Jerry O'Connell
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Jeremiah O'Connell<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (born February 17, 1974)<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> is an American actor and TV show 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 NBC 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). Recently, he voiced Commander Jack Ransom on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks and hosted a version of Pictionary syndicated on Fox stations.
Early life
O'Connell was born in New York City, the eldest son of Linda, a Special Education teacher in New Jersey, and Michael O'Connell, an advertising agency art director originally from the United Kingdom.<ref name="UsWeekly25Things">Template:Cite news</ref> He is of half Irish, one quarter Italian, and one quarter Polish ancestry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> O'Connell's paternal grandfather was from County Cork, Ireland while his maternal grandmother was from Belfast, Northern Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His maternal grandfather was Charles S. Witkowski, the 34th mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey.<ref name="UsWeekly25Things" /> 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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>O'Connell reference, NYU News, October 2, 2013.</ref>
Career
Template:BLP unreferenced section O'Connell began his acting career at a young age. As a child, he did commercial work for Duncan Hines cookies.Template:Citation needed 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.
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.<ref>[1],The Late Late Show with Jerry O'Connell Comedy bit with Arliegh Castle,.</ref> 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.<ref name=Goodnites1>Template:Cite web</ref> The National Enquirer caught him filming the skit and printed a photo of him in his diaper.<ref name=GoodnitesPic>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Goodnites2>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
O'Connell co-wrote and appeared in a video parody called "Young Hillary Clinton", satirizing Hillary Clinton's 2008 primary campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Live Review: Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash with Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5 Template:Webarchive, LiveDaily.com</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Cancellation of Do Not Disturb</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He portrayed Derrick Jones in Alexandre Aja's Piranha 3D,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which also stars Adam Scott and Elisabeth Shue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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;<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> the remake series was never picked up for production; however, the pilot would air as a Halloween special on October 26.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 the Hallmark film Love Locks, co-starring his real-life wife Rebecca Romijn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
He also starred in a Canadian police comedy-drama series called Carter, which was North Bay, Ontario and aired for two seasons. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He and wife Romijn hosted The Real Love Boat on CBS, in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
On July 14, 2007, O'Connell married actress and former model Rebecca Romijn.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Their twin girls were born in 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
O'Connell enrolled in Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles in August 2009,<ref name="uslaw">Template:Cite news</ref> but dropped out to return to acting full-time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
O'Connell has dual American and British citizenship.<ref name=dualcitizen>Template:Cite web</ref>
O'Connell is a regular and commonly recurring guest on the Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take, where he discusses his passion for fantasy football and his fandom for the show. He maintains the official position of Fantasy Football Expert for the show. As of January 2025, O'Connell's role as general manager of PMT's fantasy team was in jeopardy due to results of the 2024 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, he has retained this title for the 2025 season and produces a Fantasy Minute segment for the show on Fridays.
O'Connell was once roommates with actor and comedian TJ Miller.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | 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 | |
| Jerry Maguire | Frank "Cush" Cushman | ||
| 1997 | Scream 2 | Derek Feldman | |
| 1998 | Can't Hardly Wait | Trip McNeely | Uncredited |
| 1999 | Template:Sortname | Fabian | |
| Body Shots | Michael Penorisi | ||
| 2000 | Clayton | ||
| Mission to Mars | Phil Ohlmyer | ||
| 2001 | Tomcats | Michael Delaney | |
| 2002 | Template:Sortname | Highland Party Twin | |
| Buying the Cow | David Collins | ||
| 2003 | Kangaroo Jack | Charlie Carbone | |
| 2004 | Fat Slags | Sean Cooley | |
| First Daughter | Template:TableTBA | Producer, screenwriter | |
| 2005 | Yours, Mine & Ours | Max Algrant | |
| 2006 | Template:Sortname | Businessman | |
| Man About Town | David Lilly | ||
| Room 6 | Lucas Dylan | ||
| 2008 | Template:Sortname | 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 | Voice, short film<ref name="btva2">Template:Cite web A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> | |
| 2013 | Scary Movie 5 | Christian Grey | |
| 2014 | Veronica Mars | Sheriff Dan Lamb | |
| Space Station 76 | Steve | ||
| Template:Sortname | Joe Mulligan | ||
| 2015 | Justice League: Throne of Atlantis | Clark Kent / Superman | Voice<ref name="btva2" /> |
| 2016 | Justice League vs. Teen Titans | Clark Kent / Superman | |
| Trolland | Hayden | ||
| 2017 | Justice League Dark | Clark Kent / Superman | |
| The Lego Batman Movie | Martian Manhunter | Voice, uncredited | |
| A Mermaid's Tale | Matt | ||
| Wish Upon | Alex | Uncredited | |
| 2018 | Template:Sortname | Clark Kent / Superman | Voice<ref name="btva2" /> |
| Deep Murder | Doug Dangler | ||
| 2019 | Reign of the Supermen | Clark Kent / Superman, Cyborg Superman | Voice<ref name="btva2" /> |
| Satanic Panic | Samuel Ross | ||
| Batman: Hush | Clark Kent / Superman | Voice<ref name="btva2" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2020 | Justice League Dark: Apokolips War | Clark Kent / Superman | Voice<ref name="btva2" /> |
| The F**k It List | Jeffrey | ||
| Template:Sortname | Tucker | ||
| Ballbuster | Rich | ||
| 2021 | Endangered Species | Mitch Hanover | |
| Pups Alone | Charlie | Voice | |
| 2022 | Play Dead | Coroner | |
| 2023 | The Donor Party | Tim |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Template:Sortname | Carl | Television film |
| 1988 | Template:Sortname | Bobby | Episode: "The Child Broker" |
| Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss | Ralph Parker | Television film | |
| 1988Template:Nbnd1991 | My Secret Identity | Andrew Clements | Main role |
| 1989 | Charles in Charge | David Landon | Episode: "The Organization Man" |
| 1992Template:Nbnd1993 | Camp Wilder | Brody Wilder | Main role |
| 1995 | Template:Sortname | Mac | Television film |
| Blue River | Lawrence Sellars | ||
| 1995Template:Nbnd1999 | Sliders | Quinn Mallory | Template:Br list |
| 1997 | Later | Himself (guest host) | |
| What the Deaf Man Heard | Reverend Perry Ray Pruitt | Hallmark Hall of Fame television film | |
| 1999 | Template:Sortname | Brian Herlihy | Television film |
| 2001 | Night Visions | Andy | Episode: "Rest Stop" |
| 2002 | Going to California | Pete Rossock | Episode: "Searching for Eddie Van Halen" |
| Rome Fire | Ryan Wheeler | Television film | |
| 2002Template:Nbnd2007 | Crossing Jordan | Detective Woody Hoyt | Main role |
| 2003, 2008 | MADtv | Ted Levin, John Edwards | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Without a Trace | Joe Gibson | Episode: "Hawks and Handsaws" |
| Template:Sortname | Singer | ||
| Las Vegas | Detective Woody Hoyt | 5 episodes | |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Captain Marvel | Voice, episode: "Clash"<ref name="btva2" /> |
| 2007 | On the Lot | Jerry 'The Move' | Episode: "6 Cut to 5 & 5 Directors Compete" |
| Ugly Betty | Joel | Episode: "Derailed" | |
| Template:Sortname | Nightwing | Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" /> | |
| 2007Template:Nbnd2008 | Carpoolers | Laird | Main role |
| 2008 | Samantha Who? | Craig | Episode: "The Gallery Show" |
| Do Not Disturb | Neal | Main role | |
| 2009 | Midnight Bayou | Declan Fitzpatrick | Television film |
| Eastwick | Colin Friesen | Episode: "Magic Snow and Creepy Gene" | |
| 2010Template:Nbnd2011 | Template:Sortname | Pete Kaczmarek | Main role |
| 2011 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | Barbecue | Episode: "Fire Fight"<ref name="btva2" /> |
| Fish Hooks | Sterling Hamsterton | Voice, episode: "Pamela Hamster Returns"<ref name="btva2" /> | |
| NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Mental Man | Episode: "Up Periscope, Down With San Diego" | |
| 2013Template:Nbnd2015 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Pip the Pirate Genie | Voice, 7 episodes<ref name="btva2" /> |
| 2013 | 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 role | |
| 2014Template:Nbnd2019 | Drunk History | Thomas Jefferson, Grigori Rasputin, Ken McElroy | 4 episodes |
| 2014 | Template:Sortname | Father Muldoon | Episode: "The Heavenly Fouler" |
| 2015 | Template:Sortname | 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 | Voice, episode: "Mummy Mayhem"<ref name="btva2" /> | |
| 2016 | Template:Sortname | Jon Dunham | 2 episodes |
| Template:Br list | Billions | Steven Birch | 10 episodes |
| 2016 | Young & Hungry | Nick Diamond | Episode: "Young & Parents" |
| Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul | Himself | Episode: "Featuring Rebecca Romijn" | |
| Mistresses | Robert | 4 episodes | |
| Scream Queens | Dr. Mike | 2 episodes | |
| 2017 | Love Locks | Jack Burrow | Television film |
| Justice League Action | Ray Palmer / Atom | Voice, 5 episodes<ref name="btva2" /> | |
| Andi Mack | Director | Episode: "Dad Influence" | |
| Infomercials | Ted Apples | Episode: "Cool Dad" | |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm | TV Detective #2 | Episode: "The Shucker" | |
| 2018Template:Nbnd2019 | Template:Sortname | George Cooper Jr. | 3 episodes |
| 2018Template:Nbnd2019 | Template:Sortname | Himself (guest host) | 7 episodes |
| 2018Template:Nbnd2019 | Carter | Harley Carter | Main role |
| 2018Template:Nbnd2018 | Bravo's Play by Play | Himself (main host) | 3 episodes |
| 2019 | Jerry O' | Himself (host) | |
| Where's Waldo? | Jerry | Voice, episode: "Hit or Miss In Greece" | |
| 2020–2024 | Star Trek: Lower Decks | Commander Jack Ransom | Voice, main role |
| 2020Template:Nbnd2023 | The Ready Room | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2021Template:Nbndpresent | Tab Time | Coach Goodgame | Episode: "Winning & Losing" |
| 2021Template:Nbnd2024 | The Talk | Himself (co-host) | |
| 2022 | The Lake | Gil the Thrill | Episode: "Mommy Queerest" |
| The Real Love Boat | Himself (Host) | Main role | |
| 2022Template:Nbndpresent | Pictionary | Himself (Host) | Main role |
| 2023 | The Neighborhood | Himself | Episode: "Welcome to the Milestone" |
| Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Commander Jack Ransom | Voice, episode: "Those Old Scientists" | |
| Solar Opposites | Jerry O'Connell / Barry Hatfield (voice) | Episode: "The Birth-A-Day Present" | |
| The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Himself | Episode: "Sutton-ly Suspicious" | |
| 2024 | Big Brother | Himself (Host) | Fill-in for Julie Chen Moonves on Season 26 (1 episode)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2025 | Krapopolis | Musculus | Voice, episode: “Love Trap, Baby!” |
| Big Brother: Unlocked | Guest | Companion show with Big Brother 27 (2 episodes)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Infinite Crisis | Shazam |
Music videos
- "David Duchovny" – Bree Sharp (1999)
- "Heartbreaker" – Mariah Carey (1999)
- "12 Days of Christmas" from Christmas Queens – Katya Zamolodchikova
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; March 10, 2023; September 1, 2023; February 7, 2024; May 6, 2024; May 20, 2024; August 28, 2024; January 29th, 2025; March 7th, 2025; April 2nd, 2025 (as Big Dom); June 2nd, 2025 ; July 18th, 2025; August 22nd, 2025
- 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
- I’ve Had It - February 6, 2024
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Young Artist Awards | Jackie Coogan Template:Small | Stand by Me | Template:Won |
| 1989 | Best Young Actor in a Family Syndicated Show | My Secret Identity | Template:Nom | |
| 1990 | Best Young Actor in an Off-Primetime Family | Template:Nom | ||
| 2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Lead Actor – Drama Series | Carter | Template:Nominated |
| 2020 | Template:Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host Template:Small | The Talk | Template:Nominated |
| 2024 | Template:Nominated | |||
| 2025 | Pardon My Take presents the “Takies” | Bonk of the Year | Obliterating Hank on the Knicks v. Celtics Stream | Won |
References
External links
- 1974 births
- American male child actors
- American male film actors
- American people of Irish descent
- American people of Italian descent
- American people of Polish descent
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- Catholics from New York (state)
- Living people
- Male actors from Manhattan
- New York University alumni
- NYU Violets fencers
- Southwestern Law School alumni
- Tisch School of the Arts alumni