Haley Joel Osment Movies

Making its first appearance on November 14, 1988, the long-running, Emmy-winning CBS sitcom Murphy Brown starred Candice Bergen as the title character, the driving, driven, often overbearing but essentially likable star reporter of the Washington, D.C.-based TV magazine "FYI." A thorough professional, Murphy never gave less than her best before the cameras -- but behind the cameras, it was a different story. Constitutionally incapable of doing anything by halves, Murphy told her colleagues exactly what she thought of them at all times, seldom made a comment that wasn't laced with sarcasm, and was addicted to tobacco and, for a while, booze (this last shortcoming required her to do some time at the Betty Ford Clinic). Though the rest of the "FYI" staffers were accustomed to Murphy's mood swings and idiosyncrasies, outsiders tended to be scared off by our heroine: indeed, one of the series' most famous running gags was the fact that Murphy had a different secretary in practically every episode! Also in the cast were Charles Kimbrough as "FYI"'s uptight, humorless anchorman Jim Dial; Joe Regalbuto as the show's gonzo (and obviously toupeed) investigative reporter Frank Fontana, Faith Ford as "FYI"'s voluptuous, somewhat vacuous cub reporter and ex-Miss America Corky Sherwood, who considered Murphy to be her role model (often to Murphy's dismay) and who eventually married staff writer Will Forest (Scott Bryce), thereby becoming -- are you ready? -- Mrs. Corky Sherwood Forest; and Grant Shaud as "FYI"'s nebbishy executive producer Miles Silverberg, not exactly what one would call a born leader of men (or of Murphy!).

When not on the set of her show, Murphy could be found in her townhouse apartment, often conversing with quirky, philosophy-spouting house painter Eldin Bernecky (Robert Pastorelli), who spent day and night trying to finish redecorating Murphy's living room -- a job he still hadn't entirely completed when he left the series in season seven. Murphy also hung out with her co-workers at a neighborhood bar owned by another erstwhile philosopher named Phil (Pat Corley), at least until he reportedly died, whereupon Murphy and company purchased the bar themselves (as it turned out, reports of Phil's death were slightly exaggerated -- by Phil!). Additionally, Jay Thomas appeared intermittently as Geraldo-like journalist Jerry Gold, with whom Murphy frequently clashed -- when they weren't romancing one another, that is. As the series progressed, the basic throughline, and the characters, underwent a few changes. After her divorce from Will Forest, Corky eloped with Miles Silverberg, though she stayed in Washington when he left to run a CNN-style news service in New York. Murphy's brief fling with her ex-husband, Jake (Robin Thomas), produced a baby named Avery (who apparently grew up rather quickly, since he was played during the final season by Haley Joel Osment) -- and also stirred up a controversy when no less than Vice President Dan Quayle chastised Murphy Brown for eroding "family values" in America by bearing a child out of wedlock. Later on, dashing international reporter Peter Hunt (Scott Bakula) joined the "FYI" staff, sweeping Murphy off her feet and ultimately asking her to marry him (she didn't). Other additions to the cast included Garry Marshall as new network president Stan Lansing, who waged an ongoing war with Murphy over her non-PC attitude; Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) as Stan's whiny nephew Andrew, who was forced upon Murphy as her secretary -- and actually kept the job for more than a single episode; Christopher Rich as "FYI" co-anchor Miller Redfield, just the sort of gorgeous-looking, empty-headed TV personality whom Murphy despised with every fibre of her being; and Lily Tomlin as Kay Carter-Shepley, "FYI"'s imperious, and not altogether competent, new executive producer. In addition to the main and supporting cast, the series featured a number of real-life news personalities as "themselves," among them Walter Cronkite, Connie Chung, Larry King, Katie Couric, and Paula Zahn. The series' tenth and final season found Murphy undergoing treatment for breast cancer, an outwardly grim situation that, amazingly enough, never intruded upon the laughter. Murphy Brown ended its network run on August 10, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Larry (Garry Shandling) was already skating on thin ice with the network following his departure from the show, and now the suits upstairs are quickly tiring of Larry's constant on-air barbs made at their expense. Despite Artie's (Rip Torn) persistent pleas for him to let up, Larry's venom only becomes more potent. When Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) is injured during a skit, the network bigwigs finally decide to draw a line in the sand. With Artie's job and the future of the show on the line, Larry finally relents and offers an on-air apology...though Hank's subsequent threat to sue the network brings about an even more troublesome dilemma. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

This made-for-cable comedy centers on the romantic travails of Michael Makeshift (Jason Alexander), a schnook who just can't get over the fact that his girlfriend dumped him. To make matters worse, his gross and sloppy landlord is bugging him for long-overdue rent. Things for Michael's brother Reggie (James Woods) are much better. He is planning to rob the credit union where his own mother (Beau Arthur) works. His new wife Valerie (Lolita Davidovitch) has no idea what Reggie is planning and so is puzzled when Michael comes to stay with her. She also does not know that Reggie has paid Michael for the favor. Despite his well-laid plans, things go badly for Reggie when his henchmen mutiny and force him to reveal that the clueless Valerie carries the security codes they need to pull off the job in her suitcase. Thus begins a merry chase. While Michael helps Valerie escape, he reveals the truth about Reggie. At the same time, she become increasingly attracted to her new protector. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This version of O. Henry's oft adapted comical short story stays close to the original and chronicles the chaos suffered by two vagrants who decide to kidnap a little boy who turns out to be such a terror that they must pay a ransom for his parents to take him back. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Murphy (Candice Bergen) can't bring herself to tell her son Avery about her cancer surgery--nor, for that matter, has she been able to even say the "C" word to anyone, herself included. As Murphy relentlessly cross-examines the doctors assigned to her surgery (apparently none of them are qualifed enough to suit her!), the rest of the "FYI" gang tries to protect her secret from conniving tabloid photographer Rudy Grasso (Don McManus), even unto having Kay (Lily Tomlin) impersonate Murphy to throw Grasso off the track. Future Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment makes his first appearance as Avery Brown in this episode, which originally ended with PSAs delivered by both Candice Bergen and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A still-groggy Murphy (Candice Bergen) has trouble getting her act together after cancer surgery, so Corky (Faith Ford) offers to temporarily say with her colleague as both caregiver and cook. Before long, Corky is devoting so much time to Murphy that she can't deal with her own problems--which include her disintegrating long-distance marriage to Miles. Not that Murphy really cares; she has come to rely 100 percent on Corky's exotic desserts and round-the-clock ministrations, and she isn't about to give them up just because she's feeling better. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on a true story, the made-for-TV Cab to Canada stars the indomitable Maureen O'Hara as Katherine Eure, a wealthy and very proper "little old lady from Pasadena." En route to a funeral, Katherine summons the cab driven by one Mike Donahue (Jason Beghe). In answer to the traditional "Where to, lady?," Kathryn knocks Mike for a loop when she imperiously insists upon being driven to Vancouver, British Columbia...some 3,100 miles away. During the motor odyssey that follows, Kathryn proves that she's something substantially more than just another arrogant old dowager, just as the down-to-earth Mike loses his natural-born animosity toward those better off than himself. Meanwhile, the authorities are at their wit's end, convinced that Kathryn has been kidnapped, and are prepared to mete out harsh punishment for her captor. A pre-Sixth Sense Haley Joel Osment appears as Bobby. Cab to Canada made its CBS network bow on November 29, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this tense tale of psychological terror, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is six-years-old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers, and he has little control over them; he's constantly terrified by what he sees, and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However, as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers, it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan, who wrote and directed the film, has a small role as Dr. Hill. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A young boy stumbles upon a simple way to change the world in this drama. Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) is a bright 11-year-old boy who comes from a troubled home; his mother Arlene (Helen Hunt) is an alcoholic trying to hold down two jobs to support her son, while Trevor's father Jon Bon Jovi) left his family behind some time ago. At school, Trevor's class is introduced to their new social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey), a guarded man with severe facial scars. Simonet gives his class an unusual assignment -- think up a practical way to make the world a better place, and put it into action. Trevor comes up with the notion of Pay It Forward" -- do a needed favor for three different people without being asked, and then ask them to do the same for three others. Trevor starts by letting Jerry (James Caviezal), a junkie living on the streets, stay in his home. Next, he tries to fix Arlene up with Mr. Simonet, since both seem to be lonely and the clean and sober teacher might help Arlene stay away from alcohol. Finally, he tries to rescue one of his schoolmates, who is constantly tormented by bullies. Meanwhile, journalist Chris Chandler (Jay Mohr) finds himself stuck on the road without a car late one night when a man stops and give him the keys to a new car, asking him only to pay the favor forward to someone else; astonished, Chris wants to find out where this philosophy came from. Based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hide, Pay It Forward also stars Angie Dickinson and Liev Schreiber. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This program from Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the first full-length adventure featuring Spot the dog, from the series of books by Eric Hill. Released in 2000, and featuring the voice talents of The Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment, Spot: Discover Spot takes young viewers along as Spot interacts with his friends and his grandpa. Designed to be educational as well as entertaining, the program features songs, interactive games, and puzzles. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Brian (voice of Seth MacFarlane) tells his shrink that nothing thrills him anymore. He's watched the Behind the Music with Leif Garrett so many times that he's memorized it. It's suggested that Brian needs to think about the needs of others for a change; his shrink recommends volunteer work. He takes a blind man to a movie and describes it to him (clearly, the film is The Blair Witch Project -- "Nothing's happening...something about a map...nothing's happening...it's over.") and plays checkers with an old woman. The volunteer work doesn't go too well. But things take a happier turn when Joe (voice of Patrick Warburton) suggests Brian put his talented nose to work for the police. Brian can smell cocaine a mile away, and is soon touring schools as "McGriffin, the Drug Dog." But he soon discovers he has more than a professional interest in the substance. Meanwhile, at the company picnic, Peter (MacFarlane) wins a week's paid vacation. But the Griffins put off their trip to the Bahamas to support Brian as he goes into rehab. Peter is so impressed with the well-appointed Providence Rehab Center ("This is where God would come if he had to stop doing blow!") that he decides to spend his vacation there, posing as a heroin addict. He's a bad influence, luring Brian out of group therapy so they can spy on the pregnant teens across the lake. Brian's therapist at the center tells him that he'll never recover unless he gets away from Peter's negative influence. Brian decides he does need some time away, and takes off for parts unknown. This episode was the first of two parts, concluding with "Brian Does Hollywood." ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

This family musical enjoys the dubious distinction of being the first film ever based on a theme park attraction, the "Country Bears Jamboree" at Disneyworld. Beary Barrington (voice of Haley Joel Osment) is an adolescent bruin raised by a human family after he was found by a park ranger, abandoned in the forest. Curious about his biological roots, Beary travels to Tennessee to seek out his birth parents while attempting to locate the members of his favorite musical group -- a defunct country music act called the Country Bears -- along the way. Country Bear Hall, the famed venue where the band was launched, is facing imminent destruction at the hands of greedy banker Reed Thimple (Christopher Walken), but young Beary has a plan to save the hall by staging a reunion benefit concert. Beary's path takes him through a guitar duel, a vintage coffee house, and a car wash, as he's pursued by a pair of bumbling cops (Diedrich Bader and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell) trying to reunite him with his adoptive parents. Meanwhile, a panoply of musical legends including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, and Queen Latifah appear Behind the Music-style to comment on the Country Bears' alleged artistic influence on their work. The Country Bears, the first in a pair of planned Disney projects based on the company's theme park rides (the second is slated to be based on "Pirates of the Caribbean"), co-stars Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Garrett, Alex Rocco, and Stephen Root. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide