Trivia

During his junior year at NYU film school (for screenwriting), Jerry went to Los Angeles, California, and decided to try out for two TV pilots: Sliders (1995) and a new Fox show called Party of Five (1994). He spent a single day in L.A. and landed the Bailey role in Party of Five (1994), but before he could get back to New York, the studio's first choice for Sliders (1995) backed out. Stuck a day before shooting without a lead, they begged Jerry to fill in. The rest is teen-idol history.

Married his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years, Rebecca Romijn, in a surprise backyard ceremony. The couple exchanged vows in front of 100 family and friends that thought that they had been invited to a barbecue.

While practicing his lines for Stand by Me (1986), was completely impressed that, as an 11-year-old, he was being allowed to swear.

While attending NYU, he was saber captain of the varsity fencing team. He was ranked as high as #17 in the country.

Still hates talking about Stand by Me (1986) because he was overweight at the time.

Father is British and mother is American.

Has 2 daughters: Dolly O'Connell & Charlie O'Connell (b. December 28, 2008) with wife, Rebecca Romijn.

Holds dual US and British nationality, stated on OK!TV in the UK on 23 March 2011 'I'm actually British' and produced his British passport to prove it.

He attended the Professional Children's School in New York City. His classmates included Tara Reid, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Macaulay Culkin, and Ben Taylor.

Participated in the annual Drambuie Pursuit in Scotland. The Drambuie Pursuit takes place once a year and includes an archery contest on the first day and then a second day that includes kayaking, a castle run, boating, mountain biking, rock-climbing, rafting, cross-country biking, off-road buggy racing and canoing. (April 2008)

Signed by an agent at age 10 and was discovered gobbling up cookies in a Duncan Hines commercial.

Because of his cameo in 'Scary Movie 5', spoofing the Shades of Grey novels, he is technically the first person to have played Christian Grey in a feature film.

Attended New York University. Graduated from in May 1995 with a degree in Film and Television.

Father was an art director and mother was an art teacher.

Provided the voice of the original Fawcett Captain Marvel (now known as Shazam) for Justice League (2001) and the DC Showcase short Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam (2010), and later chosen to provide the voice of Superman for Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015), two characters who are known among fans for being unofficial "rivals" due to DC's infamous lawsuit against Fawcett claiming Captain Marvel/Shazam was too similar to Superman.

It wasn't until 10 years after costarring in "Stand By Me" (1986), that Jerry O'Connell got his first starring movie role as "Joe" in the cult classic "Joe's Apartment" (1996). This is the only feature film the late "Don Ho" ever acted in and the first ever feature film produced by MTV Networks.

Older brother of actor/model Charlie O'Connell.

Announced his engagement to actress Rebecca Romijn (September 2005).

While at NYU, he was a Resident Assistant.

The first male permanent co-host of CBS' The Talk.

Played the "heartbreaker" in Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker" video. The single went on to become Mariah's 14th #1 hit.

New York, USA: Set to make his Broadway debut in Theresa Rebeck's new comedy, "Seminar", also starring Alan Rickman. (September 2011)

One of four actors to appear in both the Scream franchise and its parody, the Scary Movie franchise. The other three are: Anthony Anderson, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Tori Spelling.

He is of one half Irish, one quarter Italian, and one quarter Polish, ancestry.

Was ranked #70 on vh1's 100 Greatest Kid Stars (2005).

Worked with River Phoenix in Stand by Me (1986), and Sean Patrick Flanery in Body Shots (1999). Both Phoenix and Flanery have played the young Indiana Jones.

One of two Stand By Me alumni to make it to Star Trek. Wil Wheaton appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Wesley Crusher. Jerry O'Connell voices Jack Ransom in Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020).

Two of the TV shows he has been in, Sliders (1995) and Crossing Jordan (2001), both have had episodes named "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?": Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (1998) and Oh, Brother Where Art Thou? (2004).

Friends with Peter Facinelli.

Attended film school at New York University with Eli Roth.