling Hamsterton (voice) Episode: "Pamela Hamster Returns"
NTSF:SD:SUV:: Mental Man Episode: "Up Periscope, Down With San Diego"
2012 Mockingbird Lane Herman Munster TV Series Failed Pilot
2013 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Pip the Pirate Genie 7 episodes
Burning Love Henry Season 2 cast member
King & Maxwell Jerry Walkeiwicz Episode: "Stealing Secrets"
Satisfaction David Episode: "Penis Face Cat Funeral"
We Are Men Stuart Strickland Main cast
2014 Drunk History Thomas Jefferson / Grigori Rasputin 2 episodes
The League Father Muldoon Episode: "The Heavenly Fouler"
2015 The Librarians Young Lancelot Episode: "And the Loom of Fate"
Workaholics Teddy Episode: "Gayborhood"
Marry Me Daniel Episode: "Friend Me"
Significant Mother Bob Babcock Episode: "Home Is Where the Lamp Is"
Fresh Beat Band of Spies Arizona Jones Episode: "Mummy Mayhem"
2016 The Mysteries of Laura Jon Dunham 2 episodes
Billions Steven Birch 3 episodes
Young & Hungry Nick Diamond Episode: "Young & Parents"
Mistresses Robert 4 episodes
Scream Queens Dr. Mike 2 episodes
2017 Love Locks Jack Burrow Hallmark movie
Justice League Action The Atom (voice) 3 episodes
Andi Mack Director Season 1 episode 1: "Dad Influence"
Curb Your Enthusiasm TV Detective #2 Episode: "The Shucker"
2018 The Big Bang Theory George Cooper Jr. 2 episodes
The Wendy Williams Show Host 5 episodes
2018 Carter Harley Carter Series lead

Video game[]

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Infinite Crisis Shazam

Music videos[]

  • "David Duchovny" – Bree Sharp
  • "Heartbreaker" – Mariah Carey (1999)
  • "12 Days of Christmas" from Christmas QueensKatya Zamolodchikova"

Podcast Appearances[]

  • "Pardon My Take" - August 6th, 2018

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
2018 Award Winning Listener Listening Won Pardon My Take

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Jerry O'Connell Biography (1974-)". FilmReference.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2015. Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  2. Nassour, Ellis (March 14, 2012). "The Pluck of the Irish". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved April 29, 2015.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  3. Mollie Lobl (November 29, 2007). "He Might Be on Television, but Don't Be Intimidated — He Also Went to NYU". Columbia Spectator. http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/27795. 
  4. O'Connell reference, NYU News, October 2, 2013.
  5. db, Im. "Jerry O'Connell Biography". Internet Movie Database.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  6. "THAT ALL DEPENDS ..." People. November 8, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2008.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  7. "In-Depend-Ence". Jerry O'Connell Fansite. November 27, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2008.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  8. "Photos from Last Call with Carson Daly". Jerry O'Connell Fansite. November 29, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2008.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  9. Jerry Connell Parody of Tom Cruise Scientology Video
  10. "Minnesota Monitor". minnesotamonitor.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015. Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  11. "Breaking News - Mary J Blige, Maroon 5 Touch Down in Glendale, Arizona to Perform at 'The VH1 Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash' Premiering on Saturday, February 2 at 9 PM*". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved April 29, 2015.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  12. Live Review: Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash with Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5 Archived February 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, LiveDaily.com]
  13. "FOX 2014/2015 Schedule". fox.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2015. Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  14. Cancellation of Do Not Disturb
  15. Natalie Abrams. "Death, Jerry O'Connell Come to Eastwick". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Eastwick-Death-OConnell-1011280.aspx. 
  16. "Jerry O'Connell Goes Wild on the Set of Piranha". DreadCentral.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  17. "Hot Chicks in Bikinis Going 'Wild, Wild' with Jerry O'Connell on the Set of 'Piranha'!". BloodyDisgusting.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  18. Michael Ausiello. "Exclusive: 'Rex Is Not Your Lawyer' DOA at NBC?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  19. "Jerry O'Connell cast as Herman Munster in NBC's 'Mockingbird Lane'".<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  20. Ulrica Wihlborg (July 15, 2007). "Rebecca Romijn Weds Jerry O'Connell". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20046336,00.html. 
  21. Webshots. "Webshots - Young Leopard, Sabi Sands Conservancy, South Africa". webshots.com. Retrieved April 29, 2015.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  22. "Celebrity Babies and Kids – Moms & Babies – People.com". celebrity-babies.com. Retrieved April 29, 2015.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  23. Laudadio, Marisa (January 5, 2009). "Rebecca Romijn Welcomes Twin Girls – Babies, Rebecca Romijn". People. Retrieved March 14, 2010.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  24. Marisa Laudadio. "Rebecca Romijn Welcomes Twin Girls". People.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  25. Gina Serpe (January 5, 2009). "Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell Welcome Twins". E!. Retrieved October 20, 2010.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  26. "Jerry O'Connell Enrolls in Law School". US magazine. August 13, 2009. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/jerry-oconnell-enrolls-in-law-school-2009138. 
  27. "Jerry O'Connell quits law school to play Vegas 'Defender'". New York Post. Retrieved April 29, 2015.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>

External links[]

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