Jerry O'Connell

'Jerry O'Connell' (qv) was born in New York City, to Linda (Witkowski), an art teacher, and Michael O'Connell, a British-born advertising agency art director. He spent his early years in Manhattan, with his parents and younger brother, 'Charlie O'Connell' (qv), who is also an actor. He is of one half Irish, one quarter Italian, and one quarter Polish, descent. Jerry began his acting career at a very young age. He did commercial work and TV work before getting the role of "Vern Tessio" in the popular film _Stand by Me (1986)_ (qv) opposite 'River Phoenix' (qv) and 'Corey Feldman' (qv). After that, he worked on several TV-Movies and TV-series and had a starring role in _My Secret Identity (1988)_ (qv). From 1991 to 1994, Jerry attended New York University where he majored in film, but he didn't graduate.In 1993, he starred in the film _Calendar Girl (1993)_ (qv) opposite 'Jason Priestley' (qv). In 1995, he starred in the TV-movie western _The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky (1995)_ (qv) and, in 1996, he landed the role of "Frank Cushman" in the successful film _Jerry Maguire (1996)_ (qv) opposite 'Tom Cruise' (qv). Over the next few years, he starred in _Scream 2 (1997)_ (qv), had a small uncredited role in _Can't Hardly Wait (1998)_ (qv), as well as appearing in several TV-movies and having starring roles in the TV-series _Sliders (1995)_ (qv) and the film _Body Shots (1999)_ (qv) opposite 'Sean Patrick Flanery' (qv) and 'Tara Reid' (qv).In 2000, he appeared in the 'Brian De Palma' (qv) film _Mission to Mars (2000)_ (qv) with 'Gary Sinise' (qv), among others. He has also appeared in movies such as _Tomcats (2001)_ (qv), _Buying the Cow (2002)_ (qv), _Kangaroo Jack (2003)_ (qv), _Yours, Mine & Ours (2005)_ (qv), _Man About Town (2006)_ (qv) and _Room 6 (2006)_ (qv). In 2007, he married actress/model 'Rebecca Romijn' (qv), and they have twin girls.::A.G.