Life according to...

The Jerry Maguire actor talks about starring opposite his wife, filming in Kenya during a pandemic, and his breakthrough role in ’80s classic, Stand By Me

Hollywood star Jerry O’connell

What led to you making new movie Endangered Species in Kenya during the pandemic?

My wife (X-men star Rebecca Romijn) got the call to be in the film. The world was in lockdown but, after extensive testing, one could go to Kenya. I read the script and saw the role of the poacher and said, “Let me play this role, let’s all go to Kenya”. It was an intensely magical experience.

How close did you get to the wildlife?

I was feet away from a lion at one point. My wife and our co-star, Philip Winchester, were right next to an elephant – although the rangers and guides were there in case anything happened. It’s for real when you’re out there in the bush.

What’s it like playing the bad guy opposite your wife?

It’s so much fun. This probably makes me sound like a sicko and I should probably seek help for it, but when I have to be rude to my wife in scenes, I really go for it. My wife was in Ugly Betty and I got to play a guy who insults her. Vanessa Williams’s character gave me my comeuppance, but I got to be really rude to my wife. In Endangered Species it gets a little demented towards the end, and in rehearsals I was telling her, “I’m no longer your husband, I’m your worst nightmare”. I do enjoy working with my wife. We have a fun time.

You were 11 when you starred in Stand By Me. What do you remember of the experience?

I was a kid who was always getting into trouble for interrupting and speaking out of turn. They called it hyperactivity back then – it would be known as ADHD now. But when I stepped on to that film set, hyperactivity was not only allowed but encouraged. Our director, Rob Reiner, would point and say, “I want more of that”. A light went off and I thought, this is where I belong, this is me. I was so grateful to have that. In your lifetime, if you can find something you do where you say, “Yeah, this is where I belong, these are my people”… well, I just hope everybody gets a day like that in their lives.

You avoided the pitfalls that often befall former child actors – how did you manage that?

My Stand By Me co-star, Wil Wheaton, said he was under a lot of pressure from his parents when he did that movie, and that’s why his character was so haunted – he was using his life experience for Gordie. I really felt for him when he said that, because I had no idea. After reflecting on what he said, and I don’t mean to make light of a serious situation, I’m grateful my parents never put any expectations on me. They knew better than that. Acting was something I did as a choice even at that age, and I’m really grateful about that. You can’t choose your parents – you have to work with the hand you’re dealt.

But we’re always here for Will and we love him. If you have the slightest notion that someone is going through something, it costs nothing to ask them if everything is ok.

When I have to be rude to my wife in scenes, I go for it

What’s next for you?

I’ve been filling in on The Talk, an American talk show, which has been lots of fun. Also, my wife is working on the new Star Trek show, Strange New Worlds, which is going to be awesome, a real old-school sci-fi extravaganza. I have her email password, so I’ve been reading the scripts, and I’ve been getting chills! She’s out of town right now with that, so I’m on parent duty.