Jerry O'Connell Movies
Like Henry Thomas and a few others of the same generation, Jerry O'Connell proves that second acts are far from impossible for Hollywood actors who began their careers as children. O'Connell first gained recognition among film fans as "that fat kid from Stand By Me," when he starred in the 1986 Rob Reiner film at the age of eleven - then experienced a massive physical transformation. Several years and many lost pounds later, O'Connell emerged as a tall, handsome screen lothario, a development that provoked substantial commentary from both film critics and any number of lay viewers.Born in New York City on February 17, 1974, O'Connell enrolled in acting classes at the age of six. He obtained his first professional assignments acting in commercials when he was ten, and a year later made his film debut in the critically acclaimed Stand By Me. Though somewhat overshadowed by the presence of teen idol co-stars River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, O'Connell still managed to win a place in the coming-of-age pantheon. After Stand By Me, he appeared in the memorable syndicated television series My Secret Identity (as a high schooler with superpowers) and enrolled at Manhattan's Professional Children's School. Following his graduation, he attended New York University, where he attained a B.A. in Film and Television in 1995. While still an NYU student, O'Connell appeared in the eminently forgettable Jason Priestley vehicle Calendar Girl (1993).
After his college graduation, O'Connell began to pursue thesping full-time. He soon landed a starring role on the sci-fi series Sliders, which, despite low ratings, had a very loyal viewership. In 1996, the actor's popularity grew beyond the confines of television when he starred in both Joe's Apartment and Jerry Maguire. The latter film was a particular success, and O'Connell began to land steady film assignments once again. Next up was the slasher movie Scream 2 (1997), in which he played Neve Campbell's boyfriend. After an uncredited role in the Jennifer Love Hewitt vehicle Can't Hardly Wait (1998), O'Connell returned to television to star as a young Vietnam War soldier in the miniseries The '60s in 1999. That same year, he starred as a neanderthal-like jock in Body Shots, a film about the search for love and/or a lay amongst a group of Los Angeles twentysomethings.
At this point, if O'Connell still carried a full resume, he often seemed to alternate between respectable A-list material - such as the disappointing but ambitious Brian De Palma sci-fi'er Mission to Mars (2000) and the generally pleasant family comedy Yours, Mine and Ours (2005) - and ridiculous studio dreck, such as the misogynistic sex comedy Tomcats (2001) and the awful 2002 "family" picture Kangaroo Jack (where the actor co-starred alongside a wisecracking CG-animated marsupial). In fall 2007, O'Connell trekked back to the small screen for one of the three lead roles in the sitcom Carpoolers - about a cadre of male buddies who share rides to and from work each day. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Set in Montana in 1919, this western stars Jerry O'Connell as Mac, a young man who wants to be a ranger in the high country. Mac's mentor is Bill Bell (Sam Elliott), a veteran ranger who is trying to show Mac the ropes of this demanding profession. But Mac has a strong temper and a short fuse, and soon Bill finds himself guiding another young man who seems to have greater potential. However, when a gang of unscrupulous gamblers become a menace in a nearby town, Mac is called on by Bill to help bring them in. Also shown as The Rager, The Cook And A Hole In The Sky. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Angela (Heather Graham) and Curtis (Jerry O'Connell) have it all - a loving relationship, a beautiful house and successful careers. That is, until an unexpected pregnancy sends them on a hilarious, nine-month roller coaster ride. Now, they must deal with hormonal and emotional mood swings, not to mention all the drama caused by their best friends Danny (John Corbett) and Sylvie (Katie Finneran) as well as Angela's over-demanding boss (Lara Flynn Boyle). It all adds up to an uproarious battle of the sexes in this new romantic comedy by Brian Herzlinger (My Date with Drew).
- Starring:
- Heather Graham, John Corbett, (more)
The rocky relationship between two brothers is told in flashbacks in this made-for-television coming-of-age drama from Hallmark Entertainment. Based on the novel by Ethan Canin, a long-lost brother (Jerry O'Connell) comes back to his dysfunctional family and unearths his younger brother's mixed feelings. Emmy nominee Richard Welsh (The Piano Lesson) served as executive producer. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
After making his directorial debut with the acclaimed made-for-cable movie Gia, writer Michael Cristofer helmed his first big-screen offering with this drama. When eight men and women in their early-to-mid-20s head out for a night on the town, hopping from one Los Angeles club to the next, not everything goes as planned as they discover the joys and perils of dating at the end of the 20th Century. Body Shots shifts among the perspectives of its eight characters, played by Sean Patrick Flanery, Ron Livingston, Jerry O'Connell, Amanda Peet, Emily Procter, Tara Reid, Brad Rowe, and Sybil Temchen. The film had a number of titles during production, including The Night Before and Jello Shots, the latter of which was reportedly axed to avoid legal problems with the company that makes the gelatin dessert product. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Patrick Flanery, Jerry O'Connell, (more)
After five years of dating, David (Jerry O'Connell) gets what he feels is an ultimatum from his girlfriend, Sarah (Bridgette Wilson). She thinks they should get married. When his old buddy, Tyler (Ron Livingston of Swingers), a legendary womanizer, calls to announce his wedding plans, it only increases the pressure on David. When Sarah leaves town on a business trip, David has a chance to explore his options. He turns to his friends, Jonesey (Bill Bellamy), and the unrepentant lothario Michael (Ryan Reynolds, who also starred in director Walt Becker's National Lampoon's Van Wilder) for advice. Jonesey half-heartedly encourages David to marry Sarah. Michael, who treats women shabbily, tries to talk David out of it. David tells his friends about an epiphany that he had many years earlier, when he saw beautiful blond Julie (Erinn Bartlett) in an airport, and was instantly smitten. He knew she was the one. He courageously handed the strange girl his phone number, and a brief romantic correspondence ensued, but it ended disastrously. Uncertain about his destiny with Sarah, David spots another woman at a Mexican restaurant, and has the same feeling he had with Julie. He spends a lot of time and effort trying to track this mystery woman down, while Sarah, frustrated by their lack of progress, considers ending their relationship. Michael, meanwhile, has a real identity crisis, when he wakes up in a strange bed after a night of drinking, drugs, and debauchery, only to find a gay man in the bedroom with him. Buying the Cow also stars Alyssa Milano, Annabeth Gish, and Jon Tenney. The film was co-written by director Becker and Peter W. Nelson. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry O'Connell, Bridgette Wilson, (more)
- 1993
- PG13
Lots of guys used to dream about having a date with Marilyn Monroe, but three friends who are about to graduate from high school to go their separate ways try to make that fantasy a reality in this comedy, set in 1962. Roy (Jason Priestley), Ned (Gabriel Olds), and Scott (Jerry O'Connell) have been buddies since the age of six, when they were entered together in a Howdy Doody look-alike contest. With only a few weeks to go before they graduate from high school, Roy has impulsively joined the Army to get away from his abusive father, while Ned has discovered he's going to be a father, and Scott is still plagued by his pesky virginity. Wanting to enjoy their last few weeks of freedom, Roy "borrows" a wad of cash and a blue Galaxie 500 convertible from his former employers, repo men Arturo and Antonio Gallo (Kurt Fuller and Stephen Tobolowsky), and persuades his friends to join him as he heads to Hollywood. Roy wants to meet the woman of his dreams, Marilyn Monroe, whom he's learned is working on a new picture, Something's Got to Give. With the help of Roy's Uncle Harry (Joe Pantoliano), they locate Monroe's home and camp out at her gate, hoping to get a glimpse of the glamourous goddess. However, Roy breaks out a reefer to smoke while they attempt to stay up all night (tactical error number one: marijuana does not make you more alert!), and when she slips out without their noticing, the three end up on a mad chase to find Marilyn before she gets away. Meanwhile, the Gallo Brothers have noticed their car is gone, and they are determined to get it back, without much concern for the health or safety of the thief. Calendar Girl was Jason Priestley's first vehicle following his success on the television series Beverly Hills 90210. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Gabriel Olds, (more)
After the Huntington Hills High graduation ceremony, the fun gets underway at the graduation party where an assortment of jocks, geeks, prom queens, bimbos, headbangers, and nerdy misfits unload four years' worth of emotional baggage at a house where the hostess (Michelle Brookhurst) loses control of her guests. Writer wannabe Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry) has been in love with Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt of Party of Five) since the first time he saw her during their freshman year. His tormented infatuation with Amanda has intensified throughout high school and culminates at the party, where Preston must now seize this final opportunity to proclaim his love for her before he leaves the next day for Boston. Preston decides to make his move at some point during the party, a particularly auspicious occasion since Amanda has just been dumped by her super-jock boyfriend, Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli), who wanted freedom to pursue his testosterone-charged fantasies with college women. Cringing at this ludicrous love triangle is Preston's introverted pal and confidante, Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose). When Denise runs into her ex-childhood friend Kenny (Seth Green), the two begin sexual experimentation behind the closed bathroom door. Geeky science-fiction fan William Lichter (Charlie Korsmo) devises a plan to ruin Mike's stud reputation and publicly humiliate him and his meathead buddies -- sweet revenge for four years of agony. Former Huntington Hills graduate Trip McNieley (Jerry O'Connell) tells Mike about the terror awaiting in college where "Guys like us are a dime a dozen." Yearbook Girl (Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) wants everyone to sign her cherished volume of memories as the partying teens attempt to move into the uncertain future. Party house exteriors were shot on Rubio Street in Altadena, California, and other California locations included Johnnie's Broiler in downtown Downey, Dutton's Book Store in Reseda, Marshall High School in Los Feliz, and Union Station in LA. With more than 70 speaking parts, this film is the directorial debut of the scriptwriting team of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, (more)
- 2007
Created by Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall fame, the ABC sitcom Carpoolers chronicled the zany misadventures of four male suburbanites who, twice each working day, drove to and from the jobs in the same carpool. The unofficial leader of the quartet was Gracen Brooker (Fred Goss), a professional mediator who was self-conscious over the fact that his real-estate agent wife Leila (Faith Ford) and his 22-year-old "onliner" son Marmaduke (T.J. Miller) both had higher incomes than he did. Gracen's best friend and fellow carpooler was dentist Laird (Jerry O'Connell), who was in the middle of a divorce from his spouse Joannifer (played on a recurring basis by O'Connell's real-life wife Rebecca Romjin). The third member of the foursome was Aubrey (Jerry Minor), who eagerly looked forward to his daily 90-minute round trip as a brief respite from his lazy, overbearing wife and his seven repulsive children. The youngest and least jaded of the carpoolers was Dougie (Tim Peper), recently married to sweet Cindy (Allison Munn) and the father of an adorable baby son named Reggie. An agreeable if not hilarious harkback to the "ensemble" sitcoms of old, Carpoolers debuted October 2, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred Goss, Jerry Minor, (more)
- 2008
This workplace comedy takes place at the illustrious New York destination known as the Inn - one of the most popular and exclusive hotels in the country. Always brimming with celebrity guests and the most expensive furnishings, the inner workings of the Inn are anything but smooth. The operation's obsessive manager Neal (Jerry O'Connell) makes even the most minor into a large scale catastrophe, and his anal-retentive attitude is seldom appreciated by coworkers like sassy HR rep Rhonda (Niecy Nash), who has her own set of rules, or front desk clerk Nicole (Molly Stanton), a former model who's usually in a bad mood from being in some stage of starvation. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Niecy Nash, Jerry O'Connell, (more)
A very special student deals with exams, first love, and national security issues in this teen-oriented romantic comedy-drama. Samantha MacKenzie (Katie Holmes) is a seemingly ordinary college freshman with one important exception -- her father happens to be the President of the United States (Michael Keaton). Samantha, however, would prefer to be as inconspicuous as possible as she begins her studies at Redmond University, so she asks a favor of her father -- remove the two Secret Service agents who follow her everywhere, and allow her to fend for herself at school. The president agrees, but out of concern for her safety, he sends in a young undercover agent, James (Marc Blucas), who will pose as the Resident Advisor at her dorm to keep an eye on her. Samantha and James strike up a fast friendship that grows into a romance, but when Samantha discovers the truth about James, she wonders if his love for her is real or just part of his cover. First Daughter was directed by actor-turned-director Forest Whitaker. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katie Holmes, Marc Blucas, (more)
Combining drama, comedy, and romance, Jerry Maguire was a critical and commercial success built on an original script by writer/director Cameron Crowe and an Oscar-nominated performance by Tom Cruise. Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is an agent with a major sports management firm. He's enthusiastic, successful, a great negotiator and people like him. But it begins to dawn on Jerry that there's something wrong with what he's doing, and not long after a troubling encounter with the son of an injured athlete he represents, Jerry has a serious crisis of conscience. In the midst of a sleepless night, Jerry writes a memo calling on himself and his colleagues to think more about the long-term welfare of the clients they represent and less about immediate profits. While everyone around him applauds the sentiment, Jerry's superiors think his ideas are bad for business; Jerry is fired, and, rather than standing in solidarity with him, his "friends" in the firm scramble like sharks to claim Jerry's clients. At the end of his last day, the only people willing to join Jerry as he strikes out on his own are staff accountant Dorothy (Renee Zellweger), a single mother secretly in love with him, and Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a football player whose pride and arrogance have gotten in the way of his reaching his potential. Jerry Maguire earned an Academy Award for Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance as Tidwell and provided a breakthrough role for Renee Zellweger; it also made "Show me the money!" an unavoidable catchphrase for several months. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., (more)
This film is based on an innovative short film made for MTV about a guy living in a horrible downtown apartment filled with scores of mischievous, smart-alecky roaches. The story chronicles the adventures of Joe (Jerry O'Connell), a hapless rube from the rural Midwest who journeys to the wilds of New York City. Mugged repeatedly on his arrival, his luck seems to turn when he finds an affordable apartment in a very dubious neighborhood. Unfortunately, his landlord (Don Ho) is more interested in evicting or, if need be, murdering his tenants, so that the building can be turned into a (highly profitable) penitentiary. Joe finds the allies he needs in his apartment's cockroaches, who sing and dance their way into his heart. This film should be of interest for fans of 1930s musicals; it makes reference to Busby Berkeley's elaborate dance phantasmagorias and the odd water ballets of Esther Williams. Many of the scenes utilized real roaches who were "choreographed" via tiny filament harnesses and other devices. Animal rights activists will be pleased to note that no roaches were intentionally harmed during filming. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry O'Connell, Megan Ward, (more)
Two low-level American crooks head to Australia, where they match wits with a kangaroo (who appears to have an intellectual edge on his pursuers) in this broad comedy. Charlie Carbone (Jerry O'Connell) is a hairdresser from Brooklyn whose best friend, Louis Booker (Anthony Anderson), scrapes together a living moving stolen merchandise. Charlie's stepfather, Sal Maggio (Christopher Walken), is a crime kingpin who has loaned Charlie a lot of money and wants to know when he'll get it back; Sal's not especially fond of Louis, especially after he and Charlie accidentally lead the police to a storehouse of burgled goods owned by Sal. Charlie owes Sal a big favor, and Sal wants Charlie and Louis out of his hair for a while, so Sal sends them to Australia, where they're to deliver a large amount of cash to a mysterious Mr. Smith (Marton Csokas). En route to their meeting in the outback, Charlie and Louis accidentally run over a kangaroo, and the half-bright tourists decide to dress the dead marsupial in sunglasses and Louis' favorite jacket for snapshots. However, the animal wasn't as dead as they imagined, and it soon hops away, shortly after Louis realizes the payment to Mr. Smith was in the pocket. Now Louis and Charlie are out to find the fast-moving critter, with the help of Jessie (Estella Warren), a wildlife expert; Mr. Jimmy (David Ngoombujarra), a wilderness guide; and Blue (Bill Hunter), a pilot familiar with the outback. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, (more)
When a reformed grifter currently running a prosperous alibi service for adulterous husbands inadvertently becomes an accessory to murder, he is forced to execute one last, well-timed con as a means of clearing his name in this lightning fast caper comedy starring Steve Coogan, Rebecca Romijin, Selma Blair, and Sam Elliot. Ray (Coogan) is a smooth operator with a special knack for helping his fellow man dodge the proverbial bullet. When a married man simply can't resist the urge to have a bit of fun on the side, Ray is the man they call to ensure that word of their infidelity never gets back to their unsuspecting wives. When the spoiled son of a high-profile client accidentally kills his clandestine lover on the eve of his wedding, Ray is shocked to discover that he has been implicated in the crime. With a small-town cop targeting him on one side and a mysterious assassin known as "The Mormon" locking him into his sights from the other, desperate Ray must now enlist the aid of his beautiful new recruit Lola (Romijin) in carrying out one last con designed to both clear his name, and save his life. The debut feature from co-directors Matt Checkowski and Kurt Mattilda, Lies and Alibis also features performances by James Brolin, Henry Rollins, James Marsden, Debi Mazar, Jerry O'Connell, and John Leguizamo. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Coogan, Rebecca Romijn, (more)
An unscrupulous Hollywood agent seeks to balance the success of his professional status with the abysmal reality of his personal life in director Miek Binder's existential comedy drama. When it comes to playing the Hollywood game, no one does it better than Jack Giamoro (Ben Affleck). Yet despite having a high-powered job, money to spare, and a beautiful wife, Jack slowly begins to suspect that something is missing from his glitz and glamour life. After enrolling in a journal-writing class in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of his feelings, the man who has it all is shocked to learn that his wife Nina (Rebecca Romijn) has entered into a heated affair with his biggest client. Though at first Jack takes solace in the fact that he is able to express his inner pain through his writing, his entire future is brought into question when ambitious journalist Barbi (Bai Ling) steals his diary in hopes of landing the year's biggest scoop. Not only does the diary contain sensitive personal information, but crucial information about his high-profile clients as well. Now, as Jack fights against insurmountable odds just to hold his life together, the man who once placed priority on power and material possessions realizes that the only path to true happiness is by spending precious time with family. John Cleese, Kal Penn, Jerry O'Connell, and Adam Goldberg star in a soul-searching comedy that explores the relationship between career success and personal fulfillment. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Affleck, Rebecca Romijn, (more)
- 2009
Midnight Bayou is one of four made-for-TV movies adapted from Nora Roberts' romance novels for the Lifetime channel in 2009 (along with Tribute, Northern Lights, and High Noon). Jerry O'Connell stars as lawyer Declan Fitzpatrick, who decides to buy a New Orleans mansion that captured his imagination when he was still a college student. After experiencing some ghostly visions, Declan comes to believe that his new home is haunted --and that he and a local Cajun beauty, Lena Simone (Lauren Stamile), are somehow connected to events that happened at the manor over 100 years ago. This supernatural romantic thriller features a supporting turn from screen legend Faye Dunaway as Lena's psychic grandmother, Odette. ~ Sandra Bencic, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile, (more)
Brian De Palma directed this science-fiction suspense story. When the United States sends its first manned mission to Mars, hopes are high for new scientific discoveries, but many of those hopes are dashed when the Mars crew meets an unexplained disaster; three members of the mission are killed, and a fourth (Don Cheadle) loses all radio contact with the Earth. A rescue mission sets out to bring back the one survivor; in the process, they discover that Mars may not be a dead planet after all, and uncover some startling evidence about the fate of their predecessors. The rescue crew includes Gary Sinise, Jerry O'Connell, Connie Nielsen and Tim Robbins. The screenplay was partially by award-winning playwright Ted Tally, who won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of The Silence of the Lambs. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, (more)
Enticement leads to terror when a sexy office temp forms a dangerous fixation on a successful and happily married asset manager. Derek Charles (Idris Elba) is good at his job; so good that he's recently earned a big promotion. He's worked hard to get to the top, and when his workday is finished Derek has the luxury of returning home to his beautiful wife, Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles), and their healthy newborn child. But Derek's perfect life begins to crumble when sexy new temp worker Lisa (Ali Larter) goes to work at the office and begins stalking Derek's every move. When Lisa's obsession turns dangerous, Derek and Sharon resort to desperate measures in protecting themselves and their child from her deadly wrath. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, (more)
- 1988
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss was first telecast in the Summer of 1988--appropriately enough, since its plot deals with a disaster-laden summer vacation. The "Haven of Bliss" is a ramshackle summer house where a bullheaded father insists that his family spend a few of their vacation weeks. If the slightly exaggerated goings-on resemble the 1982 theatrical feature A Christmas Story, it's not without reason. Both Ollie Hopnoodle and Christmas Story were written and narrated by humorist/raconteur Jean Shepherd. James B. Sikking plays "The Old Man" in this 2-hour nostalgiafest, originally produced for the Disney Channel cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A young schoolteacher with a serious fear of hospitals must face her worst fears when her boyfriend is injured in a car accident and spirited away to a nightmarish medical center where demons don medical scrubs and nefarious nurses bathe in the blood of their suffering patients. Amy's (Christine Taylor) boyfriend has just been involved in a major car accident, but when Amy receives word that her boyfriend has been taken to a hospital that no longer exists, she determines to face her fears and bring her boyfriend back home no matter what horrors await her. Accompanied by a concerned stranger (Jerry O' Connell) who remains steadfast in his determination to solve the mystery of St. Rosemary's, Amy is forced to enter a hallucinatory world of soul-shredding terror where nothing is as it seems and unspeakable horrors lie down every dark and lonely hallway. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christine Taylor, Jerry O'Connell, (more)
A year after the monstrous success of 1996's neo-slasher flick Scream, director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson reunited for this follow-up. Since viewers last saw the characters, nosy newswoman Gale Weathers has written a sleazy best-selling book based on the events of the first film, a book that has been adapted into a Hollywood film called Stab, starring Tori Spelling as Sydney Prescott. The real Sydney (Neve Campbell) has since gone away to college in Cincinnati in hopes of leaving the horrific events of her past behind her. Unfortunately, at a showing of Stab, two college students are murdered in a fashion that is reminiscent of the slayings that took place back in Woodsboro. Suddenly, Sydney, her pal Randy (Jamie Kennedy), and dopy deputy Dewey (David Arquette) find themselves once again pursued by a ruthless masked killer. Among the other potential killers and victims are Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laurie Metcalf, and Liev Schreiber. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Arquette, Neve Campbell, (more)
- 1999
Entering their usual jumping-off place, the Chandler Hotel, the Sliders finds that they're actually trapped in a huge computer--and that they are all miniaturized V.R. images of their "real" selves, who stand as lifeless shells just outside the building. Hotel owner Archibald Chandler (Roy Dotrice) not only refuses to release the foursome, but also threatens to permanently delete them from the hard-drive. Ultimately, the lives of Quinn (Jerry O'Connell), Colin (Charlie O'Connell), Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) and Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) are in the grubby hands of a goofy computer hacker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
