Free Willy Jesse child star is unrecognisable 30 years after the movie’s release
Free Willy was released 30 years ago and original Jesse child star Jason James Richter is unrecognisable in a new interview celebrating the milestone.
Trailer: Free Willy starring Michael Madsen
Can you believe it’s been 30 years since the classic family movie Free Willy first hit cinemas?
The well-received box office hit followed 11-year-old orphan Jesse as he's forced to work at a water park where he befriends a young Orca separated from its family.
The movie spawned a franchise with child star Jason James Richter reprising his role in two sequels.
And now as the original film celebrates its 30th anniversary, the 43-year-old has spoken in a new interview to mark the milestone
Appearing on Australian TV, the former child star was unrecognisable three decades on.
Read more... Free Willy child starJason James Richter then and now [FREE WILLY]
Speaking on Nine’s Today Extra while sporting a brown moustache, Jason said how excited he’d been to secure the role of Jesse.
The Free Willy star said: “I was just about 11 years old. I ran through the neighbourhood to brag to all my friends.
“Nobody believed me until I left to go make the movie."
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The lucky 11-year-old beat over 4000 auditionees to the role of Jesse in the 1993 classic.
Jason, a native of Oregon, also admitted to being frightened when shooting scenes with the killer whale Keiko.
Today he’s still an actor having most recently had a part in 2021 comedy-drama Last Call.
