Jason James Richter | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1980-01-29)January 29, 1980 (age 46) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Notable work |
|
Jason James Richter (born January 29, 1980)[1] is an American actor, musician, producer, and director.
Originally from Medford, Oregon, Richter rose to fame as a child actor, starring in theFree Willy franchise. His career includes a wide range of roles in film and television, as well as work behind the camera. He has appeared in notable productions such asThe Little Things (2021),Last Call (2021), andThe NeverEnding Story III (1994). His television credits include guest roles on popular series likeBones,Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, andCriminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.
In recent years, Richter has expanded his career into producing and directing. He has produced several films, includingNatty Knocks (2023) andThe Last Rampage (2017). His directorial debut came with the short filmThe Quiet Loud in 2013, which he also wrote and produced. Throughout his career, Richter has received recognition for his performances, including a Young Artist Award for his role inFree Willy and nominations for MTV Movie Awards.
As of 2025, Richter continues to be active in the industry, with his most recent acting credit inFinal Heist (2024).
Richter was born on January 29, 1980.
Richter starred as Jesse inFree Willy (1993), a role for which he was chosen out of more than 4,000 candidates.[2]
His other films includeCops & Robbersons,The NeverEnding Story III,Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home,Laserhawk,Free Willy 3: The Rescue, andThe Setting Son. He also reprised his role as Jesse in the music video forMichael Jackson's "Childhood", which was featured inFree Willy 2: The Adventure Home. In 2021, he appeared in the thrillerThe Little Things, his first studio film since theFree Willy films. Between theFree Willy roles, he had TV guest roles onSabrina, the Teenage Witch,Rugrats andThe Client.
Following his appearance inRicochet River, Richter took a decade long hiatus from acting where he was the bassist Fermata.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Free Willy | Jesse Greenwood | |
| 1994 | Cops & Robbersons | Kevin Robberson | |
| 1994 | The NeverEnding Story III: Return to Fantasia | Bastian | |
| 1995 | Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home | Jesse Greenwood | |
| 1997 | Free Willy 3: The Rescue | ||
| 1997 | The Setting Son | Big Bully | |
| 1997 | Laserhawk | Zach Raymond | |
| 2001 | Ricochet River | Wade | |
| 2009 | Tekken | Bonner's Associate | Also assistant director |
| 2013 | The Quiet Loud | Paul | Short film; also director, writer & producer |
| 2014 | Life's a Pitch | Jimmy | TV film |
| 2016 | Vicious | Jeff | Also producer |
| 2017 | Last Rampage | Brawley | Also associate producer |
| 2017 | 3 Solitude | Elliot | |
| 2017 | High & Outside: A Baseball Noir | Johnny | |
| 2018 | Inhumane | Dr. Aaron Graybor | |
| 2018 | Remember the Sultana | Corporal Erastus Winters/ Corporal William Norton/ Private John Zazier (voice) | |
| 2018 | 818 | Alex | |
| 2018 | Driver | Alexander Hutchins | |
| 2019 | The Brawler | John Olson | |
| 2019 | Infidelity | Garret Walker | |
| 2021 | The Little Things | Detective Williams | |
| 2021 | Last Call | Saville | |
| 2023 | Natty Knocks | Leo | |
| 2023 | Nothing to See Here | Daniel | |
| 2024 | Final Heist | TBA |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Movie Magic | Himself | Episode: "Aqua Animatronics" |
| 1996 | The Client | Chris Love | Episode: "The Morning After" |
| 1997 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Dante | Episode: "Dante's Inferno" |
| Rugrats | Ringo the Bull | Episode: "He Saw, She Saw/Piggy's Pizza Palace" | |
| 2001 | Mega Movie Magic | Himself (archive footage) | Episode: "Free Willy 2/Independence Day" |
| 2009 | Bones | Clown No. 2 | Episode: "Double Trouble in the Panhandle" |
| 2011 | Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior | Matthew Keane | Episode: "Nighthawk" |
| Year | Title | Role | Artist | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Childhood" | Jesse | Michael Jackson | Nicholas Brandt |
| 2018 | "Pink Honey" | Tall Man | Houses | Brook Linder |
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Artist Awards | 1994 | Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama | Free Willy(shared withEdward Furlong forA Home of Our Own) | Won | [4] |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | 1994 | Breakthrough Performance | Free Willy | Nominated | [5] |
| Best Kiss | Free Willy(shared withKeiko) | Nominated | [6] |
