Celebrity Info
So, let’s talk about the former child actor who became widely recognized for his role as Jesse in the beloved Free Willy film series. Yeah, you know—that kid who shared such an incredible bond with the orca? That was him. Over time, he also made appearances in other notable projects, like The Never Ending Story III and The Adventure Home, which helped solidify his presence in 90s family entertainment.
Before all the spotlight, though, life looked a bit different. He actually got his start super young—like, at just three years old—landing his first television commercial. Can you imagine? From there, things started picking up. Growing up, he moved around quite a bit with his family, living in places like Oregon, then Hawaii, and eventually settling into the Los Angeles scene, which probably played a big role in opening doors for his acting career.
Family-wise, he was born to Sandy Richter Little and Greg Richter, who supported him through those early years in the industry. It’s kind of interesting to think about how someone so young could handle that kind of journey. But hey, he did it—and for a while there, he was the name everyone associated with underwater adventures and whale-saving missions. Definitely left a mark.
He actually took home a Young Artist Award back in 1994, which was a pretty big deal. He earned it for Best Youth Actor in a Leading Role, and honestly, it was a well-deserved win. He had been making waves even at that young age, and this award definitely highlighted his early talent. He proved that he wasn’t just another kid on screen—he had real skill. He continued to build on that momentum, and looking back, it’s clear that moment was a key milestone in his career. He showed everyone what he was capable of, and he hasn’t stopped evolving since.
Turkey
