You won’t believe how Jesse from Free Willy looks now! The child star looks unrecognizable as he promotes the 30th anniversary of the classic children’s film
He became famous as the cute street boy Jesse in the cult children’s film “Free Willy”.
But actor Jason James Richter is almost unrecognizable from his days as a young boy who befriended a killer whale.
Wearing a baseball cap, a thick mustache and a light-colored beard, Jason, 43, appeared on Nine’s Today Extra to talk about the film’s 30th anniversary.
He told presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Davies how excited he was to land the coveted role at the tender age of 11.
“I was just 11 years old,” he said during an interview on Wednesday. “I ran around the neighborhood to brag to all my friends.
Jason James Richter is almost unrecognizable from his days as a young boy who befriended a killer whale in the cult children’s film Free Willy
Jason is best known for playing the cute street boy Jesse in the 1993 classic
“Nobody believed me until I went to do the film.”
The film’s plot revolves around Jason’s character, Jesse, a street urchin who befriends an orca named Willy.
When the killer whale’s life is threatened, Jesse releases him.
The film became a fan favorite for its intimate scenes in which the young, diminutive actor interacts with a real-life killer whale named Keiko.
When asked if he was scared during that scene, Jason replied, “Oh yes!”
“I mean, that’s all.” But, you know, life is very risky, man.’
Jason told presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Davies how excited he was to land the coveted role at the tender age of 11.
Originally from Norway, Keiko was snatched from her family to appear in the film.
She later lived in an aquarium in Iceland, where she stayed with four other young orcas.
According to animal activist Phil Demers, Keiko was sold to MarineLand shortly thereafter.
Keiko was then sold to an amusement park in Mexico, but was later rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to the sea near Iceland.
After an acting career that included roles in hit TV shows like The Client and Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Jason spent a decade playing in bands including the groups Blue Root and Fermata. He announced his return to feature films on Today Extra as a producer on the upcoming horror film Natty Knocks
Keiko died of pneumonia in a bay in Norway in 2003 at the age of 27.
Meanwhile, Free Willy grossed $153.7 million at the box office and spawned three sequels.
After an acting career that included roles in hit TV shows like The Client and Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Jason spent a decade playing in bands including the groups Blue Root and Fermata.
On Today Extra he announced a return to feature films as the producer of the upcoming horror film Natty Knocks, in which he says he has a small role.
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